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Old 01-22-2010 | 02:42 PM
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opjose
 
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From: Poolesville, MD
Default RE: Control Throws Adjustment

Most planes, particularly "tail draggers" ( with the small wheel on the tail ) tend to yaw left as you describe as you run the engine up at takeoff.

It is up to the pilot to deal with it. Welcome to RC!

In many cases those seemingly flawless takeoffs are demonstration of pilot skill.

There are things you can do to minimize left yaw.

- Toe in the front wheels so they point a bit towards the propeller as viewed from above.
- Once you have set the toe in, push the plane on the ground and assure it runs straight...
- Pull or bend the tail wheel out/down so that the tail of the plane sit's higher.
- Make sure the tail wheel lines up with the rudder.
- Add a small amount of right rudder ( once you've done the above ) so when you push the plane on the ground it tends to run a bit towards the right.
- Compensate for left yaw, by getting into the habit of moving the rudder slightly right as you push the throttle up.

Also DO NOT pull back on the elevator at takeoff. Instead let the plane build up speed and seemingly take off on it's own.

If you pull back, you'll send the plane into a stall, that coupled with the yaw, will cause ot to roll over and head down nose first. This is an often seen newbie mistake.