Please help with Rookiee flying :)  
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Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/27/2004 6:14:52 PM   
fiddlefly


 

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Hi Just bought first plane yesterday, went with the cheap trainer to see If I can actually do this as a hobby (wanted to all my life).. .anyways I bought the tiger shark, put it together.. my problem is of course in flying, I have no crashed the plane, need new propellers and new cockpit door... but my question is

Both times it crashed it was becuase as it left my hand and climbed it turned left and I couldnt get it to run right to go straight... what is the reason for this? how do I control this?

any advice would be appreciated .
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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/27/2004 10:58:49 PM   
lwien



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Read your instructions that came with the plane and read the part about how to trim...........It should answer your question.

(in reply to fiddlefly)
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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/27/2004 11:00:30 PM   
fiddlefly


 

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unfortunately with this type of plane there is no trimming.. at least not according to the book or the place I bought it from....

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       Post #: 3

RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/28/2004 1:46:16 AM   
Matt Kirsch



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Thats a load of BS. Can't be trimmed? ANY plane can be trimmed. It's whether or not the trim is effective that's the question.

What is this "tiger shark" plane you bought? Do you have pictures or a link to a website? We've gotta see what we're dealing with.

Are there sliders next to the control sticks on the transmitter? Those are trim tabs. For the left-right one, you slide it right if the plane goes left.

(in reply to fiddlefly)
       Post #: 4

RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/28/2004 5:40:40 AM   
Foamaholic



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See if the rudder or ailerons if it has them turn both left and right from the neutral position. If not you need more control throw or movement in them or if it goes far left and not right then the control rods need adjusting.
If you do have good movement both ways then maybe putting some right thrust in the motor would work.

(in reply to Matt Kirsch)
       Post #: 5

RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/28/2004 2:53:24 PM   
BuzzBomber



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Is this the plane you mean? If so, there are no control linkages to adjust, because it is steered with differential thrust instead of movable surfaces. from looking up the manual on line, there aren't any trim sliders on the transmitter case either. The way to trim out a turn is to bend the rudder (vertical tail surface) opposite the turning direction. You say the plane is turning to the left, so carefully bend the rudder to the right slightly, launch the plane, and see if it tracks straight. If it still turns left, bend the rudder to the right a bit more, and if it now turns right, bend the rudder back left a little. Continue until the plane tracks fairly straight without turning input. Another possible cause: if the two motors aren't turning the same speed, ie the right motor is turning faster than the left, when you apply power, it could cause the problem you describe. If this is the case, there is not a lot you can easily do to correct it, and the best advice would be to try to return the plane as defective. I would advise you eliminate this possibility first and then proceed to try trimming it out as described above. I hope I've been of some help.

_____________________________

Matt Smith
If you're not having fun with this hobby, you're missing the point.

(in reply to Foamaholic)
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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/28/2004 9:27:16 PM   
fiddlefly


 

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Matt; thank you for your response (everyone too)... that's not the plane but you have the idea of my dilemma down, its a beginners plane so no trimming, no alerons to mess with (its foam).... so with that in mind, maybe my take off is bad..... I understand Im supposed to go full throttle while plane is in my hand and then throw it,,, is there a special way to throw it???

2. Funny you mentione the right turning faster than left, I cannot tell this by eye, but I noticed yesterday the left does not sound as powerfu... can you tell by sound?

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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/28/2004 9:55:43 PM   
Foamaholic



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Yes you can tell by the sound if one motor is higher pitched than the other.
Yes use full throttle and then throw the plane.
Throw it straight out, not up. If you throw it up it might stall.

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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/29/2004 2:01:49 AM   
Hatty



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After you toss it, it will drop towards the ground slightly. Just keep the plane level and don't pull back too much on the stick. Just let it settle into its proper cruiseing speed and then gradually pull back to let it rise slowly. But remember, don't pull back too much or you will stall it. Just be gentile and you will do fine. I learned to fly by myself, so at least you know it is possible. Plan out your flight before you take off and run through emergency scenarios in your head so that you can react without thinking. Need any more help, just ask. We love this stuff.

(in reply to Foamaholic)
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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/29/2004 2:38:00 AM   
Foamaholic



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Right. Let us know how it goes. I taught myself too. At first I thought I couldn't do it, but after about a dozen crashes I managed a whole flight and landing. Then I was elated. It takes practice and determination. Don't give up. You will get it. All of a sudden I went "Now I get it."

(in reply to Hatty)
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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/29/2004 3:23:11 AM   
afineman


 

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Hey all

I started (after 30 years of trying) flying a no control plane it was this one http://www.raidentech.com/newdesmrarec.html .

I set up the plane using no power, at first all I did was test glides, if it doesn't glide well it won't fly well.

I made all the adjustment for gliding then I powered it up. because of the motor torque it wanted to fly in a circle. because I was use to bending the rudder and elv for gliding I knew what I needed to do.

in the end this plane flew straight at 1/2 power ( all it needed to cruse), I got almost 3 hours of in air time with this plane ( over may flights ) then I lost it.

I had tuned it up so well I lost it in a strong thermal, because of the gentle circle it would do ( no motor torque) it got caught in the center of the thermal.

