Well, I finally got my Nexstar airborne today! And let me tell you, it flies really nice! It's been a long awaited flight. I've been wanting to do this for 20 years, since I was ten. I finally decided to take the plunge when I got my taxes back this year. I have had my plane for 2.5 months now, mostly sitting on my wall looking pretty (thanks so much to all of you who put up with my questions through the assembly...these planes don't just 'snap together' like some might expect, and the recommended assembly time is drastically reduced, especially if it is your first ARF.)

I was able to ready my OS 46AX for flight in in one tank (the needle does need to be out 3 to 4 turns, not 1.5 to 2 like is says in the manual). Then I spent a half tank of fuel optimizing the mixture to good performance (accelerating with 'virtually' no hesitation, nice and rich), then taxied around for a bit (2/3 throttle got it off the ground!) Wasn't ready for that 'solo' but I was in plenty of control, kept it straight, and cut the throttle...no harm done (whew!) Then the buddy cord showed up...

I flew with the speed flaps and the wing droops there's no good reason not to. I might not have needed them, but I can always take them off in the future. 3 flights on the buddy cord...the last one I was in control the whole time! Take off, figure eights, approach, and landing, all on my own! (I got so excited when I landed I forgot to steer a little and the tall weeds kind of helped me stop the plane though [:@] )

My instructors were impressed from the start (leaving the ground on first taxi and keeping control) and said I'm almost done training! FMS simulator has been huge. People say it doesn't teach you how to fly, but it's pretty darn close! The similarity is totally amazing. Of course it doesn't teach you any rules of thumb or safety habits though, nor does it replicate the knee chattering or panic attacks.

I really want to thank everyone on this site, for helping me with EVERYTHING from assembly to break in questions to equipment recommendations. I showed up to the field with a lot of knowledge. It definitely does not take the place of experience whatsoever, but when the instructor got to the field and saw my plane properly tethered, everything set up properly, and enough knowledge to break in my engine with only a little help (starts with ONE FLIP OF THE PROP with my chicken stick!) all I could think of is all your advice. I couldn't wait to come back here and share.

Thanks everyone! Hopefully Saturday the weather will be nice and you'll hear about my real solo!

Cheers,

Joe