Ground loop in the LaGG

[TP_Jacko]

My squadron is starting out a mini campaign (co-op style) starting in June as we ease into BoS. We have started with the LaGG3. I have managed to land it now with some of the tips and tutorials around. What I want to master is to stop the ground loops as we get close to stopping. I would like to exit onto the taxiway in a professional style but its so sensitive  at about 20Kmh that it will often loop around. Any tips I use expert mode.

 

Cheers

Jacko

[6./ZG26_Emil]

I didn't fly the LaGG but I was having the same problem with the 109. I found that as soon as you are down to put right back on the stick and hold it there also when braking use taps rather than stomp on them as a tap seems much more effective to correct it starting to swing. 

 

See if that helps

[TP_Jacko]

Thanks Emil,

I am not sure if it helps I think the 109 has a tail lock and as far as I can tell the LaGG does not. but I do pull back on the stick which helps, but something happens at the last part at lower speed.

Cheers

Jacko

[Dakpilot]

No tailwheel lock on Lagg, keep a little power on and try and control with rudders rather than reactions, if you are reacting to the start of a groundloop it is already too late, only use brakes with rudders centralised, practice and watch track from external view to see where you are going wrong with your inputs due to lack of 'feedback' when in cockpit, there are a lot of unseen forces acting on the aircraft at that critical stage, the Russian/British style Braking system doesn't make things any easier either  with it being activated by lever and distributed by rudder pedals.

 

Some good info and demo's in this thread, ground handling updated from then, but principles still stand, as usual ignore the arguing and look for the info     

 

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/14058-how-do-i-bring-lagg-3-full-stop-no-g-loop/?hl=%2Bgroundloop&do=findComment&comment=222318

 

 

Cheers Dakpilot

[TP_Jacko]

 

 

Some good info and demo's in this thread, ground handling updated from then, but principles still stand, as usual ignore the arguing and look for the info        http://forum.il2stur...oop?do=findComment&comment=222318

 

Thanks Dakpilot, I probably need a good drink before I work my way through that link I would never have searched for G-Loop

[TP_Jacko]

Gordon Bennet, I finally landed the LaGG without looping it!

 

Some of the things mentioned here helped:

 

Pull back on stick to hold tail down

Roll the throttle up a bit

 

But what really helped me was dropping the RPM down to 0%

 

Then I could hold it straight using the rudder (holding the rudder, not being too heavy in movements)

and using the brakes when straight.

 

I don't normally survive to even try landing when flying the Lagg3 but boy am I chuffed to have finally landed it without looping!

Congrats Chief, now get in the crate and do it again

[Libel]

As the LaGG doesn't have wheel brakes, any rudder input while braking would cause the aircraft to spin in that direction. While landing, try to brake with a neutral rudder. This is true of pretty much every Soviet aircraft.

As of not having a locking tailwheel, I've found the LaGG is heavy enough to be controllable enough not to need it. Small throttle input, just to avoid both rolling to a complete stop, and to control the decent, and always tap the brakes; holding brakes on any aircraft has a tendency to pitch over. Always dig that tailwheel in once the aircraft has settled (I often trim the nose up, when I remember), and if you have enough fingers, retract flaps so you're producing less lift.