Thanks rmadsen! Yeah, the stress became more obviously about three weeks ago. Somehow though, I really didn't 'plan' to fly it yesterday... weather... but it stopped raining and then everything came together on the plane just as the wind subsided to a reasonable level. It was just all perfect, so I didn't really get to think about it much. I really thought today would be the maiden day. It rained all day today! So, it was good to get it done yesterday.

Since I stole the basic design from PT-02B, which is yellow and blue... I thought well, PT sounds good but I can't do 02B. 109 popped into my head as PT-109 is likely the most notable number starting with PT... so I guess it's named after a PT boat? Or is it named after another airplane? It just seemed right. Maybe I should have looked up the number from the PT boat from McCale's Navy? Anyway, I do have a few more stickers for it. They'll go under the wings in that large white area.

I've been really torn between here lately. My latest ARF is a 12x6 v-nose trailer. I've been working like a dog on that all at the same time to have it ready for our Joe Nall trip. I finished up the wing racks yesterday. Made the first wing holders today and gave the Decathlon wings first rights to a spot. I'm really happy with how it's all coming out. I do hope I can get in maybe 10 more flights on the SD before Joe Nall. I'd really like to have a good feel for the model and be really relaxed about flying it before going to something like Joe Nall! This is my first big meet and I'm certain there will be plenty of adrenalin pumping without even thinking about flying myself. It would be really nice to be comfortable with the model beforehand.

I mostly need to discover it's stall speed next time out. My first landing was pretty hot. My second landing was just a bit hot. Also, it would be nice to get the flaps tuned in and feel out how they effect the flight. I'd like to give them a try on take-off as well.

Also, I had never checked lateral until after the first flight. I do have a heavy side. Need to get some weight into one of the wings. I wound up with about one or two clicks of up elevator and a good bit of aileron due to the imbalance, but rudder was dead on and the plane flew straight as an arrow hands off. It was really obvious going away from me.

The other really odd thing I'm dealing with is the sound. I'm so used to quiet electric power which I don't really pay attention to. But the gasser is just so obvious that I do pay attention to the sound. And the delay due to distance is messing with me. At one point I did a sort of stall rudder aileron turn into a dive... it was moving on pretty good on the way down and I was throttled down thinking I don't want to pull up from this under power... but the darned noise was telling me the throttle was still up in spite of my moving it to idle. I'm sure more time will get me past this. It's just a really odd new experience.

Yes, my name is Dumorian and I'm an aerohaulic!