First Test Flight Test (and crash) of my £25 Garage Sale AT 6 Texan
- Thread starter Bonzodog
- Start date
Thanks. Hopefully. Watch this space!
quorneng
Master member
As the Sonic glider that has almost no dihedral, a mid mounted wing and a slim fuselage I would certainly expect it to crab when rudder only is applied! Furthermore once in a yaw state and if anywhere near the stall speed it is quite likely to drop the "trialing" wing to begin to enter a spin.
IMHO if a big span glider is banking by on its own surely its the aileron trim rather than the rudder that will have the greatest effect.
With my first retract plane I had no confidence it would manage on rough grass so I hand launched it but with the wheels down to allow the wheel wells to be used as hand holds. Once in the air I retracted the wheels to do a "no damage" belly landing. I always flew it like this when at my rough grass field.
As I hand launch virtually all my planes I am more confident with an "unknown" plane doing a hand launch than attempting a difficult take off.
IMHO if a big span glider is banking by on its own surely its the aileron trim rather than the rudder that will have the greatest effect.
With my first retract plane I had no confidence it would manage on rough grass so I hand launched it but with the wheels down to allow the wheel wells to be used as hand holds. Once in the air I retracted the wheels to do a "no damage" belly landing. I always flew it like this when at my rough grass field.
As I hand launch virtually all my planes I am more confident with an "unknown" plane doing a hand launch than attempting a difficult take off.
Thanks, some good advice there. The Sonic has a bit of a bend in the tail , that would cause the crabbing. I guess I can counter it with a bit of rudder trim? I'll watch out for the stall characteristic! I've actually made my first even ailerons/rudder mix on the Sonic to help with turning. PLUS a throttle elevator mix for the excessive climb rate. Next test will be interesting. Always a good learning experience sorting old planes though.As the Sonic glider that has almost no dihedral, a mid mounted wing and a slim fuselage I would certainly expect it to crab when rudder only is applied! Furthermore once in a yaw state and if anywhere near the stall speed it is quite likely to drop the "trialing" wing to begin to enter a spin.
IMHO if a big span glider is banking by on its own surely its the aileron trim rather than the rudder that will have the greatest effect.
With my first retract plane I had no confidence it would manage on rough grass so I hand launched it but with the wheels down to allow the wheel wells to be used as hand holds. Once in the air I retracted the wheels to do a "no damage" belly landing. I always flew it like this when at my rough grass field.
As I hand launch virtually all my planes I am more confident with an "unknown" plane doing a hand launch than attempting a difficult take off.
Re the Texan: I was surprised when it actually got off from the ground, but as you, U/c retracted and drop in the scrub landing probaby better than risking tearing the u/c off on that bumpy strip. The old airfield is a good place for testing new stuff as dropping into the scrub (crashing) doesn't usually end up with breakages, but not so good for wheeled take offs. Mostly I hand launch when it's a model I know, but TOFTG is good when it works with new models as both hands on the sticks. I'm thinking of joining another local club that has nice grass for taking off!
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