Flap settings on takeoff?

I'm confused on flap usage during takeoff. Chuck's guide says to retract flaps before takeoff. The DCS manual says to extend flaps before takeoff, but fails to explain how far to extend the flaps. Other sim forums say to extend flaps to 20 degrees if you have more than 60% fuel, but their FM may be different than the DCS FM. This is all very conflicting and confusing.

 

How should I set my flaps on takeoff?

You can extend them 20 degrees to get her up a little sooner.

 

Normally I never use flaps though as runways are long enough anyways even with max weight.

With less than 80% fuel, and a long runways and no bomb, I tended to use 1,2 ATA and flaps retracted. Trim at 1,5 nose heavy...

I'll have to check my ATA again, but I'm generally between 1.2 and 1.3. I was doing well last night and now I'm suddenly having problems today. I tried 10 degrees flaps with full nose down trim and encountered severe pitch up and left roll despite forward and right stick to counter. I tried 20 degrees and had less problems.

I never extend the flaps for take-off in the Bf-109. She is very eager to up anyway, so no need to encourage her.

I never extend the flaps for take-off in the Bf-109. She is very eager to up anyway, so no need to encourage her.

^^

Nose down trim and that's it.

 

I often even apply some stick forward once the rear wheel is off the ground to pick up more speed before letting it take off on its own.

I never extend the flaps for take-off in the Bf-109. She is very eager to up anyway, so no need to encourage her.

 

well...with gear down, and flaps to 2nd position ~20° it has more a nose down tendency than with flaps retracted. furthermore, even if its not necessary at the JFK runways we have on our current maps, it will shorten the TOD, which is never a bad thing.

Edited January 6, 2019 by birdstrike

No flaps on takeoff unless you have a heavy bomb. They're unnecessary. Afaik, Luftwaffe did not routinely use them for takeoff.

most of the ww2 109takeoff footage i saw suggest the opposite....

i know its very much possible to takeoff without flaps, nevertheless they dont hurt but help.

Edited January 7, 2019 by birdstrike

I find it confusing that, normally when extending flaps I get a pitch down moment, but when I take off with flaps down, 2 degrees nose down trim, and neutral stick I get massive pitch up once the wheels leave the ground.

I find it confusing that, normally when extending flaps I get a pitch down moment, but when I take off with flaps down, 2 degrees nose down trim, and neutral stick I get massive pitch up once the wheels leave the ground.

That's because of ATA setting, the higher you use the more torque forces you encounter, the lower your speed the worst those torque effects are and the harder to control she is. Give a try with different TO setting and you'll be surprised.

 

With regard to the OT I never use flaps to TO in the 109 (or 190, or Spit, or Ponny unless external stores), as somebody already said she's willing enough to get airborne making any extra aid useless or even a drawback. But of course that's using 1.2-3 ATA, the time I forgot to watch it and go higher I have a bad time taking off until I realise my mistake. Also manual pitch to 11.30 (as recommended by some modern warbird pilots) is a quite pleasant setting and more than enough to get airborne in a few seconds with a quite predictable torque, once in the air auto goes fine. With flaps everything is worst, they can be used but unnecessary for my taste.

 

S!

20 Degree Flaps setting works Pretty good, because with full Fuel Tank the Center of Gravity is moves backwards in the 109, that makes the sudden nose Pitch up in the 109 on Take off.

With Flaps down it wil shift Foward, makes smooth Take off even with full Power and Nose heavy Trim of 1.

Why should this a Drawback?

Just tried with 60% fuel, no flaps, nose down trim of 2, 1.2~1.25 ATA. Super smooth. I still had to tap the right brake a few times until the rudder took over at around ~50km/h or so.

Edited January 7, 2019 by Nealius