I can now say that I am able to go into a stable hover consistently, I am trying to bring the plane down a little bit but I can seem to hold her and she usually tips off to one side. I start my approach low to the ground at idle then shoot in bursts off throttle until im upright in the hover usually im about 20 feet off the ground or so, maybe lower on some occasions. Like I sad I cant seem to lower her down (The only time I do try to lower the plane down is when im a lot higher than 20 feet since im not too consitent with doing it) What should I keep in mind when i am trying to lower the plane down and touch. Should I start my approach lower and close to stall speeds so that when I start my hover I am 7-10 feet off the ground?

First,
Where In Illinois are you? I am in Bloomington.

To back the plane down try taking some power away and immediately hold more elevator. When the power comes back the nose will want to drop, pumping the throttle and elevator usually will work. Power off, up elevator. Power back on to catch the falling plane. Power back off, up elevator. Hard to type an exact description but hopefully you get the idea.
Keep your entries where ever you are comfortable.

Ditto, the reason for using little bursts of power is to restore control. When you lower the throtle, you have less air moving past the tail, so control starts to fade on you. You are entering a whole new level of chalange to the whole 3D thing. Hope to get there myself one day! if you in the mood to modify your plane to make it easyer, a bigger elevator and rudder may help a bit.

Ditto again,
elevator is the key here...
also try with the model leaning (very little) towards the landing gear...in this case u will need more elevator...some planes are easier to bring down that way...

mayur

I was doing some hovering the other day (Last Good Flying Day in Central IL) with my Profile Hots and got it to lower to the ground by the motor souring. It was the best tailslide I have ever done. I was hovering about 20 ft up and slid down about 10-15 ft then the motor completely died and the plane flipped over and went it. I had enough altitude to flatten the plane out but it pancaked and took the nose gear off and snapped the vertical off. That was the only damage. I am getting pretty good at this hovering stuff but only because I burn the fuel when I can and use the sim when I am not in the shop. I hope to burn another gallon or two this weekend if the rain will ever stop.

Chris Puckett
Puckett Model Aviation

Chris,

When the weather breaks we should do some flying together. Ever get to Bloomington?

Sure we can get together. My brother is moving to Bloomington soon. I can use him as the reason for going to Bloomington and do some flying when I get there. Get a hold of me sometime and we can schedule some flying time together. It needs to be on a weekend but I can load the ol truck up with a few planes and burn some fuel. I am hoping to get some time on my Lanier Edge this weekend if the weather report is correct. I also want to fly my H9 Mustang (not the best 3D Bird).


Chris Puckett

Try starting the hover from a harrier. Get it in a nice, nose-high harrier right down the strip then give it a little power so that it will pitch nose-up into a hover. Now back off the power and hover. Remember, it is a lot easier to tail touch if you start low.