Beginner needs help
 

Hi all

I'm new to this. I am helping my son (9 years old) to get into RC aircraft. I am a pilot myself, but of the full scale variety and not the RC or models. It has been many years since I last built or flew what was then a wire control round and round in a circle thing.

We have just finished building a kit aircraft - simple thing called a "grasshopper" - with a foam wing and only has pitch and yaw control by means of rudder and elevator. Bought a 4 chan JR Quattro radio today and will hopefully get the servos installed soon.

Couple questions if anyone can help!!!....please :) ....

1. Instructions dont say where to mount the fuel tank - though I assume as far forward in the fuselage as possible - and infront of the RC receiver and battery pack? - or do I rather mount it where I have easier access for refuelling (haven't bought the tank yet, so dont really know what it looks like)

2. Anyone in the Johannesburg, South Africa area that might be willing to help out with a few initial flying training "lessons" or tips.

3. Alternatively, I assume that the best way to start to learn would be the same way I learned to fly - circuits and bumps to get landing and takeoff down pat as well as preflight checks etc - which I assume are as important in RC as in the real thing.

4. Finally, what sort of control range can I expect from this soprt of radio. Last thing I want is to see it fly away due to loss of control. Would it be a good idea to keep the radio antennae a bit shorter, and if a potential fly-away happens, then to pull it full out for emergency recovery. Or am I just being paranoid here?

Look forward to whatever advice I can get.

Regards

Dudley

Beginner needs help
 

1) tank right behind firewall. you disconnect the fuel line between the tank and carburetor to fuel and de-fuel.
2) can't help with this one
3) yes. Ideally you get someone who has R/C experience to help you. These things are much harder to fly than full-scale.
4) Your radio will maintain control much farther than you will ever need. perhaps 2 km. always leave the antennae fully extended.

Beginner needs help
 

Thanks DM

Most impressed by speed of reply.

I am amazed that u say they are harder than full scale to fly. I can only assume that this is because of the lack of "feel" as opposed to that when u are actually sitting in the thing.

One more thing....what happens in the event of a spin recovery being required in a plane with no aelerons? I know standard procedure is full opposite rudder - level wings - pull out of dive with elevators.

Or maybe just hope we dont get to that position - i know high wings with a very forward cg tend to be difficult to spin-induce.

Regards

Dudley

Beginner needs help
 

Most r/c planes recover from a spin by neutrsalizing all controls at idle. then pull up elevator for level flight.

i am not familiar with your pane. but most r/c trainers are impossible to spin. they just spiral.

Beginner needs help
 

If you must teach yourself, pay particular attention to the balance. Put the CG (center of gravity) in the most forward recommended location. Tail heavy planes usually fly only once.

Beginner needs help
 

You can do a search of the members list to see if any one here is near you, i've also poasted a link at www.spadtothebone.com forum as we ave some sth africans there whomay be able to help.

now your Q's

1 yep up the front, behind the firewall, then battery then reciever, wrap/pack everything in foam.

2 see above

3 find an istructor, considering you havent flown before, get it in the air then down in 1 piece, if you can do that on your first flight youve done well

4 basicaly LOS up to about 5k's (theoreticly) any way you will have control loooooong after you cant see it

as for pre flights, CHECK CG WITH NO FUEL, check batteries, check control movements, fuel, range check (about 30 paces with transmiter aeriel down) exted ariels.


good luck