beginners help
 

Didn't get mail here yet. It's fine to e-mail at work. I can't get anything done here because Mike doesn't do anything at work except send things to me.

Getting done by Sunday is a big task but not unachievable if you have alot of time to work on it. Remember to check and double check your work. You don't want to make 2 right wings. Before anyone asks No I have never done that. I just heard of others doing that.

beginners help
 

From another rookie, by the numbers: ;)

1. Join a club. Free food at annual meeting. :D
2. Buy used trainer with engine. Crashing a new one hurts too badly. :(
3. Use the club instructor. He's old, he's cranky...yes, he is an uncultured expert! :angry:
4. If you're filthy rich, buy Great Planes Realflight simulator. :greedy:
5. If you're poor like the rest of us, buy a used Realflight simulator. :eek: See e-bay for lots of listings.
6. T6XAS is what I bought... no complaints. :)

Here's a link for ground school freeby: :sleeping:

http://webpages.charter.net/wrhardin/gs/index.html

Fred
Strasburg, VA

beginners help
 

Doug, I assume you're referring to the OTHER Mike....... :)

beginners help
 

Hey guys, after working on the wing since around 11:30 or so it is almost finished, here are some pics.

beginners help
 

another...

beginners help
 

and...

So Far
 

So Good. Looks good Wes. Keep at it. Don't kill yourself trying to get it done though.

beginners help
 

I think Doug has met his match.........there IS somebody out there that builds faster than you!!!

beginners help
 

Wes, I chat with Doug all day via email. The only time he can't is at lunch.

You are closer to Doug than you are me but when you are ready you are welcome to come down and give it a go.

beginners help
 

Sounds good Mike, maybe sometime next week / weekend, if thats ok with you, all depending on Jen's work time, I can get just about any day off. My dad is going to order a Hobbico Avistar ARF this week, ill see if he wants to come down too.

beginners help
 

Ok .. Saturday isn't good for me. Let's watch the weather for next week.....

beginners help
 

Me getting out flying is a tough one unless I can find a ride. If yu want to come to the Burgh some weekend I'm sutre we can manage something though. God luck this weekend if you get out...

beginners help
 

yeah sure, just when ever, you make the call.. just took jen to work and austin to the babysitters, going to start on the fuse. should I wait until I get the radio equipt. before I cover the wing so I can install the servo?

also, can I hook a trainer cord to just anyones radio or does it have to be airtronics?

thanks

beginners help
 

If you got an Airtronics radio, then it needs to be an Airtronics radio you hook to with an Airtronics buddy cord. I don't have one and I don't know if Doug does or not. There use to be one in the trailer at the field but I think some local hoodlums borrowed it. There was a cord and trainer box for Airtronics but I'm sure it's gone now. Doug has Futaba and I have JR.

It might be a good idea to wait until you have the radio to cover the wing. You may have to do some trimming in order to make the servo fit.

beginners help
 

GLoplug(the other Mike) has airtronics but his schedule for weekend flying is limited also. Just stay a few mistakes high and play pass the transmitter. That's how I learned when I started. The instructor just has to be a little more on the ball. Did you sign up for AMA yet? Most clubs will require it and it's a good idea.

beginners help
 

Thanks, didnt join AMA yet, where we are going sunday isnt a club, just a bunch of guys flying at a friends private airstrip, I will join the AMA soon.

Thanks Mike, will not cover wing yet, I should have my radio by thursday. I did build the elevator, but it looks like it is twisted just a little bit, hardly noticable. I built it just like the book said to and it lays over the plans prefectly, anything I can do to get that little twist out of it?

My dad just ordered his plane, its a Avistar ARF w/ OS 46FX engine and Futaba 4ch radio. He hasnt flown for a very long time and said he will just have to learn all over again.

beginners help
 

You can get the twist out by getting two flat surfaces like glass. Put a mist of amonia on the wood or maybe some water - get it damp, not wet like soaking - and press it overnight with some weight on it between the glass. Or .. if you take your time .... take it out with the covering.

beginners help
 

Im new at flying so I was just wondering if any of you guys have advice for me . Im learning on 46' glider.

skipper

beginners help
 

Make sure it isnt tail heavy, that was the problem with mine, and you may want to think about buying a trainer.

beginners help
 

Hey Skipper! Let an experienced pilot check out your glider. You can learn on one, but a trainer is better. The one thing you want to avoid while learning is being dead stick. Especially when learning to land. With a glider, there's no going around again. You can't practice approaches and take off is totally different. With a Trainer, you have more to learn with. I hope you meant a 46 inch glider. :) If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Someone will always be around to help out.

