^Horatio>
Posts: 300
Joined: 6/25/2005 From: Pembrokeshire, UNITED KINGDOM Status: offline
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I flew my F90 for the first time yesterday. I'm using a Moki 1.35 on 5% nitro (Model Technics 'Formula Irvine') and a 17x6 prop. The engine was recommended by the chap from Just engines who sadly passed away last year. All I can say is 'wow'. This is my first real experience with a 3D aircraft and I have to say that the threads here on RCU have been a god-send. Just as TManiaci recommended, I used around 50% rates and 30% expo, and 70% expo for the 3D settings. I programmed the aileron differential as per the manual and also set up some flaps for the landings. The take off was text book perfect, the plane was perfect and required ZERO trimming whatsoever. You know that anxious feeling you get when you first put a new plane in the air? Multiply that by a factor of 10 and that's pretty much how I felt, because it's been at least 3 years since I've flown anything fixed wing and people kept telling me - 'oh, you got to be careful with that F90, tricky plane to land, drops a wing etc blah etc....' Well I'm happy to report the plane was awesome. I'm no 3D pilot, but I've got a good feeling that I'll be a much better flyer come the end of the summer. I put the CG at just a shade in front of 7" and it flies lovely like that. Crisp, smooth and responsive but without being twitchy. The engine could pull vertical at 1/2 throttle no probs and lasted a good 20 minutes on the tank, at which point I decided to bring it in. A slight drama unfolded as we realised the main landing gear had lost a bolt and skewed around by 90 degrees - as in TOTALLY perpendicular to the direction of motion. So I had to make this a good landing first time. After thanking the supportive folk who gathered to watch me destroy my F90, I switched on the flaps and cursed quietly to myself. I flew as slow as I dared, brought it in nice and flat and made sure that I cut the throttle as soon as the first wheel pant touched down. The Funtana came to a pretty smooth stop considering, and other than a slightly bent aluminium landing gear, nothing was broken either - not even the wheel pants. Incredible. The entertainment was much appreciated by the other club members who gave me a small cheer. Performance-wise, I really cannot fault this aircraft's maiden flight. It's one of the easiest planes I've ever flown. I can't wait to fly it properly.
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