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Old 02-20-2011 | 05:51 AM
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CGRetired
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From: Galloway, NJ
Default RE: Am i ready to fly?

I have several observations that I hope you will take to heart.

I would suggest finding a side where you have a good deal of air in front of you and keep the plane in front of you rather than going in a continuous left turn and rotating your position all the time. That is the easiest way to get disoriented. Launch in a position that has the plane passing left to right or right to left, depending on the wind direction, and keep it in front of you. If, for instance you go from right to left, once airborne and have sufficient air speed, turn right and make a 180 to have it going from left to right in front of you, reduce the throttle to slightly over half, then trimming for straight and level flight. In other words, slow it down and give it some trim to get it flying straight. You don't have to fly full throttle all the time. After take off, climb to "three mistakes high" and do your work up there.

Your location is a tad bit questionable for a glow powered plane. This is why we suggest flying with a club at their field.

Once again, slow it down. That will do two things for you. First, it will get it to the point where you are not fighting it to keep it at a reasonable altitude, and give YOU some time to figure things out, although we try to teach that you should be a couple of steps ahead of the plane rather than have to react to what the plane is doing... you fly the plane rather than vice versa.

Your landings should be approached in an upwind (wind on the nose) position. Your approach should be in several stages. First, plan on the landing. Then, get upwind, and make a turn to a downwind (wind on the tail) and reduce the throttle slowly, but not to idle. Then make a turn to base - left or right turn perpendicular to the landing runway. Then a turn to final with the nose into the wind. Slowly reduce the throttle as you watch the plane. Do not flair (pull elevator) yet. Watch the plane and allow it to descend all by itself. Extend your approach, if necessary by adding slight amounts of throttle.. leave the elevator alone. Line up with the rudder. Watch it as it comes in, and it should be slowly, gradually, dropping down in altitude with wings level. When about a few feet over the ground, reduce throttle to idle, watch it, as it descends further, then pull in a slight bit of elevator to slow it down more and it will land with a smooth touch down and a roll. Plan on it landing in front of you, well away from curbs (no curbs at a club field).

CGr.