My planes run around in circles when I try to take off. I tried bending the wheels to compensate for the motor torque, but it didnt help. I have both tail dragger and nose wheel, neither has servo steering. How do you fix this?? Also I tried a flying wing with a edf-50 ducted fan , but it has so little thrust I can walk faster than it taxies. I tried changing the motor to a edf-55-150 and then to a edf55-300h, but still poor power. Are these cheap ducted fans just junk, or am I doing something wrong????

Can you list the specific models you have? Otherwise it is just a guessing game.

I'm guessing --- but it sounds like you are adding to much throttls to fast and working the sticks to hard. Try slowing down a bit and taking your time to see what it's doing. ENJOY !!! RED

If its small enough, do a hand launch.

Are the wheels binding on something? They need to be very free. Can you post some pics?

How can a tail-dragger not have servo steering, (unless the tailwheel is not connected to the rudder)? And furthermore...why? I am a beginner too, I have never heard of this type of setup. Is it common to have 'freewheeling' RC airplanes?


Flying safely is one thing, but this sounds like a runaway ankle-chopper.

This is why we need to know what the planes are. If they are really light electrics, the wheels may really just be there for looks.

I use free wheeling tail wheels on some of my planes, No big deal, you just have to learn how to control them.

WHY ??? Because it was an easy way to mount the tailwheel. It also keeps the weight down. And because I wanted to.

ENJOY !!! RED

Do you think it is just the P- Factor?

You can try doing the hand-launch. Or if you want to take off from the ground- as said above, make sure the wheels are both spinning freely, hold the plane by the tail as you bring the throttle up to full, then release. Naturally, be careful as you are doing this, and have the plane pointed away from yourself and spectators.

unfortunately, you're probably doing something wrong.

being a small electric, if there is no servo steering than it is very likely that it's not meant to take off from the ground (ROG). you'll have to hand launch it. also, you know to always take off into the wind, right? just have someone help you hand launch it. best is to find someone experienced because i've seen people hand launch their foamies into a hundred peices just go toward the wind, give it full power and gently toss it level to the ground. don't try to launch it UP. just level. i usually give the elevator trim a few clicks of up elevator so that the plane climbs after you release it. some planes are just unflyable to the beginner though. post a picture, we'll tell you.

as for the duct fan. duct fan these days are amazing but you have to do it right. first, make sure that you have enough voltage. if you're trying to fly a duct fan with a 7.4V battery, it's likely not to work. get some more volts. but post a picture first so we know what you're trying to fly. duct fan flying wings aren't suppose to taxi at all!!! hand launch them. duct fans in general need some speed to start working since they have very little torque. so you'll have to get them to speed before they really start to come into their own.

agexpert - free wheeling tailgear isn't as uncommon as you think. a lot of big 3D planes don't have them. but you really have to have a big rudder if you don't have differential braking. did you know that some taildraggers don't even have wheels?

this is one plane advertised as "easy to fly" that most beginners can't. i had a fun time trying to make it fly. it also has a fixed plastic tail gear and i would nuts to try to get this to takeoff from the ground! hand launch everytime.

THANK YOU, to everyone who replied to" dont laugh, need help, beginner." Things are starting to FLY now.

So tell folks what helped you, maybe they are having the same problem. ENJOY !!! RED

try using toe in on the wheels. Makes the plane run straight just like your car. It is done on full size aircraft for the same purpose.