First Flight
04-11-2007 | 03:55 PM
#1
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From: Sewickley,
PA
First Flight
I just bought the NexStar .46 Select and had a question. I have flown the plane on G3.5 and could takeoff, fly, land, and even do arials. My question is; is it much harder in real life, just the landing aspect. I was looking at flying solo due to being slightly isolated and am only really worried about the whole landing thing.
I know this question has been asked before, but what the poster has said has never quite mached up with what i'm saying.
I know this question has been asked before, but what the poster has said has never quite mached up with what i'm saying.
04-11-2007 | 04:00 PM
#2
Senior Member
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RE: First Flight
Having a simulator is a huge help, but it's not the same. All you need to do is make one mistake and you'll be bringing that beautiful airplane home in a paper bag. (Remember, you can't stop like in a car)
Do yourself a favor. Find the nearest club - even if it's 50 miles away - take it there for at LEAST the first flight
After that, YOU can decide whether or not you can do it on your own
Do yourself a favor. Find the nearest club - even if it's 50 miles away - take it there for at LEAST the first flight
After that, YOU can decide whether or not you can do it on your own
04-11-2007 | 04:03 PM
#3
RCU Forum Manager/Admin
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RE: First Flight
Yes, this question has been asked before but the answers are still the same. While it's possible for you to fly it the first time with no incidents, it's not very likely that will happen. Yes the simulator can help a lot to shorten the time it takes to learn to fly, but it can't simulate everything. Your best bet for a successful first flight will be to find an instructor to assist you in flying. I'm not sure what you meant about being isolated, a search on the AMA website produced 15 clubs within 25 miles of you.
Ken
NORTH HILLS NOMADS
7.24 miles 4359 12 LEE WEIFENBACH
Email Contact 331 COLUMBIA AVE
PITTSBURGH PA 15229-1656
Phone: 412.766.1308
3 No
ARCS OF GREATER PITTSBURGH
Site Details
10.78 miles 551 107 JOSEPH MIELNICKI
Email Contact 127 PARKEDGE RD
PITTSBURGH PA 15220
Phone: 412.922.6340
Visit Website
STEEL CITY SOARERS
Site Details
10.81 miles 770 34 JOHN WALTER
Email Contact 3054 HARTSWOOD DRIVE
ALLISON PARK PA 15101
Phone: 412-492-4014
QUAKER VALLEY FLYERS - Email Club
Site Details
13.19 miles 1112 9 BRADLEY BOWAN
Email Contact 107 DUNCAN CIR
BEAVER PA 15009-9661
Phone: 724-728-2864
MON-VALLEY RC INC
Site Details
13.33 miles 546 94 JANET POAGUE
Email Contact 2838 CASTLEGATE AVE
PITTSBURGH PA 15226-2011
Phone: 412/531-4924
Visit Website
CATANEY'S RC CLUB
Site Details
14.07 miles 4122 96 JAMES CATANEY
Email Contact BOX 241
MIDWAY PA 15060
Phone: 724-796-6286
MODEL AIRCRAFT RECREATION SOC
Site Details
15.36 miles 991 140 THOMAS HEUSEY
Email Contact 103 HILLSIDE DR
ZELIENOPLE PA 16063
Phone: 724-316-1859
Visit Website
LAKE ARTHUR FLOAT FLYERS
Site Details
15.63 miles 697 22 ROBERT REUTZEL
Email Contact 140 LOVE RD
VALENCIA PA 16059
Phone: 724-898-7247
SPARKS
Site Details
17.05 miles 1633 38 PAUL STIEG
Email Contact 5684 VILLA HAVEN DR
PITTSBURGH PA 15236
Phone: 412-833-6497
GATEWAY RC SOC
Site Details
17.61 miles 548 57 STEVEN MAY
Email Contact 196 RUSSELTON DORSEYVILLE RD
CHESWICK PA 15024
Phone: 412-767-4043
Visit Website
ICR- INDOOR CAMP RONNIE
Site Details
17.83 miles 4687 5 RONALD OSINSKI
Email Contact 987 LITTLE DEER CREEK RD
RUSSELLTON PA 15076
Phone: 724-265-4897
BEAVER COUNTY MAC
Site Details
18.02 miles 571 53 ANTHONY GLOTT
Email Contact 116 MARLENE DR
BEAVER FALLS PA 15010-1041
