If you're not going to use the elevator on takeoffs and landings, that planes had better be balanced REAL nicely!

I have a funny video of my first flight with my Waco UMF. I had reduced the low rates on the elevator because of the elevator surface size, didn't want it to porpoise on me like a Cub can if the rates are too high. What I had failed to factor in was that massive round wall called a radial engine and cowl I was pushing around the sky. When I came in on approach for the first landing, the balance was actually excellent, and the plane rolled out on the mains just like the full-scale. And when I pulled back on the elevator to bring the tail wheel down to ground-steer her better than the rudder does on rollout, it just kept rolling along! That "WALL" was displacing most of the airflow and that elevator didn't even act like I was pulling on it! A few seconds later it almost stopped, then nosed over in a most ignoble display of its undersides...then fell back onto its gear.

I nearly doubled the elevator and rudder throws once I figured out why it just said no to stick. Once a taildragger is flying its tail you need rudder, but to really steer one on the field as it slows down for the return rollout you have to be able to drop that wheel to the ground and keep it there.

If I can ever get this dang upload of video figured out, I'll let you see that. Quite comical, actually, and the good part is that it's easy to see the Waco had Zero damage, so it's all really just about embarrassment!

Jimbo

Coming toward you, rightside-up or upside-down, the low wing gets the stick. That's the LAW, and it never changes, EVER.