NEW ALPHA 40
 

Just got my 2nd RC plane for christmas.... Its AN ALPHA 40 Yeaaaaa! Can anyone please pass along some tips before the first flight?

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

Nice choice,
double and triple check everything,Make sure your throws and balance are correct, make sure all flight controls are moving in the correct direction, make sure your batteries are fully charged, do a range check of your radio with the engine running.It wouldn't hurt to run a tank through the engine on the ground before taking to the skies.If possible have someone standing by (hopefully with some experience) to help make trim adjustments.
What was your first plane and how much experience do you have flying?

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

missleman seems to have it covered. this is a good aircraft, you should have no troubles with it. good luck. (I have 2 of them)

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

As an instructor, I have flown this plane many times with students... this is a good airplane to learn to fly with...

I hope that you are a member of a flying club. If not, I would join one as this plane is really not for a school yard or park. You need to learn about adjusting the nitro engines and safe operation for starting and flying. These are not toys.

I second the notion of double checking the movement of the control surfaces... not just a wiggle, but checking for the proper movement for each stick... you would be amazed at how many planes are lost because they are reversed.

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

Also remember that BEFORE you go out to the field and of course meet with an instructor for your first flight(s),

1. - Charge up the packs for both the TX and RX fully - Sounds intuitive, but you would be surprised how many students forget to charge the packs!

2. - Prior to the charging the day before, center the TX controls for the surfaces, and make SURE the control surfaces line up at neutral properly. Again something newbies often do not do!

3. - Prior to the day before, make sure that with the throttle all the way down and the trim all the way down on the throttle, the carb barrel closes fully without binding noises from the servo...

4. - You have SPARE rubber bands on hand when you go to the field.

5. - You have a fully charged ignitor and starter if you are using one of the later.

6. - You have a filter on your fuel supply ( though I also recommend in-line filters on the plane too. )

7. - Your plane tracks STRAIGHT or with a VERY slight rightward movement when the controls are centered and you push the plane forward on the ground. A bit of toe in on the wheels is also a good idea.

8. - Your control surfaces move smoothly and you make every effort to eliminate binding.

9. - Your servos are not chattering at TX neutrals.

10. - You have a spare prop, glow plug, fuel tubing, wheel collar, prop reamer, knife, scissors, plug wrench and some loctite in your tool box.

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

Well I have a IFR rating in real flying( so i understandaeronautics) I have well over 200 flights with my hobbyzone mini super cub, doing everthing from flying in 20 MPH and still getting it back to landing it on my table! Also when it comes to tuning my brother has alot of experience with nitro car engines...OS ETC.. So I'm assuming he can help me. I have about another 1000 flights on realflight 4.5 so should i be well off on my first flight after 4 feet of snow melt? I really thank you all for the help! There is one concern I have about the leftaileron can you upload pics on the site? As for the battery I'm keeping it plugged in till i go flying...Bad idea? does the battery know when to stop charging? Thank you all for your help! Happy flyinghttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f.../msn/72_72.gif

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

Well I have a IFR rating in real flying( so i understandaeronautics) I have well over 200 flights with my hobbyzone mini super cub, doing everthing from flying in 20 MPH and still getting it back to landing it on my table! Also when it comes to tuning my brother has alot of experience with nitro car engines...OS ETC.. So I'm assuming he can help me. I have about another 1000 flights on realflight 4.5 so should i be well off on my first flight after 4 feet of snow melt? I really thank you all for the help! There is one concern I have about the leftaileron can you upload pics on the site? As for the battery I'm keeping it plugged in till i go flying...Bad idea? does the battery know when to stop charging? Thank you all for your help! Happy flyinghttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f.../msn/72_72.gif

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

It sounds like you are planning on bypassing an instructor because of your real world experience.

You should still opt for taking the first flight or two with an instructor.

They will catch things you've overlooked or you've not realized are a problem.

Nitro car experience does not translate to RC airplanes.

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

Nope the only reason for not getting an instructor is my experience with 3 CH and real flight! The RC cars only realates to the engines? so will the alpha glide? or should i take out all the power on the flare?

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

G'day

I have no experience of the Alpha 40 but I do have experience with many similar four channel trainers. Once they are trimmed out, they will fly much like your 3 channel models. BUT, before they are trimmed, they may not be very stable and may want to roll to the left or right and/or may also need elevator trim. The worst case is a model that needs a lot of aileron trim AND a fair bit of up trim too. This can often happen (as it happened to me) because the ailerons or elevator have been made with a twist built in. This is very common in ARFs.

If you are not used to this, it can result in quite a short flight.

So, for your first flight, try to make sure that the ailerons are set up the same on both sides and the elevator and rudder are also in their neutral positions. Also, try to have a second person on hand to help you with trimming the plane. If the plane is way out of trim, you may not be able to take your thumb off the stick long enough to make the trim changes you need. I always do this with new models when I can. It really makes things easier but make sure your assistant knows exactly what to do or he may make things worse.

Also, be very careful to get the C of G right. As someone here has in his signature "Nose heavy planes fly badly; tail heavy planes only fly once."

Cheers and have fun,

Mike in Oz

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

Yup as Mike109 says... what he lists are but a few of the things that can be problematic, and will be fixed/caught by your instructor.

Likewise, fuel issues, power problems, binding, control problems, etc.

A good instructor goes over the student's plane completely before the first flight.

At our club we have "specialists" that show up for training sessions.

They are charged with adjusting and reviewing one part of the planes each.

e.g. one does the engine tuning, another attitude verification tuning, someone else does engine break-in, another does the trims and initial test flights, etc.


The actual instructors are involved in training, and not tuning/setup, to best utilize everyone's time.

Find and instructor ( preferably an experienced club instructor ) and take advantage of their aid.

You'll likely only need help for a session or two, given your experience... but the time spent with the instructor will pay off.

Likewise unless you are flying in somewhat isolated private land, you should join a club and get your memberships... this gives you the liability insurance needed to fly at clubs, and your training/certification.

I've found that my club dues MORE than pays for itself in benefits, events, and even other hardware & planes I've acquired, been given or won, all due to the club.

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

I do not know if I posted this yet but can someone make me a preflight checklist+ a short landing checklist and maybe a deadstick list. That would be very much appreciated.

RE: NEW ALPHA 40
 

Please seek the aid of an instructor.

A checklist is not going to do it for you.... you'll not know the difference between a too lean condition or a rich one.

Newbie's planes typically last SECONDS ( if that ) because they are suddenly saddled with

- An out of trim plane
- A plane that is rolling as it lifts
- A stall
- An engine out ( deadstick ) condition during takeoff
- Engine issues
- TX/RX problems
- Parts falling off


ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

As most real world pilots quickly discover and attest to, "flying RC aircraft can be a VERY humbling experience."

I've heard that from Airline and Military pilots, who've come out to fly at our field.