Today I had my first flights (NexSTAR). All I can say is WOW!!! Talk about a thrill. Started off with a minor problem. After my instructor checked everything out to make sure it was ok and I told him I didn't want to fly with the AFS on because I fealt more confortable without it because of using a sim for several weeks, he took it up for the maiden. He said while flying it wanted to go up like crazy and the aileron input was acting very sluggish. He said it needed a ton of down elevator to keep it level even at half throttle. We checked the CG again and he said it wasn't bad but he didn't want me to fly it until that flight characteristic was corrected. So I wound up moving the battery pack all the way to the firewall under the fuel tank and added a second battery pack just for weight, I had into the same location. He took it up again......much better. So after he flew it around a bit, he asked me if I was ready...... OK here goes !!!! I flew several basic paterns just to get the feel of it. He told me he couldn't believe how good I was doing (not to toot my own horn ). Then the motor quits!!! He told me he had it and brought it down on the runway safely . So I fueled up and we went at it again. Had some problems this time keepeing the motor running. So my instructor told me to replace the glow plug and that fixed it. He took it up again and when he was at a safe altitude ge gave me control again. After flying for about 10 minutes, because of how good he said I was doing he asked me if I wanted to try landing it. He told me not to worry about anything if something didn't look right he would be right there to take it. . So he talked me through it and had me do several landing attempts but not to land it. He wanted me to get a feel for the approach. So I brought it around again, he talked me throught some more and told me this time he wanted me to land it if I felt confortable. So I brought it in, throttled back, lined up on the runway and.......TOUCHDOWN!!! Wasn't perfect...one slight hop. I think my intructor was excited as I was because the second time I was in the air I was able to land it that good. People were clapping for me and were suprised that I landed It and not the instructor. I was exstatic.....not to mention shaking like a leaf . After a bit he told me to fuel it up and check the batteries to make sure they were ok. He then asked me If I wanted to try taking off with it.....of course I said yes!!! Well the first 2 attempts we're OOOPS's ,got a bit squirly and had to dump the throttle and tipped the plane forward just enough to kill the motor....ohhhh well. My instructor told me not to sweat it, that this plane was a bit hard to control on the ground even for him (he suggested putting bigger wheels on it). Anyway.....third time a charm....kind of. Line it up, gained some speed.....but I was NOT heading straight down the runway. I was heading slightly toward the side where the REAL tall grass was. He told me just keep on it and start feeding a bit of up elevator. Just barely made it. Now I cant keep going the directoin I was heading because of a tree line about 100 yds ahead so I turned a bit and kept gaining altitude. He said you did it !! and that I did a really good job staying cool and making the needed corrections without panicking and without him needing to take control. Now I'm flying around a bit and he asked me if I wanted to try a loop!!! Sure, he talked me through it and I did it!!! He said he secretely wanted to see how I would handle it making the needed corrections. He told me I did great!! Now it's time to try landing again. He told me I knew what to do so go for it. Brought it into the turn on the final approach, cut the throttle, lined it up, made sure my wings were level, and just before touching I fed it a tiny bit of up elevator and brought it in like a feather.....no bounces and dead on in the middle of the runway He said he couldn't have done it better himself Someone else asked him if I landed it ??? He said he sure did!! and the person that asked said it was as pretty as they come!! . All in all it was a GREAT day !!!! I was so excited.....and nervous. Talk about anxiety The intructor told me I was a natural and that it wont be long before I'm soloing, but not before I know how to get out of trouble when the time arises. I told him I was in no rush besides I have to practice taking off a bunch yet so I don't crash before ever leaving the ground Trust me, I'm not letting today get to my head or tooting my own horn in any way. The sims helped a ton. I'm just glad my first day flying I get to take my plane home in one piece . I am so excited!! I just wanted to tell everyone. I'm DEFINATELY hooked for life



Thanks for listening (or reading) to a newbie rant

Adam