I set up my tail draggers so that the tail wheel is fixed but adjustable. This way i can make slight adjustments so that it steers correctly on taxi and takeoff.

In some cases the wire for the tail wheel can be bent to to steer the model inwards just enough to provide alignment to taxi properly.

On test flight I slowly taxi to check line tension before I takeoff

Fred

You might be able to grab the wire the wheel goes on and make slight adjustments, small ones. In general if the tail wheel is straight ahead you are probably ok.

I had to do small alignment changes on my RV-4 but they were very small

Remember your line guide position also affects taxi

The big thing is test fly in stages. I saw a cl scale model on maiden flight takeoff, stall and crash in a 1/2lap one time. I do 2 or 3 taxi laps before I throttle up slowly, checking line tension and wheel alignment. Sometimes I stop right there and adjust the line guide fwd or aft.

Once the line tension is ok and it handles well on the ground then I throttle up slowly and get the model on the main wheels with enough airspeed to get airborne (low to the ground) and see how the elevator responds. If the model is too pitch sensitive then I land immediately and move the CG forward and maybe adjust elevator control throw. If the control throw for the elevator seems ok and the CG is ok then do a normal takeoff.

Main den flights are always exciting!

Fred

 

I know what you mean regarding the tail wheel, even still very small adjustments can be made to the alignment of the tailwheel even with the way it's built. take the tailwheel off and make very slight adjustments if needed at all.

I also agree that just put the tail straight ahead and it will be ok

On some models I have even installed a servo to the steerable tailwheel and with the trim on the transmitter I was able to get the ideal alignment so that the model tracked really nice. But putting in the servo and steerable tailwheel was extra work.

Putting steerable nose gear with a servo to steer the model would make setting up the alignment really easy

Fred

Probably about half the three line throttles are set up to squeeze, the other half to pull. I set mine to "squeeze" only because in that configuration the models can be flown on two lines only with wide open throttle.

A major advantage of the 2.4 (or any electronic system) is that you have throttle control if the lines go slack. This happens with scale models more than others, especially with any kind of taxi problem where the model turns to you. Being able to shut down the engine in this situation is worth the cost of the electronics.

Chuck

Gotta mention Clancy Arnold's slide gadgets. Simple and they work!

I may take that approach with my Corsair and Bee Bee Z.

Your tailwheel.

I would make it removable for adjustment. But that's me.

Charles