Well it turned out to be a nice day, when i woke up i was a little worried because it was very overcast and foggy. But not letting this bother me i packed my plane my TX and my kit in my car woke up the gf and headed out to a club called SRCS where i was invited.

On arrival i was quite nervouse and very excited i met a nice man at the gate and he let me in. i drove into the parking lot got out and introduced myself to the people who where alrdy flying. Everybody was very welcoming and nice and chatted to me until my friend Terry arrived.

Terry looked after me all day, he went over my plane helped me set my CG he helped me do my range check showed me how to use the TX pound. Terry was over all a great help and he went out of his ay to make sure i had a good day at the feild which was very appreciated by myself.

Luckly my plane passed ground inspection, which surprised me because i was sure i would have stuffed sumthing up in the build process but all seemed to go well. A few slight adjustments here and there but nuthing major.

Then i watched Terry fly his sig and what a show he put on! That plane was a beauty looked beautiful in the air sounded beautiful and was flown expertly! After seeing this display i was very very impressed. Terry then took my little trainer up for a test flight to see how it handled and flew.

Unfortunatly there were no instructors at the feild that day so i was just happy to see Terry fly my plane for me It looked beautiful in the air but needed a few adjustments to the engine and nose gear and i had to straighten out my alierions and rudder. Terry showed me how to do all this helped me do it and then took her up again. We got the trim set up ok i think but the engine was having issues. Terry brought her in for 2 dead stick landings which where performed perfectly it was awsome to watch!

Later in the day my plane was taken up once more by the club president and he let me have a few turns left and right straitening it up and then a couple of 360 turns but again my engine died and he brought it in for another dead stick landing, not as silky smooth as Terry's but safely.

Sadly it was then 2pm and i had to leave i wish i could have stayed on longer at the feild and learnt even more than i did and take my plane up lots lots more but it was not to be. The day was a sucsess i had alot of fun, learnt alot of new things met alot of very friendly people my plane came home in one peice and next weekend i will be back out there!!

Sorry this was so long winded.

Phil.

Happy to see you join the addiction..sounds like a great day IMO like you said you brought it home in one piece..good deal ..you'll be flyin on your own in no time ..it's an awesome feeling ..good luck

Hi,

Welcome to the addiction. Pretty soon you will have to decide between the gf and R/C.

Good Luck,

Colin

The more time you can spend at the field, the more instructors will just......appear. I think they get weary of people who may give up after they spend time helping. Go to club meetings if you can, and get to know who some of the good instructors are in your club.

My field is near where I work, so I try to sneak a lesson in whenever it works out. I like helping out a bit too. That seemed to break the ice quite well. My club is...well, great. Everyone seems willing to help me if they have the time.

Good Luck!!! ....and welcome to the 'Dark Side'.

Phil,
Sounds like a great day to me! Glad to hear you had such a positive first experience; I've always tried to act like that around the new guys when they show up, because that's the way I was treated. We have a very friendly club, and I think the majority are.

Now get back out there!
Dennis-

Phil,

Pleasure to be able to help out. You'll be solo before you know it!

Time to start thinking about the next 9 planes

Wish you'd left out the bit about my deadstick landing being better than Mike's though[&o].True it may be, but Mike's kind of competitive and as club prez he carries a lot of clout

BTW, there are usually several instructors around on a Saturday morning, seems like on this occasion there was some (RC) event on that lured them away.


Terry

Hey Terry,
Sorry for mentioning it mate i shoulda told them bout them landing where you cartwheeled her :P

About the instructors will they be there next saturday? Because i think i can make it out there again. Will you be there?

I had a blast!! i hope i get to do a few circuts with the control in my hands next time i go out!!


Cheers Phil.

HA!

See! Making an imperssion on club members gets you noticed. I am happy you guys are getting together for a flight here and there. Trust me, Bushman. Most clubs are full of good people who are willing to help.

I am a student too. My club is full of good people as well.

Phil,

Yes there should be a few around. Seems that there was a scale rally or something on at Orange which dragged them away. I didn't know this was on so couldn't warn you.

I'll be out for sure unless the weather does something really bad.


Terry

Ok cool!!! I think i have fixed up the servo rod for my throttle. All i had to make it do was make it so it could fully close and fully open? i have it so it is only just a smidgen open and then pretty much fully open so i hope this helps with my engine running smooth. Do you remember what else i should have fixed up?

Cheers Phil.

Phil,

With the throttle you need it so the engine stops with both the trim and the stick down. Ideally the engine should idle with the trim in about the middle position (to keep some adjustment available). Also, with the trim in the idle position, when you push the stick fully upwards the throttle barrel should just open fully. You will need to fiddle with the linkage to achieve this as you radio does not have travel adjustment.

My apologies I am telling you what you already know.

Not much else as the plane was pretty good when you brought it out. You might want to consider turning the Rx switch so ON is at the back, this is really a matter of preference but most people seem to go for back is on.

Only other thing I can think of is the nosewheel. Might be worth trying to file a small flat on the leg where the screw tightens (if there's not one there already). This can reduce the change of the wheel turning around on a bumpy landing (like Mike's deadsticks)


Terry

Hey Terry,


I think i have fixed up the thorttle setting i have moved the little metal thing on the servo arm in one hole. With the front wheel there is flat spots but i dont want to over tighten it because i am very good at stripping threads on screws and what not. I will look into it and see what i can do, i rememberd that Mike said my taxiing turning circle was to tight so i will need to fix that as well hehe.

Cant wait to see you again on Saturday keep well until then mate!

Phil.

Phil,

I just remembered one more thing.

You need a servo extension lead for the ailerons so you don't need to take the Rx out every time you put the wing on. You only need a short (6"/150mm) one which you plug into the Rx as a fly lead to connect the aileron servo.

You can manage without, but it gets to be a PITA.


Terry

If you have excessive nose wheel steering, move the linkage "in" on the servo arm or "out" on the nose tiller. In severe cases, do both. Pardon if you already knew this. Will be easier to not over control on takeoff/landing. I "fixed" this a separate dual rate switch on my transmitter. I can turn tight in the pits, and drop down to 20% for T.O./Lndg. This is best of both worlds. Unfortunately most radios don't have separate rudder rate switch. Enjoy.

Hey Terry,

That was the other thing i was thinknig of !! I will go out and get one tmozza !



Bruce,
Thank you for telling me how to fix up my nose wheel problem, i wasnt to sure which way to move it so i was jusy going to leave it but now i have sumthing to do !

Cheers Phil.