Automatic rudder?

[Nealius]

I just picked up the L-39 in the sale and was expecting a bit more stick-and-rudder flying like the Tomcat. After taking her for a spin I noticed it automatically crabs itself into the wind and there's hardly any slip evident during turns. Does the L-39 have some kind of automatic or augmented rudder system?

[paco2002]

It doesn't have AFAIK

[Nealius]

That's strange....why would it crab itself into the wind like a Hornet or Viper if it's not FBW?

[Yo-Yo]

I just picked up the L-39 in the sale and was expecting a bit more stick-and-rudder flying like the Tomcat. After taking her for a spin I noticed it automatically crabs itself into the wind and there's hardly any slip evident during turns. Does the L-39 have some kind of automatic or augmented rudder system?

 

No, it is just natural side stability of this plane (lateral + yaw).

[WildBillKelsoe]

No, it is just natural side stability of this plane (lateral + yaw).

 

Would you care to explain how this is different to say the spitfire?

[reece146]

Spit has a tiny rudder compared to the L-39.

[Leviathan667]

I did buy the L-39 recently too. I did not notice it tends to crab into the wind. On the contrary, I am constantly correcting the heading when there's lateral wind. But then maybe I am not as experienced as you are. How do you notice the crabbing pattern?