My Great Planes PT-60 flies for the first time
03-21-2004, 03:35 PM
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My Great Planes PT-60 flies for the first time
I finished my Great Planes PT-60 kit around the end of the year. I did at least 90% of the build by myself, and of course, was concerned that my first attempt might not be good. I'm happy to report that my fears were unfounded.
We finally got a good day that wasn't committed to something else and it went to the field for the first time Saturday. My instructor, Paul, looked over everything and deemed it airworthy. We attached the wings and did a range check and verified I had the radio set up correctly. Paul flew it and didn't have to do a lot of trimming. I was very happy that it flew well. We had a decent breeze and it refused to stall at slow speed. It sort of hovered at an idle against the headwind. He landed it and we hooked up the trainer box and got the trims as close as possible. Paul did the takeoff and gave me control at a safe altitude. We needed a few clicks of trim, then it was straight and stable with hands off. I flew for a good while and then tried to line up for a landing. I had two aborts, so Paul said he'd line me up then let me bring it in. Ran out of fuel, so he glided it in.
Second flight, I did the takeoff and flew around for a long time; actually too long and ran out of fuel again. I was pretty high, and far away, so Paul glided it in again.
I'm very pleased with the first outing. I need to get a timer, and need to time an engine run so I don't run out of fuel.
Engine - Thunder Tiger 61 Pro
Prop - Master Airscrew 12x6
Hitec Supreme Receiver and HS-322 Servos
Covering is Ultracoat Deep Blue and Bright Yellow
We finally got a good day that wasn't committed to something else and it went to the field for the first time Saturday. My instructor, Paul, looked over everything and deemed it airworthy. We attached the wings and did a range check and verified I had the radio set up correctly. Paul flew it and didn't have to do a lot of trimming. I was very happy that it flew well. We had a decent breeze and it refused to stall at slow speed. It sort of hovered at an idle against the headwind. He landed it and we hooked up the trainer box and got the trims as close as possible. Paul did the takeoff and gave me control at a safe altitude. We needed a few clicks of trim, then it was straight and stable with hands off. I flew for a good while and then tried to line up for a landing. I had two aborts, so Paul said he'd line me up then let me bring it in. Ran out of fuel, so he glided it in.
Second flight, I did the takeoff and flew around for a long time; actually too long and ran out of fuel again. I was pretty high, and far away, so Paul glided it in again.
I'm very pleased with the first outing. I need to get a timer, and need to time an engine run so I don't run out of fuel.
Engine - Thunder Tiger 61 Pro
Prop - Master Airscrew 12x6
Hitec Supreme Receiver and HS-322 Servos
Covering is Ultracoat Deep Blue and Bright Yellow
03-21-2004, 06:02 PM
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RE: My Great Planes PT-60 flies for the first time
Congrats!
I was worried the first time my trainer (SIG Kadet LT-40, kit) took off as well. We worked on it all winter, and I had no idea if we were looking over some vitaly important mistake that would cost us the plane... but it went up like a champ, and has done so ever since. It even took a landing that everyone said would break it: alot of stress on the tail, and it (the tail) stayed put.
I was worried the first time my trainer (SIG Kadet LT-40, kit) took off as well. We worked on it all winter, and I had no idea if we were looking over some vitaly important mistake that would cost us the plane... but it went up like a champ, and has done so ever since. It even took a landing that everyone said would break it: alot of stress on the tail, and it (the tail) stayed put.
