Ok. I admit it. I'm not as good as I thought. I'm trying to hang my Dazzler on the prop, but I'm having a tough time. I'm transitioning to vertical from a low, slow pass. I can get it to stop and hover, but only for a few seconds. I'm running a hot 40 and at any time I can accelerate on the vertical and climb out. I just can't keep the plane still. I told my wife that it's like having someone stand a ruler on their hand and then you tell them which way to move their hand to keep it balanced. Please give any tips to teach an old dog new tricks.

Thanks!

Jim
AMA 63755

Try changing your prop. I had the same problem as you, I was running an ASP .46 The hobby shop guy said to try a 12.25x3.75 prop and it worx great.

I'm in the same place Jim. Trying to hover a saito .72 powered Pizzaz. Very humbling. Someone once told me he could teach anyone to hover for $100. He said to buy $100 worth of fuel and practice.
I'm about $25 in and can see improvement, but it's slow. The lower pitch prop will help some but stick
time is the only way to get good. later daveo

OK, so even if it will power up and climb out, I still need a bigger prop? Seems right. I'll try it. I'll try standing on one foot. Thanks for the tips. Keep'em comming. Maybe I'll get it someday. Sure makes me respect you guys that make it look easy!!!!!!

It's the lower pitch on the prop that helps not the bigger diamater. The lower pitch keeps it from being so throttle
sensative. It wont be as fast but it will have a more constant pull. later daveo

OK, so maybe an 11-5 instead of the 10-6? This is so great! I live 30 miles from the local flying site. I fly there occasionally, but I have a private airstrip near the house that I fly on regularly. I don't get to see anyone do this live, so I'm learning the hard way. Your help is greatly appreciated.

the hard part just going to be throttle management. If you can accelerate going vertical ther is no need to start prop experimenting. I have noticed that apc's give better vert. than MA .but Ma give a better mid range in the hover. For the Pizzaz on an a 4cyc 70 ma 13x6 gave me best hovering. I try to tell those learning to "watch the tail" and don't try to be to high.Especially on a fun fly. You should have enough throw in the rud/elv to recover and pull it back to vert from ??? 10-15degrees off??? Also try to do it from a stall turn aditude, where you would kick the rudder, apply power and "catch" the plane. then watch you tail. Also if your not truly vert. is almost impossible.The plane looks almost like its leaning towards you(depth preception)

remember step up to each manuver. most people want to torque roll before they can prophang and before they can do tailslides before they can stall turn.....

OH YEA, PRACTICE,practice

Yeah baby!!! Got some stick time today. Hung it right up there. Got about 10 seconds, then the brain starts to fade and the thumbs follow!!!!! One more question. I'm using a JR Quatro - standard 4. Would a 6 channel with mix help me any? Remember guys, when I learned, it was an Orbit 4 channel with 4" long sticks. Thanks for all of your help.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Jim, I don't think mixing is going to help with a hover. I have found however that a little EXPO helps
on the ELEV. You will have to go to a computer radio for this. The dual rates of a better radio would also
be a help to you. If you don't get Model Airplane News go buy the latest. Quique is doind a series of
articles about 3-D. This month he talks about setting up your plane. later daveo

Ever since I became interested in 3D aerobatics, I set all of my rudder throws to max... I find that the control I use the most when trying to hover is the rudder... I've gotten about 45 seconds out of a hover now... I fly a Sig Somethin' Extra with a Webra .61... I also like big low pitch props... but the only real point to using them is to get more thrust out of a borderline engine. At about 1.4:1 - 1.5:1 power ratio this is unnecessary.

Well I could argue about the low pitch props and borderline engine. I would go with the low pitch prop on a perfect engine b/c it will still produce more thrust and allow you more power if it gets rough hovering head high off of the ground.

I like the low pitch prop for the following reason. When the plane starts to settle I like to blip the throttle
to stop the decent. It seems like with a higher pitch prop the throttle blip makes the plane jump up
another 5-10 feet instaed of stoping the decent. Also I like to work the throttle to increase the torque
roll effect. The lower pitch helps maintain the ALT. I'm sure all this varies from plane to plane and
pilot to pilot, but it makes it easyer for me. later daveo