Basics of Turns for RC Planes

[@riccartonjunction2829]

Brilliant. Thanks so much for this. A complex subject made so simple to understand

[@RCJim]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TrevFurbank]

Just found you Jim, that is so well explained, especially as you used the 850mm Pitts which I've had trouble flying, I'll certainly be watching more ! Thank You !

[@RCJim]

Glad that it was a help. That little Pitts certainly can be a challenge. If you are still working out the basics, try flying something a bit more docile!

[@oliverwust4603]

Great instructions ! thank you

[@RCJim]

Glad it was helpful!

[@woodycrabtree5096]

Thank you for the vid Jim very helpfull

[@RCJim]

Glad it helped. Happy flying!

[@cooltube]

Good stuff Jim👍🏻🇬🇧

[@RCJim]

Thanks!

[@jackjfjfjf]

Good on you Jim you're a good man. Goodluck with the channel.

[@RCJim]

Thanks Jack, I appreciate the encouragement!

[@michaelmcgovern8110]

Thanks!

[@RCJim]

No worries. Hope it was helpful. An observation from training a fellow today: In the turns you will need to pull back on the elevator - but not too early. This guy was pulling up into a climb while entering the turn, banking too steep, then losing heaps of altitude. Watch what is happening to the plane, and only add elevator as and when needed. Another thing this guy was doing was using "knee jerk" reactions on the controls. Apply the controls smoothly and only as much as needed.

[@JonnyMobil]

Great instruction, Jim

[@RCJim]

Thanks!

[@clmb2225]

Thank you very much Jim! Now I got it. Now I just have to implement it. Great that you can explain so well

[@RCJim]

With the turns in the air, begin by focusing on the ailerons and elevator. Use the ailerons to initiate the turn, then just hold back on the elevator enough to maintain altitude. When you are comfortable with that, watch for what's happening when you first apply the ailerons. If there is a noticable movement up and out from the turn, practice on eliminating that by adding in rudder.

[@RCJim]

Naturally, the rudder will be in the same direction as the turn, and the ailerons only get applied to get an appropriate angle of bank, then get neutralised with only minor movements to maintain that angle until you are ready to roll back to level, finishing the turn.

[@clmb2225]

@@RCJim Thank you very much for your very helpful explanations. Now I have an idea of what my plane

[@clmb2225]

@@RCJim Now just put it into practice

[@JonnyMobil]

So as a beginner I struggle with tight turns. Almost every one behaves like a corkscrew. Most of the time my trailer has to intervene to catch the plane. The big turns already look pretty good thanks to your explanations. Is there any trick ?

[@RCJim]

There are a couple of things to watch out for. First of all: angle of bank. Move the aileron stick slowly in the direction of the turn. When you have achieved your 30 degrees, or whatever you are comfortable with, centre that stick left to right. If you fail to centre it, the result will be a barrel roll - perhaps down into the ground. After that, there are only very slight left or right corrections to maintain that angle until the turn is complete. The second thing goes along with the first: maintain your altitude with the elevator through the whole turn. That will mean pulling back on the elevator stick, as the plane will tend to lose altitude.

[@howunacceptibleofme2145]

Just a smaller version of a full size airplane , they require the same control inputs .

[@RCJim]

Absolutely. It's just that with remote control we don't get the 'seat of the pants' feeling of a nice coordinated turn.

[@YT-qp3xw]

Greetings jim...i need few tips if u don't mind...p factor...i have pusher rc dolphin that turns to left when hand launch and during flight...any tip to counteract?

[@RCJim]

Given that there are no control surfaces behind the prop, the so-called torque effect wouldn't be happening. With the v-tail so close to the main wing, there isn't much natural stability, so setting the trims correctly is vital. Start by visually inspecting the ailerons and V-tail control surfaces. Are any of them other than straight back from the airfoil itself? If they all look fine, just start by adding a bit of right trim to both the aileron and rudder - say about ten clicks each. If that sends it off to the right, then you can back off until you find a sweet spot. At any point if you can get it into the air flying, then keep trying to add bits of right aileron and right rudder until it is flying straight. In doing that there might also need more of one than the other. If the model is balanced side to side, then the main adjustment might be the rudder. Let me know how it goes!