Sarges-
Sorry, I gotta agree with Snoop Doggy and Bhole. You need some competent help, not someone that just wants to watch you crash. I may be being hard on them but not by much, instructors they are not. You can connect computer and non-computer radios I believe but they will need to be same brand. PLEASE go to one of the clubs and get REAL help for at least a couple of flights. Chances are you got a little antsy watching your plane bouncing around on the ground and took off too slow for flying and this aggravated all of the other problems. [:'(] Stick with it.

Bruce

There ya go. Make that drive for a few weeks until you get the hang of it and you can fly where ever you want to. Don't get sucked into constantly blaming the plane or equipment for mistakes you or others make. I see this all the time. We even have a local guy who programs while he flys! I am not talking triming here but in the computer programming and then blames the crash on the tramsmitter or some idiot thing rather than himself. I cannot tell you how many rated pilots have come out to the field, refuse help and leave with their plane in pieces. Learn the right way.



[quote]ORIGINAL: bhole74

[There are several clubs around Joplin and Carthage. The club in Joplin has "trainer days" on Thursdays. I'm down in Anderson, which is a little far, but if all else fails, Come down on a Saturday and I'll teach you to fly. Heck, I'll even supply the plane!

BTW, I forgot to say congratulations on your first flight. As short as it was, at least you were out there trying. Stay with it.

Listen To Snoop Doggy Bag... He is one hundred percent correct. There was nothing wrong with your plane up untill the point that you crashed it. The problem is bluntly put YOU!!! You have yet to develop the skills required as soon as you do you will NOT think the plane reacts too quickly. The problem is that at 6 seconds per flight its going to take you a long time and cost a bunch of money to aquire the neccessary skills. Even if the nearest "real" club is 60 miles away GO learn to fly then it won't matter

real flight or other simulators olso help alot cheaper to crash on computer than at the field.

Sarge-

I'd take Bhole up on his offer. Go spend a day with him and see how much you can learn. If you're not ready to solo, meet up with him again. Take a gallon of fuel to thank him for his trouble. I don't think it will take you to long to get the hang of it so you can fly on your own. These bozos you are flying with are no help at all. I tried to teach myself with disastrous results. I totaled 3 spads trying to teach myself. Since I got instruction, I haven't had any crashes that caused significant damage (sound of wood knocking).

You've gone through a lot to get this plane. No one wants to see it wrecked because you can't find a good instructor. If I lived within 200 miles of you, I'd come help you myself.

-Scott

That 100 mile trip will save you alot more time and money than it costs! And you will get to meet some of your fellow modelers.

The following is based on this situation of being Sarges first flight as well as the LT-40's first flight.

In my opinion and it's only my opinion, a good instructor will:

Completely check over the plane with the student standing right there. The instructor should be explaining what and how and why he is doing. This includes:

Verifing all controls surfaces are on tight

All clevises on the control surfaces are locked and have a secondary way to hold them on which is usually a little piece of fuel line

All servos are installed correctly and are tightened down as well as the control rod connections to the servo arms are properly connected

Verify the prop and/or spinner is on and tight

Verify the high speed needle setting is set according to the manf. setting for starting

Then the wing gets bolted/rubber banded on and the CG is checked.

The plane and radio are switched on and all surfaces and the throttle are checked for proper movement and alignment and that no binding is occuring

A range check is then performed.

Now the student gets instructed on the proper method of fueling and starting the engine.

The plane is now fueled and tied down or firmly held so that if the throttle happens to be wide open, which could/would be very bad, the plane has less of a chance of hurting someone

The engine is now started and warmed up.

While the plane is held/tied down another range check is performed to make sure no radio interface is happening from engine vibrations. The engine should be at a higher than normal idle.

With the student either on the buddy box or standing next to the instructor, the instructor now taxi's the plane out to the takeoff position.

After a check of the surroundings the instructor smoothly applies takeoff power and gets the plane airborne. Once airborne, the instructor then trims the plane for flight and at that point the student can take over if the student feels ready.

Again, I have missed a few of the minor details here but the list does cover what I feel should be the very basic items for the first flight of any plane and/or student.

After a some training sessions then usually it is the student doing all of the above with the instructor keep a close eye. If the instructor has to look away for whatever reason the he/she should verify all of the required items have been checked by simply asking the student.

Sarges, please stick with it, I have a feeling you will do fine. I agree with BHole, If I was closer I would be more than glad to spend a few days with you.

I know this sounds like allot of work but given time it becomes second nature and as you get to know your plane you can spot things quickly.

I gotta change my name. "Listen to Snoop Doggy Bag" doesn't fit well when I 'm right.

Does it happen all that often? hehe

Okay, I have to agree with Snoop and some others.

However, while YOU did the crashing, it's more the so called "trainers" (instructors) fault. A real instructor would NEVER have let you take off, and definitely not with a plane that is almost certainly out of trim.

Your best bet would be to contact the club that's 50 miles away and find out when they instruct. Or go to Joplin on a Thursday, or take bhole up on his offer!

It'll get real frustrating after awhile the way you're doing it now. [&:]

Good luck, we want you to succeed!
Dennis-