Landing Spitfire XIV

[nightmare33]

I touchdown and can't stop it from ground looping. Take the RPM down to zero on touchdown, suggested by a friend, that didn't work. Press the brake button and right rudder doesn't seem to do anything. Any help will be appreciated.

[56RAF_Roblex]

Always leave some power on when landing as it helps your controls to work better and do not even think about deviating from a straight line until you are down to walking pace.  I am not sure why someone would tell you to reduce RPM to zero.  Have you tried taxing to the runway with RPM at zero?   It makes the aircraft uncontrollable even at 5mph.

[Dagwoodyt]

3 hours ago, nightmare33 said:

I touchdown and can't stop it from ground looping. Take the RPM down to zero on touchdown, suggested by a friend, that didn't work. Press the brake button and right rudder doesn't seem to do anything. Any help will be appreciated.

If you can touchdown at or near 80mph and immediately pull back on stick to get tail down that will help. Keep stick full back and can keep a little throttle, ~8% won't hurt. Timing of alternating rudder inputs so nose doesn't start to turn off centerline is critical and takes time to master. That is different from just randomly "dancing" on the rudder pedals. Brakes on an axis is best.

[nightmare33]

Thanks, I'll try this. I'm coming in faster and I totally cut my throttle. My brakes are on a button, I'll switch this to a pedal, that may help.

[nightmare33]

The brakes on the pedal is an improvement. Still looped at the very end. Got to be a little quicker on the rudder on roll out. Maybe some rudder trim?

[JimTM]

As you slow after landing, transition from short stabs on the rudder to short stabs on the brake at the first sign of turning. As you get close to stopping, you can stay on the brake longer to counteract any turns.

[nightmare33]

Thanks, I'll give it a try. I'm not "short stabbing", staying on the rudder to long.

[IckyATLAS]

I did not fly the spitfire so this thread challenged me. 

I agree that the two other two spitfires are easy to land in basically any conditions, and the XIV is more tricky. You have a more powerful engine and  a large five blade prop and the landing gear width is still the same, and no tail wheel lock. A lot of gyroscopic effects and to counter them at low speed the rudder is not very large compared to the other spitfire models, and the pneumatic brakes are very limited.

You are able to take-off. This means that you can transition from a still three wheels on the ground to rolling and then take-off. The difference at take-off and landing is that you increase power as you roll and take-off at full power, your rudder is very well blown and you have directional control.

At landing do a three point landing, then keep your tail down with your joystick fully pulled towards you. The brakes do help but just a little and mainly at the end just before stop. You must keep the rudder blown as this is the most effective way to keep control. Gradually the plane will slow down and the rudder will become less effective. So brake in small pulses but still give some throttle to blow the rudder and do some directional corrections. Between a little throttle and a little brakes you will be able to stop straight. Ideally when you stop (full brake lever) your engine should not be idle but still have a little power to blow the rudder, and you kill it just after the stop. Needs some practice. Do it with wind zero. Than you can play with lateral wind, turbulence etc. It is a nice challenge.

Edited March 4, 2023 by IckyATLAS