Finding time to fly!
 

<div>Ok, so I was browsing back and forth trying to find where to post this, since I could not find a general posting thread (most boards have a general posting thread). So I picked kit-build being I am a builder and this is where I hang out.</div><div></div><div>So how do you find the time to fly (for those that are not retired yet)? I am limited to when I can fly because I am just learning and need an instructor or at a minimum a competent pilot to get me off the ground and back on the ground in one piece. So that means I can only fly on Sundays, and if weather is bad, no flying that week.</div><div></div><div>So when do you find the time to fly, does building get put on the back burner, do you find it hard to get in the air? I can imagine that with work, family, and life in general, flying can be hard to find. I am trying to log in at least 5 to 10 flights when I get to the field, providing that I can get help. Once I am on my own I will be able to get out when ever the time permits (during the week).</div><div></div><div>So just curious, how many hours do you log in per month?</div><div></div><div>TB</div><div></div><div></div>

RE: Finding time to fly!
 

As soon as you are comfortable flying solo, that won't be an issue. I am a member of two rc clubs. I keep an airplane and equipment, radio, etc in my covered truck (well vented for heat) so I can drop by one of the airfields anytime in the late afternoon for a couple flights. Sometimes several times a week plus weekends.

RE: Finding time to fly!
 

Tony, Flying once a week is better than not flying at all, but rather than trying to fly 10 flights on one day, three flights a dayover a weeks time would be better. If you figure that each flight is going to be between 12 and 15 minutes. I really don't think you could handle 150 minutes of air time at first. The nerves kick in and you are really getting maxed out for the day after four flights. Three good flights is a good day, throw in a not so good fourth and you don't feel as good going home.

Needing an instructor requires you coordinating flight time with one. My recommendation is if you find one that your schedules will allow three days a week, or at least two, even just one or two flights each, work with him and never stand him up at the field.. You learn a lot from going over your flights in you head after leaving the field."what happened when Idid X, Why?" If you try to cram in 10 flights in one day, you are going to have trouble sorting out what happened that day. There will be problems that pop up, an engine that is giving you some problems. weather, something going on atwork that is digging away in the back of your head.These thingsinterfere with flightprogress

Now, all that said, you may be one of the guys thatafter two flights with the instructor, your buddy box cord gets clipped and you have our wings.I hope that is the case,but if you are likeme, it took severalmonths ofthree or four days a week with at least two flights a day to suddenly have the switch clickand I was able to Solo.

The simulator may help, but don't countonthe free onesfor help. They are not going to do anything to help you fly. Some of the better ones seem to be a great help to the guys. FMSjust isn't a good. Response to stick movement isvery sluggish, lack of visuals, IEyou can't tell where you plane is, all lead to an imperfect simulated flight. I took aUSB cord to my sons a couple weeks back andwe installedFMS. Video card issues cropped upbut we finally got a plane to take off. I've been flying for going on five years now and consider my self an advanced student. Not going to win any contest and whacka prop on landing nowand then. Icouldn'tfly on that simulator. Nothing was like the real world. Someofthe better ones, Readexpensive ones, mayprove much more effective for you.

Thebottom line though is the stick time, real world, orwith a good simulator will advance your ability to fly. The more the better. And the more real world, the better yet.

RE: Finding time to fly!
 

<div>Thank you for the advice, very helpful. My last trip to the field I flew three good flights, the last was not so good, the plane was acting up and it just felt difficult. Previously that day my first flight was with a very helpful member from our club. He was very enthusiastic and coached me to go ahead and fly before my instructor arrived. He took the plane up, trimmed it and handed the controls to me. I was freaked out being this was the first time I flew with out a budybox. I was able to do the patter with no problem (once I stopped shaking). It was a good flight.</div><div></div><div>Then I had two more with my instructor (and the budybox). It turned out that on the last flight (the third with him) the vertical stabilizer came loose and we crashed and burned. It was hard because at first I just thought I had lost confidence and just couldn&rsquo;t keep it together during my turns (that is how I crashed). But after going over the day in my head, like you mentioned I realized that the flights were good and I learned a lot, mostly that I need to take better care in putting together the ARF plane.</div><div></div><div>I am back out with a new plane and I will be breaking in the motor, get it all tuned up, and maybe get in two or three flights. When I mentioned 5 to 10, this was mainly because I usually spend the day at the field. I will fly a couple of flights in the morning, take a break, maybe switch planes and then fly again for a few more in the afternoon. I do agree to many succeeding flights is not good.</div><div></div><div>Thanks for all the advice.</div><div></div><div>TB</div>

RE: Finding time to fly!
 

I use to fly alot back about 10 years ago but recently, with my new job, I'm lucky to log about 10 hrs a year?! Being in a HVAC job sucks for flying.