Mini Explorer Pulls Right

[Baumer911]

Could use a little advice here. For some reason my mini explorer is pulling very hard to the right. I've adjusted the rudder to compensate but it just doesn't feel right.
I know it should fly more stable than this but I have to constantly be on the sticks to keep it tracking straight.
I double checked the CG last night and I think it may have been a bit nose heavy. I used the lead weight when I built it and I'm flying on 3s packs.
I adjusted things and will try again today.
Any other ideas or advice?

 

[Foamforce]

Does it pull right only under high throttle, or even when the throttle is low or off? If it pulls right under throttle, then your motors thrust angle may be off. In other words, the motor is pointing slightly in the wrong direction.

However, if you mean that it rolls right, you should try adding more left trim until it flies straight. If it takes a lot of trim, like more than 1/8” deflection on your rudder (or ailerons, if you built the sport wing), then it’s likely that your wing is warped. View the wing from the rear and see if the rear right edge of the wing is higher than the rear left edge. They should be very close, but frequently they get warped while gluing them up. When that happens it’s like having a very large aileron turning it one direction or another because even if the warp is relatively minor, the effective control surface (the wing, in this case) is very large.

 

[Mr NCT]

Does it pull right only under high throttle, or even when the throttle is low or off? If it pulls right under throttle, then your motors thrust angle may be off. In other words, the motor is pointing slightly in the wrong direction.

That was my first thought, too. Do a glide test by hand launching with no power into something soft or fly it to some altitude and cut the throttle. If it flies straight without power then your thrust angle is causing the problem. Put a spacer, a washer or two, between the right side of the motor and the plywood motor mount.

 

[LitterBug]

I was also wondering what rotation prop was being used. If reversed, wouldn't it be aggravated by the thrust angle?

 

[JDSnavely]

Make sure the lettering on the prop is facing toward the direction of travel. I was working on a plane the other day and unknowingly made this mistake. In that case it was more of a loss of power. However, I was very confused on which way to face the prop when I made my first pusher prop plane. I'm betting on thrust angle or wing warp as mentioned above for your right roll.

 

[Baumer911]

Thanks everyone. I'll look at all of these and see what I can notice. I think it's only when under power so it may be the thrust angle. Appreciate the help!

 

[Baumer911]

A lot of tweaking and I got it dialed in. CG was off a little and the rudder and elevator needed more trim.
I will say that once I put the sport wing on it flew much better. Tracks true and turns are easy and smooth. In my opinion, this is a much better plane with the sport wing. Fly with a 3s 850 and it's a blast. It glides well also so I had a lot of fun getting it up there, cutting the motor and seeing how long I could keep it in the air.
It also handles wind much better with the sport wing which makes it more versatile and usable as conditions change. This would be a really good plane to learn on when moving into ailerons. Low rates and she's nice and smooth, easy for someone to jump in and help you recover. As you get more comfortable turn up the power and start having some fun learning to bank and yank. Good stuff!