Problem with runway takeoff

[Blueshark]

Hello Again!... A few months ago, I purchased a used ParkZone T-28 Trojan that was in great shape. I practiced with the SMS flight simulator while the snow was melting, piloted a real Cessna 172 for a half hour recently and figured that I was ready for my maiden flight with the T-28.
Many experienced RC pilots recommended in your threads that I should not even try to fly the T-28 as my first RC plane. So, a few days ago, I bought a new HobbyZone Firebird Commander 2 as a trainer (couldn’t find a used one in my area). For $100.00 Cdn., I figured it was a good investment to save my T-28 from a probable fatal crash. I can hopefully sell the Firebird later on to another beginner. I would have preferred a 3-channel trainer, but, I didn’t want to spend too much money on a more sophisticated one.
I assembled the plane and ran all the tests, according to the owner’s manual. Everything was A-OK!
Took the plane to a track and field area few days ago and tried to do a runway takeoff. As soon as I gave it full throttle, the plane veered almost 90 degrees to the right and ended up upside down when it hit the grass, next to the track. Tried again: same result.
Third time, I did a hand launch, but my angle was bad and it veered to the right again and crashed and flipped over. The crash punched a small hole in the wing. I went home with my tail between my legs, so to speak. :(
I repaired the hole with a slice of styrofoam and electric tape. Good thing it’s easy to fix.
This evening, I removed the landing gear and tried a hand launch: it flew like a charm. I noticed that the plane was pulling to the right slightly, so I trimmed the tail to the left and it seemed to fly pretty straight afterward. Landing in the grass was no problem either.
Question: Why is the plane not going straight during a runway takeoff, and what can I do to fix the problem? I would really love to see it take off properly.
Thank you for any assistance.

[Leo L]

Hi Blueshark,

Welcome to R/C flying!

The Firebird Commander 2 is a nice gentle way to get into flying. Planes that have a conventional configuration of having the prop in front (tractor design) have a tendency to pull to the left on take-off. Pusher planes have the opposite tendency - they tend to pull to the right. When I first started flying, 3 years ago, my first plane was the Firebird Commander (not the 2). The plane had the exact same tendency that you described. What you will find is that the plane is very predictable in this tendency, and if you learn to anticipate the pulling to the right, you will be able to take off with no problems. I always flew my plane from a baseball field's dirt infield. I would place the plane on the third base line, about half way between home and third, with the plane pointed toward third base. I would open the throttle and the plane would make its usual right turn and take off heading from third base toward second base. It would always make the same right turn and would always hit the air just before reaching second base.

When you eventually fly the Trojan, you will find that it tries to turn to the left when taking off, so you will need to give it some right rudder to keep it taking off straight.