When do controls return to neutral?

On Wed, 08 Nov 2006 19:08:40 +0100, Mxsmanic wrote:

Ron Wanttaja writes:

Generally, no. The weight of the elevators usually put them in the full-down
position.

Does this effect disappear before you are moving fast enough for the
elevators to affect the aircraft's attitude?

Beats the heck out of me....the only way to know would be to *not hold* the
stick during the takeoff roll.

It's a moot point, since I usually keep the elevators full down for the initial
part of the takeoff roll. Gravity is already putting the stick where I want it.
In any case, the mechanical advantage is good enough that holding the stick all
the way back isn't any strain.

IIRC, there was a French observation plane in the early days of WWI that didn't
have cables to pull the ailerons both ways. The ailerons drooped all the way on
the ground, and gradually came to a faired position as the plane accelerated for
flight. Moving the stick just pulled an aileron back down; the one on the
opposite side didn't go up. Sort of an inverse spoiler for roll control.

Ron Wanttaja

Ron Wanttaja writes:

It's a moot point, since I usually keep the elevators full down for the initial
part of the takeoff roll.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Clearly, it keeps
the aircraft from leaving the ground, but other than that, what are
the pros and cons? Does it put stress on the nose gear?

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Mxsmanic wrote:
Ron Wanttaja writes:

It's a moot point, since I usually keep the elevators full down for the initial
part of the takeoff roll.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Lack of tailwheel training, laziness, etc.

-Robert, CFII

On Thu, 09 Nov 2006 18:36:36 +0100, Mxsmanic wrote:

Ron Wanttaja writes:

It's a moot point, since I usually keep the elevators full down for the initial
part of the takeoff roll.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Clearly, it keeps
the aircraft from leaving the ground, but other than that, what are
the pros and cons? Does it put stress on the nose gear?

Taildragger aircraft; no nose gear.

Due to poor forward visibility, I like to get the tail off the ground as early
as possible. Here's a video of the takeoff, shot from an aft-mounted camera on
the axle:

http://www.bowersflybaby.com/takeoff-tail.mpg

Once the tailwheel is off the ground, you can see it turn left and right as I
keep the plane tracking (sorta) straight using the rudder (to which the
tailwheel is connected via springs). You can make out the elevator position,
too.

Ron Wanttaja