Got signed off Friday night, wow, what a good feeling and at the same time the realization that your on your own with no safety net (trainer and buddy box) to guide you through any rough moments. Went back Sunday and had a bit of trouble on take offs keeping the plane straight on the ground (combo of nerves, correcting for thrust and then over correcting the other way and zig zagging down the runway, plus some issues with the trainer setup). After struggling with it, my instructor offer to try it, said it definately needed correcting. We adjusted the wheels/rudder, lowered the throws, and toed the landing gear in a bit, the wheels were toed out. After that it was much better, and had multiple good rollouts and takeoffs. Feels great to be on your own, but a bit nerve racking as well. I will be flying my trainer for the next month or so to practice, practice practice. After that I might fire up the Avistar that is sitting in the hanger and waiting for it's turn. The Avistar was my original trainer, but I had an old OS46 that wouldn't run properly and is waiting to be rebuilt. Just got a new ST45 for her so she will be ready soon.

Let me be the first to congratulate you. It really feels great to get to that first big step. The nerves will calm with practice.

Gary

Congratulations. The knee knocking goes away after awhile

Gregoryda,
Everybody you meet today is going to wonder why you have a silly little grin on your face all day long!! But we all know why you have it there!!! Don't worry, it goes away in 3-4 weeks!!

Great Job!!!!! [sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

A solo flight is a great accomplishment and that wins you one genuine RCU ATTABOY (Suitable for framing, wrapping fish, or lining trashcans).

Ken

No it don't!!!! I put floats on my P-51 PTS and flew it this last week end and my hands were shaking so hard I could hardly fly it. I've been flying for 3 years now and it felt like the first time.

Way to go greg, I know how you feel cause I got mine about two weeks ago. I actually flew solo for the first time while other planes were up yesterday and had a little nervousness kick in, but I flew it out.

Thanks guys for welcoming me back to the sport. I'm an old dude, 54 who flew 25+ years ago and didn't have time to keep with it due to family and job. I was surprised that it came back so quick, solo'd within the month and that was with several trips to field with engine and/or weather conditions. Still, even at this age it's a bit nerve racking as I was never a really acomplished flyer even back in the 80's when my reflexes and eyesight was good. Now I find that I need to fly a bit slower and within the "box" rather than letting it get out or up too far. Hoping to stick with it for the rest of my time on this planet! Thanks to RCKen for the nice RCUniverse 'atta boy".

Boo -Yah! Good on you Gregoryda!

PA Ben - I like it! That ought to tear-em-up at the float flys. ;-)

Why, what fun would it be if you couldn't get the adrenaline pumping with ANY model? It's all in how you fly them.

HEY! I missed this one earier[:@]

Congratulations Greg!! I get that knee knock still and Ive been soloed a couple months now, it comes back right after I save the plane from a near miss when I get overconfident and do something stupid[X(].

Yes, it's easy to make mistakes. First day flying on my own, I took off with my transmitter antenna in the closed position. Lucky for me my instructor saw it when he was retreiving a plane on the field and quietly walked over and pulled it out...Ouch that hurt the ego a bit. I think 2.4Ghz is in my future, I can't believe I had control of the plane with it down...very lucky! I also got a bit out of control trying to do stuff the trainer didn't like (heard comments from the gallery like "it's a trainer not an sport plane....you sure you got it?". Going back out tonight, hopefully I'll relax and just take it easy. I'm going to practice flying straight down the runway and doing touch and go's.

SWEET!!!!!

Just have fun. I know what you mean, it was not but 3-4 weeks ago I soloed. It thought "cool I'll just go fly now" got my plane running and started to taxi out to the runway for take off when I knoticed my hands were shaking. I thought to myself "Whats wrong with me? I have done this for months now. I land pretty good and have taken off about 30 times now!" But not having that cord connected just made me a little nervous....even though my instructor had to do nothing but hold the switch for my last 10 flights.

Got used to everything flying by myself by the end of the day..............then I built a new low wing plane...............back came the shakes. LOL!!!!