>> Sorry to those who've already read this on uk.rec.models.radio-control.air
>> but I've drawn a blank there so far.
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>which is stalling the rudder and allowing the tail to swing the wrong
>way. Rudder travel shouldn't be much more than 20 degrees or so.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Well, initial reaction of course is left yaw for left rudder, but then soon
begins a right roll followed by what looks like right yaw. The behaviour is
symmetrical. The max rudder movement is quite a bit less than the maximum
2.25" from centre recommended in the instructions. Stall turns aren't pretty
either, with what seems like insufficient rudder authority, although I'm
still experimenting with throttle blip timing to assist the turn. I have
just changed to a different rudder servo arm to increase the available
movement to the max 2.25", but haven't tried it yet. If your guess of too
much movement is valid, I guess I'll soon find out!
> Too much elevator travel will also cause problems. My son can't
>get his Four-Star 40 to stall/spin with the 50 degrees up-elevator.
>He has to use about half that to get the nose up enough to stall it,
>and further input will result in nose-down tendency.
Certainly not too much elevator travel. Recommended and current value is up
5/8" and performance is quite gentle with that. It is a fairly generous
elevator though for the size/type of plane.
> Does this airplane have a relatively short wing with a tall
>rudder/fin?
56" wing, here is a link to the plane:-
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?prod=HAN2175#
[SNIP]
Another annoying trait is the tendency to nose over when taxiing on grass,
even with full up elevator. The CoG is bang in the middle of the recommended
range (3.5"-3.75" from memory). I've moved it as far back as possible
without adding weight and it's a minor amount better in this respect.

Signature
Steve
Dan Thomas - 27 Feb 2004 22:53 GMT
> Another annoying trait is the tendency to nose over when taxiing on grass,
> even with full up elevator. The CoG is bang in the middle of the recommended
> range (3.5"-3.75" from memory). I've moved it as far back as possible
> without adding weight and it's a minor amount better in this respect.
Sounds like the wheels are too small or the gear need to move
forward.
The website says the airplane has "neutral" handling qualities,
which may mean neutral stability and a lack of yaw/roll coupling.
Maybe the airplane is flying as designed. Got to use more aileron.
Dan