ORIGINAL: Murdoc
when you inspected the plane after landing, the needle was gone? That was a new one to me
What engine is it`?
It ran fine for several fights at both lowand high rpm. Then I was making an approach with the throttle cut and when it got close enough, I couldnt hear the engine and as it got closer I noticed the prop not turning. Insted of grabbing down elevator to get her down as soon as possible like a noob might do, I just kept it level as long as I could while gradually applying up elevator untill touchdown.
At first I though I had the idle set too low and thats why it died since I just went back through the Kadet LT-40 and made some tweaks to center all my trims on the radio. Also re-did the CG since I was way too nose heavy with the Magnum XL .52. I had to add an ounce of weight on the rear BTW. (Close enough is a disaster with planes)
On the next flight I adjusted the idle a little higher and it seemed ok on the starting bench. I did the usual full throttle, back it down to idle, rev it back up and it ran fine from low end to high end so I though I was good to go. I was about 10 minutes into the flight and was going to some touch and goes and/or low passes. This time I heard that the engine wasn't running since I was the only one flying without other guys making noise. (Dang 2-Strokes.
)
This approach was different though. I had been practicing right hand turns and was coming in at about the 10:00 position. CST time.
I was too low to make any hard turns to get lined up straight with the runway in fear of stalling. The wind was at my back and I was able to flare up and land width wise on the runway barely rolling into the grass and no damage whatsoever. You can't learn that on a sim. LOL Allthough I have never been hooked up to a buddy box or had an official flight instructer, I was able to land today because of what I have learned here on RCU. Because of the very experianced guys taking time out their busy days helping us noobs does work!
Since the engine is so new, I thought it may not be broken in yet. Kinda figgered the low end needed adjustment. Cept it wasn't there.
I made a rookie mistake that I wouldn't of if I had went through an instructer. While breaking in and tuning the Magnum .52, I thought the low end needle valve moved a little too easy while adjusting it. But flew it anyway! I wont take those kind of chances again. Lesson learned and I was lucky. When in doubt, keep it on the ground or gravity will whup your butt!
I e mailed Global Hobby today in hopes of getting another needle jet since that motor has been discontinued. Fingers crossed.