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Old 09-02-2005 | 08:39 PM
  #12  
Charlie P.'s Avatar
Charlie P.
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,117
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From: Port Crane, NY
Default RE: Hard time taking off

IMHO Danny and Nick have the answers. The wheel has control of the airplane until the throttle puts enough wind flow across the rudder, and at some point the wheel looses contact with the ground . . . and if it is fighting the rudder at that point you suddenly have a change in direction. Landing or taking off if your rudder is fighting with your steering, you loose. My preference is a minimal wheel steer and blip the rudder for tighter turns as needed. Danny has the key to making the finest of adjustments. Trim for straight flight into the wind. Then hold those settings and try the roll test with the engine off. Torque of a .40 or .60 will not overcome a nose wheel on a generally nose heavy trainer. Just be ready to apply a small amount or right rudder when the nose wheel leaves the earth. If you build up speed, gradually, and let the wing lift the plane without jerking back the elevator you'll have enough of the direction controlled by the rudder that the wheel's effect will be less critical when it disappears.