RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

The people at the club are not the ones from work, just clones of them.
Also they are not my superiors, they just have the idea they are.
In reality they approach me very carefully, - doesn't change what they think though!

BTW, just totalled my weak and bent UC with yet another heavy landing. ( it was the only proprietary part of my airframe. ( tee hee hee I hear them say).

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

I'd recommend you fly with an instructor. If you did alone, you would likely crash it and that would be bad. I am right now on the road to becoming solo. I just need to learn to land. I should of soloed by now, but those windy days ruin it for me. I hate windy days! [sm=thumbdown.gif][sm=angry.gif]

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

Some will not crash, some will crash and give up, some will crash and carry on, depending mainly on the cost and toughness of aircraft they were using, also depending on their willingness to keep trying, everyone is different.
A good instructor is certainly a great help to those who are prepared to listen and follow procedures, but some people actually like to learn these things for themselves, - many do so, and if they don't hurt others, why should anyone say they can't or shouldn't?

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

Todd M wrote: In a way you are right, taildraggers are a little bit more difficult to handle on the ground but if you are teaching yourself to fly they offer crucial advantages:

0) Taxiing a nose gear equipped aircraft will teach you almost nothing about flying.

1) Only a taildragger will let you get a feeling for the effectiveness of the rudder and elevators during high-speed taxiing practice. The reason for this is that when the tail wheel is off the ground, the tail is actually flying. High speed taxiing in the fasion I described in my earlier post is a great way to learn how to operate the rudder and elevators. There is no way one can gain that experience with a nose gear equipped aircraft. IMHO, when the pilot-to-be is confident with high speed taxiing a taildragger, chances for a sucessful first flight has increased many times.

2) A taildragger with a rubber band mounted landing gear is much more rugged and will survive bad landings much better than a nose wheel equipped aircraft.

/Red B.

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

When landing light weight electrics on grass, would a trike or a tail dragger be less likely to dump the nose over on landing?

I would thing the tail dragger would be better for grass for this reason.

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

Red, I agree 100%. If you start with a trike you still have to make a leap when you switch to tail dragger. My only point was that with a trike you get to start without the added difficulties of prop wash effects and noseing over if you hit the throttle to fast without holding up elevator. I almost nosed a Stearman over once while doing a mag check, NEVER let go of that d$%$ stick. I really had not considered the advantage you point out of "flying the tail", I think that you are correct that this would be an advantage. Many full scale instructors insist on useing tail draggers, ie. Piper Cubs. Others will let you learn in a Cessna 150/170 and then make you go through special tail dragger lessons before they check you out or let you rent one from them. Good point Red.

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

Well, Tell me what you guys think of this..

I have decided to learn how to fly alone, no help of anyone other than the guys at the local hobby shop to look over my plane before I go out for the first time.

This past Friday I bought a Slow Stick with a LiPo 2 cell, and have been taking my time putting it together, and making sure everything is perfect. I have found the perfect location behind my home, a flat grassy, 200 acre field with nothing there. That should be enough room for a Slow Stick, yea?

Anyway, the one advantage I may have over most people learning to fly on their own, is my 15 year experience racing R/C cars, trucks, and tinkering with boats. So I know how to build, and know my way around most R/C equipment, including electric and nitro, big and small.

To top it off, I have been using the G2 sim for a good 2 months. When I first started using the Sim, I had a hard time. I crashed every single time. But unlike a game, I just didn't reset the plane and start over. I sat back after every crash, and thought about my mistake as if the plane I crashed in the Sim, was a true-to-life model. I wanted to know what caused that accident, and know how to prevent it from happening again. After some time behind the stick of the sim, I have become what I think will be someone who might just get this Slow Stick off the ground and back down again without the help of anyone, and without incident. I hope.

Let me know what you think, and of course I'm open to comment.

And yes, I will have a Professional look over my plane before I go out for the first time to check for things I may have missed, or just may be unaware of.

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

Neo- Yes, you will fly it O.K., just don't try your first few flights 'til it's COMPLETELY CALM!
The slow stick and 200 acres are nothin' but heaven.
One tip I always tell newbies even though it seems dumb to some: If you even THINK you are losing the plane to distance, can't tell which way it's pointed, ect. lower your throttle setting so the worst it will do it soft crash. A plane that flies away never to be seen again is a big fat hairy bummer. A plane that lands unassisted at low throttle is easier to fix than one that goes in at full bore. When in doubt, cut the throttle and go for a walk to pick it up.

Jetts

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

Jettstar-- I'll take that advice to heart. Cut throttle... Thank you.

Yea, I plan to wait for a nice day where the wind sock has no signs of moving. I have been watching videos of the SS, and the one observation I have noticed on all the videos is how much it is influenced by wind. I would imagine my problem is compounded because of the LiPo.

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

TEST FLIGHT PROCEDURES FOR PARKFLYERS
by Ed Anderson
aeajr on the forums

PURPOSE - Here are some quick tips and a "check sheet" for preparing your parkflyer for flight. This list is primarily for someone learning on their own who would like some tips, guides and check lists to help them with their early test flights. Skip a step and you open yourself to problems.

