nexstar problems
 

Hi, I have already graduated past the nexstar level and now am flying 3d, but I was wondering about the nexstar. one of my fellow pilot's nexstars pulls to the right while on the ground and only at high throttle. I figured it was engine torque, except that engine torque pulls to the left. we checked the nosegear, and it is completely straight, in fact, it taxis without pulling to either direction. I know that it is not the nosegear, though, because the plane continues to pull right throughout most of the climb unless the pilot corrects for the stray movement. throughout flight, though, it flies completely straight. So it is not the wind, because we have tried taking off with a crosswind to both sides of the wing, and it still pulls right. Also, it is not the nosegear, and not the engine torque, so does anybody have any idea what it is?

The problem was so severe that the plane actually took off accidentally through the pilot box and hit a pole......but kept on flying fine. hahaha that's really weird but yet so true.

RE: nexstar problems
 

I've read a lot of conflicting comments about the NexStar pulling to the right. Here's mine; It pulls hard to the right on takeoff because it has too much right-thrust on the engine. I have a Nexstar that I haul around as our club trainer. I have found that the rightward pull is minimized if you simply don't use full throttle on takeoffs. Ease the throttle up to about 2/3rds, let it roll and pick up speed while steering with the rudder/nosewheel, and then gently lift off and smoothly climb out. Makes your takeoffs look more scale-like too.

On our clubs NexStar, I have added washers to the right side of the engine mount to reduce the thrust a bit. Makes it a little easier to take off straight. But I still get to fly several unmodified ones.

RE: nexstar problems
 

It's a Nexstar!

RE: nexstar problems
 

Does the right main gear wheel spin freely? If it doesn't then it could pull the plane to the right...

RE: nexstar problems
 

Sounds like too much right thrust to me.

Try reducing it and see if it tracks better.