Flew my Rascal for the first time last week. I built it per instructions and am powering it with a YS53 FS running a 13x6 APC.

The plane flys beautifully - it will float around and can fly quite fast if you want it to.

Here is my issue - this plane exhibits the worst ground handeling of any tail dragger I've flown. I can't gradually power it up because it ground loops every time. I tried more rudder and less rudder - nothing helped.

Landing is even more scarey - it wants to scoot left across the runway even with full right rudder.

I called Sig and they hadn't heard of any problems with this plane. I read the RCM review and the guy mentioned turning the gear around (or moving it back) if you fly off pavement. My field has a large paved runway.

Anyway have this issue or have any ideas of where to start? I really like this plane, but what a pain in the ass to takeoff and land.

Thanks,

Jeff

I would check your wheel friction, and the toe in angle. you should have each wheel toe'd in about 1 degree.

FW

in addition to the above post, check to make sure you landing gear is facing in the right directions. it might be hard to tell from the directions, but yours could be reversed. flip it and see if the gear moves farther forward?...

just a thought

haven't had any problems with mine on the ground...

Thanks - I might pull the wheel pants off and try that.

How tight is your tailwheel springs? I wondering if that might be an issue as well.

Jeff

I wouldn't expect tail wheel springs to cause the problem you are describing. If your experiancing lack of steering than maybe yes, but it sounds like wheel placement, angle, or friction to me.

FW

Mine takes off and lands straight as a rope. I think you either have an alignment problem or one of the wheels is not turning free. I would take a 36" straight edge aligned to the wheels with the rudder centered. I' use two pieces of straight 1/4" square balsa. Look and see what the balsa sticks tell you. Bet you'll be surprised.

John

I check into it today.

I also bent the aluminum wing spar on it's maiden flight - did one loop.

Called Sig and they were surprised my local hobby shop didn't tell me or post the fix. The first batch of wing spars that went out where too soft.

Sig is sending me a new one. Something you guys might want to check out if you haven't glued your wings.

Glad I didn't auger it in.

Thanks for the help guys.

Jeff

Actually, to improve the ground handling, you want the wheels farther back, so turn the gear around.

I have two Rascal Fortys, and tried it both ways. Wheels farther back works best for ground handling.

Dave