Actually, I guess it was my first three solos. What a rush! I have been interested in RC planes since I first saw them as a kid. Being 23 now, I've had some time to get into it, but never had a good entry point. I started working at my current job and one day my boss was talking about his motor. A gas engine, I'm a car guy, this is right up my alley. I soon found out that it was a 50cc gasser for his RC plane. I saw the smile on his face as he was talking about his plane and I was practically hooked. The thought/physics/geometry that go into properly setting things up tied into my engineering background. After a few weeks of buying parts and his help setting up my plane, I received the most expensive part of any plane, the experience. My Hangar 9 Ultra Stick .60 came together nicely between his expertise and some good tips here on RCU. I then began my daily practice on RealFlight G2.

After it was all set up to exacting specs and some personal touches, we took it out and he flew it for me. I flew on a buddy box, letting him take off, i would fly, and he would land.

Then I spent one afternoon with an instructor and had takeoffs, landings, inverted flight, and some aerobatics under my belt within three hours(including a South Florida rain storm).

This was a few months ago, i then had to wait about a month to go flying again. I went with my boss again and did the classic handoff for a deadstick landing at a new field. I just couldn't wait anymore.

The next weekend I packed up and headed out. Everything was ready to go. I got to the field and looked at the windsock. It was horizontal. Too much wind for my solo, so i waited.

The wind died down so I took out my plane and got it all set up. As i was about to walk out with the plane it started pouring. I waited and waited, finally the rain stopped, I went out got her fueled up, range checked, all the pre-flight stuff. I went to start her up and ZZZZZZIP. the prop nut and it's locking nut came off. I found the lock nut, but lost it's counterpart in the flooded ground.

After a trip to the hobby shop, and still as determined as ever, I set her all back up, hands shaking, got ready and rolled her out to the runway. The crosswind kept turning the plane and it scared me on the first try, I taxied back, settled, and went back at it. Took off like a charm, flew like a charm. My hands were still shaking.

Halfway through the flight I thought to myself "why are you so nervous, it is doing everything you tell it to?" Right then i did an easy aerobatic move and stopped shaking. The landing was easier than anything I've ever done on the sim.

I put in two more totally uneventful beautiful flights and decided to pack it up and head home.

What a thrill... I had a smile on my face clear into the next day.

Thanks George, and thanks to everyone else for their advice.

Jim

CONGRATS ON THE SOLO'S ANOTHER ADDICT HAS ARRIVED! Minn? Ken? where's it at?

Thats a great story! Congratulations! Success stories like this are my favorite to read!

Congratulations on the solo. Just take it easy for a while and add skills while practicing at altitude. Altitude is your friend (withing reason).

What engine do you have on your plane? Apparently a 4c of some type. What radio? Inquiring minds want to know.

I have a .75 Super Tigre 2-stroke, a Futaba 6EXA, and the flaps are installed, but set as full-span ailerons.

Jim,
Great job on the solo!!! [sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=biggrin.gif] . Heck, I bet you still have that silly little smile on your face don't you? Don't worry about it, I had the same smile for 3 weeks!!

A solo flight is a great accomplishment and that wins you one genuine RCU ATTABOY (Suitable for framing, wrapping fish, or lining trashcans).

Ken

Thanks Ken, Finally my very own Attaboy.

And yes, I am still smiling, and i was elated telling my boss the story.

Good combination, a wise purchase.

congrats on your first solo. now you can aquire new planes and have lots of maiden flights wich are almost as exciting.

I'll never stop getting goosebumps hearing those stories

Way to go Jim!

Way to go Jim, great story. The nervousness will calm down but there will be more like ot like when you do you first maiden but it's all good

The cool thing about this line is I'm 45 and still feel like a kid when I fly. It's the old adage:

The real difference between men and boys are the price of their toys

ain't it the truth