Well, I've had a few years away from anything R/C airplane related but finally got the urge to get back into it. Had a great day today too!


I've been pestering the guys at the local fly field off and on for over a couple of years. Always asked about re-upping membership and blowing the dust off of the sticks. I've finally taken the plunge and took the ol' Kadet Sr. out to the field. Got signed up and one of the guys offered to let me go up with his Avistar on his buddy box. Not knowing me, and me not knowing how quickly I would take to get proficient, I took him up on that offer. He took off and then turned the plane over to me. Never had to take it back. LOL!

He told me that if he knew that I'd do so well, he would have just handed me the transmitter from the get go. But, neither one of us was sure, so it was best we did the buddy box thing. I thanked him for the compliment.

Then, it was time for the Sr. We took it up and checked the trim. Everything was right where we left it. It actually felt better flying my own plane than the Avistar, since I've got it set up like I want it. Did a couple of flights and successful landings. The engine has a little growl in it, most likely the bearings. We talked about it for a while and then one of the guys says, "I've got a .91 OS that we could never get the carb tuned in right but the engine is solid. You can HAVE it!" No way I was turning that down!

Then we go to his house, and he finds a set of bearings for the other .91 in the Sr. Says, "Here, you might as well take them too!"

THEN, as I'm getting ready to leave, he says, "Wanna cover an Ultra Stick? Here's one you can HAVE." Somebody pinch me !!!!!!

So, I get home and can't wait to show my wife and kids and there, on the table are three tickets for SUN 'N FUN Fly-in at the Lakeland airport !!!!!! Someone donated them to us so I could take the boys. We got there in time to watch the Blue Angels perform and got to look at a LOT of awesome full-scale planes.

I guess you could say I had a great first day flying, or flying -- again, or whatever. It was a great day. =)

Did you buy a lottery ticket too ? You should have !

Thought about it. LOL!

Yes, lmao... That is great, you don't get many days like that in your life, that's awesome..& has gotta be telling you something there. I am new old to this too, but I've not many hours in the air, early 90's for me..& I was just cl too because I couldn't afford the radio equipment, only little cox .049 jobbie at that...- jack'n thread- sorry...Not as lucky as you, but excited about building & trying to get'er in the air....

Congratulations! I too am working on reentering the hobby after a long break. Dusted off what remains of my equipment after taking about 8 years off to focus on my kids.

I have an Electric GBY Racer hanging up in the garage but opted instead to pick up a new Ultimate 40 kit. Wanted to take the time to re familiarize myself with the construction process as a primer for the unavoidable and upcoming repairs

Glad you had such a great experience at your local club, can't wait to meet some of the guys near me.

Thanks guys!

Yesterday was an equally good day. I took my Kadet Sr. AND the Stick out to the field and got a few flights on both of them. Getting back into the hobby, I noticed how dusty my thumbs have become. Over the couple of weeks flying, I've seen that dust go away, and flying become more natural again. My first flights with the Sr. weren't scary, but more exhilarating. My reflexes hadn't sharpened totally (they STILL haven't returned to what they were way back when) but the ol' Senior was a great reminder of techniques and confidence.

I took my Stick up and trimmed it out and flew it around some. With the extended ailerons and the .91 four-stroke, the plane is responsive AND capable, while being steady. A natural progression from the Senior.

The funniest thing I noted when going back to fly the Sr. was that in just half a lap of the field, I noticed how slow the ol' girl can fly! Not knocking the plane at all, I guess just then, I noticed a little bit more dust had been brushed from my fingers.

That's great Crafty!

I'm just finishing the fuse on my Ultimate and almost ready to start the top wing. After that she's ready for covering. Can't wait for the smell of burning nitro again, I just hope hearing about your success doesn't make me overconfident

I'm sure you'll do fine Buzz. It's like riding a bike. Although it seemed like I was used to a coaster brake bike before and now they gave me a 15-speed!

Honestly, what took the most getting used to was using 2.4ghz. EVERY time I'd look out there and there was no antenna obstructing my view, I'd freak! I couldn't imagine how that tiny antenna could reach all the way out there! LOL!

I'm still taking my time on maneuvers, making sure that I've got airspeed, altitude or ideas. At LEAST two of them at any given moment. But, it's coming back. I'd hop on any plane to maiden it before, now I find it interesting that I was skiddish getting my super-wing-area'd Senior back up in the air. For your viewing pleasure, here's a vid of it flying a few years ago, before the cobwebs set in.

lol, yea, when I got my first 2.4GHz I was constantly having those, "Oh crap! I forgot to pull out my antenna." moments.

Nice video, great flying plane.