As you can guess, I soloed this past weekend. Okay, I actually soloed two weeks ago, but I had three guys standing around me ready to take the radio in case I got into trouble. Yesterday was my first time at the air field flying my plane with no one standing right there in case I screwed up.

I had a blast! For the record, I spent my three flights doing touch-and-go's and working on simulated dead-stick landings. I didn't do too bad either; I have a tendency to come in hot, so the dead sticks were easy.

Off the record, I did a few things just to see what would happen like taking the plane high, leveling off, and cutting the throttle to idol to see how the plane stalled. I also would go to full throttle and pull back to see how far up she would go before stalling (again, at a safe altitude). No one was at the field so I felt like I could goof off without worrying about a mid-air.

I know, kind of silly. During my training I was so concerned about learning to fly I didn't 'play' any (I soloed using less than a gallon of glow fuel -- less than half the average!). I guess I was making up for it. And there was no harm done. The only damage that the plane received was during my last landing of the day (before I landed I knew it was my last flight). A thunder storm was approaching so I decided to bring it in before the wind picked up. Right before touch down, a gut of wind hit the plane and landed a little hard and I broke the prop. Not a big deal, I have 3 extras in my field box.

Anyway, just wanted to brag a little and tell everyone thanks again for answering all of my dumb questions.

Brag away!

Congratulations

Before i soloed my learning was very slow. I only got out about once a week (twice if i was lucky). And only took about three flights. I was always worried about screwing up so i didnt use the rudder alot or do anything different. The second i got my wings for 6 days straight i was flying doing about 10 flights a day (yes the fuel went fast) and now im 100x better than i was when i first soloed. Its great when you have complete control over the plane and u can follow your own pattern. Its all about experimenting with your plane, try some new stuff each day (just make sure your high enough) youd be suprised what you and your plane are capable of. Before i thought my plane was to week and couldnt even do a roll. Now im can do rolls until i want to stop and i only soloed a week ago. Just get out as much as possible.

Congrats,

Papa

Good going,

Since soloing, it looks like you are getting into the part of RC flying that is going to make a great flyer out of you.

Take that trainer up and wring it out. Do everything you can think of. Learn the use of the rudder so that it is second nature. Experriment with throttle management during your flights.

Then increase the control throws on your trainer to the maximum, and re-learn everything you thought you knew.

While doing this, just keep in mind that you want to have a plan for each flight - don't just bore holes in the sky.

Keep up the good work and let us know how it is going.

You have every right to brag!

Solo flight is a major accomplishment, well deserving of an ATTABOY!

MinnFlyer, I thought I had lots of time to kill at work!