They keep telling me its not IF but WHEN... Today was my WHEN.

Pretty windy today, I took off and flew a couple of laps around the field. I was going to bring it down because it was a gusty wind, changing directions.. Over the trees I tuned righ but the plane tuned left. I should have leveled off and gained altitude But it went down behind the trees and we heard the crunch.
I was lucky to find it pretty quick just hanging on the side of a tree about 30 feet up. problem was I had to stand knee deep in the swamp throwing a rope up. after about 25 tries I go the brance near it and pulled it down. I caught it as it fell so it didnt go into the water...

Not sure what I'm going to do? It needs a new wing and tail repair. The fus has minor damage to the landing gear area.

The issue I have now is this was a 25 size midwest aerostar with a TTpro .36 engine. I was looking at a .60 size four* kit for my next plane but I was hoping to get a little more experience with this trainer 1st...

I want a bigger plane but at this stage I'm thinking I still need another trainer but I want to go bigger and I would also need another engine..

Do I buy a whole new .60 size trainer and save the .36 for some special project down the road?

Maybe an AFR pulse XT or would that be to much for me now?

Sorry, just thinking outloud


Steve

Steve, the 4*60 is a great second plane. You will find it is more responsive than your trainer, but it also easier to fly. That plane with a Magnum 91 four stroke and cranking a 14x4w apc is an awsome combo. Lots and lots of power when you need it, and slow tick over for landing.

Two issues with the 4*60. It can fly very slow. You have to watch that because a wind shift or a turn can leave you suddenly flying to slow. I lost my second 4*60 doing that. The second issue is related to the first. When you land, if you let the tail down to soon, you are airborne again. It takes a little getting used to but is quite managable once you do get used to it.

I have my third kit waiting for the bench now. I'll probably start it next week. If you decide to go with one, do yourself a favor when installing the ailerons. Ad a second outboard hinge, one bay in from the stock hinge location. Use both. After you have flown a while, a common modification is to shorten the wings by one bay and the added hinge makes this a very easy modification. If you have to add the hinge later, it can be a chore.

By the way, sorry about the plane. I crashed my first 4*60 on my first solo flight. I came in to low on landing and hit the farm road that crosses the end of the runway. Broke the plane in half. I had it back in the air two days later and got my wings with it though. Like you were told, its not if, but when. It's always a good thing to have a backup plane just in case. The When is not a one time event, but the frequecy becomes longer, the longer you fly.

Don

I just finished chopping off the nose of my brushed electric easy glider and installing a brushed outrunner. I was going to maiden that plane with the new motor today but didnt because of the winds..So I took up the heavier glow plan and still got into trouble.
I just checked they show wind at 13 gusts of 18... I shouldnt have lost it though, Pilot error...

I'm leaning towards getting something quick to reuse the .36 and continue practicing while building the .60 kit over the winter.
Something simple, a little more than the 1st trainer, something that can take some abuse. Like an Ugly Stick??
Do they make something like that that the TTpro .36 would give me plenty of power...???


Steve

How'd you last that long ??? Just kidding, sorry to hear about the crash.

You might want to hang on to the fuse etc. and look around at swap meets etc. and see if you can pick up a wing about the same size. It doesn't have to be perfect just a close fit and about the same size, then with a little repair you will be able to fly the trainer some more. With a little thought they repair real easy !!!
ENJOY !!! RED

If you want to get back ion the air quickly, Phoenix models has a couple smaller airplanes that would work with that engine:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXEDN6&P=0

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXEDN7&P=0

I imagine that the .36 would fly most of your typical "40 size" trainers too. It may not exactly be a powerhouse but I bet it will fly that type of plane OK. The engine likely ha similar or slightly better power to a bushing .40.

3 weeks after you solo and you crash your trainer and you think you are ready to advance to the next step?I would have to say that you are not ready until you can fly the trainer in any reasonable wind and withy proffiency.

Why are we not considering a rebuild? One wing half is easily repairable. The other .. Well you could build a new one.. Or buy a wing that fits the thing, build up a new tail, repair the minor fuse dings and fly it again!

