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Old 02-21-2014 | 01:57 AM
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HarryC
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Originally Posted by JPerrone
Which brings up another related topic, the fact that a real plane behaves and has different characteristics than a model,

I'll add something else to the thread; some of the points/advice carry with them some context. For example, the statements
"If you want to steer with rudder, get a boat!
An aircraft is NOT turned with its rudder "

Well, I think this completely overlooks 3 channel planes with rudder only, doesn't it!!! The unspoken context here is "for 4 channel aircraft";
There is no fundamental difference between the characteristics of a model and a full size. There is only one set of laws of physics! The laws of physics do not recognise "model" or "full-size". There are differences due to size but the difference between a large model and a full size Cessna 150 is a lot smaller than the difference between a full size C150 and a full size Boeing 747, so the phrase that models are different to full-size which is often trotted out, is just plain wrong.

I did not overlook 3 channel planes, if you like to read my whole post i talked about the secondary effect of rudder being roll on a plane with dihedral but that it is untidy since the first thing you get is yaw out of balanced flight. 3 channel models are a hangover from long ago when channels and servos were very expensive, model radios started with just one channel bolted onto a stable free flight models with lots of dihedral. But if you have ailerons, the correct way to control bank is with aileron. Ailerons cause adverse yaw yet you don't hear anyone saying to control yaw with aileron do you? Equally wrong is trying to control bank with rudder! Yes I know you can and in certain circumstances when you have ailerons it is ok or even necessary to use rudder, I have plenty full size experience using rudder in the right circumstances, but usually those are in special and experienced circumstances, beginners should stick to - aileron for roll, rudder for yaw.

You also mention not using aileron at very low level when landing so that the wing tip does not hit the ground. If you use rudder when slow the wing tip will hit the ground very hard as the model starts to flick/spin! The control inputs to generate a flick/spin are up elevator and rudder. If you are slow, then you have a lot of up elevator, so adding rudder is asking for trouble. It's why its so dangerous for untrained people to say use rudder to steer when on landing approach, it's always aileron.

Some say "lead with rudder" which is misunderstanding what some instructors phrase very poorly. You never use rudder before aileron, what they mean but express very badly is be using rudder as you use the aileron to counter a plane that has strong adverse yaw, don't wait for the yaw and then use rudder. Also what they mean is use the rudder to stop the adverse yaw, use the rudder to keep the plane straight, they don't mean use the rudder to turn the plane.

Last edited by HarryC; 02-21-2014 at 02:21 AM.