BINGO !!!! i think i got it. i took the AV8R out yesterday and had 2 great flights !! it took-off like a dream and i was able to get it slowed way down for nice landings. what i did was to go to max flaps " about 50-60 degrees" for landing and take-off i used 25-30 degrees. the take-ff runs were a lot shorter. i also zeroed out the fuse angle and softened the nosewheel spring so the first 3/8 of travel was soft. thanks for all your help , warbrd_1