.
Be certain to carefully range check your radio equipment and see how it operates with the engine running before
attempting test flights. A lot of problems can be avoided if the engine has been well broken in and the idle adjustment
perfected on a test block or in another airplane before installation in the new model.
A properly balanced and aligned model with a reliable engine and radio is assured of successful flights.
26.
Flying
The Cub is not difficult to manage on the ground or in the air. However, being 1/4-scale and a taildragger, there are some
differences you should be aware of between flying the Cub and flying most trainer or pattern type models. It handles more
like a full size airplane than most smaller models.
When taxiing the Cub on the ground be prepared to use the elevators and ailerons in addition to the obvious rudder
steering and throttle inputs. When the winds are calm, hold full up elevator while taxiing in any direction, to keep the
tailwheel in firm contact with the ground for effective steering. Leave the ailerons in neutral, steer with the rudder, and
control ground speed with the throttle. Under windy conditions, also hold up elevator when taxiing either upwind or
crosswind. When going downwind, put the elevators in neutral or partly down to keep the wind from getting under the tail
and flipping the Cub on its nose. Aileron deflection may also be needed while taxiing crosswind to keep the upwind wing
from lifting off the ground.
Line the Cub up in the middle of the runway for takeoff. If you haven't had much
taildragger time, it's best to stand directly behind the model so you can easily
see any changes in heading that will need to be corrected during the takeoff run.
Leave the elevator in neutral. Advance the throttle smoothly to full open. As the
tail lifts up on its own, the Cub will try to drift to the left from torque. Feed in right
rudder as needed to keep the model going straight. When you have flying
speed, pull back slightly on elevator stick for a gentle liftoff.
During the takeoff run, try not to overcontrol the rudder (the most common
rookie tailwheel pilot's mistake) which will start the Cub swerving from one side
of the runway to the other.
If you find yourself in that situation, pull the throttle back to full low and get the model stopped. Taxi it back for a fresh start.
Never try to hurry the model off the ground by pulling full up elevator just because the model isn't going straight! The
damage from a premature snap roll on takeoff would be much more severe than anything that could happen on the ground.
Actually the Cub is one of the easiest taildraggers to takeoff that you'll find. Just keep practicing your takeoff run without
lifting off until you learn to use the throttle, elevators, and rudder together.
In the air you'll find the Cub smooth, stable, and responsive. With practice it is
capable of doing most basic aerobatic manuevers such as inside loops, rolls,
spins, and snaps. After you've had a chance to get the model all trimmed out,
practice making your turns by coordinating rudder commands in with the ailerons,
as is done in a full size airplane. Proper coordination of the rudder with the
ailerons will make for a more graceful turn.
Landing the Cub directly into the wind or under calm conditions is pretty much
like landing any other scale model. Be careful not to let the nose get too high
during banks with the power off. Either wheel landings or three-point landings can
be made with the Cub.
Just remember to fly the model even after it touches down (or you'll ground loop so fast it will make your head spin). Once
the tailwheel gets back on the ground you'll have good steering and the model will slow down fast.
If there is any amount of crosswind, even quartering, landing the Cub (or any other taildragger) becomes a little trickier.
Proper coordination of the ailerons and rudder is again needed to maintain your heading. After the model is turned onto
final approach, use the rudder to hold the model on a straight heading with the runway and feed in aileron to correct any
drifting to the side. For example, with a crosswind from the left, you'll need to hold a little right rudder to correct any "crab"
angle (the model will be trying to weathervane into the crosswind) and put in left aileron to keep the model from drifting to
the right.
If all these hints make it sound as if the Cub is difficult to fly, it really isn't! In many ways flying quarter-scale is easier than
flying a faster, smaller model. The Cub can be safely flown by anyone who is capable of handling a multi-channel model.
Once you get a few flights under your belt, you'll find rudder/aileron coordinated flying becoming second nature - and you'll
be a better pilot with all types of models.
GOOD LUCK!