ORIGINAL: RCKen
ORIGINAL: darock
In spite of the warning the original post does not apply to all beginners, more should be said for their benefit.
A successful first flight isn't just about twiddling the sticks.
Absolutely correct. In 10 years of flying and over 6 years of instructing I have NEVER seen a new pilot bring out an airplane that didn't have something wrong with it. Every one that I have ever checked needed something corrected or fixed before it was ready to fly.
Ken
Thats the truth. I met a guy out at the field last night to help him get his trainer all set for training night. He wanted me to take it up for him and do its test flight as well.
When I started looking at it, we had alot of work to do! Battery and receiver were not tied down in anyway. Wires were haplessly strewn around on top of servos. Antenna was coiled up inside. No foam tape for the wing to sit and seal down on. Control surfaces were not completely covered(Tips were left exposed). Control horns were install incorrectly. The fuel vent was upside down. The clunk line was too long.
Most of it we got fixed up at the field, and we were able to get his engine started. And boy what a PITA that was. I have never tuned/broke in a SuperTigre and it was a pain just to keep it running at first!
Long story short, we spent 3 hours fixing what we could at the field and getting his engine broke in and tuned. I sent him home with about 5 hours of work securing various items and running his antenna out of the back.
There's alot of stuff a beginner just doesn't know about/think about.
Good job on your solo, I solo'ed as well without an instructor, but the next week I was at the field on training night getting instruction and learning alot ... and I hope you do the same!