I’m trying to sort out a problem with takeoffs with a WM T-34 (tricycle gear). No matter how slowly I pull back on the elevator on the takeoff run, the plane leaps into the air and climbs out very steeply. Landings, on the other hand, are great because as soon as the mains are on the ground, the nose drops and the plane sticks like glue. The plane looks to be nose down when sitting on the gear. Also, using a level, the stab is definitely down in the front, about a couple of degrees. The balance is right as it flies well upright and inverted (with a bit of down.)

I surmise that, with the nose down stance, I need to put in too much up elevator to overcome the down force of the wing at that angle, but once it rotates, I have too much up. I think that if I raise the nose a bit (until the stab is level) the plane should be more controllable on takeoff. My landings may be a bit more interesting though!

What do you think?