3 for 3! yippee!

Just completed a 3 for 3... 3 successful takeoffs with 3 successful landings... This bird is a beast to learn! :thumbup:

 

No takeoff assistance (0%), nor any rudder effect. all off.

 

For the takeoffs, I've been setting rudder trim manually to 5%. Apply the brakes, hit 30 on the manifold. Pull back on the stick slightly, then release the brakes, and then add more throttle to somewhere between 40-50 manifold pressure. Once I'm beyond 50kts, I relax on the stick. Nearing 90kts, I push forward a little to lift the tail. All the mean time, my feet are doing a little dance on the rudder pedals to try and keep her straight. what a chore that is!

 

As for the landings. Yep, I've managed to get her down and keep in one piece. Though, I'd flunk out if an instructor was watching me.

 

It's kinda hard with this bird. As to other more modern A/C, I can use queues and references from the HUD, to help assure me of the orientation of the A/C as I come in for the approach.

 

Each of my last 3 landings, I've come in at around 110-120kts, I think I'm flaring out, and should make a smooth butter landing. But no, I hit almost 3 point, then do a small hop. Though I have control, and make a smoother touchdown on either the second or third hop, (of course by losing airspeed too). My feet work the rudder to try and keeps things straight. But I always end up spinning the A/C around 180 degrees by the time I finish. Fortunately the speed is down enough the A/C doesn't flip.

 

The only training video's I've watched are for the takeoff. So I'll probably hunt down a good landing one to see how I can land her better...

 

any rate, awesome sim! :thumbup:

 

FYI - I'm using a Saitek X52 (with magnet & tensioner mods). Along with Saitek combat rudders and TrackIR 5.

Well done! It's a joy to fly when you're comfortable with it.

My feet work the rudder to try and keeps things straight. But I always end up spinning the A/C around 180 degrees by the time I finish.

It's difficult to avoid groundloops on takeoff. But keeping it from looping on landing should be a piece of cake, as long as your tailwheel is locked. I can only assume that you're taking off (and thus landing) with your tailwheel unlocked. Ensure that it's locked before you throttle up for takeoff.

It's difficult to avoid groundloops on takeoff. But keeping it from looping on landing should be a piece of cake, as long as your tailwheel is locked. I can only assume that you're taking off (and thus landing) with your tailwheel unlocked. Ensure that it's locked before you throttle up for takeoff.

 

good point! I'll double check locking when touching down. I just completed a 4th landing, and no ground loop. came in pretty good & straight! :thumbup:

good point! I'll double check locking when touching down.

 

Better to make sure it's locked before takeoff, instead. After you've taken off, you won't be able to lock it before landing, and if you come in a little bit crooked (e.g. one wheel touches first and you yaw a bit), you may not have an opportunity to lock it until after you've already groundlooped. I find that it's difficult to get the tailwheel to lock even when I'm already going mostly-straight, so it's best to ensure that it's firm before throttling up for takeoff.

try 6 degrees rudder trim and stick 1/3 way back, rudder held 1/4 distance and raise smoothly. also turn on gyro and keep the rose small inside the circle.

thanks Echo & Bill... I managed a few more successful takeoffs, and much better landings this morning. Not a ground loop in the bunch.

 

though my takeoffs should get better, (I still find it real hard to keep the 'Stang going straight down the runway).

 

I'm comfortable enough now to move beyond the fundamental takeoff/landing. I figured this is the basic thing to master. Now it's time to really learn the bird.... :thumbup:

 

-Jav

Well done :)

This whole amount of work reminded me an article I have read about a guy that wanted to fly Spitfire (in real world ofc) since he was a kid.

Long story short, Spitfire he found was insuranced for 2.5 million pounds, and insurance company gave demands that it can be only flown by a pilot with at least 1000 hrs of exp including hudreds of hours on tail draggers.

 

I think flying P51 could be even more demanding so I can imagine how hard it can be to fly this in rl. :)

though my takeoffs should get better, (I still find it real hard to keep the 'Stang going straight down the runway).

 

It might be due to my setup, but I've actually found it easier to keep a straight line by not applying rudder trim for takeoff and just manually applying rudder to correct for the engine torque.

 

I'm errring towards the explaination being that when I'm trimmed I have to cross over my joysticks centre deadzone when I'm trying to keep it straight, leading to overcorrections and snaking. Manually applying rudder means I'm always in full control and not crossing the deadzone, resulting in a straighter line.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Buzzles

It might be due to my setup, but I've actually found it easier to keep a straight line by not applying rudder trim for takeoff and just manually applying rudder to correct for the engine torque.

 

I'm errring towards the explaination being that when I'm trimmed I have to cross over my joysticks centre deadzone when I'm trying to keep it straight, leading to overcorrections and snaking. Manually applying rudder means I'm always in full control and not crossing the deadzone, resulting in a straighter line.

 

That's kinda weird. Do you still have the takeoff assist on in the extra options for the P-51? You could be fighting the auto correct aid.

That's kinda weird. Do you still have the takeoff assist on in the extra options for the P-51? You could be fighting the auto correct aid.

 

Fffffffff-- I swear I'd turned that off when I turned off auto rudder, just checked however and it was still on 100%.

 

Ignore what I said then! That was specific to me alone.

Fffffffff-- I swear I'd turned that off when I turned off auto rudder, just checked however and it was still on 100%.

 

Ignore what I said then! That was specific to me alone.

 

 

I did the same thing. I couldn't figure out why my plane kept wobbling back to the left when I was clearly holding foot position. Then you get into that nice oscillation on take off that never ends well :)