i've bought an avistar and would like to know if there are any instructors in the houston or katy area that could help me out?
Scobee field would be preferred.

Thanks

Most AMA chartered clubs have instructors. Instruction is usually free to club members.
You can check the list of clubs at:
http://www.ama-dist-8.org/Clubs/index.html
There is usually a "club finder" but it's down right now. You can still scroll through the list and find one. One thing to note, many clubs do not keep their contact info up to date with the AMA webmaster. This means, don't email them and expect a response. Use the contact phone number if there is one, check the web page for location, etc...... to find the field or meeting place and pay them a visit. The two clubs I've visited in other towns have been very friendly and willing to talk to a 'new guy'.

Yes, I will be happy to be your instructor.
I use SCOBEE but not a member of the Bayou City Flyers
They have a good instructor there also but only on Weekends mostly.
You can find him listed here in RCU in the Instructors list. His name
is DEAN UMBARGER and he does most of the teaching out there. I heard
this week that he is planning to leave Houston for good.
In actual fact I would have gone out today to attend to my present student
but the TERRIBLE COLD ( 46 F ! ) (joke) made me stay in the house.
Suggestion (strong s.! ) if your AVISTAR is brand new and you have no
experience, please DO NOT ATTEMPT FLIGHT unless somebody has checked
it over very carefully. Should you not have AMA yet I offer my INTRO PILOT
card which allows you to fly under my tutelage and covers you both to comply
with the local field requirements and your insurance coverage.
I prefer to go out there on WEEK DAYS.....less people allows better concentration.
RICK
picture sent for recognition

46 is COLD !!!

I wnt outside when it was cold once, and got cold so I don't do that no more!! If its cold, instead of going outside, I head to the basment and work on more planes. [8D]

Thanks rick! it would be great if you would instruct me. i have months on the sim (real flight G2) and dont worry, i know better than to try flying on my own. i've read enough here to know that. weekdays are hard for me as i work til 630. could we still do it on the weekends?

thanks alot!

That will be fine. My latest stoo-dent also works so w/ends are acceptable to all involved.
use my E/address to continue arrangements.
If your plane is ready to be used, this will be your first day out :GROUND SCHOOL
1
CHECK all connections and assembly details on plane
2
talk about ..... range checking,flight theory, etc etc
3
get engine to run ok
4
first CHECK OUT flight by the instructor to confirm all is OK
5
BuddyBox hookup + explanations
6
first attempt at flight by student.

Jus a synopsis to get you started.

write at : [email protected]

Hey man, so you finally went and got yourself a plane huh? Which radio did you end up getting? I'll keep my eye out for you at Scobee sometime.

Duke

Hey Rick...what's the deal friend. Haven't been able to get up with you for a while. I'm sure I will see ya soon though. Weather has been a bit "off".

Scobee is under renovation right at this time...so weekdays are not possible...until after 3:30PM or so I think it is. Anyway...you guys work it out, just let me know though and I'll come out too and burn some nitro.

Hey ScienceisCool...Rick trained me, SO I can tell you this, you WILL get the right intro into the hobby.

Drop me a line Rick, and let me know if you got the Tempest off ebay!

See ya...

Jim C

hey dukester! long time no see. ya, i went ahead and got teh avistar with a TT .46 pro and the futaba 6eax computer radio. it appears i'll be learning out at scobee in the coming weeks so we'll have to meet up sometime. once i'm comfortable going solo out at scobee i'll start going to tom bass, since that runway is much smaller.

can't wait to get flying! and thanks for your advise and taking time to formally introduce me to the hobby.

No problem on helping out. Gave me a good excuse to pack up my stuff and go flying anyway. Besides, I'm sure you've heard that this is more of a mental affliction than a hobby and it's extremely contagious to boot......

That sounds like a good combo to start with. You saw first hand how the Magnum 46 I have pulled my Avistar, so I would expect your TT to do at least as well. The 6eax is also a good choice to get started (imho) and you shouldn't have to worry about needing extra channels for a good while. If you have been spending time on the sim, then you should be snap rolling that Avistar in no time.

On the Avistar, I assume you got the ARF version. How is the wing joined? I don't know if I mentioned it, but mine was the RTF version and it has a big metal rod as a brace inside the wing. You might want to look at glassing the bottom of the wing before you try to pull any overly extreme maneuvers. But for training you should be fine with the stock setup.

BTW, I plan on being out at Scobee Sunday morning. Maybe I'll see you there.

Duke

ya, i got the ARF version so i'll be building that friday and saturday. if i'm done by sunday i'll try and come out and meet ya, not to fly though, probably justto watch.... unless rick (see above) can get out there to instruct since i dont have my AMA card yet.

i believe the wings are joined with a wood dowel or something in the center between teh two pieces and then glued together, but i'll let you know.

SIC + Dukester
here's a list of IF's

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A LESSON FLYING NEXT SUNDAY you don't actually need to have the AVISTAR ready, I have powered planes and gliders we can use for you, with Buddy Boxes.Maybe it will be a better idea to NOT RUSH the assembly of your new Avistar. I am VERY strict when it comes to the condition of a student's plane and chances are you will miss or overlook something...give yourself TIME ENOUGH...its those little "details" that beginners miss that catches them every time. The trainer I am considering REPLICATES the Avistar only it is much bigger ( 76" w/s) so that should lead into your type of aircraft


IF you prefer to just SOCIALIZE with your group and NOT take any lesson, please let me know.

Reason is as follows : WEEKENDS at Scobee are usually very crowded. I don't have an urgent reason to go," OTHER THAN TO FULFILL YOUR REQUEST". I drive 52 miles from my garage to Scobee, and 52 to come back makes 104 miles. So you can understand that unless you want to be trained for the first time ( either your plane or mine ! )...I could save some gas+wear & tear.

PLease take this the way it is meant, exactly as written. I have no hidden agendas.

{{{{{{I DO have a big CUB that needs a maiden flight after a mishap, but as written above, I prefer the less congested week-days to do that. And weekdays are not available temporarily at Scobee.}}}}}}

IF you elect to take your first lesson, say so, AND tell me which plane we will use. Yours or mine.....This way I can prepare ahead.

It'll be OK if you advise , even up to early afternoon on Friday.

Here is a picture of what I offer. You can learn on the powered plane, or you can "practice" flight on the GLIDER that gets releases about 1Kfeet high, your CHOICE. Both have Buddy Boxes.

RICK

i agree, rick, not to rush the construction and seeing as this will be my first plane i'm sure there are things that will take me more time than others. i think i'm just excited to get flying. so lets hold off on this weekend to give me time to get everything assembled and ready to go and maybe shoot for next weekend.

i understand about the mileage... i'll be driving about 30 miles each way as i live near the astrodome. so save your gas this weekend and we'll get together for the first lesson next weekend, weather permitting.

thanks so much rick!

Hey Rick...let me know when your going to fly the Cub. I would like to see that.

That photo brought back memories. That little glider riding piggy back never fails to get the attention! I would like to do the glider release with you again, that was fun.

See ya!

Jim C