I watched this plane for 1 hour and 45 min circle UP and UP and UP, it was a speck in the sky, I blinked and it was gone.

SSOO what I would recommend is, do a bunch of test glides, play around with bending the rud. and elv. when you get it to the point of it gliding straight try some short bursts of power

Have FUN

(in reply to Foamaholic)
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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/29/2004 6:19:50 AM   
fiddlefly


 

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Wow. This community is really very cool community to be a part of, from people at the store here in california to you guys online, what a helpful bunch! thanks so much!

OK since you are offering to answer questions, here goes!
Ok my plane is a tiger shark so remember no elavator or rudder control its a BASIC plane...
the latest...

1. Took it to the store tonight the guy confirmed the left motor was defective !! Thats why on takeoff it was banking left and crashing!
gave me a whole new set...

2. I went flying with the new set, much better with TWO working engines!

3. BUT can someone explain to me what I do once its up??? there is no throttle control with my plane, once youre on youre on so.... as its climbing what do I do to level off? since it cant glide i have to have power full throttle the whole time, what do i do to level off? can i level off at all?.. also upon its climb it dipped down two times , is this normal ?

with the new plane set I got him up, and i felt he was high enough, but in attempting to turn came down rather quick... lost two more propellers... but at least the motors on this guy are good.. any suggestions for next flight?

THANKS!
b

(in reply to afineman)
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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/29/2004 6:58:43 AM   
Hatty



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As a matter of fact, you do have a throttle. Based on what the instructions say, the throttle is the left stick, and the horozontal control is the right. Based on the fact that it is a 2-channel plane, someone might need to correct me. With the two channel, the way that you level off is by reducing the throttle. You reduce it enough so that you do not climb and dive. You will most likely have to constantly adjust it, along with the steering control.

Here is a step-by-step list of what you should do when you fly.
1. launch the plane by hand. Point it level to the ground and have full throttle.
2. After launch, adjust the throttle (ever so slightly) in order to have a constant climb. Make sure that it is not too steep though. That is probably the reason why the plane kept diving. You probably stalled it. Just make sure you have an aerage rate of climb.
3. When the plane is at a decent altitude, gently begin turning the plane. You dont want to hold the stick all the way to one side. Move it just enough to keep the plane at a nice turning radius. It doesn't have to be a very tight one. Just take it easy.
4. Now, you will eventually get to a point where the plane is facing you. This is when you will experience a thing called control reversal. This is when you move the steering control to the left and the plane looks like it is going right. It takes a while to get used to, but one way to help yourself is to move your body so that you are facing the direction that the plane is flying. This helps orient yourself with the controls.
5. After you have done a few circles and feel comforatable, get the plane to a good height above the ground and lower the throttle. In doing this, you will get an idea how the plane will handle during landing. Do this a couple of times before you try to land.
6. Make sure that you land well before the battery runs out. This will give you more chances to try if you happen to miss the landing.
7. The landing is the most fun thing about flying. Start by flying with the wind to the side of your runway. Then make a crosswind turn and lower your throttle a little. Then turn into the wind and lower your throttle some more. If needed, you can even cut the throttle. Next, let the plane glide to the runway (make sure the plane has its nose slightly down but not a lot). Since the plane has no elevator, I don't know how to flare the plane, or if it even needs it. I am guessing the craft will just touch down nicely. Someone help me with this part.
8. Celebrate because you just made your first successful RC flight.

If you would happen to crash, dont get upset. I have crashed many times, but I am still out here flying. It will take a while beore you can be confident in your abilities.

Another tip is to download some videos of RC planes flying. This will give you an idea on how they will react in the air. Make sure that they are slow flight trainers though. Don't get your flying tips from a jet that goes 100mph.

Good luck and welcome to the best hobby in the world.

(in reply to fiddlefly)
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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/29/2004 7:01:04 AM   
Hatty



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Another thing, make sure you read the instructions that came with the plane. They have pretty good tips and techniques for flying the plane.

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RE: Please help with Rookiee flying :) - 9/29/2004 2:29:38 PM   
BuzzBomber



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If, in fact, your throttle is either on or off with the left stick (not proportional) the way to control altitude is by "blipping" the throttle stick, in other words, once you climb to altitude, momentarily let go of the throttle, then apply throttle as it starts to descend. You will find a rythm of on-off throttle modulation that will let you keep the plane at the height you want. Same goes for turns--if you want to turn right, don't hold the stick over to the right, but "blip" it at a rate that gives the turn you want. Holding a turn input with this type of plane can often result in a spiral dive (not good). By the way, the dipping you refer to could possibly have been several things--the two that readily come to mind are: a small gust of wind, or radio interference. Wind you can't do much with, but avoid. Radio interference could have momentarily stopped the motors, causing the dips--on this plane, there may not be a whole lot you can do to avoid interference, but to cope with it, you may wish to keep the plane relatively low and close, to reduce the chance of a "flyaway" (when the plane essentially stops listening to radio commands and goes on merrily about its business).

_____________________________

Matt Smith
If you're not having fun with this hobby, you're missing the point.

(in reply to Hatty)