Trying to learn a little, need some help here.
 

Ok, here is the current status. I have flown my Sig Kadet MK II twice now. Both times on the buddy box. Monday, I installed RealFlight G3 on my computer, and have been using it for about 4 hours a day. I took the week off work so I could get in some flying time, but nobody has been at the field, so I'm just learning with the program for now. I have a few questions that I would like some help with. So here we go!

I was using the instructional part of G3, learning straight and level flight. I'm using the NexStar on the program. The instructions say to use the rudder for straight and level flight. When I fly the NexStar, I dont find it to be necessary. Is that just the nature of that plane? I can fly pretty straight and level, and smooth without it.

Any idea on how my Kadet Mk II will fly compared to the Nexstar? I realize they are both trainers, and similar, but I was wondering if there are any minor differences that might bite me later.

What bad habbits will this program teach me? I use it with wind on sometimes, and sometimes off. I use different flying fields on there, so I dont get used to just one, and not so much learning by repetition. I use the rudder to keep straight on take off and landings.

All in all, I feel like I'm doing good so far. I've noticed my flying is a lot smoother from the first two times I flew my plane, and from the first few times I used the simulator. I can take off and land really smooth, and I really am enjoying learning. The hard part is trying to stick to the NexStar. I really like the Ultimate Biplane.

trey

RE: Trying to learn a little, need some help here.
 

Im not familar with the sim.My guess would be it teaches you to fly with rudder,something alot of guys who learned on 4 channels have never mastered,myself included.I have began making myself fly with the rudder more(dad always tried to make me), landing in crosswind is much easier with the rudder doing its job.As for the Kadet,that is what I learned on back in 1991.I took the dihedral out,man what a fun plane.It was pretty responsive w/ a magnum .46, but would fly backwards with a headwind.I went from it to a Hobbico Extra.

RE: Trying to learn a little, need some help here.
 

I've flown the Nexstar a couple of times, and my first trainer was a Kadet MkII. I think the Nexstar is a great plane, very stable, and slower in pitch response than the Kadet MkII. The Kadet has a shorter tail moment than the Nexstar, makes it a little "twitchier" in pitch, a bit quicker in rudder response. I built my Kadet with about half the stock dihedral, so it's hard to say how the roll responses compare, but I imagine the stock Kadet is probably a tad more resistant to roll than the Nexstar, and would tend to stabilize better in straight and level flight.

I really liked my Kadet, I thought it was pretty easy to learn on. Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that it doesn't do well in midair collisions with 1/4 scale planes:D. I bought my nephew's Superstar after that, it's even easier to fly, but not as capable (IMO) or as much fun.

RE: Trying to learn a little, need some help here.
 

Hi vwtrey,
How well do you think you did on the buddy box?
If I was your instructor I would tell you to forget about the rudder right now except for takeoff and landing, get comfortable with the plane then start dealing with the rudder, it really does not do much on a trainer except for ground handling. Keep working on the sim as it can't hurt, just don't think of it as a replacement for your instructor, or you'll be buying a new plane. The sim just can't replicate real flying conditions. I'm sure you've noticed on the sim how much effect the rudder has on the Ultimate compared to the Nexstar.

RE: Trying to learn a little, need some help here.
 

The two times I have used the buddy box, I dont think I did too well. My instructor said I did good, but I'm sure he was telling me that so I would get my confidence up, and not be so nervous. I was very sharp on the sticks, not smooth at all. The simulator helped there, I think. Hopefully I will get to fly this weekend, and see if this has helped any. Thanks for the replies guys.

trey

RE: Trying to learn a little, need some help here.
 

Hi!
I have been flying for 31 years and is a flight instructor in my club and I would say: Just forget about using side rudder!! Just concentrate on the right stick where you have aileron and elevator.
All our small model (0,5m - 3m) airplanes don't need side ruder to turn good.
There are some large planes like the Piper CUB (2,5m span and more) that benefit from using side rudder but most airplanes don't need it.

Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

RE: Trying to learn a little, need some help here.
 

I tell everyone I teach the same thing. Never push down on the right stick and don't use rudder until your ready for positive attitude, low speed flight as you will need to use it then to control direction(also aerobatics). Landing is always something they want to learn first but I was taught low speed, positive attitude flying before my instructor would let me land on my own. It helped me tremendously get that smooth, in-control landing and taught me to understand where the end of flight envelope was for my plane. Every plane I test, that is usually the last thing I check on a test flight before I see how it approaches and lands. It shows me and the plane's owner how slow the plane will fly before your flirting with a stall condition.

RE: Trying to learn a little, need some help here.
 

The one thing the simulator cannot teach you is how to deal with the adrenaline rush. When your plane is in the air, you will be nervous, and you will overreact to wind gusts, other planes, distractions, etc. Thats why the instructor is there on the buddy box. The only way to deal with the overreaction is practice. The simulator will help you build your confidence faster, and you'll probably solo quicker. Just remember to listen to your instructor, and don't get off the buddy box until he says your ready. Your plane will appreciate it.

Brad

RE: Trying to learn a little, need some help here.
 

A simulator is a great tool in learning to fly RC planes, when it is used correctly. As an instructor I've seen several students that I had to un-teach them the bad habits that they learned while using a simulator before they found an instructor. The problem is that the simulator will allow you to do things that aren't good in the real world. But if a simulator is used to practice what your instructor has taught you each session it can be an invaluable tool that will help you to get to solo sooner. After each session ask your instructor what he wants you to practice on the simulator at home. He should give you clear and consise things that he wants you to practice at home on the simulator. Go home and practice what he wants you to practice, and only what he wants you to practice.

Simulators are a great tool in this day and age, but they can't replace the real thing.

Hope this helps

Ken

RE: Trying to learn a little, need some help here.
 

Simulators are great for learning 'finger memory'.

You know, that bit of experience with anything that teaches you to do something without thinking.

Most guitarists, for example, can automatically finger a chord if they have a familiar guitar in their hands, but have to really think to explain how to finger that same chord if they don't have a guitar in their hands at the time.

One thing a simulator really helps with is the orientation needed when the plane is coming towards you on approach to landing. You start saying to yourself 'push the aileron stick to 'prop up'' the drooping wing when the plane is coming towards you, but, after you do that a few times it happens automatically.

Try flying any model in G3 round a well defined, precise circuit, landing every time and trying to touch down in the middle of the runway about 20 to 30 feet before it passes you. Once it becomes automatic to get it precise you can transfer that to the real thing.

Good luck! It'll happen right in the end!

-David C.