ok, as many of you know i recently solo'd

i have an advanced trainer (low wing, semi symetrical airfoil) which is all ready to go. I usually go flying with mode 1 people and i fly mode 2, the reason i could get taught flying is because trainers are easy to fly so my instrcutor could fly mode 2 without too much trouble but i dont think he'll be able to do an advanced trainer in mode 2

i have access for a mode 2 instructor but it'll be ages before i see him, should i risk trying to fly it myself or not? I've seen the same type of model i have fly many times so i'm familiar with what it can do ect, i'm also very competent flyer. I personally think i would be able to handle it as well, not wanting to sound big headed or anything but i do generally feel i could possibly fly it. I know it sounds like i'm rushing but my current trainer can only just fly around the sky not doin anything in particular as it isnt strong enough for aerobatics or what-not

please give opinions...

thanks,

If all of your flying until now has been basically going around in circles with a trainer, I think you should have a little help with that first low-wing. It could get into an attitude that you are not used to dealing with rather quickly.

You said the trainer isn't capable of aerobatics, and didn't mention the type of trainer, but most trainers are capable of a little sloppy aerobatics. I might try resetting the control throws to at least be able to roll and loop. With confidence in that I would move on to the low winger.

Why not just get your instructor to use a buddy lead setup ? That way he can have his Mode 1 Tx on one end and you can use your Mode 2 Tx on the other.

Steve

I agree with Jim Schwagle. If you really can't find someone to help, zip up the controls on your trainer and fly the hell out of it.

MAKE it do loops.

FORCE it to do rolls.

Once you can easily achieve these things with your trainer, you should be able to handle the next step.

Note: Keep in mind that even if you DID have help, regardless of what type of plane you're flying, some day, some how, you will probably get into a sticky situation that you will only figure out how to get out of on the ride home (with a pile of sticks in the back). It's the nature of our sport

i would increase the control throws ect but i am using a powered glider as a trainer, i really dont think that this is strong enough to withstand aerobatics and the previous owner also has said it won't be able to withstand aerobatics, i have tried some mild aerobatics on a different trainer but i only did a few loops, rolls, ect

I think really to build confidence in flying you should really go with an advanced trainer next (high wing semi symmetrical) before going onto the more advanced low wing trainer.
At least then you'll have experience with a 'proper' faster plane that is still pretty stable before going to the other end of the spectrum....

[QUOTE]Originally posted by vtol_guy
[B]i would increase the control throws ect but i am using a powered glider as a trainer

In this case and you have just been flying two control gliders (motorgliders) then you need a full house trainer first before you move on to the low wing akro type.

Steve Lewin mentioned the best solution, get with whatever avaliable instructor even if he uses mode 1, just use a buddy cord and you both can use your own mode.

John

the trainer i'm using is 3 channel operation, i DO use throttle control

I've got a Ripmax Zephyr which I flew for a while. This is a 3 channel floater. I managed to make it do loops, but once the wind caught it a quarter of the way around and flipped it over. I heard a loud crack. When I landed the plane I could see that the spar had broken. An easy repair as I was lucky that the wing didn't totally give way. Others with this plane have not been so lucky. I 've heard that rolls can be done with 3 channels but you lose a lot of altitude....

vtol any reasonable bottom line to this discussion is you need a 'full house' trainer before moving on To a pure akro type. And like the guys are saying here a properly setup conventional trainer can not only do acro but teach it quite effectively, You know possibly even teach it better than a acro type simply because you have to work at it a bit more.

John

OK here's the story, I'll try and be brief.....

I started in Sept 2001 with a Superstar 60. Got a few flights in but didn't get much instructor time.
The following July (2002) got a GWS Tiger Moth for birthday, flew it a lot at the local park. Still not getting much fly time at the field saw the Zephyr on ebay built it using an OS 15LA for power(can also use electric) and started flying at the field. Got lots of practice and people got used to me flying on my own with it though I wasn't officially solo. Went back to the Superstar. Planted it in the trees. Got an LT-40 and a copy of G2. Soloed first time out with the LT-40.

Over there in the UK I thought there was some sort of official test? I can't imagine that a flying club would certify you as solo based on your 3 channel experience... You'll need a 4 channel trainer or advanced trainer (flat bottom/ semi) before going onto low wing stuff....

in my club i am now classed as a solo pilot, my previous trainer i was using, i was doing fine with that, the last flight i had with is (october 2002) my old instructor at my old club told me to bring it in for a landing, unfortunatly i had a deadstick so they brought it in and after that weather forced me to stop flying for the winter. I have solo'd with my new trainer and flown it in many different conditions, quite a few times in very heavy wind and i have managed it ok. I think if i went to the field tommorow and tried to fly a 4ch full trainer then i could fly it without any problems as i am used to their flying. If anything, my current trainer is harder to fly because it only has rudder control and i can fly a lot better with ailerons as i, personally, find it a lot easier

i know most of you have doubts about me even being able to fly a full 4ch trainer but i have and can fly them, i will take your advice and leave my advanced trainer for now, i will try and get hold of a buddy cord for this saturday

as for the bmfa 'A' certificate, you can do it with the 3 ch trainer i'm using, i've had it checked out and they said its fine, as long as you can do all the prescribed manouvers in the book then you can use it to do your 'A' cert.

Change the two leads on the receiver and let your instructor fly your plane on mode one to make sure that everything is OK. Then swithc the leads back and take it for a spin.

competant is when you can recover from unusual situations... ie.. control rod comes off and you have no control on a surface, be able to turn left or right (some people have trouble doing both) can recover from spins, or recover from a tip stall or whatever you least expect... and you say that you could POSSIBLY fly it... why not take the time with an instructor?? or as stated... move to a high wing 4 channel trainer?? <--- that would be your best bet.. just a thought

as i said i will leave it for a while, it'll just be a while before it flies thats all

i would get a new 4 ch trainer but i can't really afford the expense in all honestly

well i flew my advanced trainer!!!

as you can tell i am vvveeerrryyyy happy so i'll try not to gloat too much :stupid:

my mode 2 instructor took it up, gave me controls after a few minutes and he hasn't touched it since!

i've done landings and take offs with it now, did god knows how many loops and rolls and inverted fly by 20ft off the ground :stupid:

on my last approach it hit a tree though, well, its kinda skimmed it but so did 2 other people that night

yyyyyeeeeyyyy!!!!!!!! , i can fly advanced trainer!!!

Wooo Hooooo!!!!!

WTG!