By the way .. where are you? Are you close enough to us that we could help in person?

beginners help
 

skipper, don't let Joss Stick fly it....he'll put rocks on it to balance it, then fly it into the ground........he he he...just kidding! Joss Stick is definitely the kind of guy you want helping you.

beginners help
 

Does this sound familier? "Michael! Stop chasing me! Leave me alone! I don't want to fly with you!!! STOP IT!" Fly Over there!!!"

glowplug when Doug's son was flying with him. hee hee heee heee snort

beginners help
 

ok, you got me :)

beginners help
 

Stick to the post boys.....and by all means be nice....

beginners help
 

hey guys, I got my stuff from tower today - radio, fuel, and a hotshot... the fuse is almost ready for covering, then the wing will be ready for covering. mike, the weather looks pretty good for next week.. if this hurricane dont mess things up for us.

skipper, if you ever get a chance to meet these guys, take it! all of them are very helpful!

beginners help
 

I'm working Monday and Tuesday as a substitute teacher at a high school. Gotta make some airplane money! Let's see what next Thursday looks like.

beginners help
 

sounds good! if things work out, you mind if my dad comes down too? jennifer has been practicing her belching so you two can have a contest, and she said to remember bubba :) :)

beginners help
 

Sound Good! Buuuurrrrrrrrrrp!

beginners help
 

Mike,

You're my hero, man!!!!!

beginners help
 

Thanks .. I think .... How come??! :confused:

beginners help
 

Its Done! Just got the rx and servos installed, now its ready to go. I started the engine and run it around the yard for a few minutes, which amazed the neighbors. It balances good right on the spar, its nose heavy just a very little bit. Now I gotta wait until sunday so I have someone to fly it and trim it out for me. My webcam isnt working but a friend has a scanner so I will post some pictures of it when I get the film developed.

beginners help
 

Sounds like you're ready to go. Can't wait to hear how it flies after Sunday. Good luck......

beginners help
 

YEah Man! Let us know! Good Luck!!!!!!

It's pretty windy here today. Maybe 20mph or better. At least it was earlier. Hope the hurrycane gets on by before Sunday.

beginners help
 

Mike ,
Thanks for the tips. I live in utah and I dont think we live close because you live in West Virginia. I live by an experienced pilot
so I think he could help me with flying . Im just learning how to fly but when I start flying gas airplanes I will learn how to take off and land on a learner. yea Im getting a 46 inch .thanks again for the information.

whats a dead stick?




skipper

Deadstick
 

Skipper,

A dead stick is when your engine quits during flight. As long as your battery is charged you will still have control over the surfaces(rudder, ailerons, and elevator) but you will be flying without power. When this happens you have one chance to make it safely on the ground. Some of my best landings have been deadstick. It's not something you intentionally want to try until you get alot of practice flying with power.

Wes,

Good luck again on Sunday. THe GP42 from my experience likes to run just slightly rich. Set your throttle trims so it will hold an idle at the midpoint and will kill the engine when you chop it all the way. I can't wait to hear how it goes. Say hi to Jennifer from Pgh.

beginners help
 

ok will do and ill take some pics.

mike, the wind was bad here today too, at least 20 mph, hope it decides to clear up.

beginners help
 

hey thanks

beginners help
 

Wes, heard you had a good day flying...congrats!
Mike, Spacewalker flew GREAT. Hopefully you'll see her in action on Saturday...I heard you might be making a trip up to the big city..........Wes, are you coming too?

Mike

beginners help
 

If I am invited and if you guys dont mind helping me, I will be there.

I had a great time last night, seeing something I build fly made me pretty happy. My plane had 3 flights lastnight, only one of them was mine cause we ran out of daylight. The guy that flew my plane for me and got it set up was very helpfull.

If I come saturday, I may bring my dad with me.

beginners help
 

Wes, sounds good...we'll have to get you some directions.
I better check with the better half to make sure I've got clearance for Saturday!