Help flying ParkZone BF109

[parker97221]

I am an intermediate flyer, got enamored with this 109, bought it, seriously smashed it on the first flight. Hey Z foam and CA is a good combo. I got it put back together, added expo to all of the controls, took off and it just seemed crazy out of control in the sky. Climbing almost out of sight in just a few seconds. Then I realized I had the throttle pegged. Slowed down, stalled it, recovered circled the field and made a pretty nice landing. Next take off the plane got about 6 feet in air and just rolled left and crashed. Plane was okay. I tried again, this time I said I am going to climb out hard and get away from the ground. Started my roll, increased to full throttle, shot straight up to 50 feet rolled over and came in hard. Didn't break in any of the same places. CA is good stuff...

Clearly I am way over my head with this thing. Kind of like a 15 year old on a Hayabusa. I have it pretty much back together and am just thinking about hanging it from my ceiling for a couple of months. But, I would entertain some suggestions. I was thinking about limiting to 80% throttle in an attempt to keep it from climbing out of control until I get a bit more experience with it.
Any ideas?

[Jagzilla]

If you know a more experienced flyer, perhaps they could get it in the air and get it trimmed out properly, and then hand you the radio so you can get a feel for how it flies. I'd also make sure the throws are set at the lowest setting to make it more easy to handle for you. But, ultimately as I know you are now aware, these are not for newer pilots and the learning curve can be painful.
Best of luck with it.
Jaggy

[Gamma]

What is your prior experience?

Are you certain you have the CG in the right place?

Is there a more experienced pilot that could test fly the plane?

Gamma

[spiteful54]

You need more practise with tip stally warbirds....if you have Realflight G3 fly the cap580 ...it has a similar take off and landing envelope...it will stall if too slow and will high speed stall if too much input is given...say on elevator in a bank.
I would try that first and then move back your throws on all surfaces , except for rudder..it is your friend on take off.

Good Luck

[parker97221]

Thanks for the tips.

After the first crash I realized that it was really easy for the battery to slip back. So I put a small hook and loop bit on it and placed it all the way forward. I did check the CG and the plane was level. I did wonder if I shouldn't put a smidge of ballast in front but didn't.

I read the stuff about installing the landing gear backwards. I didn't know there was a difference. I just went down and checked. There is... At this point I can't say which way I had them, I removed them as part of the repair process. They definitely point a bit forward now.

I was thinking of heading over to one of the model airfields near here to see if anyone had ideas.

One contributing factor in the last crash may have been a very short "runway". Basically the distance from 1st to 2nd base. My other "big" bird (BeginAir) requires full throttle and full up elevator to make that take off. Once it gets its wheels up I go neutral on the controls and we fly away. I think the 109 got off the ground 1/2 way to 2nd just shot up so fast my poor brain wouldn't process it.

I have a smaller sukoi that I really enjoy flying and have no trouble even though most consider it twitchy.

[noob flyer]

Hi parker,

I just bought this plane about three weeks ago. It needs quite a bit of down elevator trim even with a heavier 2200 mah battery. I don't fly mine with the gear, I just hand launch it. When it comes to landing, ya have to fly it in with some power that should help lessen the stall tendancy. I do agree that finding an experienced pilot would help. MY 2 cents.

[s.lang]

Something else is going on with the OP's plane. I've only been flying 6 weeks and am already flying this airplane with no problems (landings, on the other hand.... :eek: ), and I'm NO flying genius!

Mine takes off easily as long as I'm ready for the instant left turn it loves to make, and is easily controllable once aloft.

Like I said, something else is going on...

[parker97221]

On the first flight, I thought it was the plane's fault. It acted just like the CG was really messed up. Nose pitching up etc when trying level flight. That's why I started wondering if the battery slipped back when I climbed out on takeoff. I like getting some altitude before fiddle with trim etc.

Second flight was pretty uncontrolled until I throttled back. Then things started to make sense. I was able to stall it by flying too slow and recover. I was able to circle the field and land without mishap.

Maybe something got damaged on the aborted takeoff that I didn't notice.

After reading the landing tips in the BF109 manual. I have flown the P51 in the simulator for hours practicing the "power on" style of landing. As opposed to just floating in like I can in some planes.

Too bad the fuse likes to crack in half. Its a major pain to repair.

[philipm785]

Are you holding the full up elevator for the entire takeoff roll? If so, that could be part of your issues. Throttle up enough to get her rolling and then ease off the elevator as you throttle up further. The tail may or may not lift, but what you're trying to avoid is forcing her into the air too soon (ie. before enough speed as built) as that will create all manner of difficulties. I also suggest adding a few clicks of down trim (not too much - just a few) since you know it tends to nose up under full power.

Oh - as you advance the throttle, dial in a little right rudder as you see her speed up and (most like) turn left a little.

My apologies if you already know all this! :)

[GiusedtoBe]

Something else is going on with the OP's plane. I've only been flying 6 weeks and am already flying this airplane with no problems (landings, on the other hand.... :eek: ), and I'm NO flying genius!

Mine takes off easily as long as I'm ready for the instant left turn it loves to make, and is easily controllable once aloft.

Like I said, something else is going on...


I agree. I've only been flying RC for 10 months and this plane flies like a dream. I do hand launch and belly land but it is a real floater and handles extremely well at low speed. All the complaints really make me wonder just how slow people are trying to fly these things.

BTW Floating in dead stick works great for belly landings. Dang thing does'nt want to come down. I've been thinking about going down to the local soccer field and doing some take offs and landings but i hate the look of a WWII bird w/ dangling LG.

Regards,
Alan

[flaco320]

that was happening to me too...put 2 washers on the top of the motor mount to increase the thrust angle and now is flying great

[Ah Clem]

Parker97221,

From my post on the other thread:

"My BF-109 is bone stock, with the gear in the original position. I fly from a grass field (short grass) and feel that the stock landing gear position is very good and ground handling is very good. Taxi to the point where you will begin your takeoff roll by blipping the throttle gently, holding the tail down with the elevator, and steering with the rudder. Once you are at the point to begin your takeoff run (into the wind) slowly advance the throttle (roll the power on). Do not try to hold the tail down with elevator on the take off run. Let the tail rise by itself-as is does so, gyroscopic precession will cause the nose to swing to the left, so be ready for it and add a bit of right rudder as necessary. The ship will lift off when it has sufficient speed (you do not need to pull it off). Mine lifts off and just over half throttle. Do not pull it off the ground before it has reached flying speed.

Landing-Bring it in under low power in a flight/level attitude (do not try to flare it) and land it on the main wheels. As it slows down the tail will start to drop and the nose will try to swing to the right (gyroscopic precession again). Be ready to tap left rudder as the tail comes down. After the ship comes to a stop, hold up elevator and taxi back."


I agree with Phillip785-holding full up elevator on takeoff is asking for it (asking for a snap on take off).

Jagzilla posted excellent advice (i.e. get a more experienced flyer to take it up, trim it, then hand it over to you-also to save it if you make a mistake).

This airplane is very easy to fly and not at all prone to tip stalls. It will fly easily at half throttle or a little more.