RE: Six Keys to Success for new pilots
Great post and thread, aeajr; we don't have enough of piloting techniques here in RCU, I believe.
For me, learning to trim the model properly, is a great knowledge and skill for any student, the sooner the better.
Many students have soloed knowing near to zero about trimming, including myself.
Trimming is a required skill for free flyers, that we RC pilots tend to overlook.
About speed:
Management of energy is an important concept to be learned early in the process.
Good for gliders, for aerobatics and also for dead stick landings, if fuel is to be tried.
About over control:
I believe that for other than 3D flying, elevator use is frequently abused and misunderstood.
Years ago, I received what I believe was a great advice: try to fly a four-channel trainer, using only rudder and throttle, just until before flare.
From that excercise I learned how to manage altitude with change of airspeed only (instead of AOA only via elevator), and not less important, that my left thumb had work to do in each flight.