SM BAE Hawk question for you owners/operators
 

How much do you pressurize the main gear. I have mine set so that the main gear is partly compressed when sitting idle.

On take off, it body rolls a little when correcting with rudder on takeoff. Also, it seems to rotate easier when the gear is extended vs. compressed. I guess what I'm getting at is , should I up the pressure in the main gear so it doesn't sit partly compresses or leave it alone?

RE: SM BAE Hawk question for you owners/operators
 

looking forward to the answer, I am awaiting my Goshawk!

Dave

RE: SM BAE Hawk question for you owners/operators
 

I like mine to have as much air pressure as possible. I pump 120 psi into the struts.

RE: SM BAE Hawk question for you owners/operators
 

110psi to mind(as much as i can get from my air compresor anyway)
It also deepens on how much oil you put in the main struts.
I prefer it on the stiff side so it will be more "solid" during take off control as you describe.
Rotating has to do with how close the wheel axles are to the CG
The stiffness of your mains will actually change your wing incidence.Try to set your strut stiffness so your wing is level with tanks full of fuel.
But on landing when you will touch down empty expect slightly negative incidence meaning that the model will not bounce but stick on the runway.


hope this makes sense ..
sorry for the poor english

RE: SM BAE Hawk question for you owners/operators
 

I know when the struts are fully extended it moves the main wheels forward a bit. When my canopy/cockpit is out of the airplane and there is no fuel in the tanks, the airplane sits on its tail (struts fully extended). If I compress the struts partially, it will sit on its wheels.

It may give the wing a slight negative incidence with extended struts but the wheels foward position makes it rotate easier.

I think I will pump up my struts. I think I only have 80 or 90 psi in mine.

I need a good system that will help me put air in the struts.

RE: SM BAE Hawk question for you owners/operators
 

The problem I have with mine is it won't maintain air. Not sure where its leaking air.