I just found this forum and read the post about a guy that was interested in a Giles 202 .40 for his second plane and got the crap scared out of me. I have gotten comfortable with my Sig Kadet 40LT finially and I know I need alot more stick time with her before I move on. I fly off of a highway at about 6,500 ft. and haven't gotten my landings consistant yet. I bought a second hand Northeastern Sport-Air 40 for my second plane, a low wing kind of like a Cherokee. The winds haven't been helpful so I still need to get her in the air for the first time. Now the part I got scared about-- I found a Great Planes Giles 202 1/4 scale arf on Ebay the other day and got the bid at less than 1/3 what she is worth. I thought going bigger would be a good step for my third plane and I couldn't pass up the chance on this plane. I hope to see her fly this next weekend in the hands of an expert pilot(in LasVegas). The nearest R/C field is over 180 miles from me so I don't have access to a good instructor and the guy that has helped me get into the air learned by the build/fly/crash/build/... method. He has been flying for over 10 years though and we are both able to fly all day and recharge for the next day with no repair or bench work required. I know I need to get alot more stick time on the Kadet, and also get comfortable with the Sport-Air before I even fuel up the Giles but I just had to put this out there to hear any suggestions that may help me.
Thanks for listening,
rod

Hi,

Yes you'd better wait awhile on the Giles 202. I don't see a problem with your friend who is expert to take it on it's maiden voyage. If the two of you have a buddy box system, I don't even see any harm with him flying the Giles and you making some gentle oval patterns as long has he can take control immediatly. I suggest that you find a nice low wing trainer to transition into the Giles. Good luck and happy flying!

Thanks for the good words of encouragement, LittleFolk. I had read that the Sport-Air 40 is a good low wing trainer so I picked it up for the transition. Unfortunately we don't have a trainer cord, but when I go to Vegas this next week it is on my wish list, the one good thing is I have 2 Futaba radios and he has one that matches one of mine so he is comfortable with the sticks, and they will be compatible. We have just been using the "OH CRAP !!! I'm in trouble-grab the box" method of training, but I never got in a bad situation since I'm overly cautious. No loops or rolls even until I had flown solo for about 3 weekends.

rod2_hi,


What was the most difficult part about learning how to fly the LT 40?

Wings

Wings,
The way I started my trainer got me to a good altitude and handed it over to me, I did lazy circles, then figure 8's nice and easy for about 3-4 minutes then my knees were so rubbery I handed it back. We did this until I could almost make a full flight of 8's then I started coming lower and lower. At that point I had a fair understanding and feel of the sticks. The hardest part for me was letting the nose down on the approach leg to the landing, it still is a little shakey for me. My landings still float way past where I want to touch down, but I'm getting better. Counteracting the torque on take-off wasn't too bad, but I throttle up moderately not balls to the wall in one fell swoop. Let the air speed get up real good before you give a touch of elevator and takeoff is smooth and strong.

The biggest problem you will have to handle with a Giles can be summed up with one word. Snap!

The Giles is even worse than a CAP for its tendency to snap. In the right hands this actually makes it an attractive plane to fly aerobatics, as the instability makes it a great performer.

So, until you can handle things like a higher speed landing, or controlling the elevator accurately, some other mid- or low wing plane would be a better way to progress.

If the Giles is still an attractive buy, why not go ahead, but also buy something like a SIG Somethin' Extra to learn on and go to the Giles after a few hours?

Whatever you do, enjoy!

-David C.

Over shooting the run way is common with
the LT-40 for beginers. Is your engine
idle to high. It dont take much to keep
the LT-40 a float.

Randy, I noticed you have insight. You fly at the tom sawyer park? I live in Carrollton ky, grew up in Georgetown IN. Wondering if you go to the Tom Sawyer flying club. I am going there tommorow to watch. I dont want to join just yet. I plan to buy an LT 40, and and still messing with the AEROBIRD now. Mostly all I do with the AEROBIRD lately is take off/land, over and over till the batteries are dead in preperating for the LT 40. I think landing will be my biggest weakness.

I am not a member of the tom sawyer park club. But i have flew over there.
I am in a rc club in indiana.

You will enjoy the Lt-40 Very much(I have one). I have flew alot of
trainers and the LT-40 is the easiest and sweetist. It lands nice and
takes off nice and flyes nice. LOL

I still fly the LT-40 off and on Its a very good sunday relaxing while
you fly plane. I am currently learning helis(Thats giving me a challange).

Randy41...
As you know, the LT-40's flat bottomed airfoil causes some lift with a slight increase of power. So after I set the landing speed, before turning onto final, I feed in a tad of "down" elevator. This way I can "hold the nose" where I want it with a slight "back pressure" on the stick while letting it settle on in. If I have to add a few RPMs to stretch the approach this lets me control the "balloon and climb effect," which otherwise usually results in having to quickly add more power for a go-round. I can hold it off and fly it slowly on down the runway almost like in Ground Effect, then come off the power and flair out for a gentle touchdown. My LT-40 is set up as a tail dragger, and it looks just great when it slowly rotates into a three pointer! It is one fun airplane, and a good trainer.

Thanks, Grampaw.
I'm on my way to the field and I will try your suggestion. My flight plan for today is to touch-and-go the wheels off of the Kadet then make a trim flight or 2 with the Sport-Air before the winds get up again.

rod