kihei11 and Aeair:

Boy do I need some help. I'm kind of boiling as I write this.

I've crashed a few planes and decided to get a gentle trainer because I felt I'd crashed the others because they were too fast for me. Even after I got the Superstar EP I realized that another problem I had was all my simulator experience was with a joystick. I was lost in Mode2. So I got a Realflight Simulator with a Mode2 Box just like my JR Tx. I've been practicing for 3 weeks waiting for the wind to die down so I could finally fly. I've gotten where I can fly just fine in Mode2 Even when I set the system for 10 Mph winds, gusts to 15Mph with 30 degree variability and I can land just fine.

The problem is, I can't get the plane off the ground. As soon as the plane gets close to takeoff speed, it ground loops. Into the wind, with the wind, cross wind, no wind, before I can take off, the plane spins around.

I put the plane together exactly as per the instructions. The Center of Gravity is at or a 1/8 inch forward of maximum but, while in the extreme, that could make the plane more stable, less responsive and a bit reluctant to rise off ground it should have nothing to do with the plane ground looping.

I've tried to stop the loop with rudder but it just loops faster in the other direction. I have no trouble on takeoffs in the simulator that require a bit or rudder.

I've tried a quick glance at my aircraft design books regarding lateral stability and the solution seems like it might be a larger vertical stabilizer. But that was a really quick look. Have you ever heard of this? Any suggestions? Unless I'm really mistaken, there's something seriously wrong with this plane. But I think it should be easily fixed.

Thanks.