Phone: 724/846-2404
Visit Website
MURRYSVILLE AREA RC SOCIETY
Site Details
18.48 miles 953 74 WALTER GREENE
Email Contact 414 ELFORT DR
PITTSBURGH PA 15235-2317
Phone: 412.795.1320
WASHINGTON CNTY MODEL AVIATION ASSN
Site Details
19.43 miles 1779 41 GENE GEORGE
Email Contact 221 KING RICHARD DR
MCMURRAY PA 15317-2503
Phone: 724-941-4467
KEYSTONE CLIPPERS RC MAC
22.01 miles 553 43 EDWIN KAYLOR
Email Contact 121 FAIRMONT ST
MCKEESPORT PA 15132
Phone: 412-664-7459
Visit Website
7.24 miles 4359 12 LEE WEIFENBACH
Email Contact 331 COLUMBIA AVE
PITTSBURGH PA 15229-1656
Phone: 412.766.1308
3 No
ARCS OF GREATER PITTSBURGH
Site Details
10.78 miles 551 107 JOSEPH MIELNICKI
Email Contact 127 PARKEDGE RD
PITTSBURGH PA 15220
Phone: 412.922.6340
Visit Website
STEEL CITY SOARERS
Site Details
10.81 miles 770 34 JOHN WALTER
Email Contact 3054 HARTSWOOD DRIVE
ALLISON PARK PA 15101
Phone: 412-492-4014
QUAKER VALLEY FLYERS - Email Club
Site Details
13.19 miles 1112 9 BRADLEY BOWAN
Email Contact 107 DUNCAN CIR
BEAVER PA 15009-9661
Phone: 724-728-2864
MON-VALLEY RC INC
Site Details
13.33 miles 546 94 JANET POAGUE
Email Contact 2838 CASTLEGATE AVE
PITTSBURGH PA 15226-2011
Phone: 412/531-4924
Visit Website
CATANEY'S RC CLUB
Site Details
14.07 miles 4122 96 JAMES CATANEY
Email Contact BOX 241
MIDWAY PA 15060
Phone: 724-796-6286
MODEL AIRCRAFT RECREATION SOC
Site Details
15.36 miles 991 140 THOMAS HEUSEY
Email Contact 103 HILLSIDE DR
ZELIENOPLE PA 16063
Phone: 724-316-1859
Visit Website
LAKE ARTHUR FLOAT FLYERS
Site Details
15.63 miles 697 22 ROBERT REUTZEL
Email Contact 140 LOVE RD
VALENCIA PA 16059
Phone: 724-898-7247
SPARKS
Site Details
17.05 miles 1633 38 PAUL STIEG
Email Contact 5684 VILLA HAVEN DR
PITTSBURGH PA 15236
Phone: 412-833-6497
GATEWAY RC SOC
Site Details
17.61 miles 548 57 STEVEN MAY
Email Contact 196 RUSSELTON DORSEYVILLE RD
CHESWICK PA 15024
Phone: 412-767-4043
Visit Website
ICR- INDOOR CAMP RONNIE
Site Details
17.83 miles 4687 5 RONALD OSINSKI
Email Contact 987 LITTLE DEER CREEK RD
RUSSELLTON PA 15076
Phone: 724-265-4897
BEAVER COUNTY MAC
Site Details
18.02 miles 571 53 ANTHONY GLOTT
Email Contact 116 MARLENE DR
BEAVER FALLS PA 15010-1041
Phone: 724/846-2404
Visit Website
MURRYSVILLE AREA RC SOCIETY
Site Details
18.48 miles 953 74 WALTER GREENE
Email Contact 414 ELFORT DR
PITTSBURGH PA 15235-2317
Phone: 412.795.1320
WASHINGTON CNTY MODEL AVIATION ASSN
Site Details
19.43 miles 1779 41 GENE GEORGE
Email Contact 221 KING RICHARD DR
MCMURRAY PA 15317-2503
Phone: 724-941-4467
KEYSTONE CLIPPERS RC MAC
22.01 miles 553 43 EDWIN KAYLOR
Email Contact 121 FAIRMONT ST
MCKEESPORT PA 15132
Phone: 412-664-7459
Visit Website
04-11-2007 | 04:20 PM
#4
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From: Sewickley,
PA
RE: First Flight
Has anyone flown first time successful after learning on a simulator? i figure there are people out there, i would just like them to post so that i could see.
04-11-2007 | 04:42 PM
#6
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
RE: First Flight
Yes, and that is what is unfortunate.
On the rare occasion that someone succeeds, they shout it from the higest mountain - Saying thing like, "Ha! I don't know why everyone says it can't be done. I did it first time out! HA! So THERE!"
The problem is, The guy doesn't say a word two days later when he plants his new beauty in the dirt.
The other problem is of the hundreds of other people who crash their first time out, VERY few have the guts to come in here and admit that they should have listened.
On the rare occasion that someone succeeds, they shout it from the higest mountain - Saying thing like, "Ha! I don't know why everyone says it can't be done. I did it first time out! HA! So THERE!"
