I haven't been up in a while, and wondered if you all think it's a no no to go up without an instructor by my side. I flew for about 9 months straight before my lay off. Thanks for the advice.

I seem to have a RC Sabatical every five years or so. I always keep a trainer around for those times. One or two flights and your nerves will be fine.

I pilot a Carl Goldberg Tiger 60. She's real gentle.

Noir,

I am in the same boat. I learned early last year and flew into October and haven't flown since and won't until March or April. I think I'm just going to practice on the simulator and then start out with my trainer again until I feel comfortable. I myself would be a little shy about asking my instructor to help me. Although I have built two more planes since I quit for the season and maybe I'll just have him do the maiden flights as he always does and then he can trim them out. These are more difficult planes to fly so I'll ask him to go on the buddy box with me and he won't be any the wiser.

Good Luck,

Gibbs

I think it's more a matter of nerves. If you are confident, go ahead. But if not, what would it hurt? I have often had another person fly a new plane of mine for the first time just cuz my knees were knocking. I haven't had that problem on this go around, and have maidened five planes this year.

Still knocking on wood though. I haven't had a crash since 2001. But I took an RC sabbatical from 2002-2004.

If it's only been six months you'll probably be fine. That's nothing more than a long winter for some folks around here.

Ken

Relax, you haven't forgotten how to fly.

Ken is right. I think most of us here in MN have first-flight jitters every spring, but it all comes back. One thing you'll want to be sure to do is to give your equipment a thorough going over. Fix all those little nagging problems that accumulate during the flying season, and make sure that everything is double-checked and ready to go.

If you'll feel more comfortable having a more experienced pilot next to you, by all means ask someone. There's no shame in it--you're still new to the hobby, and it's far better to ask for help while flying than to ask for help in picking up the pieces. If it turns out that you don't need any assistance in flying you'll just have a spotter next to you, which more of us should do anyway.

What would it hurt? Be on the safe side. Take someone with you.

Dr.1

an experienced pilot is a comforting thing when a new pilot is trying to fly for the first time after a layoff, You probably won't need him but your stress levels and anxiety will be lessened and he can give you plane a quick once over before you takeoff. A trainer is good for a first flight to confirm to you that your fingers know what to do. For me after the second year I was blasting off with my most advanced plane on the first flights of the season with no worries, its just a matter of your confidence not if your fingers will respond to basic flight

Hey, if you are uncomfortable then don't chance it, go up with an instructor either on a buddy box or with him directly by your side. I'm sure that after an orbit or three you will be just fine.

I often get the jitters on my first flight of the day after I've laid off for a couple of weeks, and judging by the weather coming up for this weekend here in the northeast, well, it's gonna be a couple more weeks before I get one of my planes up... unless I can manage to head out to the big hanger at Lakehurst NAS.

But, that Tiger 60 is a gentle flyer and should not be to much of a problem on the first flight after six months. I have one and love the thing... it was (still is) my second plane after my trainer.

DS.

I once took 5 1/2 months off from flying due to work (not my choice). When I returned home, went flying and took up my 4*60. A little nervous, but no problems, just like riding a bike.

Good luck,,,,,,,,you'll probably be just fine.

Yeah.. it's funny that after taking off, you make that first turn and then immediately get behind the curve for a few orbits. I found myself a tad bit nevous and over-cautious, over controlling on turns, a tad to slow, and so on, but, as we all have said, it goes away after a short time. I usually reserve my first tank to just doing orbits for about half the tank, then touch-and-goes for the rest of the tank. Then the confidence is back and I refuel and get right back up and do Pattern maneuvers and just have fun.

DS.

Took off 12yrs one time. Got back in two years ago. Four Star 60 with OS90 first flight,Just like riding a bike it will all come back to you.--------------Revver Bro#164

Personally....I would hook up with a current RC pilot. Save yourself a headache. Let him/her check the plane over, take it up and then once a determination is made the durn thing is airworthy...you take the helm with that person at your side...thats my story and Im sticking to it.....

Thanks everyone. I feel a whole lot better about the situation. i guess we all take time off at some point during the year. I think I will go ahead and ask my instructor to go up a few times with me....just to be safe