Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: SunTracker on April 22, 2004, 07:49:48 PM

Title: Engine failure on take off
Post by: SunTracker on April 22, 2004, 07:49:48 PM

I had just lifted my r/c plane off the runway and was about 15 feet high when the engine started running very rough.  I throttled back to see if it would at least provide some power.  Then it quit.  I leveled off, the plane started stalling, and then it impacted some heavy brush.  The wings and engine popped off, but I was able to fix the damage in 15 minutes.

So whats the proper procedure for engine failure on takeoff?

Title: Engine failure on take off
Post by: Cougar68 on April 22, 2004, 07:51:41 PM

If we're talking real planes, unless you've got 700' or more you glide and land as straight ahead as possible.  Even if it means going into a lake.  Try turning back lower than that and you run the serious risk of a stall/spin which usually equals no more pilot.

Cougar

Title: Engine failure on take off
Post by: ra on April 22, 2004, 07:58:45 PM

Leveling off was a bad idea.  Push the nose down and get some flying speed.  With an RC plane 15 feet is pretty high.

Title: Engine failure on take off
Post by: Dinger on April 22, 2004, 09:04:43 PM

yeah, and fly straight.  if you must adjust the bank, use the rudder.  Don't hit the ailers.

Title: Engine failure on take off
Post by: gofaster on April 22, 2004, 09:41:04 PM

Engine failure in an R/C plane - well there's only one procedure you should do: open your wallet and see how much money you have.

Title: Engine failure on take off
Post by: Otto on April 22, 2004, 09:49:26 PM

You did about all you could but you need to find out why the engine quit.  

Warning: this information is for R/C aircraft only.

Title: Engine failure on take off
Post by: Golfer on April 23, 2004, 03:15:27 AM

A mistake a lot of new R/C flyers make is they run their mixtures too rich.  You want to lean it out until you get peak rpm and can throttle up/down the full throw of the carb without having the engine burp.  During break in for new engines, I run mine rich at max power on a test stand (vice) with a little servo mounted on the workbench to keep the throttle full open.  I just leave it until about a gallon of fuel has been run through then I bolt it onto the airplane.  I run the engines lean because you can go from a low rpm to a high without running as much risk of flooding the glowplug.  Also, while holding the airplane, a preflight runup should include a few seconds at max power in level, nose down and nose up attitudes with you holding the airplane in the attitudes.  This will help you isolate where/why the engine is running rough.