ORIGINAL: ChuckW
Congratulations. It's a cool feeling isn't it?
That's odd that you need the needle 3-4 turns out on that engine. Usually 2 is typical and can be tweaked slightly from there. If that's what it wants though then that's what it wants. I wouldn't call the engine broken in after 1 tank. The OS's are good and don't require a lot of complicate break in but it will get even better over the next few flights and probably require a little more mixture adjustment after that.
It sounds like you have a knack for flying but don't get too confident right off the bat. I don't mean that to be discouraging or negative in any way. It's just that you will have some bad days flying and learning doesn't happen overnight. A lot of us have had a great experience the first couple trips to the field only to have the plane teach us a lesson the next time out. If and when that happens, don't get discouraged. Just analyze the problem, decide how to avoid it next time and keep at it. The simulator is great tool for learning basics and not to over-control the plane. The goal is to learn to fly the real thing though, not master a simulator. I only say that because I see to many people who get overconfident on a simulator and put their actual plane into the ground.
You know what is going to happen now don't you? You will rationalize a way to buy every plane and engine you see. There will be a garage full before you know it just like the rest of us addicts.
mesaflyer Date 5/9/2008 10:16:45 AM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I will save myself some hunting and pecking and second exactly what ChuckW said here. The Nexstar with the OS is a really nice setup. Have fun, and let us know when you solo!
I hear what you guys are saying. I'm sure there may have been some beginner's luck involved, and I'm sure I will have some tough flights/landings coming up. The only thing I really feel confident about is not being afraid to throttle up and go around if an approach doesn't feel right. We spent the whole second flight 'shooting approaches', and I didn't need to be told to try again too often. And the simulator has been great in teaching orientation, and how to correct a stall up in the air. Also, it taught me to not over-correct something, i.e. not to crank on the stick for an adjustment. Landing on the sim is similar, but different, and RCKen gave some good advice in telling me not to practice landing too much on the simulator to avoid learning bad habits. I'll be flying again tomorrow, and I'm really in no hurry to get off the cord. When I'm ready, I'm ready, whether it's tomorrow, next week, or next month. And I am looking for a second plane, and now I even have a third in the back of my head! RCKen was right about this too; you can't really know what you want until you start flying. I thought I wanted a scale plane with flaps and retracts, and I still do, but now I want something that's sporty and flies with authority (any recommendations for a higher-end, sporty plane that's still good for a second plane???
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Well, it's a really cool feeling to know that I finally got my plane flying; it's a feeling I don't think anyone else (except other RC fliers) will ever understand, but that's ok! I really can't wait to do it again.
Thanks guys!