tpharker,

Obviously your Nexstar is an ARF and you're looking for some fun and enlightenment. About everything I've seen regarding your post relates to the flying aspect of our hobby, but have you tried building a plane??? It's a real joy and a sense of self-satisfaction knowing that something you basically created yourself can take to the air. Give it a try...you won't regret it.

You should fly your trainer on a windy day. not ridiculously windy but windy enough that you can learn to fly your plane bakwards. my instructor tought me one day when i thought for sure there would be no flying. But we went to the field with about a constant 25mph wind. you should see an avistar land vertically without crashing it is impressive.

Actually I have a World Models Piper Cub ARF,

I have made a kitset glider before - and your right it is rewarding. For now I want to develop my 4ch skills then maybe make some of my own.

Thanks

Actually,

I think you would have to be an expert to fly a small electric piper cub on a day the wind gave you no forward ground speed. If you got side on or downwind it would be difficult to rectify.

I am still looking for some flying tips. How much rudder should I use - when should it be used. Why not use airelon/elevator only for turning???

Thanks

Ok, here's an update on my NexStar saga:

Last week I took the time to install dual aileron servo's in my NexStar, as well as remove some stickers and max-out throws for my ailerons. After I completed the upgrade, I took the plane out and leaning the engine a little more, took it for a few spins and noticed a considerable performance increase. The roll rate of the plane is considerably faster, as well as just having a crisper feel when maneuvering in the air.

What's next? Well, I think I'm going to go ahead and order the Tower .46 pipe that elenasgrumpy suggested. If I get around to it I may remove the AFS sensor (that I've never had hooked up) and patch the hole in the fuse. At some time in the near future I'm going to finally purchase my new transmitter, Hitec Eclipse 7, and then I'll be ready to buy and slowly prepare my Pulse XT. I'll keep everyone updated as I progress.

I'm gonna agree with slapping a performance wing on the NexStar, a zero dihedral symetric will get a world of fun out of that trainer fuse. A straight wing like that would be an easy build, and easy saddle modification to really get something going with the trainer.

I can do plenty of stunts, I just do them sloppy, after plenty of gallons of fuel thru a .15... which is why I still use my ElCheapo 40sport plane. It was said the Landing was still fun, read still a challenge to your skill- it is a very definate fixed alt and fixed heading: the precision required to get a sweet landing can also be strived for in flight. Sporty freestyle acro is fun, but scale like precise traffic pattern can be a greater challenge. Mix the two, and try to run with landing precision thru every stunt.