basic flight
 

Ok, Happy new year everybody..late albeit, but hey I got R/C for Christmas..been busy ya know... I've pretty much mastered the 2 channel so-called "trainers". Now I'm ready for some 3 or 4 channel fun. I've narrowed the purchase down to two planes: the Aerobird Challenger, or the Begin-Air. One is 3ch and the other 4ch. I'd like some clarification, on wehther or not I have this correct: In both the 3 and 4 ch configs, I would use the throttle to gain airspeed, and thus, altitude, right? Then the elevator will change the pitch of the aircraft to get it pointed where I want (up or down). In a 3 ch config, I use the rudder to turn the plane, then add elevator to keep the altitude up since I lose some in the turns, right? How does the throttle play into the turns?? In a 4ch config, airspeed/ altitude will work pretty much the same as a 3ch right?? In turns however, the ailerons bank the ship, then the elevator turns it in the general direction, and the rudder is used sparingly to "smooth out the turn" Right?? Or do I use the rudder to turn, the ailerons to smooth, and the elevator in the same fashion? Any help here would probably save me a bit of re-building time. Assume that I live on a dessert island here...no instruction sans what I read here...

RE: basic flight
 

What two channel trainers have you mastered? I assume you are talking about an aircraft with rudder and elevator control for the two channels. Let me know and then I might be able to help you with some simple guidelines.

RE: basic flight
 

From the questions you ask... You should get the Aerobird Challenger and discover some of these facets for yourself. I have one and like it very well. I also have many gas planes.

You need to learn to fly enough where the movements are automatic for you. You cannot hold a book in one hand and the control stick in the other hand.

Enjoy,

Jim

RE: basic flight
 

ailerons will turn the ship and elevators keep the nose up rudder not required i dont know what your plans are for the future but if you want to move up to something bigger then get a 4 channel glow and go have a ball
power (throttle) should always make you gain altitude.

RE: basic flight
 

Thanks all. Fighterpilot, the 2 ch birds I have are the Firebird Commander and a glider, the Sophisticated Lady. The lady is really a 3 channel, but the throttle I rarely use except to gaet her up to soaring altitude, then it's basically rudder & elevator. The elevator barely gets used because we don't have any slope soaring here in South Florida...EVERYTHING is flat. So the motor gets her up, she glides down, then the motor gets her right back up again until the battery cut-out switch kicks in, then the final glide down. That plane flies itself for the most part. I won it at an R/C show about 10 years ago. It has never hit the ground unless it was landing...lucky I guess...when i first got it, i couldn't even spell R/C! The FBC, well, you know that practically flies itself too. It's a bit more sensitive to tight turns, and drops pretty fast in a tight spiral, but release the stick, add throttle and it rights itself. I think I'm ready, just needed to confirm a few control inputs there. Thanks Ash, but I'm an electric fan... I can fly just about anywhere, and no need for the rest of the mess. It never fails...each time I go watch the planes at the club sites, I ALWAYS see someone tinkering with glow plugs, fuel mixtures, any number of problems. I just charge overnight, and fly the next morning...no hassles whatsoever. I'm hooked on e-power.

RE: basic flight
 

Hello all...just picked up an Aerobird Challenger. The LHS pros said I shouldn't have any problems with it at all. They do a pretty neat thing here. Whenever a customer comes in all googley-eyed about a nice shiny new red bi-plane or a speedy warbird they sit them in front of a simulator and after two or three crashes, recommend a trainer. It's hilarious...humbling too. I tried a 3ch similar to the cub and wrecked a few times....go figure!! So I'll be posting anupdate with news from my maiden flights...thanks a million.-Paul

RE: basic flight
 

Hello all...just picked up an Aerobird Challenger. The LHS pros said I shouldn't have any problems with it at all. They do a pretty neat thing here. Whenever a customer comes in all googley-eyed about a nice shiny new red bi-plane or a speedy warbird they sit them in front of a simulator and after two or three crashes, recommend a trainer. It's hilarious...humbling too. I tried a 3ch similar to the cub and wrecked a few times....go figure!! So I'll be posting anupdate with news from my maiden flights...thanks a million.-Paul

RE: basic flight
 

I also have a Aerobird Challenger. It's been cartwheeled a few times and was never hurt.

I bought the optional bigger battery with more volts. The motor does run faster with the big battery but not longer. In fact, the high voltage battery doesn't run as long, even running at lower motor speeds.

My charger gets hot sometimes so I watch it. But I still have the original charger. The hobby shop has most spares for the aerobird series but I've never needed any.

Enjoy,

Jim

RE: basic flight
 

Jim, The LHS folks say this bird is hard to kill...they swear by it's toughness. I'm waiting for the winds to die down a bit and the it's flyin' time! I'll keep you guys posted. -Paul

RE: basic flight
 

I'm sure you will enjoy it.

I only use the high rates where the controls move down as well as up.

I'm about determined to move the strings down closer to the tail feathers to get more control?

I don't use the landing gear. Just extra weight.

I hand launch with my right hand while holding the radio in my left hand.

Enjoy,

Jim