Sharp turn just before leaving ground
 

I have a sturdy birdie with a .25 Super Tiger. Just prior to leaving the ground it makes a sharp right turn. The turn happens so abruptly that I can't compensate and all speed is lost.

Is this a torque steer problem or is something wrong with the control surfaces?

Any help is appreciated.

RE: Sharp turn just before leaving ground
 

It 's probably asscociated with torque. But it could be landing gear woes. Accelerate smoothly and use appropriate rudder inputs. Trick is you must anticipate when to use the rudder. Trying to compensate with the rudder after the plane is off course will have you zigging when you should have zagged. Takes a little practice.

RE: Sharp turn just before leaving ground
 

Sounds like your tire is to tight on the right side. Is this as the tail comes off the ground? If it's just suddenly veering to the right, it won't be from torque, especially with a .25 up front.
Carefully check the rudder/vertical stab alignment, and the right thrust of the engine. (should be about 3 degrees.)

Jetts

RE: Sharp turn just before leaving ground
 

If your plane is a tail-dragger it is not torque that causes the troublesome yaw on takeoff. It is caused by the tilted axis of prop rotation which results in a higher angle of attack on the right side of the prop disk. The fancy name is asymmetrical propellor loading, or P-Factor, for short.

RE: Sharp turn just before leaving ground
 

I don't remember if that plane is a tail dragger or trike.

If it has a nosewheel, the problem could be as simple as your rudder and nosewheel not being aligned with each other. So while rolling, the wheel keeps you straight and overcomes a rudder that is actually out of trim, but as soon as the wheel leaves the ground the rudder takes over totally and the plane turns. Usually when I see this with students' planes the effect is rather small and doesn't cause a problem, but it might be worth looking at.

RE: Sharp turn just before leaving ground
 

Be sure you gain enough speed before pulling back on the stick. The wing my be stalling a bit.

RE: Sharp turn just before leaving ground
 

Keep your right wheel out of the puddle!!!

It's a taildragger - I just checked. My very first thought was that this was a groundloop - and I still think it might be. This'll happen when the gear is too far forward of center of gravity. Check your mounting points for both the wing and gear and make sure they're in the right place.

I know, I know - groundloops are usually associated with landing, as the plane (taildragger) slows down but the tail is still in the air and the crosswind (pilot thumb-whacking) drives the tail off to one side......

BUT I had an oldtimer that simply a bear to take off with cuz of this problem. Here's the scoop: If the gear is too far forward of the center of gravity, and the fuselage moves even the littlest bit 'out of kilter' or off to one side, the weight of the plane behind the gear will overpower the effect of the control surfaces - and the tail is coming around no matter what you do.

If you can do it easily, move the gear back to a point closer, but still in front of, the center of gravity. Somebody better with numbers than me could give you a ratio that'll guesstimate the correct placement.....