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Old 09-20-2006 | 04:07 AM
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MikeEast
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Default RE: Bipes no harder than monoplanes?


ORIGINAL: NightOne

So let me get this right...

On landings, bring it in with speed. Fly low and once you get it close to you, cut power and flair?

What is the stick movement for take offs? Someone mentioned bringing the power up on a 3 count.

Finally, what is the easiest for a first Bipe? Aeromaster, Pitts, Ultimate, etc?

Thanks
There is really no canned answer for what you are asking.

As with any scale aerobatic plane you need to use the throttle to control descent. As the plane descends you drop to idle and then you have to adjust the throttle to maintain speed and descent rate as you bring it in. I typically will allow the plane to get within a foot or so and then pulse in a click of throttle so that the plane rests on the ground like a feather and does not fall the last few inches. You will be naturally gradually feeding in a little elevator as the plane is in the final stage of approach but most of the work is done with the throttle.

As far as stick movements, thats not really something that can be answered. What you do on takeoff depends on wind conditions and the type of biplane. The best answer is to slowly feed in a little power and get the plane rolling. Once you get the plane going straight ease in enough power to start gaining speed and crisply feed up power until the plane lifts off.

The Pitts is probably the hardest to fly since it is so short coupled. The Aeromaster, Steerman, Waco etc can tend to be a handful to land because they are usually underpowered and more havily wingloaded to fly true to scale.
The Ultimate, although extremely agile has a longer tail moment which makes it a little more stable for takeoff and landing.

I am an advanced level pilot so honestly its really hard for me to judge which is the easiest, they all seem pretty easy to me. But I would say that best as I can tell, a lightly wingloaded Waco with solid power is probably the most gentle but most are not light. Any plane that is built to fly scale, is underpowered and overweight is going to be a booger to fly.