OK,
I'm in a rather odd situation. I've had the RC bug for quite some time, but never felt like putting the $$ into it. My friends all chipped in and bought me a GP PT40MkII for Christmas this year. I would love to spend loads of time at a field with a trainer, but I live in Italy right now. Since my command of the Italian language ins't that great, the odds of me finding a trainer I can communicate well with are pretty nil. So, I ordered a video tape ' First U.S. R/C Flight School "One Week To Solo" ' In the video they talk about using a y adapter to control the ailerons and the rudder together to counter act adverse yaw. on their trainers. Is this a good idea with the PT40 ? If so, how do I go about setting the throws correctly ? Should I just fly 4 channel at first and then move to this config later ? Or should I start out with the ailerons locked ? My copy of the G2 should be arriving this week also. So I'm hoping that will give me a better feeling about this. I've really enjoyed the building part, and I'm looking forward to flying, but I'm also a little scared.... Any other hints suggestions or "Hey don't do that !!!!" s would be appreciated.

Thanks,

My instructor does not like the idea of coupled ailerons and rudder. When I learned how to fly, it was with ailerons and then we worked on bringing in the rudder for coordinated turns. From what I've read and from what the old timers tell me, learning to fly with coupled aileron/rudder is fine but is more a crutch. It's difficult to transition back to making the coordinated turns yourself. My opinion, don't do it. Learn to fly with ailerons first then learn to bring rudder into your turns.
It stinks that you may not be able to find an instructor over there. You know, when I brought up the First U.S. R/C Flight School to my instructor, he didn't have much good to say about it. I'm sure that doesn't make it a bad thing, he just doesn't believe in their methods.
Good luck flying, welcome to the hobby and take it easy. That plane should be a great flyer. What engine are you putting on it?

vacinekm,
Thanks. Its an OS40 LA.

Practice Practice the realflight. Least on there, you pop back up ready to fly, when you crash a new plane, youll be ready to cry.

I would second the advice above, do not couple rudder with ailerons.

You will need to use the rudder to steer the model on the ground, apart from that forget about it. There is much talk about using rudder in coordinated turns, this is a degree of finesse that it is perfectly possible to live without. True, full size aircraft use rudder in this way but the main reason is that adverse yaw is a most unpleasant sensation for pilot and passengers, using the rudder adds to the comfort of the ride.

Learn to fly the model accurately and safely first and start introducing the rudder much later if you wish.

I would think it was still worth hunting down an instructor, assuming you can use a buddy box system than the only words of common language you will have to understand are "help" & "you/I have it". The chances of crashing if you go it alone are greatly increased.

Simon.

I see 2 problems with learning to fly Italy. First Europe uses Mode 1, we in the states use Mode 2, so things could get confusing when you come back home and need some help. Second, communication, and being Italian I can say this. An Italian can't talk with out using his hands, so if he's flying your plane how is he suppose to tell you what he's doing?

Are you in the military, or near a US base? Quite a few US bases have flying clubs, where you may be able to find some help.

Don't couple the ailerons and rudder. Use G2 as much as possible. I have seen people learn on it and then fly the plane by themselves. I would have bet against it, but would have lost. I still don't recommend it, but if that is all you have, make sure you are in full controll on g2 before you try the plane. Look for help if you can find it. Good luck. It is a great hobby.

As another Italian, I can say this:

ROFLMAO!!!!

<---- Wiping tears of laughter out of my eyes.

Thank you, Thank you, I'll be appearing here all week.

rc_sport, that was pretty damn funny!

Us "I"talians (as my father-in-law pronounces it) seem to be well represented in this hobby.....maybe we should write to HBO and have the Sopranos learn to fly R/C!

I agree with the other guys.....don't couple the ailerons and rudder.....and if G2 is your only option...fly it til your fingers are sore......and make sure you turn up the winds and gusts, etc. after you've learned basic flight on it.....and probably the most important thing.....practice touch and go's over and over until you can do them with your eyes closed (well, not really, but you get the picture!)

Mike

Thanks all,
That makes it pretty clear. Usually when I post to forums I get a wide range of responses. This time it was pretty unanimous.

As for rc_sport 's comments. Well I've been living here for 5 1/2 years now. He's right. The scary thing is when they are trying to drive and Talk at the same time ! Its not just a rumor, I've seen it. One hand on the wheel, the other gesticulating. Sometimes both hands come off the wheel.

I work for the Military here in Naples, but haven't been able to find anyone here who flys. I will keep looking. A friend did find an Italian flying local club for me, so I am going to talk to them. Maybe I'll get lucky.

Thanks, for all the help. I'll keep you posted on the results.

immauss,
I agree on all the advice that was given above. As for an Italian instructor. I was stationed in Italy for 3 years (supporting an Italian artillery unit) and I found that most Italians speak english. Look around for and IHS (Italian hobby shop) and start asking if there are any flyers that speak english. Biggest problem I see is the mode I vs. mode II mentioned above.

while looking for an instructor over there remember this, a bottle of jack and a carton of marlboros can go a long way to getting anything done in italy

good luck

RCken, seems like some things never change in Italy. My dad used the cigarette trick to get us through customs faster back in '79.

Coupling the ailerons and rudder is like learning to drive a car with automatic transmission.It works good for adverse yaw and once you get more confidence you can mannually input it
yourself.

rc_sport,
seems like they don't change. 2 bottles of jack got me a leather jacket that would have gone for $500+ here in the states!!!! lol

I was stationed in Germany from 1998 - 2001. I'm an experienced flier so didn't need training, but I can tell you from experience that I could not get anyone to fly my planes because of the different mode transmitters.

I strongly suggest that you do not attempt to fly your plane without an instructor though. You might consider buying a european radio. I've heard multiplex are excellent and much less expensive over there. On top of that, they have a lot of features that "our" radios don't even dream of having. You can have the mode changed by a qualified company.

I found the same thing to be true in Germany. Just don't get caught.

How long before they rotate you out of there? I think they only let civilians stay in Germany about 6 years unless they somehow get an extension (unlikely).

Hey CafeenMan, I took a look at your website. I liked the Hammerhead, it has some nice lines. Ever think of kitting it?

rc_sport - thanks for the compliment! It's a long story. I'll send you a PM. The short answer is I have no interest in kitting, but I do want to make my plans available. Bottom line is I don't want to do it for money, but because I think my designs are good and they're the only legacy I plan on leaving.

Hmm,
New question now. What is the diffence betweent the mode1 and mode2 ?

CafeenMan
Actually I'm a contractor, so I can stay as long as I want. Right now, I'm pretty happy here. Not planing on leaving anytime soon. No one will pay me this well in the states. :-)

Throttle/Rudder Ailerons/Elevator

This is mode 2



Ailerons/Elevator Throttle/Rudder


This is mode 1..........The above depicts left and right sticks.

Ooo,
That's a BIG difference !

Kinda like switching the gas and brake in the car ......

Thanks,

A fellow at the club flies mode 1. He has a scratch built Laser, with a 50 gasser engine another club member used to make.....Like poetry in motion.