I purchased G2 a few days ago and have been at it ever since. The new version of G2 has an "Instructor" and for the beginner that is great! I noticed that "he" never uses rudder for his beginning lessons. Yet I heard or read that if you want to be good you must use rudder.

At the moment I have my hands (brain) full just with Ailerons but do not want to get into a bad habit.

Larry

Skill level at the moment, I can land "safely" somewhere 3 out of 5 times. But that is better than yesterday!

My $.02, based on my own experience.

If you have a 4-channel airplane (airlon, elevator, rudder, and throttle) can you still fly without using the rudder?

Yes & No... Even the most novice pilot has to learn how to use the rudder during takeoff and landing because that is usually the surface that is also attached to the nose wheel or tailwheel. Even if you have no steerable wheel on your plane you need to steer using the rudder, i.e., you need the rudder to steer the plane on the ground.

Can you fly without the rudder after its in the air. Abosolutely yes and most novice and some moderately experienced pilots forget there is a rudder, not a problem if all the're doing is flying simple patterns and acrobatics.

I didn't learn how to apply the rudder in my flying until I had been flying for almost a year. I was constantly aware that one day I needed to start using the rudder if I was to get much better.

What do you use the rudder for?

1) When your lining up your airplane for a landing the rudder helps to point the nose at the runway without having to bank the airplane, something you don't want to do if your already close to the ground.

2) Coordinated turns require the rudder and helps to turn the airplane in the air without loosing or gaining altitude.

3) Knife edge maneuver -- can't do without significant rudder control.

4) Stall turn -- also can't do without significant rudder control.

5) Controlled spin -- need rudder and elevator (You could use the airlons here but your spin would actually be a diving axial roll and your airplane will loose altitude much faster than it would with the rudder.)

6) ETC!!!

You can spend a lot of fun flying without using the rudder and for some I would recommend that you don't try to add the rudder to your normal flying until you are very comfortable with flying -- just one more control you don't need to be confused by while your trying to learn how to fly.

The diahards will say that you MUST learn how to use the rudder at the outset or you will develop bad habits -- RUBISH. You have plenty of time later on to integrate your rudder and not have to worry about it confusing you initially.

I flew a few years ago and got out of the Hobby. Never once, other than take off and landing, had I used the rudder. Now that I'm back in the hobby, and have accomplished being able to fly on my own I'm starting to understand the Rudder. I'm getting pretty good at stall turns, and I use the rudder in some turns around the field. I'm starting to use it more on my landing to line up the airplane.
But, I think learing to fly on your own with just the right stick isn't a big deal. Rudder can come later. It hasn't presented a problem for me. Knock on wood I haven't crashed since returning to the hobby this year.

You MUST learn rudder use if you're to survive in this hobby (unless your're rich), because right from the beginning you must steer that airplane on the take off run before you're up in the air, and if using a tail dragger, you must compensate engine torque with opposite rudder, then you must use it when flying, and almost always while using ailerons (and not necessarily to the same direction), and then when landing, you must use rudder to align you plane with the runway, there is almost always that crosswind to compensate for, then you must taxi back to the pit area, and guess what is used?
For a beginner I recommend going to the field when nobody is there, but you and your flying buddy, and just taxi your airplane around, as if it were a car, you don't have to have the wings on, but do cover the fuselage opening so no exhaust from the engine can mess up its inside, and make sure you can master turning that airplane when it is coming towards you, it must be an automatic thing, if you do this, you'll be a great flyer for the rest of your life, if you don't, then you better learn to become very rich ( $$$$), as you'll be destroying most of your airplanes, 26 years experience here! Do it! Do it!

There are tonnes of people who fly with right stick only. I would recommend that you continue to learn right stick until you want to practice cross wind landings or flying straight during a cross wind. Then learn to use the rudder. Depending on your field, There may not be a need to learn to use the rudder. If you want to get proficient at take offs and landings, then rudder use will be necessary but not mandatory.

I practice the rudder while flying over the runway, using the rudder to keep the plane in the center.
Its a good habit to get into, as stated, when your close to the ground for landing, if you compensate turns with aileron..youll prolly go in.

Thank you all for your recommendations. I do use rudder for the takeoff roll and after landing. I was so bad taxing I just ran the plane (sim) up and down the runway until I got it (most of the time). I am pleased that the majority approves of ailerons only while learning because my brain is nearly in overload!

Again Thanks!

I promised myself I wouldn't get a plane until I can land the sim. so back to training I go.

when you're ready to start using the rudder, make passes over the field so that you're flying crosswind. use your rudder to keep the plane pointed straight ahead. This will help you when you feel ready to start using the rudder when landing.
I actually starting using my rudder for aerobatics before I started using it for landing.

Mike

I agree with everyone except Walter. The rudder is the LAST control you need to learn to use.

Learn the rudder, some day you will need it! Guaranteed !!

Hell yes, learn that rudder. AFTER you master your other controls. It's been said that upon landing when close to the ground you wouldn't want to bank the aircraft to make a turn to line up on center. With the exception of the deadstick, if you're not happy with the approach... GO AROUND. I consider myself in still in the Novice stage despite flying on my own for a while, but It almost annoys me to see the accomplished pilots landing and then rolling off the edge of our 300' runway!! And I'm talking about .40 and .60 sized models. Practice that rudder at altitude, and slowing work your way down to the landings. I'm sure that what I said about deadsticks made everyone wave the "learn the rudder, it'll save your plane one day" and a deadstick is one you can't go around and not knowing that rudder will probably lead to a crash. My 2 cents is why not start way before the aircraft leaves the ground and work on making your equipment as reliable as possible. A good running engine and good working equipment is the only was you'll get in the air to practice that rudder. What about a spin?? Well before you intentionally put the aircraft into a spin, learn that rudder. If your not comfortable with the rudder, avoid flying in such a way that would raise the potential for a spin. I think if you balance being conservative with the flying and being aggressive with the learing you'll find the right pace for learning every control and then some.

OK guys I have been practicing using the rudder. Trying to use it for directional control at low altitudes landing. It's going to take a little longer (more practice).

I made my first landing (sim) down the center line of the runway yesterday! ...but couldn't repeat it.

Thanks for all your advice and knowledge.

Our club had 15 pilots out at training this past Tuesday. On the second flight on a new plane BOTH ailerons parted company from the wing. There was CA glue on the hinges and balsa still attached. I landed the plane on the runway with no damage. You decide if rudder is necessary. I start the beginners with right stick for the first few flights and at 1/2 throttle or less. The rudder is added on the 3rd or 4th flight. This is my method and is my opinion. Others are welcome to theirs.
EXCAP232

Well yes, but that is a different application of rudder. You had to use the rudder to make your turns. It is similar to switching from holding the steering wheel of your car with your right hand to your left. Granted, it feels a little weird the first time, but a rookie should have at least SOME practice doing this just from taxiing. The point I am making is that using the rudder as a "forth" control is way down on my list of priorities when it comes to learning how to fly. I'm not saying that it isn't needed, it (IMO) is just not something you need to throw into an already overwhelmed brain right away.

Once the plane is lined up with the runway I have the student use the rudder to steer the plane. I have seen WAY too many planes lost to the use of aileron on landing. Over controlling the rudder is in most cases less eventful at low speeds than over controlling the ailerons. The effect of too much aileron has led to the demise of many a plane when a wingtip catches and the plane cartwheels into a heap. The next steps will be easier since the left stick has already been used. Our pilot proficiency includes simulated dead stick landings which are safer with rudder than aileron. Again: This is my method and is my opinion. Others are welcome to theirs.
EXCAP232