It's best to keep the pointed end going forward as much as possible. Hovering is for pilots who love to fly, but have no place to go. The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire. The only thing worse than a captain who never flew copilot is a copilot who was once a captain. Takeoffs are optional.
Landings are mandatory.
The first thing every pilot does after making a gear up landing is to put the gear handle down. A great landing is one which lets you use the airplane another time. A good simulator check ride is like successful surgery on a cadaver. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make them all yourself.