Why Does My RC Plane Nose Dive When I Launch It?

Question: Why does my RC plane nose dive on launch?

Answer: A nose dive on launch usually means your RC plane's centre of gravity (CG) is too far forward, causing it to pitch down immediately. Start by checking the CG position in your plane’s manual and adjust it if necessary by moving the battery or adding small weights towards the tail. Also, verify your elevator trim is neutral before launch—if it’s trimmed nose down, the plane will dive. Ensure you launch the plane with a smooth, level throw rather than pointing the nose down. Another factor could be the control surface throws set too aggressively; reduce elevator deflection to prevent over-controlling. Finally, confirm your transmitter and receiver are functioning correctly and that the controls respond properly. By adjusting CG, elevator trim, and launch technique, you should see a significant improvement and prevent nose dives on launch.