Im rather new at flying. Yesterday, I did three landings. They all were almost perfect. No bounce, really smooth. However they all took like 5 failed landing approaches. All three times, I would come around and because of the wind, the plane was really bouncy, but by the time i got around to landing it, i came down perfectly.

So, my question is, should I practice landing even when the planes wobbling a bit, or continue giving full throttle and going around, and trying again? I mean, I don't want to destroy my plane, but i want to learn to land in not so perfect times, such as for a dead stick.

do you have an instructor?......

There is NOTHING wrong with exercising common sense and going around. It shows you are thinking and NOT letting your MACHO, or whatever, over-ride your common sense. If you are dead stick, you'll land, no choice but I find actual dead-sticks easier than practice landings sometimes. Less decisions to make in some ways and once you make them, no time for second guessing.

Keep at it the way you are IMO.

The big Alpha really bounces in the wind so get used to it. And practice you approaches and landings more. You'll be fine.

I would like to ask how much do you use the rudder on approaches? If the wind is really gusty you just have to live with it, but if it's steady you might be fighting the wind just using aileron to control the plane on approach.

Bruce88123 is right though, don't worry about how many times you have to go around. Landings may be manditory, but not on every pass. Don't land the plane if you don't feel comfortable with where they plane is, don't force it.

One more point. Don't wait until you are low on fuel to make your landing attempts. This tends to make you panic and force a landing that you SHOULD abort.

yes, i agree with everthing being said, the only time you have to land is with a dead stick

I soloed awhile ago. On clam days i have no problem landing. On windy days it takes a few attempts.

Keep practising. Your judgement is sound, so always go around if you need to ("A Go-Around is always your first option", my full-scale instructor drilled into me!). You are absolutely doing it right, just keep practising and maybe push your own limits when you are ready.

I still go around when I feel I need to. If its really windy I will probably make a few approaches to see what its like, at a half a tank of gas. If its a tough approach and a fight to land, I'll take the landing I have and wait out the winds or pack up.
There are so many little sayings that fit this situation. no old bold pilots.....take offs are optional......etc etc keep using sound judgement..there have been many full scale, thousands of RC crashes forcing a bad landing.
Way to go

I agree 100% with Bruce. Just like flying full scale, you need to get into the mindset that you are going to make an approach and a go-around. If the conditions are just right, you might land. There are very few times when an approach MUST end in a landing- dead stick, stuctural failure, engine not operating well enough to initiate a go-around, or anytime initiating a go-around might increase the risk of failure or crash.

I am pretty new myself. Less then a year. I have found the biggest help for me is if I trim the plane out a little nose heavy(down elevator) that when I back out of the throttle all the way to idle on my approaches I get a real smooth glide slope. Even if it is a bit windy. And if it is, all I do is trim up the engine idle so it is a bit higher when coming in. Any problems all I have to do is add a little power and my landings tend to be pretty good if I do say so myself. The plane is doing all the work and I am just along for the ride. I just concentrate on wings level.

Landing is only mandatory when the shiny thing on the front stops making noise. Until then, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a "go around" or two, or even three. Or even asking for some help out at the flight line. Don't let your ego overload your ability. Better to make another pass than to make a trip to the LHS for repair materials.

Dr.1

A quote I read in the RC Pilots's Handbook is in my signature, "Few good landings result from poor approaches, while few poor landings result from good approaches."

I think this is basically what you're practicing. If the approach is poor, go around. I do this all the time. As other's have said its not about being "macho" its about competently flying your model.

-MA

I always teach my students that when landing, its always better to go around than to try to turn a bad approach into a worse landing. Begginers always take several approaches to get the feel for the plane and the wind, which is never the same from one day to the next.

Keep practicing.

Brad

MasterAlex makes a good point. It's difficult for even very experienced pilots to salvage a good landing from a bad approach. NEVER force a landing, unless it's an emergency, like out of fuel, a broken control surface, low battery, or something like that.

Practice approaches. PLAN your approach. Don't just say, "I'm landing" and whip it around into base or final. Make a downwind leg, a base leg, and a final leg. Make your turns gradual and wide. Make your descent at a "normal" rate during the downwind, base, and final legs. Don't get it on final and dive at the runway. Don't force it down or try to hold it up. If ANYTHING about an approach isn't right, throttle up and go around.

Dr.1

A big "Ditto" to what DR1 said.

Never think, "I'm going to land this time"

Rather think, "I'm going to make a landing approach"

But PLAN to go around for another try.

If the approach a good one, just let the plane settle in.

If it's not... Well, you planned to go around again anyway, right?

It's sort of like how Navy pilots land on a carrier - just as they hit the deck, they go to full throttle and full afterburners. That's JUST IN CASE they miss the wires, they will have enough power to fly again.

So there's no shame in being prepared for a missed landing.

Minn, you don't land as hard as those carrier jocks do you? Replace your divots.

The best time to start practicing approaches is just after your plane has taken off, especially during your first flight of the day.

Do it over and over until you're getting a bit bored by it.

This will adjust your "memory muscle" so that should a problem occur you'll be ready.

Each day at the field I bring out different planes, so it is important for me to re-familiarize myself with that days planes landing characteristics.

Better to do this with a full tank when you are "fresh" for the day.

One thing I really like about our field, or club I should say, on Sundays theres only bout 4 or 5 there and we take turns, so I do 2 or 3 trips around, then start my touch and go's, ( I just soloed this month ) and I guess I'm getting pretty good, I heard some of the guys talking. My point is, theres nothing wrong with going around, besides, I like seeing my plane go buy low and slow.

I fully agree with the consensus, go around a zillion times if you need to, who cares? Who are you trying to impress anyway? I sometimes spend a whole flight just doing touch and goes and practicing plane orientations on landing approach

Some flyers are very good, some are mediocre, and some are gods from Olympus in the air. Me? I've been flying for over 20 years and I place myself squarely in "mediocre", I can take off, fly around somewhat competently, and land with a 95% chance of success. I still have trouble hitting the target runway all the time, but I can land in the general area that I want to consistently. When in doubt, go around again!

A dead stick landing is not an issue really; you are going to land regardless of gusts or bad orientation or whatever, so there is no need to make too many decisions on the matter. Pick a large area free of obstructions and touch down anywhere in there that you can safely. You will probably have to walk a ways to get the plane, but it will survive.

You are off to a good start, fly every chance you get and you will improve, don’t be afraid of destroying a plane once in a while because it makes for a good excuse to buy a new one. (don’t tell that to the wife- stick with the “angry bird attack” story)

Good luck!

Build and fly a Fokker Dr.1. You'll learn a LOT about "go around" and "abort".

Dr.1