ORIGINAL: gaRCfield
Today I went down to the field just to practice taking off and landing. I found out last week that I was having some throttle control issues upon takeoff (obviously didn't want to look down, but I wasn't giving the plane enough throttle. Still getting used to thumb positions!)
Anyway, it was really gusty, with winds in every direction. I've learned that it is important to land with some power in windy conditions, so that's what I did. Then the wind died down to almost nothing, and I continued to come in with power.
AMAZING!!! You have so much more control of the plane with a little throttle - I was able to wag my tail around as needed, gain altitude or raise the nose, and actually flew my plane down to the ground! What an awesome feeling! I was able to do some touch-an-go's after that, too, since I had so much more control, and wasn't really performing a controlled crash into the runway like us newbies start off doing.
AAAGGHHH YES! Nothing feels so good as POWER!
You did well in that you learned something and YOU learned it all by yourself using some common thinking and working it out for yourself. My money says you are going to experiment even more and your learning curve will be going straight up.
Excellent!
Some things you may want to think about as you progress on. If you fly some normal sport model, try this: Let's say you're flying the typical .40-.60 + size airplane. Use a long diameter low pitch prop. Then use a shorter high pitch prop. For example, many years ago my first experiments found that a Laser 200 type model with a ST .60 would fly an excellent pattern with a 11, or 11.5 d. 7-7.5 pitch prop. Passes were fast for the time period but landings had to be idled back a couple 100 feet to land in front of yourself. Straight-up was OK but not anything to write home about.
Now install a 12-5 and things changed. Passes much slower but very controllable. Straight-Up 50% better. Then fly the approach using throttle as an airplane should be flown, you can continue right into the roundout, chop and you're on usually 3 point.
Check with the 3D folks. They have those prop. things pretty well nailed down. .40-.46 engine about same with 9-7 / 10-6 and then a 11-4 or so.
Now once you get this all right to the finest point, then get a Q-500 Racer, or a Quarter .40 Racer. Landing dead stick all the time and with a slick slippery machine. Landing is a whole 'nother game. [sm=idea.gif]
So much to learn, so little time, but AIN'T IT FUN!!!!!???
Good show there, Mr. gaRCfield. best of luck to you.