BALANCE THE PLANE - Be sure to balance the plane to the suggested CG point. If you don't know how to balance a plane, this is the time to ask. Don't try to fly it until you do. An improperly balanced plane is not likely to fly well and is very likely to crash! Even some Ready to Fly planes have to be balanced, so check the manual for the manufacturers suggestions. In general it is better to be a "little" nose heavy rather than tail heavy. A nose heavy plane is more stable so you have a better chance of a smooth first flight session.

WIND - For new pilots, dead calm to 3 MPH is perfect. No more than 5 MPH for your first test flights and early/training flights or you will be fighting the wind, not flying the plane. (guess how I know)


AT THE FIELD

1) Make sure no one is on your channel BEFORE you turn on your radio. If someone is flying on your channel and you turn on your radio, they will crash! Check first! At our field if you cause someone to crash, you have to buy them a new plane. That can cost thousands. Check first!

2) Do a range check before the first launch of the day - If you don't know how to do a range check, ASK!

3) Make sure that battery is fully charged just before the launch. Not 3 days ago. Not last week. Last night or today!

4) Make sure all your surfaces are properly aligned and move properly before you launch. Check the instructions.

Make sure right rudder goes right and up elevator goes up, etc. Also make sure your wing is straight!

5) CHECK THE TRIMS! Check the trim slides on the side and below the stick(s). They should be in the center. Be sure you have not bumped one out of position. A bumped trim can cause the plane to crash. (guess how I know). I do this a lot, so check just before EVERY launch.

6) Always launch and land into the wind - ALWAYS!

7) For hand launches - good firm LEVEL throw - NOT UP! Never throw the plane upward on a test flight as it will most likely stall, go nose down and crash. After a few launches you will know how THIS plane flies.

TEST FLIGHTS

The following is a suggested test flight process for flyers learning on their own, primarily in an open field area. If you are at a highly disciplined runway based site, they may not allow you to follow this procedure. In this case, you probably have an instructor, follow their guidance. If you are alone in a field, follow this process.


LAUNCH - FLY STRAIGHT - LAND - Don't go for a real flight, this is a test to see if it goes straight and level. I like to fly straight out and then land for the fist few tries. I send it out 100-300 feet. This way I get a feel of how the plane will launch and how it will land. Does it glide in nicely? Do I need power on as I land? Launching and landing are the two most important things you have to do, so make sure you know how the plane behaves before you attempt anything more. You will do some walking but that is better than gathering up pieces or watching your plane fly off into the distance.

On these test flights, try to use the controls as little as possible. If it is balanced correctly, and your surfaces are trimmed it should fly straight and true. If you have to work the sticks to keep it going straight and level, you may have some trim adjustments to do, or your plane is not well balanced. Make those adjustments now. If it flies with the nose sticking up, you are too tail heavy. If the wind is blowing it around a lot, put it away for a calmer day.

The first time I bring a plane to the field I might do 1-5 test flights as straight out launches and landings. After each I adjust and do it again. Only when I am happy that the plane goes straight and flat will I take to the skies. I may add or remove some balance weight if the plane needs balance improvement.

I like to adjust my planes at the surfaces so that my normal flight trim settings on my radio are normally neutral trims. This way I don't have to worry about setting trims before I fly. It takes time, but it saves problems later.

Many kits tell you to set your control throws for lower amounts for early flights. Follow this recommendation. Too much surface movement on an unfamiliar plane can cause you to over control it. You can always "crank it up" later.

Once I have done all these things, which might take 10 minutes or it may take an hour, then and only then would I go for altitude and go around the field. After these few test flights I also get a feel for how much stick movement will give me how much plane movement. I get to know the plane is right before I send it up. Finding I have a problem when I am 200 feet up and climbing and can't control a turn is not a good thing because now I have to get it down and land it.

I hope this is helpful. Clear Skies and Safe Flying!

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

aeajr-

Okay, I was acutally trying to balance my plane just before I read your post. I'm a bit confused. The manual says to change the CG by moving the wing, and people on this form, and people at the hobby shop say to move the battery and other electronics.

That's fine and all, and I'm sure both work, however I don't have a baseline in where I should place the wing in relationship to the chassis, or uhh fuselage as you flyboys call it. :) Keep in mind I have a LiPo, and it's a bit lighter than the NiMh.

Also, I'm not sure about the CG point on the underside of the wing. Where does that go in relationship to the LE? The manual has three locations depending on wind conditions. Do I need to use all three, or is one good?

I guess these questions should be asked in the park flyer section... but I figured since you brought up the subject, I would give it a shot here.

Thanks!

Nevermind, I found a thread that might help me out... I'll read it in the morning when I'm fresh. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_16...tm.htm#1644461

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

These guys are right of course, though you probably won't remember half the stuff when you get there, but go for it!
Just take your time and don't rush, and there are a few things on the simulator which aren't really true to life, but close.
I think takeoffs for me were a little harder, ( I tended to climb out too steep, and stalled on my first turn). Also don't let it get too far away and lose orientation! ( that is a very sensible tip to cut the throttle).
Landings were a little easier I found, so long as it was into the breeze, ( remember to flare it out gently just before touchdown to bleed off excess speed).
I am still learning, and like you I'm learning by myself, but I do take as much advice as I consider necessary.
Good luck, and congratulations for your "can do" attitude.

