Taking off in I-153 Chaika

jezprior · #1 03-23-2010, 04:02 PM

Hello,

I'm really struggling in taking off in the I-153 on the standard runways. I warm the engine up, move gradually to 50% or so throttle and then always end up veering left off the runway before I get anywhere near enough speed to take off. That's regardless of full rudder / ailerons / combinations thereof and I can't seem to lock the tailwheel. This happens even if I aim right before taxiing - it just means I careen off the runway a little later. I manage to eventually get in the air but only after bouncing over grass verges etc.

Help?

AndyJWest · #2 03-23-2010, 04:56 PM

Which version of IL-2 are you using? I remember having the same difficulties at one time (in FB I think), but running 4.09 I don't. You do need to use full rudder, but using aileron is unlikely to help, and may make things worse.

You aren't taking off in a crosswind, are you?

jezprior · #3 03-23-2010, 06:10 PM

I'm on the latest, patched version. No crosswind that I can see - the misdirection seems to be purely torque-related. I had full rudder - no joy. So then tried full-rudder and anything else I could think of - repeating tests again and again. 20+ attempts, no clean takeoffs.

AndyJWest · #4 03-23-2010, 07:07 PM

Strange. If I get a chance I'll try it out myself later, though I have flown an I-153 fairly recently, and don't recall it being unmanagable - it is tricky though. If I discover anything, I'll get back to you...

jezprior · #5 03-23-2010, 07:46 PM

Thanks. I literally end up sideways at <60% throttle even if I got there very gradually so I'm running out of ideas. I can take off in everything else I've tried with little or no problem but not this one.

AndyJWest · #6 03-23-2010, 07:53 PM

I don't think opening the throttle gradually actually helps in this case. I've just taken off ok in both I-153 versions, with and without bombs - it does swing a bit, but provided you start off with pretty well full right rudder, and hold it until you are airborne, you should be able to stay on the runway - I opened the throttle full from the start.

The only thing I can think of that might be causing your problem is if you aren't getting full rudder movement for some reason - you sholud be able to check this in the HOTAS controls section. What sort of controller do you use for rudder?

dduff442 · #7 03-23-2010, 07:53 PM

The vertical stabilizer will help keep you straight as you approach takeoff speed. It's the torque that forces you off course, so the solution then is to keep the torque low enough for easy controllability until the stabilizer starts to become effective. All you need to do is to apply the throttle gradually so that you're already travelling at 60-80kph before you approach full throttle.

The tail wheel on the I-153 isn't lockable, so you won't get any help there. If it were lockable, holding back the stick on the early part of the takeoff run would apply downforce to it and further help control the torque.

These are good things to do on any takeoff run if you have the patience. IIRC the I-250 can't be kept on the runway without taking both these precautions. Try that one if you think the I-153's tricky!

dduff

IceFire · #8 03-23-2010, 09:12 PM

I would throttle up more quickly. Start slow but then really ramp it up... at some point you should have enough wind over the control surfaces to counter the torque. But until a certain point the control surfaces are useless. Never really had a problem taking off in this plane... just get the throttle up and get some speed quickly and have a steady hand.

AndyJWest · #9 03-23-2010, 09:27 PM

I suspect this is a case where the quicker you can get airflow over the rudder, the less time it has to start a swing. I might even try holding brakes on while opening the throttle full, though I'm not yet suggesting it as a sensible technique.

As dduff442 says, ithe I-250 is another aircraft with problems with swing - and the lack of prop clearance complicates things too. Personally, I find it best to take off (and land) using piston power only - this is probably how it was done in real life.

jezprior · #10 03-26-2010, 02:57 PM

I think I have found the problem. I wasn't getting full lock from my twist joystick - maybe only 25%. After some encouragement I can now take off right as rain with no trouble whatsoever.