As for the second plane, I would say that has got to be your call, with what little solo flight time you have I would not likely do it. I solo'ed early this summer and Im not thinking Im ready yet, if you want to use that as a barometer. Just take the advice given in the spirit it was meant, or should be meant and then make your choice.
(My "Second" plane will be a SPADStick, I dont count the Debonair I built for the kids since its just another trainer. I wont have the stick built and flying till next spring...)

One week after I solo'd I finished my 4* kit and haven't flown the trainer, a kit built Great Planes PT-60, since. I immediately found the 4* much easier to fly, especially if the wind kicks up. I clipped the wings one bay for a little less float, but the 4* can still get bounced around a bit on landings if the wind is gusty, but not nearly as bad as a trainer with a bunch of dihedral in the wing.

Popriv:

I believe the model is repairable.

As alternative, I recommend the Goldberg Falcon 56.

I soloed with one built from a kit, which plan specified a 0.35 engine (as available in the 70's; today's engines are more powerful).
It is an excellent advanced trainer, 56" span, ailerons, and semi-symetrical airfoil.

It is sold as ARF nowdays, for 0.40 engine.
I easily take-off from grass with a bushed 0.40; hence, your engine will be sufficient.
There is a video and review at Sport Aviator (AMA website).

Flying an overpowered model will not teach much flying skills, but will make the "when" happen sooner.

I do not recommend jumping from a 0.25 model to a 0.60.

Regards!

As if you need anymore salt on the wound, but you didn't make it to the sixth. Today is only the fourth.....

LOL!

Steve

I wouldnt argue with that statement to much other than to say my subject title may be somewhat missleading. In this case "solo" is a club rule that allows new members to "solo" . I've flown Gliders on and off for 25 years. In June I decided to finally buy an engine for this Aerostar that I built 20 years ago and give powered flight a go.. I knew enough to find and join a club with an instructor, we met once a week for 5-6 weeks over the summer, I did my required 4 takeoffs and landings, in front of the guys, and got the ok to solo 9/13. Then I could fly more often which is what I needed. I've been flying 2-3 days a week ( I know, its only been 3 weeks! ) I feel good taking off & landing, Been playing with Immalmans, loops, split S, rolls, stalls, inverted. Not all pretty mind you but I am getting a feel for the plane. I definatly would have prefered to keep flying this trainer until its to cold and then I was going to build something like a four* kit over the winter...

Now I need a new plan.
I want an ARF for the TTPro .36 so I can get flying quick before the snow arrives.
Nothing fancy, something I can beat up and continue to learn on.
Something like the Sonic Low Wing sport trainer airplane kit from Phoenix Aircraft Models ChuckW Mentions in a later post. (thanks Chuck
)

I will save and rebuild the Aerostar to use as a backup plane. ( waiting for the TTPro .36 to become available again )

Meanwhile I'll get my fix flyin the easy glider. I'm off right now to maiden with the new brushless motor install....


Thanks
Steve

Hi!
Are those the only rubber bands you used??? You must use at least 6!

No, that was just for the pic.
I used 10 - 12
I heard 2 per pound?


Steve

Don't be so quick to 86 the trainer planes . I watched a video of Kyle ," The Alien Wyoshnis" , 3D'in a full winged piper cub . You can do a lot with a trainer you just need to add a little extra power and change
the CG and control throws . That is , when your ready . Id post the vid but they dont allow enough room .

Keep'em In One Piece !

If you're interested in a kit build for a replacement trainer, the SIG LT-25 or the Great Planes PT-20 would be a good match for the .36 engine.

As others mentioned, your engine probably out performs most of the plain bushing .40s that ship with RTF trainer packages. So, to get in the air quickly you could get almost any 40 size ARF trainer and fly it while you build the Four Star.

I agree with Chuck's recommendation. The Sonic is a solid trainer and the defacto standard here in Taiwan. The 36 will do it justice! Good luck!