PS, I thinK you will find that more gentle and slow movements of the sticks will be very important for your aircraft , - as opposed to cars!

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

Ask you questions here. No problem.

After you read the thread, come back and put down what you think you leanred and we can help fine tune it.

I think I have posted this before, but take a look at this article. I will new flyers especially if you are thinking that RC car experience will make RC planes easy.

http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=17

Keep asking and you will do fine!

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

ONe more point on CG.

The idea of moving the CG on a plane by shifting hte battery is a generic concept. That works on most planes. Your instructions are specific to YOUR plane.

Always follow the manufactureres instructions for your plane first, then apply the general concepts to help you tune it.

Also, LIPO are great however on a very light plane, you have now made it lighter. It can fly longer, BUT it will be even more sensative to wind because it is so light so you need a VERY CALM day to do your first flights.

With Gliders, we ADD weight to help handle wind. Remove weight and you are less able to handle wind. I can expand on this ifyou like.

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

Yes, this all makes sense. Taking this concept to the extreme would be an example of a paper airplane. Yes, they fly great indoors provided there are no air currents like a ceiling fan or something, but take one out doors on a windy day, and it's at the mercy of God.

So, yes, I will wait for a calm day, unfortunatly we don't have many around these neck of the woods :(

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: aeajr

ONe more point on CG.

The idea of moving the CG on a plane by shifting hte battery is a generic concept. That works on most planes. Your instructions are specific to YOUR plane.

Always follow the manufactureres instructions for your plane first, then apply the general concepts to help you tune it.

Also, LIPO are great however on a very light plane, you have now made it lighter. It can fly longer, BUT it will be even more sensative to wind because it is so light so you need a VERY CALM day to do your first flights.


Ihave to agree with you. I'm new to flying and bought a mini super cub to play/learn with. Took it out a few times in (what I thought were) light wind conditions. Seemed like every time I pushed the throttle up, the trees would start swaying and my hair would start blowing. Trying to fly simple circles was quite a challenge with this VERY light foam plane. The new fuselage arrived today.

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

I am also a self taught pilot, It takes a long time to learn. Do you have a flight simulator of any kind? I know i started on the original Microsoft flight simulator and used the extrenal view and got alot of the basics from that even tho it was a different type of control. I would also suggest if there is any way for you to get help do so. I have taught many people to fly over the years and they are always glad to have help and their plane in tack after the lesson. If you must do it on your own, my only suggestion is to make sure you practice flying slow so you get used to it for landing.

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

It is a amazing how just a little help can make such a big difference.

BTW, I have real flight, an old version, but it works.

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

i'm sure. yes. because i have my experience on teaching my self without a instructor. here i can tell you my story.
i begain to know the RCplane on a scintific magezine. and fall in love with it. but it's a small town where i live. so when i want someone to be asked, no one. i don't even know where i can buy a model plane for a start. in my mind , the air plane is strong enough for standing on it when flying cause i had never seen a reall modelplane.
after that i buy a electronic plane and a radio system (4VF), that is the begaining of my dream as An RCer.
i made the metiarial together to be a plane all by my self. i read the instruction of the plane. and read the magazine. then i find a very big ground without any people on it. ( this must be very important) because i think the first flight i must drop the plane. security comes first.
then i begain the flying. actually i did it. fly as the instruction said. taking off, flying and landing. except that when i was landing , I can't control it. turn the servo onto a wrong way. so the plane drop on the ground up side down,but was't hurt deeply. but it doesn't matter i mixed my plane.
so i start without a instrutor, not even use the power of the internet. but i did it. now, if i have somequestion i could ask on the internet. i think you can did it too. good luck
by the way, the begaining days are really the happiest and most exciting days i 'm sure. i really miss it

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

Did you really intend to reply to a post thats over 5 years old?

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

When I started in this hobby I had been an avionics/A&P on Boeing 727,737, Lockheed C5, C141, Douglas DC8 for many years.  I ride in the cockpit on test flights weekly.  Sooo, I believed I knew it all about aviation already.  I spent a few weeks building a trainer A/C.  When I got to the field on maiden day I was so nervous.  I knew if I screwed up it would be a disaster.  I mustered the nerve to ask for help.  After all, how could a guy with all my aviation experiance need help with a tiny model?  Well I am so glad I found a guy to get on the buddy box with me.  After several touch and go's over 2 days I relaxed enough to solo.  I flew alot that summer. and still managed to crash.  But my confidence and ABILITY went way up with help from a friend.  
Do all you can do to find help before attempting flight n your own.  The guy who asked if you could come to Minn is very standard in this hobby.  We all like to help someone enjoy the hobby and grow into it.  Patience, my friend.  I assure you that you can find help. 

RE: can i learn to fly without an instructor
 

This is an old thread but worth brining to the top.