Went to the field this morning determined to fly my LT-40, instructor or not. I have flown once with an instructor but did not get to try any takeoffs or landings. I've been putzing around with RealFlight Lite though. This morning I got to the field and no instructor was there so I thought I'd give it a go myself. Took off just fine, just like in the sim. I did three or four laps around the field in the pattern I was instructed to use, and then decided to try my luck at landing. I came in maybe a hair bit faster than I should have and didn't quite flair out quick enough and bounced after first contact. But I leveled her back out and brought it down safe and sound. I was quite pleased with myself actually. Had to replace the prop as it took exception to the asphalt on that first bounce but other than that all was well. Does that count as a solo?

I took off again and immediately ran into trouble. For some reason I couldn't bank right. I fought with it for a bit and finally did a 180 to the left and headed back into the strip. Another pilot was landing from the north and I was inbound from the south. I decided to ditch to the west of the airstrip and put it down in the sand there, just missing some rocks. I bent the nose gear back a bit but other than that no damage. I checked all my throws when I got back to the pit area and everything was fine. Not sure why I couldn't make a right turn. Wind perhaps? I decided I'd better quit for the day while I was ahead and packed it in. I'll put in more sim time before trying again. Hopefully a trainer will be onsite next time. If not, I'll go it alone again.

While you did fly by yourself, I would not call it a solo. I expect a new pilot to be able to do a minimum of three things. Race track turns, horizontal eights, and landings.

While their are more things that I would teach, those are the three items that I value the most!

There's something wrong if you weren't able to turn to the right. I'd start by checking ailerons and servo rods, then the engine mounting.

I guess it was as much of a solo as others I've read about here. But don't give up on that instructor just yet, sounds like you have a LOT more to learn. Stuff that a sim can't teach you.
Dennis-

Sounds like a solo to me... You were able to successfully take off fly around for a bit and land. The first flight was obviously better than the second, however, if the definition of a "solo" mandates that every consecutive flight be mishap free then I would say there are very few, if any, that have ever truly done the "solo". Congratulations on not splattering the plane and a sucessful solo flight. I do believe that an instructors guidance is the best way to go, but it is obvious the sim has helped a great deal. Find out the right turn problem before you fly again by yourself... Some people require students to jump through hoops before declaring "solo", but that's most likely just an ego thing...

It's call wind and unexpected situations.

Could the trim or lack there of made it more difficult to turn? Perhaps something got altered in between flights.

Congratulations on your first 'solo'. The first time you manage to take off, fly around (with some degree of control) and land in one piece is definitely an achievement regardless of what others may say.

I frequently had to go it alone due to lack of instructor time, the only plane I lost before I officially soloed was with an instructor present who wasn't paying attention. The plane went into a tree on final.

Try to look after that LT-40, its the best trainer out there. Check your travel on the ailerons, set the travel to the manual and don't bother with low rates, you don't need them on that plane.
All trainer nose gears tend to bend and sag after a while even with 'normal' landings. I invested in a fults nose gear shortly after I got my LT, they hold up a lot better and don't lean to one side...

Thats the way to do it. I soloed the same way just the week before. When I went to the field this week I tried to do it again and I ended my second flight with a broken off fin. Nothing a little glue will not fix. The guy that was at the field the first time said the same thing "you only learn by trying". Course he also said that the worse thing you can do is crash..............................?

The best friend of a newbie is a good epoxy. Because after you soloed one way or an other you will need it at some point.

I had the same problem with my LT-40.

The aileron torque rod had dug through the balsa and was wiggling inside the wing. If you can wiggle the aileron, then you may have this problem.

If you do, what I did was to remove the covering and cut away the balsa that covered the torque rod. Then I braced the aileron in place and filled the area with 30 minute epoxy. If there is enough room you can add a piece of thin sheeting over the repair, or just use balsa filler and replace the covering (I used some packing tape to hold the covering down.

Of course, you may have an entirelydifferent problem.

GB

I seriously doubt that ego has anything to do with it. My guess would be concerns for safety, people and property.
Dennis-

You can seriously doubt whatever you want to, the fact is a lot instructors display the attitude they are God's gift to R/C and that the student is in some sort of boot camp and the instructor is a DI. I'm not saying people don't learn important thnigs like safety, yada yada yada, but demanding perfect takeoffs, maneuvers, and landings holding the student under the thumb until they can win the Nats is a bit extreme... Not saying that all instructors are like that because they are not, thankfully. Some just need to remember what the student wants/needs and not what the instructor feels is the only way to fly. :rainfro:

I know there is at least one instructor that I know of in my club that seems to be more interested in showing the students how great of a flier he is rather than simply teaching others the basics. :disappoin

Nice 'fro there, Burger.

In the time I've been involved I haven't seen this type of instructor (although I'm sure they exist).

I HAVE seen a lot of students who are extremely impatient, think they know it all, and believe that flying RC is a series of barely controlled, full throttle passes across the sky with violent snaps and rolls thrown in to prevent boredom. They're also the ones who most often lose control for a moment and sweep in towards the pits, only to pull out at the last moment, then never apologize for making everyone scramble to avoid being hit.

I would rather keep a student on the box for an extra 3 or 4 sessions and know he can adequately control the plane, than to let him move on before he's ready. I've seen those results too often thank you.

Peace,
Dennis-

Actually I hope my instructor make me "jump through hoops" before they set me free on my own. An improperly flown R/C aircraft can be dangerous.

The airfield I have been going to has certain requirements for solo. Proper pre-flight, take off, racetrack, figure eights, touch and goes, correct taxing, smooth landings. This is all to ensure you are not going to be a danger at the field.

Everyone I have met at the field has been extremely helpful. I took my plane in the clubhouse and 3 members looked it over and found 3 problems with it. They fixed two on the spot and gave me detailed steps on how to fix the last one. They answered everyone of my questions and gave me some pointers on other items.

No lack of instructors either. The field has 3 flying stations. All of them were full 85% of the time. Last night was lesson night. All you need is an AMA card. If you use the field after you solo they do expect at least an Associate membership.

At our club the final flight test for solo is race tracks left and right, figure 8's left and right, cross wind take offs and landings, down wind take offs and landings, and 3 dead sticks! They don't have to be perfect, just show a reasonable amount of control.

bearmech,

What do they do for deadstick, just turn the throttle way down?

bearmech,
WHY would they want you to take off down wind?? I guess I can understand wanting to try landing, as you might have to if there's a problem, but take offs??
Dennis-

Thanks for making my point . Seems like everyone has a different opinion as to when someone is deemed skilled enough to "solo". I'm not griping, just making an observation, and hoping that some of the overboard instructors concentrate on teaching, instead of trying to impress everyone with his/her own flying skills. You can teach and ensure safety without requiring the student to use his mind power to restart a dead stick plane while it is still airborn... in other words, be realistic about the goals for the student to achieve before they are turned loose. :idea:

Yes, it can. No argument from me.

This is exactly what good club members do... help each other.

Sounds like a good setup.

Swager
For the dead stick the instructor calls "dead stick now" and you pull back to idle. My instructor called dead stick on me right after take off just as I turned down wind.

Sorry Dennis, just blazen away at the keyboard. Down wind take off are not tested for or even advisable! You would think an aircraft mechanic would know better than to type something like that!! LOL

No problem. I just couldn't imagine why someone would WANT you to do that. (Although I have for the "fun" of it. Not pretty. )
Dennis-