Solo training in hurricane?

[xfullboost]

This is my first post, please be kind.

I am a total newb. I hope I dont embarrass myself too much.

Once my Hurricane is at a good temperature, and I set the prop angle to pull forward, my plane seems to pull left. And hard. Any ideas?

when im flying my plane doesnt pull left. so its not my stick, i went through calibration just to make sure.

[akronnick]

This is normal and a real affect common to taildragging aircraft.

Because the Airplane is resting on its tail, the prop is tilted back slightly.

When the plane begins to move forward, the right side of the prop is taking a bigger bite of the air than the left side, pulling the plane to the left.

Counter with right rudder, and as you gain speed and the tail lifts off the ground, ease off the rudder to keep the plane flying straight.

It takes practice, good luck!

[Friendly_flyer]

Originally Posted by xfullboost

Once my Hurricane is at a good temperature, and I set the prop angle to pull forward, my plane seems to pull left. And hard. Any ideas?

This is called engine torque and is quite normal. Ot is the result of a very large and heavy mass (the axel and the propeller) spinning at high speed. It pulls on the plane to spin with it in the same direction. The felt result is that the plane pulls to port.

It is easily countered by applying rudder to starboard, or to set the trim-tab to full starboard. If you look at the rudder trim wheel in the cockpit, you will even see it is marked with settings for take-off. Once airflow around the tailfin has reached sufficient speed (at around 70 mph), it counters the torque. The effect will still be there though. If you see the Hurricane from dead on, you may notice the tailfin is slightly offset to port. This is to balance out the torque in normal flight.

A very nice and descriptive page about a wartime flight in a Hurricane:

http://gibberandsqueak.blogspot.com/...ar-mukund.html

[Trespa]

pulling at one side is the force generated from the rotary motion of the engine, use rudder to balance.

btw i cant start the d***mn thing anymore, yesterday it was fine today cant seem to start......sigh