The problem is, The guy doesn't say a word two days later when he plants his new beauty in the dirt.
The other problem is of the hundreds of other people who crash their first time out, VERY few have the guts to come in here and admit that they should have listened.
04-11-2007 | 05:42 PM
#8
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From: Bloomington,
MN
RE: First Flight
I'd love to have that many clubs so close by. You should take the time to visit a few. You'll learn a lot, meet some people, and perhaps find that there's really nothing too intimidating about being the new guy. Nobody expects you to be an expert, everybody expects you to have questions, and most clubs have people who truly enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience. Helping you to successfully enter the hobby is part of why they are there.
04-11-2007 | 08:14 PM
#10
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From: Olathe, KS
RE: First Flight
The benefit of going to a club site is that an experienced pilot/instructor can check out your aircraft to insure it is ready for flight, i.e. assembled correctly, balanced, and trimmed. It's easy to make simple mistakes that will have disasterous results when you are a new pilot. Take advantage of assistance. Ask all the questions you can. Fly on a buddy box the first time to make sure you get the hang of it. Before each flight, run the entire from takeoff to landing in your mind. Hold the transmitter in your hand while you are doing it. Imagine a perfect takeoff, a great flight, followed by a flawless down the middle of the runway landing. Real pioots practice at home by "Chair Flying". Sit in a chair with a picture of the cockpit in front of you. Practice, practice, practice. What sim do you have. I have the Great Planes G2. Even thought i have been flying R/C for fifteen wonderful years, I still practice on the sim and fly with others on line. Getting cocky will only cost you money in repairs and replacements. I learned on the "Crash and Burn" method, but I recommend you take the smarter and less costly route. I started with an Eagle II, then I went ot a Spitfire and the rest is a long line of aircraft. Take your time and don't get in a hurry. Know your own limitations and be patient. While on that sim, practice every emergency you can think of. Program the wind to be *****in' x's 2. Throw in some cross wind effect. Learn to use that RUDDER, as it's what's meant to turn the aircraft. This is a great and enjoyable hobby with lots of terrific folks like the ones you chat with here on RCU. Sure, we have our differences of opinins, but in the end htat's what this forum is all about. Best of luck to you and Happy Landings!
04-11-2007 | 08:28 PM
#11
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From: Wynne,
AR
RE: First Flight
The sim is great for learning the controls an the basics. Once you get out there an you can hardly keep your thumbs on the sticks, an the breeze is comeing from three diffrent directions an your thinking should i put this nice model in the air knowning that it has less than a 50-50 chance of looking the same after landing. Thats why you need to go see an instructor. They will walk you threw everything you need to know. Check your plane out an make sure it is worthy to fly. An best of all. Your cord won't get cut till he feels you are more than capable of flying it the way it should be............
04-11-2007 | 09:35 PM
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From: welch, OK
RE: First Flight
I got the nexstar for Christmas a couple years ago and was giong to go at it alone just like you are thinking of diong. The nearest club was 50 miles away and I had been fooling around with the G3 sim and thought I could handle it with no problems. Then I stumbled on this guy who offered to help me with everything until I got my feet wet. I thought about it for a few seconds and thought sure, why not. (THAT WAS THE BEST DECISION I COULD HAVE MADE!!!!) If I would have tried to do I myself the plane wouldn't have lasted two minutes. When we got it to the feild and he checked it over it was just as the manuel said to set it up. When he took off the airplane needed so much down elevator trim that the trim slider on the transmitter wasn't enough. He had to hold down elevator and land at the same time. The sim doesn't teach you that. I have also learned numerous other things from him and have made a good friend and flying buddy.
mteal
mteal
04-11-2007 | 09:43 PM
#13
RE: First Flight
I almost went at it alone but decided to listen to everyone here. I'm glad I did. I could takeoff, fly around and land great on the sim. However, unless you have it setup to be a bit harder with wind etc, the sim is a perfect world....flight controls are rigged perfect, weather is perfect...you get the picture. My plane was dropping nose down bad on it's first flight with an instructor. It took almost full elevator to keep the nose level. It looked like all the flight controls at neutral were fine on the ground but they were not. I would not have been prepared for that. He was able to trim it in the air and with not very much up elevator travel left, he was able to get it on the ground in one piece and show me how to correct the problem. I went back a couple more times with the instructor, but that first lesson taught me the most. Time with an instructor will likely not keep you from ever crashing your plane in the future but it may keep you from crashing it the first time you take it up. I have since smashed mine into a tree flying on my own. It was completely my fault though...I took my eyes off the plane.
