Hello,

I just came back from my very first flight with the Champ RTF. It could have been better, crashed a few times due to the wind.

If any of you could please answer a couple questions I have, that would be great:

- The propeller cone/spinner broke off from a wind-related crash. Is it still safe & okay to fly without the cone/spinner, or should I replace the entire prop? I don't want the prop flying off mid-flight and hurting someone.

- The end of one of the prop blades is bent forward a tiny bit (I manually bent back most of it), maybe 3 degrees, after my last crash. Is it still ok to fly or should I replace the prop?

- I tried to fly in 11 km/hr winds (with 15km/hr gusts). Obviously it was too much as I could barely control the airplane (I gave up after 4 crashes, one of which was in the only tree in the area!).
Because flying indoors is not an option for me, what is the maximum wind speed I should fly in so the airplane is controllable? Couldn't find anything about it in the manual.

- I would like a better battery, one that will last longer than the stock one it came with (Eflite 3.7V 150mAh Li-Po), any suggestions?

- I lost an extra battery mid-flight because the velcro attaching it failed & it detached from the plane. Is there a way I can secure the battery better without affecting aerodynamics too much?

- Every time I replace the battery on the Champ, I have to rebind the controller to the plane. Is this normal?

Thanks everyone! Even though I've logged hundreds of hours into Flight Simulator X, this is my first time flying RC - and it is very fun! I think I found a new hobby!

It sounds like you has a good time even with the setbacks. The Champ is pretty much an indoor plsne. You'll need to wait for calm days to fly it. For outdoor use, you really need something bigger.
I'll encourage you to work with an instructor going forward. Simulators are a great tool, but there is no substitute for having a real person mentor you in this hobby. Yes, it will cost you song time, maybe some money. But it won't be nearly as much as the repairs and lost planes you'll deal with doing this hobby alome.

Thanks, I will look for an instructor. I think there's a club in my city.

In the meantime, what would you suggest for a bigger plane that I can fly outside in somewhat windy conditions (~10-20km/hr winds)?

The Eflite Apprentice is great. Othe trainer planes that size or bigger will work too. The Apprentice has a stability system that smoothes out the effects of wind a bit, which definitely helps.

However, making it easier to fly in the wind isn't the same thing as building your piloting skills to handle windy conditions. Your best bet is to get an instructor and buy the plane he suggests.

Thanks. I got in contact with my local RC flying club, hopefully somebody will be willing to teach me.

I flew again today, and I think I'm getting better in handling the windy conditions. No major crashes, and successfully landed 3 times!

I think I'll wait until I get an instructor before I fly again though. Thanks for your help.

For flying at RC sites the larger planes are great for those just learning to fly, but these planes are significantly more expensive. I like to fly at some of the local recreation fields but of course the larger planes like the apprentice should not be flown at these sites, but planes like the new Champ S and also the new UMX Eflite Cessna planes with the larger 2 cell batteries are just the right size and I do not have to drive for an hour to reach the local RC site and wait my turn.
Note I made a battery cover for my Sports Cub S which has the same set up for the battery as the Champ. I did this primarily to be able to increase my flight time when flying in colder weather. As you can see there is a hinge at the front and a small piece of Velcro at the back. Hold the battery in place quite well.