I am glad it is coming together Bo.

By easing the elevator back you creat more lift as long as you are below the stalling angle so the first thing that happens is that the plane zooms up. To slow a plane down but maintain height or maintain the same approach angle, you need to reduce power and then very very gently pull in the up elevator bit by bit as the speed reduces. The way we do it full size in a light plane is to turn base leg, reduce power and then start gently pulling back and back to maintain height until the desired speed is achieved, then allow the nose to come down a little to maintain that speed and at that point the descent starts. In full size we constantly re-trim the plane but in general this is not necessary with a model since the stick forces are minute and the landing approach is all over in seconds. You certainly do not want to be fiddling about with trims trying to turn onto finals. You will need to fly the approach a bit slower that normal cruise and this means holding in a touch of up elevator all the way. This is not easy since any correction to aileron or elevator requires that your thumb then get the elevator back to that off neutral position quickly and accurately as you can not just let the springs take you back to neutral or you will drop the nose and speed up again. It takes lots of practice but ultimately is easier and better than re-trimming.

Three common problems I have observed in learners:

1. The most common problem in model flying, (not just in learners) is being too high too close when on base leg. This means throttle right back and most folk dive at the runway, thinking because they have throttled back the plane must be going slow! It then hurtles past them bouncing all down the runway and off the end and they turn round and tell everyone that this model just will not slow down! You need to have reduced power on base leg and started a gentle subtle descent before turning finals.

2. Another very common problem is to allow the nose to drop a long way on turning finals making it into a diving turn so you come out of the turn with huge speed, as you level the wings the model zooms up and now you are in a fight to lose height and speed that you can not win. Keep those turns in the same attitude as when the model started the turn, you are going more slowly I hope so it will need a bit more up than usual to keep the attitude the same, but don't actually lift the nose high and risk a stall.

3. Not lifting the nose on landing is not just your problem Bo, many people have this. Depending on the model design, the balance, and the speed you are carrying, it may need from between 1/3 to full up elevator just before you touch down. Don't look at the fuz, look at the wheels above the ground and get that nose higher than the mains using as much elevator as it needs. If you are just a few inches above the ground do not be afraid of using full up if that is what it takes. Next landing may be at a higher speed and the same model just need 1/3 of up, so be prepared to judge every landing individually and use as much elevator as you need to get that nose slightly up once you are about 6" off the deck. If the model climbs you were going too fast!

Harry