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Old 02-20-2003 | 06:35 AM
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Grampaw
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Opelousas, LA
Default Low Wing + Co-pilot = good trainer?

I made the first flight on a friend's new Sig 4*60 ARF with that FMA "thingie" installed. I'd flown two LT-40s with "thingies" that performed beautifully, so I was anxious to try 4*-60. After a few minutes getting acquainted with the plane, I turned on the "thingie" and demonstrated it's ability to keep the aircraft in a level flight attitude. Rolling it up on a wing tip, the "thingie" snapped it back to level flight with no input from me. I pulled the 4*60's nose up with enough power to continue a gentle climb, but the "thingie" had other ideas. Dropping down to about 75 feet I made a perfectly flat 360 degree turn, on rudder only, right in front of us...try that without a "thingie!" Landing was a breeze in the 45 degree cross-wind we had that day. On the approach into the crosswind, I let the "thingie" handle the ailerons while I handled the throttle and elevator. I throttled back to let the plane slowly descend. As crossed over the edge of the runway at about 10 feet high I ruddered it around, lined up with the runway, idled back to let it settle in wings level, to a nice soft landing. I knew how to handle a crosswind, but the "thingie" sure took the "bite" out of it! The "thingie" will give him assists on controls in situations that might otherwise cause problems. He will improve faster as his confidence level increases. Get a "thingie" for that 4*60...you'll like it.