1st, make sure the wheels have some toe-in, 1/32" - 1/16" is plenty.

For take off, I do the following:

Hold full up elevator to taxi to the take off position.

Reduce the engine to idle and release the elevator.

SLOWLY advance the throttle - a count of 5 from idle to full throttle is good.

Watch the plane carefully, as soon as the tail begins to lift start feeding in A LITTLE right rudder to compensate for the prop torque. The amount of right rudder will vary by plane.

When the plane is up on the main gear give it A LITTLE up elevator.

Climb out until you are about 30' - 40' off the ground, THEN give the plane A LITTLE aileron to turn in the direction you want. You will be climbing all this time.

Once you are at the altitude you want, reduce the throttle to cruising speed.


For landing:

On my downwind leg I am usually at 1/3 - 1/2 throttle, as I make my 90 degree turn I reduce throttle to about 1/4. The plane should be decending all this time. As I make my turn to final, I reduce the throttle to a little above idle to about 1/8. This will vary depending the type of plane and wind conditions.

Line the plane up with the end of the runway.

Use the ailerons to ONLY keep the wing level and use the RUDDER for any course corrections.

Here is the "fun" part, FLY the plane down until the mains are about 3" (3 inches ) off the ground. Gradually reduce throttle to idle AND at the same time feed in A LITTLE up elevator. What you want to do is bleed off speed, not balloon back up. Gradually increase the amount of up elevator. The plane will settle in to a nice 3 point landing.

This takes some practice, however, most people get the feel for this after one or 2 tries.