Just wanted to tell of my experinaces of my first flight, (instructor aided). The weather finally cooperated...well it was cold, but at least it didn't rain or snow.

First off I would like to state that I have decided to go with paid instruction, for two main reasons.

1.) I know that clubs and some individuals are willing to give free asisstance to people in my position....complete beginers, however I am a full time student and full time worker, so time is somewhat a concern in my book. There are only one or maybe two days a week that I am able to break away for a few hours to fly. When you get into "volentary" instruction the selected time frames must be convient for both student and instructor. With paid instruction I set the time and date, and weather permitting we fly.

2.) I am a firm beleiver in the old myth that you get what you pay for. Although I am very new to this hobby, I am sure that there are a lot of great volentary instructors out there, but I know if I were an instructior I would want something in return for my time and services. I am a law student because I find intrest in law, much like instructors have intrest in this hobby, yet I would find myslef a little reluctant to pratice law for free. Anyway just my thoughts.

After my instructor took off and climbed to altituide he handed me the controls...no buddy box here. After flying for only 20-25 mins, (It was getting too cold to stay out any longer) we brought the plane down. This is the amazing part, after only 25 mins of flight I was able to land the plane, in fact now that I think about it my instructor never had to take the controls from my hand the entire flight. Instead of using the buddy box, my instructor just stood to my right where he had the ability to make any minor adjustments to the aircraft. He also teaches beginners to fly helis with out a buddy box, and he will even teach you on his heli!!! Just curious any other beginners out there learn to fly this way???

I think had I not had such an awsome first experiance in flying, that I would probobly not pursue the hobby. Speaking from the shoes of a true beginner I think that this is very important. I had no runaround with my instructor and his teaching methods are superb. I probobly would have started in on this fun years ago had I know that it was possible to learn so easily.

How do some of you other beginners feel about your first few flights???

I think I'll be in this hobby for a long time, I can't wait to fly again!!

If someone asked me what I thought about your experience, I would say you're the exception, not the rule. It sounds like you did very well and hopefully you're in it to stay. I've done my share of instructing. Everyone learns at a different rate, is there for a different reason, and has a different attitude. Personality also plays a part. Maybe the fact that you went about it the way you did, and have an analytical personality helped tremendously.
I was going to mention ego, but I remembered that counselors have that trait under control

As someone allready said "I would say you're the exception, not the rule." I have never seen anyone do this! Congrats!!!

LAND on the first go!!?!?!?!

hell i've been up like 4 times and im still too nervous to take off on my own.... good job.

Congratulations! Let the addiction begin!!!!

Good job, I bet your excited, hehe

I am excited about it... what a blast! Why do so many seem to think that this is "an exception"? I, by no means have near as much time in this hobby as 99% of the the people here so I may be a little off on this, but I think that it IS possible for anyone to have as good, or a better first experiance at flying. I think part of what made me (and is still) so excited about flying is the way I was introduced to flying by my instructor.

And as far as landing goes, that was not the most intimidating part of the flight. My instructor had me look at the tx while HE watched the plane, telling me what direction to guide the aircraft. It was very difficult not to even glance at the plane. However by watching my stick movements for only a min or two, I was able to tell how much input was needed to fly smootly, and it did help my flying greatly. Did anyone else try this while learning or better yet do any of you instructors try this? All I can say is it helped me so maybe it will help some other beginners out there.

Hats off to all the instructors out there, they are the ones who really do help to determine if one will grow to love this hobby, or quit premature. I know Im here to stay.

Also same goes to the vast amount of info found right here on RCU, I have already learned so much from all your knowledge.

Thanks

I started learning about a 2 years ago. My first flight went very badly. The old guy who "took me up" for my first go wasn't very attentive and I managed to do 2 circuits on my own before plunging the club trainer through a tree from directly above and completely destroy it!!! I even broke off the carb, silencer AND snap the engine block in half across the cylinder!!!
Oops. Sorry lads!
But my determination was still strong and I've since managed taking off and landing all on my own! It only took one summer of excellent teaching from a great friend of mine.
If the club hadn't been so nice about crashing the trainer and so willing to get me back up in the air, I don't know if I'd still be flying today.
Cheers guys!

I probably went about it all wrong. I built my first plane, a Tower Trainer 40. I was nervous as hell when I took the controls. My instructor took off and landed for me. I did very well and he told me I would be soloing in about 5 or 6 flights. That day we did two flights with a little instruction in between. The only thing I have to work on is flying towards me. REVERSITIS!! That was the only time my instructor took over. We used the buddy box. I thought it was really cool that the plane I built flew so well. My instrucot really liked the plane also. Although he did tell me that next time put a bigger engine on it.

vacinekm


I noticed Franklinville R/Cer's at the bottom of your page. Where in Franklinville do you fly? Just curious because my parents live In Franklinville and I visit several times a month. Do you have to belong to a club to fly at your field?

Franklinville R/Cers' field is located north of town just off Rt. 16 on Brown Road. It's pretty easy to find. Just look for the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall just outside Machias and turn away from the hall down Brown Road. You can see the pilot gates from Rt. 16 if you know where to look. I'm not sure about having to be a club member to fly at the field. I just became a member this year. I can get you the club president's email if you email me.
Franklinville R/C'ers

Vacine:
Just get in the habit as it is coming toward you is to put the
aileron stick towards the low wing.

Randy

Another way to overcome "reversitis" is to turn your back to the plane and look over your shoulder at it. Believe it or not, it works for most people (including me!)

Wow, sounds like you had a great first experience. I don't see why they make such a big deal out of having an instructor. It seemed pretty easy for me to learn, not to brag. I only had one major problem and that was because my ailerons were reversed (silly me). I think all a person has to do to get started flying a trainer is play a lot of FMS so you can land every plane on the runway every time and then go out and test it yourself. I recently made my first actual flight (after a bunch of crashes shortly after takeoff due to my reversed ailerons) and I was able to fly the plane around just fine. The wind was around 15mph too.

Welcome to the addiction!

Well, it sounds to me like your FMS was your instructor! How many times did you crash your simulator before you could get a crash-free solo? And just think, if you had someone who knew what he was doing with you at the field, he would have told you that your ailerons were reversed and saved you a few more crashes. The reason you want an instructor, is that in many cases people who try to fly without one demolish their plane on the first try, and then lose hope after they just dropped $100 or so in the trash. MANY people can't afford to just go out and drop another $100 for another plane.

Well said!

MinnFlyer:

Yes, I agree with you. I would have loved to have an instructer out there with me. But I live in a rural town and it's amazing that we even have a flight club. The designated "instructor" for my club is kind of busy and would never have made it out when I wanted to go flying. Being impatient and wanting to try my "new investment" I tried flying my plane as soon as possible. The reversed aileron induced crashes were painful, but after I fixed that I was able to take off and land on my own without any further crashing. (On my first 4 or 5 flights I was forced to land dead stick because each time my engine cut out)

In retrospect I would say the route I took wasn't the best. I did buy a new plane aside from my original trainer (duraplane trainer 40). The original plane I had was the LT-40. It's still in working order but I had to make repairs from all those times it hit the grass upside down 3 seconds after takeoff. That was the price I had to pay for not being patient enough to wait until mid June or so to fly. I still do think that if a person has some determination, is relatively intelligent, and is a little more careful in checking what he or she is doing (unlike me in the case of the ailerons), he or she can easily learn to fly w/o help from an experienced individual.