I am about to embark on my first flight with an instructor a week Saturday, I feel like a kid at Christmas, but I have some questions. Is there any advice you lot could give me on my first flight like: - things to be aware of, things to do before I go to the field , what should I bring with me to the field and what should I expect for my first time in the air.

Your comments would be most appreciated

Sherpa

Give your plane one more preflight check.

Make sure everything is tight, or loose, depending on what it is (screws tights, linkages smooth, and slop free) the control throws are set to the right amount. The plane is balamced, and is slightly nose heavy.. Lateral balacing is a good idea as well..

Charge the batteries, do full systems check (all servos move in teh right direction, and are plugged into the right sockets..)

pack all the tools you'll need, plus the others you don't. Bring your glues, and a few clamps. Extra props (balanced if you can..) and a few extra glow plugs. Bring some extra weight. Most planes and owners first flights seem to require a bit here or there..

Bring all teh manuals, and possibly the plan set, 'just in case'

And one thing you know you WILL forget - paper towel and windex to clean up after the flights..

This is all a matter of 'better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it' !

Over time, you'll learn what is important, and what isn't. And don't worry, if you have forgetten soemthing, someone will surely lend / give it to you!

It's also peach season. Stop in at teh local super market,a nd buy a basket. Once you get to the feild, offer one to every pilot! Soon you should have a bunch of peach trees at the feild!

And or course a camera, for the before and after shots, as well as teh other planes on the flight line!! then post them here!!

Best of all, have a good time, and don't worry! it'll go smoother than you think!!

also don't forget to bring you AMA card!! don't worry if you don't have one you usually get three flights free but u will most likely need one!!! they insure you plane for you in case it gets stuck in somebeody's windshield or body! and they do advocate for us as a group and keep our radio channels free and other good things like that. if you plan to keep flying you will want to join up. most fields won't let you fly unless you are a member.
good luck on your first flight.

their address is www.modelaircraft.org

welcome to the addiction!

john

The two biggest things I can think of that will help save your plane from a quick death are 1)CHARGE THE BATTERIES in the plane as well as the transmitter, and 2)Make sure all of the control surfaces move the right way.

Remember to take a deep breath and relax. A lot of people get overly tense or nervous. Take your time, and don't rush anything. I totally agree with the pre-flight mentioned above, but don't get discouraged if your instructor finds something wrong with the plane. It's rare for me not to find something wrong with a plane the first time it comes to the field. Usually it's minor and we can fix it right on the field, or it's a minor thing to be taken care of later at home.

How much do you know about how an airplane flys and how the control surfaces do what they do? It's not necessary to know this stuff, but I find that students who know the "theory" of what is going on learn faster. Simularly, it won't hurt to read some of the threads on here about basic landing procedures and basic plane handling. You won't be landing for a while, but having the ideas in your head makes it easier to get the fingers to do their thing. With, some students I have to spend a fair amount of time before flying explaining what's going to happen and how things work, while others already know the basics and they tend to pick it up faster. Which is another way of saying do your own self-paced ground schooling, it will save you time and brain-space at the field.

When flying, relax, and think smooth. Small stick movements held for a longer period of time are better than a large movement for a short period of time. In other words, if you want to bank, move the aileron stick to the side just a little bit and hold it there rather than trying to apply lots of aileron for a short period of time.

heyas, as a recent first timmer as well ( got my first stick time last weekend) I gotta agree with whats been said.

Even though I had some sim exp I was very nervous and even had my knees shaking

Biggest surprise is how little input is actually needed. Slight taps of the sticks is all that is needed.

G luck with your flight and report back on how it went


mj147

Slight taps may be all that's needed, but don't tap the sticks, move them very slowly and very gently.

I agree with researching as much as you can. Do a Search for first flights, or as has been mentioned, landing techniques. Read some of the engine break in threads (again if you already have), but don't overload yourself! Your first day will be pretty nerve wracking, so don't "cram" the night before. Get a good nights sleep so you'll have a clear head.

Forget the plans or instruction manuals, they won't be needed. DO bring two or three extra props, one extra glow plug, a full gallon of fuel, plenty of rubber bands (if your wing uses them).

The peaches is a great idea, but also bring WATER, SUNGLASSES and a HAT! There's not much worse than trying to fly while squinting through watery eyes. You will want the water before and after that first flight, because your mouth will get very dry!

And charge all your batteries OVERNIGHT the night before you're going to the field!!

Good luck, you'll do fine.
Dennis-

don't be afraid to let your instructor take over. on your first couple flights, not asking him and trying to fix the problem is one of the worst things you can do. you need to get a feel for the plane, then fix your own problems. about the stuf you need to bring, i would say a buddy box, fuel, the necessary stuff, and a tasty treat for when you are done. you will need it, trust me.

Checklist,

Everyone thinks this is stupid, but I think its a great idea for a newbie.

Sit down and write out a 2 part checklist. Part 1 is "take to the field", heck, just last week I forgot a large flat bladed screwdriver which I needed for a slight adjustment to the nose gear.

Part 2 is a Pre-flight checklist (dash 1). Going through a checklist should calm you because you have specific tasks AND you can be fairly sure you haven't missed anything.

Finally, keep in mind, its not a contest. If you're having fun then it doesn't matter if you don't get to take-offs and landings for a few sessions (not flights).

Tim

Listen to your instructor for advise. Most likely he(she) has been flying for a lot longer than you have, and has experienced their share of problems. Also Have them look over your plane, make sure that everything is right.

One tip I got from my instructor, was to break in the engine on the plane, this way is some glue joint is loose, it will come apart on the ground and cause less damage than if you are 3 mistakes high, and for example, you firewall comes off. After break in, recheck the plane to make sure nothing vibrated loose.

jacob

Check lists are never a bad idea. I don't have anything written down, but I do have certain things I do every time I fly, usually in a specific order and specific way. Part of it keeps me out of the prop, and part of it makes sure I notice if something is wrong.

Dennis is right about information overload. Read ahead, but the night before, just relax and charge batteries. Simularly, it's common for a student to have 2-3 good flights then start to "come apart" on the 4th or 5th flight. Apparently there is only so much learning a person can absorb at once, and you start to burn out and get sloppy.

I know I've been working on my endurance at events this year, and paying attention to my performace. It's hard to fly as well at the end of the day as at the beginning, fatigue is real and it's subtle, so don't over-do things.

Don't forget the sunblock and bug repellant! Nothing worse than getting bit while at the sticks. (Except maybe crashing because of it)

Have a good plan for how you and the instructor are going to communicate while flying. For example, make sure you have a clear-cut word or phrase ("YOU TAKE IT!") that indicates you want the instructor to take over RIGHT NOW and not try to talk you through a recovery. And maybe a different phrase ("A LITTLE HELP?") when you want him to maybe just suggest a control input or help you with orientation.

Might also be good to have a specific goal in mind for the first day of flying.. like taking it off yourself, doing 5 complete patterns around the field without help, or even landing it yourself.. and then declaring victory when/if you accomplish that and not getting too cocky and agressive and ruining the fun day by trying to do too much.

Just some thoughts. Good luck and have fun!
-Greg

even with the bug repellent, i have bugs frawling up my pants as i fly. i found the solution to be to wrap a #64 rubber band around the mottom of my pant leg so they can't getin. about the landing on your first day, i wouldn't reccomend it for money's sake. it can probably be done, but you are muh more likely to break a prop, nose gear, or even your plane. i would reccomend landing it after a couple times at the field, just so you kow yoru trainer.

Wow, great advice here, Thanks..even if I AM flying a Firebird