04-12-2007 | 06:13 AM
#15
RE: First Flight
I'll donate my 2 cents...
I got my NexStar and joined a club and had a day of instruction (3 flights) with a very nice instructor on a buddy box. I did great. He rarely had to take over so I felt confident. Well... I decided I could do it on my own since I did so well. NOT.
An instructor helps with more than just flying. I was taught (after buying a replacement fuselage) how to preflight (check the control surfaces, tune the engine, range check, etc), how to fly in cross winds, how to use the rudder, etc. All of these are things the sim do not teach you.
So, like all of the others have noted, spend the time with an instructor and let him/her tell you when you are ready to solo. Don't become another casualty of over-confidence or you will spend more money on parts, and lose some flying time while you wait for the parts to arrive, or worse - leave the hobby all together.
I got my NexStar and joined a club and had a day of instruction (3 flights) with a very nice instructor on a buddy box. I did great. He rarely had to take over so I felt confident. Well... I decided I could do it on my own since I did so well. NOT.
An instructor helps with more than just flying. I was taught (after buying a replacement fuselage) how to preflight (check the control surfaces, tune the engine, range check, etc), how to fly in cross winds, how to use the rudder, etc. All of these are things the sim do not teach you.
So, like all of the others have noted, spend the time with an instructor and let him/her tell you when you are ready to solo. Don't become another casualty of over-confidence or you will spend more money on parts, and lose some flying time while you wait for the parts to arrive, or worse - leave the hobby all together.
04-12-2007 | 07:19 AM
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From: Ellicott City,
MD
RE: First Flight
As a relative newbie with trainer and sim experience I'll throw in my 2 cents.. If you can find a field and someone willing to help you, please try the buddy box arrangement at LEAST once. Someone mentioned this already and it is GREAT advice. If after trying it for real, you feel confident enough to do it yourself, go for it.. but at least you will be able to make an educated and informed decision at that point.
I Started last year about this time with a "electricub" and met a new friend at our flying field who was kind enough to give me his time to train me. I had spent TONS of time on RealFlight, but it is very different as the folks above have stated. You can increase the realism of realflight by going into the menus, and turning on the winds so that they gust from different directions, also turn the turbulence and all the rest of that stuff.. The trainers on RF will behave a little more realistic with these settings. Oh, also on the computer, don't sit down at the chair, stand up and force your knees to bang into each other so you get used to that noise!! Anyway, I didn't have an unlimited budget for this hobby, and crashing a plane and starting over from scratch was NOT an option for me. The sim did help me get a good opinion on which stick I should be moving, but I learned a lot more from the fella that instructed me.
For the most part I learned last year on a Goldberg Eagle 2, and am now flying a Ultra Stick, and a FancyFoam Ultimate Bipe (which is probably my favorite!) and knock on wood have not had an incident yet. I know it's only a matter of time, but I believe if you listen to the inner voice of reason (hey buddy, it's pretty windy why don't ya sit down and wait this out a bit) and go slow you will get much more enjoyment from the hobby.. Now if you have a million dollars lying around, and an unlimited amount of time for building and repairing, well maybe that's a different story provided you don't hurt yourself or someone else..
Go to the field, make some new friends and have a lot of fun.. you won't regret it.. There is much more fun in this hobby than just going to some random park by yourself and flying alone..
I Started last year about this time with a "electricub" and met a new friend at our flying field who was kind enough to give me his time to train me. I had spent TONS of time on RealFlight, but it is very different as the folks above have stated. You can increase the realism of realflight by going into the menus, and turning on the winds so that they gust from different directions, also turn the turbulence and all the rest of that stuff.. The trainers on RF will behave a little more realistic with these settings. Oh, also on the computer, don't sit down at the chair, stand up and force your knees to bang into each other so you get used to that noise!! Anyway, I didn't have an unlimited budget for this hobby, and crashing a plane and starting over from scratch was NOT an option for me. The sim did help me get a good opinion on which stick I should be moving, but I learned a lot more from the fella that instructed me.
For the most part I learned last year on a Goldberg Eagle 2, and am now flying a Ultra Stick, and a FancyFoam Ultimate Bipe (which is probably my favorite!) and knock on wood have not had an incident yet. I know it's only a matter of time, but I believe if you listen to the inner voice of reason (hey buddy, it's pretty windy why don't ya sit down and wait this out a bit) and go slow you will get much more enjoyment from the hobby.. Now if you have a million dollars lying around, and an unlimited amount of time for building and repairing, well maybe that's a different story provided you don't hurt yourself or someone else..
Go to the field, make some new friends and have a lot of fun.. you won't regret it.. There is much more fun in this hobby than just going to some random park by yourself and flying alone..
