Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

[dbbyleo]

Hey folks... first year flyer wanting to get some advice on what may be a problem or not on my Apprentice. I notice whenever I get the wings level, the plane wants to pitch up.

This happens at take off...
As soon as I leave the ground... with throttle at 3/4, it just wants to pitch up. I actually have to put down elevator to keep a steady accent.

This happens after a bank turn...
Im banking and turning... plane is descending... and as soon as I level off... it pitches up. If I want it to track more naturally and straight coming of the turn, I have to give down elevator.

At half throttle... place flies level and maintains same altitude - no pitching. And I do notice it climb when I add throttle... and I do think that part is expected. But is the rest also expected? Is this just what you expect from these trainers with the dyhedral (sp?) wings? Or it is my CG? I've got my battery as far forward as I can, but I've yet to try shifting the CG a bit with lead, etc.

Anyway, just wanted to ask around first before I started messing around with it.

[Hippie 64]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

Lots of planes have a natural climb with heavy throttle . This ok if you don't like it can adjust the trim on your radio but that means when your not at high throttle you'll need to add up with the stick . It's up to what you feel you want . 
When banking loosing altitude happens . All planes do it you just need to learn to add in a little up as you bank your turns . 
The way your going about this great ! This is how you learn and soon the things your asking about will become a natural action for you . Best of luck and enjoy . 

[Rocketeer]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

Greetings,

I was wondering if you are experiencing these symptoms with the Gyro on or off or both?
If on, perhaps your plane wasn't level when you initialized the stabalization.

As mention by Hippie 64, you naturally want to control your planes altitude using throttle control and do your trimming adjustments at the throttle position you will spend most of your flying time at. However, as also mentioned, if your using the stabalizing mode that must be set correctly first.

There are lots of excellent YouTube videos on tips and tricks for setting up the Apprentice correctly.

Best of luck,

Bill L.
in Okla.

[dbbyleo]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

H64... about banking and loosing altitude... I get that. I know I need to add some up elevator to maintain altitude. What I meant was to simply describe how it tracks. At the bottom of that descending turn, once I level the wings, the plane wants to pitch up.

As for the SAFE, the above is in advance flight mode (ie SAFE is off).

I'll definitely check out YouTube for some tips. Thanks!

[Hippie 64]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

If your still at three quarter to full throttle when you come out that will happen with most planes. Planes tend to want to climb as the throttle climbs . If your flying at 3/4 to full it will always want to pitch up and climb . Unless you set to elevator trim down to compensate for it . But if you do that and fly at half its going to want to pitch down or descend . You need to decide or just learn to use your stick on how your going to fly . I fly at half to 3/4 most of the time . My trim is leveled out at that so if I throttle up I know its going and I adjust for with will flying

[doctormike]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

You might try moving your battery foreward a tad. The Doctor

[dbbyleo]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

I've got the battery moved as far forward as possible. I may try some lead weights next time Im out in the field to see if I can improve things.

[WintrSol]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

Verify the CG per the data sheet; if it is too far forward, it will behave that way, because if you trim it level at mid throttle, you have dialed in just enough up elevator to counter the weight in the nose, and more throttle gives makes that amount of up too much for the higher speed. Another thing to check is the thrust line of the motor - it may not be down enough. I don't know about this model, but the T28 needs about 5 degrees down, or the motor will cause this same behavior with the CG spot on.

[doctormike]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

I avoid adding weight, for balancing, at all cost. This should be an absolute last resort. If there is any way to remove foam to move the battery foreward you might consider this. The Doctor

[WintrSol]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

I avoid adding weight, for balancing, at all cost. This should be an absolute last resort. If there is any way to remove foam to move the battery foreward you might consider this. The Doctor

I'm thinking he already has the CG too far forward, and needs to verify that, before just guessing and adding weight. The behavior he described is an indication of this. Don't add ANY weight, until CG is tested, per the information sheets.

[dbbyleo]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

Wintr... I follow what youre saying and will do some testing with shifting the battery aft. Thanks for that perspective. Its been cold hear... but as soon as I get out, I'll be working on this and post an update.

[WintrSol]

RE: Apprentice S 15e - Pulls up on Level

Wintr... I follow what youre saying and will do some testing with shifting the battery aft.  Thanks for that perspective.  Its been cold hear... but as soon as I get out, I'll be working on this and post an update.

The aircraft should have come with a data sheet that recommends a CG location, or range, which is probably X mm behind the leading edge of the wing. It should balance at that point, or within the range, when held with your finger tips. If it balances forward of that point, when you trim it in flight, you have to adjust the elevator to keep the plane from diving with some up. Unfortunately, that trim only works at the speed you set it - higher speeds will make it climb, and lower speeds, it will dive. When you adjust the CG so the airplane balances near the recommended point, this effect is lessened. An in-flight test is to fly at trim speed, then put the aircraft in about a 30 - 45 degree dive. If the CG is forward, it will fly out of the dive as it picks up speed; too far aft, and it dives faster (and is also kind of touchy to fly).

EDIT: I looked up the manual, and it says to adjust the battery so that the Center of Gravity is 79mm behind the leading edge of the wing; if the wing tapers, it would be from where the wing meets the fuselage. I usually make a small Sharpie mark on the wing, on either side of the fuse, so I know where to put my finger tips. Or, you could get a CG machine, and use that. You'll probably want one, anyway, if you get more aircraft.