Hey guys I've been talking with you all through these threads for awhile now and at the same time learning to fly at my local air field.I've gone through about a gallon and a half of fule so far and my instructor told me yesterday that a few more days like yesterday and he feels I'll be ready to SOLO!I have learned alot over the last several months through talking to you all and the guys at the air field(and various subscriptions).But still need to learn alot more I'm sure.Ill let you know how it goes after Sunday....maybe a solo is in my near future!!!

Congratulations!

Just remember that when you do solo, you haven't finished learning to fly; you have only gotten to the point where you can continue to learn by yourself. Keep up the good work and have fun.

Good that you are progressing well. Try to keep your training days close together to keep your reflex memory. Lessens the amount you need to relearn each trip.

Great job. Just keep practicing and you'll get there before you know it. Trust me, it's about the best feeling in the world when you solo!!!! Keep us posted

Ken

Keep on working it....do as much as possible without fatigue.

After you are flying by yourself....FLY A LOT!! Do as many T&G's as you can stand and make one loop and one roll in either direction on every pass.

Later, get a foamie and learn to hover it....this is what taught me how useful that 'other' stick, (rudder), really can be.

I remember how good it felt to solo, but it's even better to see the looks on the faces of 'experienced modelers', (The ones who huffed at you for asking too many questions and told you that 3D guys use gyros and assume that all good flyers use a lot of mixing...etc..), whom you can out-fly a few months later....when you PRACTICE!!

I CAN STOP ANY TIME I WANT!!!

Thanks guys for the encouragement! I try to fly as often as possible but that four letter word gets in the way(work).Mean while I use the sim at night for an hour or so.Think that helps with the reflex memory.Yeah haven't really mastered the use of the rudder yet but do use it some on take offs and learning to use more on my touch and goes.Ran a whole tank of gas though my trainer doing touch and go's Thurs.We did them from both directions one after the other.But the most exciting part of the whole day was my first dead stick! Ran it out of gas and brought her in with a smooth landing.Just had to walk a ways to retrieve! Really having a blast! GREAT HOBBY!

Ray
AMA #860233

Well good news and bad............Good news is I received my new radio and got to use it on a solo mission! Only thing is I didn't get to land[:@]As I was flying I noticed the plane kept climbing more and more with each pass, kept having to give it more down elevator to stay level.Tried easing back on the throttle but didn't help.I then asked my instructor to check it out for me and we added some trim and quickly ran out.As it turned out my elevator clevis came loose and I was heading for some big time trouble if I had tried to land.My instructor took the radio and brought her in. On the approach the plane was jumping up and down like it had a radio glitch! But with skill and precision (and alot of luck)he landed in one piece.

Maybe next time ! Ray

Soled yesterdayMan what a great feeling! I know I still have a lot to learn but at least I can now go to the air field on my own time and fly.What an awsome,awsome feeling!Thanks for the advice and encouragement![sm=thumbup.gif]
Ray

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif] Now all you have to do is figure out how to explain to everybody while you have a silly smile on your face all day!!!! Don't worry, it goes away in about 3 weeks or so!!!!

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 RCKen! I know I might be rushing it but how soon do you think I could attemt a low wing trainer?[>:]I already have one built and it is ready to go!
Yeah I did smile all the way home! As a matter of fact I was grinning so much at the air field my cheeks were hurting! I had an audience of about fifteen club members, man was I nervous coming in on my approach.........Just knew I would doink it! Nope smooth not even a bounce! Lots of applause and hand shakes afterwards!

It's hard for me to say when you are ready to move to a low wing plane without seeing you fly. But, you're going to be the first judge of when you are ready. The best advice I could make would be to ask your instructor if he will buddy box you on the low wing plane. I know most instructors will be more than happy to help you, I do it all the time for my students. This way you can see how you do on the plane without risking losing it if you're really not ready. Fly a couple of flights and you feel comfortable with it then go ahead and fly it on your own, but if not put it up and fly your trainer for a bit longer. Or another alternative is to fly both of them together. Fly the low wing trainer for awhile and start practicing. Then when your adrenaline is up go fly your high wing trainer so you can "calm down" a bit! Then when you're calm again go fly the low wing....

Ken

I'm not going to tell you "when" either. Ken pretty well covered that in saying to wait until you are real comfortable with what you have already and then buddy box the low-wing for a few flights. There's nothing "magical" about them but they are different as you will see when you fly one.
Curiosity - What plane have you chosen for your first low winger????

I chose a 4* 60....built it from a kit,matter of fact I just got through adjusting CG and balancing tonight.Probably take it to the air field next Sunday.I'll take your advice and fly the trainer again Thursday,and take both on Sunday.My instructor said he would still be willing to buddy box any time I needed.Here a few pics of my 4*.

Good choice and idea. Have fun!