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Old 10-04-2006 | 03:54 PM
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Charlie P.'s Avatar
Charlie P.
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,117
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From: Port Crane, NY
Default RE: PATTERN FLYING HELP


ORIGINAL: hillbillyexpress

I AM A ROOKIE PILOT WITH LOTS OF STICK TIME ON MY LT-40.(4 OZ. OF EPOXY AND 1 ROLL OD DUCT TAPE LATER) I GOT MY SECOND PLANE FROM A FELLOW CLUB MEMBER. A SIG MIDSTAR WITH A REAL BAD FLUTTER. I COULDNT FIND THE FLUTTER NO MATTER WHAT I DID, UNTIL I FOUND IT THE HARD WAY. YEP ANOTHER CRASH, BUT I DID GET THE CHANCE TO LEARN A FEW BASIC PATTERNS. THEN I GOT THE PHOENIX GILES G202 FROM ANOTHER FELLOW CLUB MEMBER. ( COULDNT BEAT THE PRICE I THOUGHT) WELL I WAS COMING OUT OF A LOOP AT 1/4 THROTTLE AND THE AILERON DECIDED IT WANTED TO TRY FLYING BY ITSELF. YEP YET ANOTHER CRASH. I JUST BUILT THE PHOENIX EXTRA 300S AND GOLBERG TIGER .60. I AM LOOKING FOR A GOOD PATTERN PLANE AND ONE THAT WILL MAYBE DO SOME 3-D. I AM A BIG FAN OF THE KNIFE EDGE ( WHICH I HAVE YET TO PERFECT)AND THE 300 S WILL NOT DO IT.
I AM DOING SOMETHING WRONG? THE 300S ALSO WANTS TO TURN RIGHT IN A CLIMB OR LOOP.
If it's not plain 'ol engine torque then it's either a trim problem or a balance problem. Balance all models laterally as well as longitudinally. If you suspend it from rudder hinge and prop shaft it should hang level. Add weight to the high wing tip.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGETIONS TO OFFER?
Turn off the caps lock.

Tug on all control surfaces before a flight (better to find a loose hinge on the ground). You can also tape or add folded covering strips in the control surface gaps to prevent mild flutter.

Get something in the cheap sport plane class like a Big Stik or a Sig Something Extra (very good for knife edge) and you'll spend less on tuition in the School of Hard Knocks.