RCU Forums - View Single Post - Steering problems during take off.
View Single Post
Old 09-05-2002 | 01:04 PM
  #3  
GalenB
My Feedback: (18)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
From: Issaquah, WA
Default Steering problems during take off.

Troy,

P-factor will always pull your model to the left. It is your job to apply the correct amount of right rudder to keep your model tracking straight. The amount of right rudder needed will vary and getting it correct simply takes practice. You have to watch the model and make corrections as needed. Simply adding some right rudder and holding it constant most likely won't be enough.

When I was learning to take off I had a similar problem. During the take off run the model would be all over the runway. My solution to this problem was to not simply jam the the power to full and "hang on" until the model left the ground. This "full power, hook left, and hang on" technique appears to be used by many at my field. It's not too back when the pattern is such that the model hooks left away from the pits. However, when the wind changes and the left hook carries the model over the pits then we have a problem... I have found that if I go to about 1/2 throttle and let the model run on the ground I have more time to react and get it all straight and stable. Then once it is stable I can add whatever additional power is needed to get the model airborne. This is the technique that I am teaching my students and so far it is working pretty well.

I hope this help.