Escapade Problem
 

Great Planes Escapade is giving me a real problem on Take Off and Landing. Flying from a hard surface this thing is all over the placewith or without the wheel covers. I have tried "toe-In" and it helps a little but not much. I am an experienced pilot and know how to use the rudder etc. I am using a 40 size engine that really hauls it at a realistic speed. If any one has had this problem please let me know how you corrected it.

Jim Whitney

RE: Escapade Problem
 

you are not the first one with this problem...i have seen almost 5 of those airplanes crashed bad on my club....i think is not the pilot...do you know what i mean?.

RE: Escapade Problem
 

Raise the tail!

Change out the tail gear or adjust the existing gear so that the plane sits more level.

Not only will this help give the plane more tail authority and stability, but it also helps to reduce adverse secondary effects, such as P-Factor.

RE: Escapade Problem
 

I have an Escapade, and have 50% expo dialed in the rudder/tailwheel. This way I only give very minor inputs. I had a horrible time with the plane going crazy prior to adding additional expo also. Dialing in the expo has helped a bunch. This has REALLY helped on landings also. At first, the plane was all over the place (wingtips touching the ground even) while trying to steer during slowdown. This isn't such a problem anymore. I also added a 1 1/4" tailwheel to raise the tail end up a little. This helped takeoffs more than anything.

RE: Escapade Problem
 

What if you used a lot of dual rate on the rudder while on the ground and turned it off in the air.  Have a similar problem with a mustang i have and that is what I do to soften the rudder control while on the hard surface

RE: Escapade Problem
 

While I like a bit of Expo on the rudder, I find that it is best to keep the rudder Expo setting somewhat LOW for the tail wheel.

Expo tends to deaden movement around stick center.

When the plane is in the air, Expo on the tail is great, but the problems lie with the takeoff.

During runup the plane will yaw, and you correct with a bit of rudder... however nothing happens because of the Expo.

You correct again, and you do not obtain the result your brain thinks you should get... so you correct again.

By this point you're slamming the sticks and have the plane jinxing back and forth as the Expo causes more movement at the extremes.

I find that 15% rudder expo with full deflection is what I need on the ground.

In the air I keep the same deflections but I may turn the Expo up much higher... in other words my dual rate switch only changes Expo for the rudder.

RE: Escapade Problem
 

Where are you guys getting these planes? I can't seem to find one.

Bob

RE: Escapade Problem
 

Thank you all for the replys and information.  Will try the expo and let ya all know what happens. Going to spread the gear out a tad as well.

Multicasting     Tower Hobby sells the plane

Jim Whitney

RE: Escapade Problem
 

How very interesting.  Let's see - - bonebreak  used lots of expo so that he will have very little movement on takeoff, but can have full movement when flying.  Opjose uses an approach that is sorta the opposite, in that he advocates very little expo, and want lots of rudder movement on takeoff.  This is interesting in that both approaches seem to work for each individual.

I have flown lots of tail draggers, and never had any trouble until recently, particularly with the Escapade.  I thought it was because I am getting olde and have lost some of my ability.  I'm not so sure now.  I have had both good takeoffs and some horrible takeoffs (luckily, no crashes, but close).  I like to have lots of rudder movement when I am flying, but think I prefer not so much when taking off.  I like the idea of dual rate with very little movement when taking off, and switching to full when flying.  On the other hand, if this doesn't work, will try the maximum movement on taking off (which is what I now have).  Hadn't thought of a bigger tail wheel, but will try that also (did change to Sullivan tail wheel).  This is a pretty interesting problem so will be eager to see more input on this.

Incidentally, on the terrible take offs, the plane will seem to be accelerating nicely in a straight line down the runway, and suddently without warning will do a sharp right angle turn.  This is something new to me. 

RE: Escapade Problem
 

Shermanwelcome to the club. Your post represents my feelings as well. I have never flown a tail drager that reacts like this one. Thought maybe the age issue had reared its ugly head but have ruled that out also. The take off is exactly as you stated but mine hauls its butt to the left after a straight run during take off. On landing it will touch down quite nice and bam away it goesright or left. As I mentioned in my previous post I will try a few of the suggestions and see what happens. We have a beautiful day here in Arizona so will report back later today.

Jim Whitney

RE: Escapade Problem
 

Sherman,

I am also in Dallas. Where do you fly?

Bob

RE: Escapade Problem
 

I went to Tower. They said they won't have any until lute July or early August. Bummer. I have the summer off and would love a new plane.

RE: Escapade Problem
 

<font size="2" color="#00265e">multicasting</font>
    There was a couple of these at KING RC in King, NC. Give them a call you might get lucky and pic one up there.</p>

RE: Escapade Problem
 

It sounds like it is at this point light on one wheel, the other wheel is talking the remaining weight.

Which way does it turn? Left or right?

RE: Escapade Problem
 

OK guys I just got back from the flying field and the problem has been solved. Take offs and landing are picture perfect. Nasty cross wind was no problem. WOW. Here is what I did.

1 About 5 degrees of toe in.

2 Spread the landing gear apart by bending it. The distance between the wheels happens to be about 13 inches.

Itnow handles on the ground like any other plane in my hanger Made some other changes just for kicks ( increased the size of the tail wheel and replaced the tires with Kavan air wheels) but doubt that they had any effect on the TO or landing. I am pretty sure the Toe in has not had much effect but am leaving it as is. I am pretty sure just spreading the gear was about 90% of the fix.

AMEN

Jim Whitney

RE: Escapade Problem
 

I forgot a big one

I dialed in the Rudder Expo to 50% Amazing how this helped ground control

Jim Whitney.

RE: Escapade Problem
 

I am glad the expo worked. That is what helped me the most. I didn't do anything to the gear except go to a larger tailwheel to raise the tail end.

RE: Escapade Problem
 

It makes the sharp turn to the left, 

Sounds like some solutions are being found.  Cannot wait to go out and fly. 

Bob, I fly at the Dallas RC field at Seagoville. 

RE: Escapade Problem
 

I visited the field in Segoville. That's a nice field out there. I was considering joining. It's about 30 miles form my house.

I decided to skip the escapade. I purchased a Super Sportster MK II kit. I am going to put in different aelerons and add flaps for crow. I am also going to build it for retracts.

Bob

RE: Escapade Problem
 

I have always tried using, toe OUT. Think about it. If you have toe in, when for instance the left wing gets light, the only wheel on the ground (the right side wheel) is now pushing the bottom of the plane left. This only increases the effect of the roll. If you have toe out, that wheel tends to level the plane instead. This has always solved my directional stability in taildraggers.