3 axis & maintaining directional control

[Frequent Flyer]

hi guys, after 3 months and about 80hrs of weight shift flying, i flew 3-axis again this morning. everything went well - even the approach and landing - except for maintaining directional control after touch down (not anything majour but still- coundt keep on the centre line but did not go off the runway). will have to practice a bit. Any sugestions / tips? (3-axis : cheetah) wind was 10kts gusting 15 and +/-10degree croswind out of the North / North east.

[Morph]

You are not used to having that vertical stabaliser and rudder pushing you around.

Are you keeping the nose up as long as possible or putting the front down very quickly?

If you keep the nose up in an aircraft with a steerable nosewheel and you are compensating for a crosswind with the rudder, then expect the plane to veer to the side you are compensating for when the nose comes down due to the front wheel being turned. This will then typically be followed by over correcting and zig zagging all over the place due to the direct steering.

As the nose starts dropping neutralise the rudder just before the wheel touches so you don't get the sudden jerk left or right.

Under normal circumstances keep the nose up as long as possible but in strong crosswinds it is better to drop the nose wheel quicker .

The same is true for takeoff in strong cross winds. Keep the nose wheel on the ground as beyond normal rotation speed and then quickly pop her off the ground.

[Frequent Flyer]

thanks morph, yes i keep the nose wheel in the air for as long as possible. - i think you are right i didnt centre the rudder/nosewheel as the nose started to drop - will remember that and practice it a bit, thanks. and yes - not used to having a vertical stabaliser and rudder pushing me around. concidering it was my first landing in a long period of only flying weightshift - i didnt do to bad. maybe a bit hard on myself.

[John Boucher]

RUDDER RUDDER RUDDER

The Cheetah is rudder active... the model you are flying requires substantial rudder input - even when you fly. You slack on it, you drift. At your field you'll be landing in cross-wind scenarios most of the time so those feet of yours are going to learn to work as opposed to wielitjie reguit... The lateral fin and rudder mod changes most of that!

Coming over the pit at your field, you'll also experience wind sheer slightly differently to that what you are used to.

You holding the front wheel off as long as possible is correct as you don't want to load the Cheetah's front wheel too much.

Talk to me or let Zane give some pointers again.... Remember, the Cheetah can handle a cross wind of up to 25kts. Ask me, I've put CXO down in 30 gusting 35 at John Weston.

Anyway... CONGRATULATIONS are in order! You are going to have great fun in your aerie! I know, because I do....