Level flight question

[John Castle]

I seem to be having problems with my level flight being at the right level. I know it should be at about 5' but the plane just wants to lock in at about 8-10'. I am currently flying a Skyray with a .25 FP but it seems to happen on other planes as well. Is it a matter of trimming, wing weight, or just forcing the plane to fly at 5'?

Thanks for the help,
John

[Jim Thomerson]

What height does your airplane want to fly inverted?  I generally try to adjust the handle so that level upright or inverted is the same with me just hanging on to the handle. 

[John Castle]

Hmmm, It does seem to fly lower when inverted. So I guess it is just a matter of adjusting the handle. I guess that makes sense.

Thanks,
John

[John Castle]

If the elevator was off, ie, with some up elevator, it would want to maintain the climb and not settle at a given level. 

It occurs to me that if there was some up elevator trimmed in it would rise up to the point where (if my hand stayed perpendicular to the ground) the plane itself would pull on the down line until an equilibrium was met and that would be the level it would fly at.


Thanks,
John

[john e. holliday]

As stated by someone somewhere,  If you hold your hand in the same position all the time while flying, adjust some down in the handle.   I had to do the with my son until he learned what he was doing.  Make sure you are holding hand verticle to the ground or what ever feels comfortable to you.  Adjust to your comfort level.

[Kim Doherty]

I think this might be an issue of just how you are holding the handle. If it flies at the same height right side up and upside down and seems "locked in" then it has something to do with how you are holding the handle / how you are holding your arm. I would like to see you relax you arm to a normal position with a slight bend in it and just "cradle" the hande in your fingers. There is no need to get a "Death Grip" on the handle and doing so will slow your progress.

Kim