I've had a 40 sized trainer for many years now. I recently re-started an old boat build, and I'm becoming reinterested in the plane. I flew the plan a few times, with an instructor, but I never learned how to land. Once I get the mechanicals worked out (seized up carb, gummy engine), I'd like to go for it.

Should I just bring it out and have a go at it? Or is that a little wreckless? The cost of the plane is less than buying one of those training software programs. There's a big park by my house that will be more and more lonely as fall progresses.<br type="_moz" />

Make sure the batteries are still good

Flying a .40 size glow plane in a park with out any control over who might wander into your way isn't what I'd consider to be a good idea, but I don't know your park or local area, so I can't say.

I will say that if you've never mastered landing, you'd be best off going to your local club. You're rusty, so you can bet your first flight will not be as good as your last one. And your last one wasn't good enough for the airplane to stand a good chance of survival on your own. So while a simulator is expensive, it won't be destroyed on the first flight.

Oh, don't forget the batteries. There's a really good chance that the receiver pack is garbage if it's been sitting for a few years un-maintained. In fact, you should check the wiring and switch. Nicad's sometimes cause something called "black wire corrosion" that works up the negative wire from the battery and basically wrecks everything it reaches, including the receiver if it gets that far. I've never lost a recevier from it, but I had to throw out some switches and recycle some batteries when I got back into the hobby after a few years away.

Netdewt, get in touch with Beau or MinnReefer from that Minnesota Fun Fly thread. They'll be glad to help you out (I'm a little too far away)

Tell 'em I sent you

Dont fly at a park, just a really bad idea. Try hooking up with a Club . I flyn a lot at SPMRC club . Come on out and I`ll give you a hand and go over your plane for you.You`ll have to have your current AMA .
Try a a heat gun on the carb to see if you can loosen it up, or work some fuel in it.

Nine months ago I was in in a similar situation. I had been out of the hobby for 15 years. The difference was that when I flew back then, I was rated as a club instructor. My son saw an old Telemaster up in the attic and wanted to get into RC. We fixed up the plane and at the same time bought the Great Planes simulator. My first flight, I still flew with someone (Aeroscale) at my side.

Hey Net,
If you can wait a week, I should be available next week to go fly. If you have AMA you and I can go down to TCRC in Jordan and fly on a buddy box (I can grab one from one of the members). Especially in the communitiesin and around MSP, I wouldn't try flying a .40 in a park. Send me a PM and we can hook up sometime.
Best Regards,
Curtis
P.S. I would have offered even if Minn hadn't sent you my way. :-)