My first SPAD
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Farmington, UT
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first SPAD
Just finished building my first spad! Trying to decide whether to go fly myself or get someone else to test first. I have had lessons from an experienced pilot but have soloed only once on a different plane (balsa trainer). I noticed there is a guy from the Salt Lake City area that frequents this forum. Maybe I could hook up with you for the first flight.
Would like to ad pics of the plane, but I am not sure how just yet.
Mark--
Would like to ad pics of the plane, but I am not sure how just yet.
Mark--
#2
Senior Member
My Feedback: (7)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Here, NJ
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first SPAD
If you feel confident in yoru flying and building abilities, and if your field is free of onlookers I'd say fly it.
It is made of plastic after all (one of the selling points of SPAD) so if it does crash, it'll probably bounce. If it gets hammered, it was only 10 bucks total to build.
Gotta love SPAD
It is made of plastic after all (one of the selling points of SPAD) so if it does crash, it'll probably bounce. If it gets hammered, it was only 10 bucks total to build.
Gotta love SPAD
#7
Senior Member
My Feedback: (7)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Here, NJ
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first SPAD
Hell its like solo'in a balsa trainer minus the scare factor of crashing it...
Just double and triple check it and make sure everything is working like it should (not reversed ailerons ect) and that they are set eyeball to where they should be and fly it.
PS looks sharp!
Just double and triple check it and make sure everything is working like it should (not reversed ailerons ect) and that they are set eyeball to where they should be and fly it.
PS looks sharp!
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Carrollton,
TX
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first SPAD
Hey that is really nice looking First SPAD! Great color scheme.
I think the guy you are looking for in SLC is DeBear Steve. I am also from Salt Lake but live in Dallas TX now.
Post the flight report we'll compare notes I've Spadified my Avistar Balsa plane. I'm waiting for the perfect oportunity to fly it and give the report on it also.
Welcome to SPAD, (I'll be the first to recommend also taking a look at SPADWORLD.NET, if you haven't already...)
V-
I think the guy you are looking for in SLC is DeBear Steve. I am also from Salt Lake but live in Dallas TX now.
Post the flight report we'll compare notes I've Spadified my Avistar Balsa plane. I'm waiting for the perfect oportunity to fly it and give the report on it also.
Welcome to SPAD, (I'll be the first to recommend also taking a look at SPADWORLD.NET, if you haven't already...)
V-
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Carrollton,
TX
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first SPAD
Hey BeardKing-
I have only visited the AMA field in Frisco, haven't flown there yet. I'm fairly new to Glow planes since I started flying electric foamies last summer and moved into glow planes with my Avistar. I felt the need to SPADify it.
Anyway, I found a pretty nice field north of me (Close to HWY 121 and Old Denton Rd--- Castle Hills) There is new housing development going on in the area, but its wide open space, and very little traffic. I use the road as the runway (North - South , and East- West depending on the wind direction)
I'm out there almost daily, usually in the evening. I have run into other guys who fly at the same field. One guy is there every day at lunchtime flying a CUB-
-V
I have only visited the AMA field in Frisco, haven't flown there yet. I'm fairly new to Glow planes since I started flying electric foamies last summer and moved into glow planes with my Avistar. I felt the need to SPADify it.
Anyway, I found a pretty nice field north of me (Close to HWY 121 and Old Denton Rd--- Castle Hills) There is new housing development going on in the area, but its wide open space, and very little traffic. I use the road as the runway (North - South , and East- West depending on the wind direction)
I'm out there almost daily, usually in the evening. I have run into other guys who fly at the same field. One guy is there every day at lunchtime flying a CUB-
-V
#11
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first SPAD
Do they fly glow or electric there??
I've flown a few times at the Frisco field, but I'm not to partial to the attitude that I feel everytime I drive up there. I normally fly up in Denton. It's a bit of a drive but the people couldn't be nicer.
I've flown a few times at the Frisco field, but I'm not to partial to the attitude that I feel everytime I drive up there. I normally fly up in Denton. It's a bit of a drive but the people couldn't be nicer.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Carrollton,
TX
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first SPAD
The one guy flies a Glow CUB. I have flown my Zagis and other foamies. The only thing keeping me from flying my SPADed Avistar is getting the engine perfectly adjusted. That's where I'm probably going to need the help of the memebers at the chartered field. Of course the guys at Mike's Hobby Shop have been great in giving me a ton of help also.
As soon as I know that the engine is run in perfectly, I will be flying both Electric and Glow out there.
V-
As soon as I know that the engine is run in perfectly, I will be flying both Electric and Glow out there.
V-
#13
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first SPAD
Yeah, the guys at Mike's are amazingly helpful, for planes at least. The car guys leave a lot to be desired in my opinion.
I might have to venture out to that spot and see if I can find anyone flying one of these days. Kinda sucks driving all the way to Denton just to fly.
I might have to venture out to that spot and see if I can find anyone flying one of these days. Kinda sucks driving all the way to Denton just to fly.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Carrollton,
TX
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first SPAD
Come on out. I usually bring my son and my dog and whatever plane or planes I feel like flying.
V-
PS- This isn't a charted field, Just wanted you to be aware of that. The city, town, or community whatever of Castle Hills keeps the field mowed, so the weeds are never over a few inches high. And they don't mind if we fly out there as long as we stay far enough away from houses. I go to the North end of the field, close to the Castle Hills Water Tower, I would guess it is at least 1/2 mile from any of the new housing construction.
V-
PS- This isn't a charted field, Just wanted you to be aware of that. The city, town, or community whatever of Castle Hills keeps the field mowed, so the weeds are never over a few inches high. And they don't mind if we fly out there as long as we stay far enough away from houses. I go to the North end of the field, close to the Castle Hills Water Tower, I would guess it is at least 1/2 mile from any of the new housing construction.
#18
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Farmington, UT
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
flight report
I stopped at the flying field on the way to the office this morning for the maiden flight of my new spadet. Man I was nervous! (I had only soloed once before) Nobody else was there that helped calm me down I guess. With a slight breeze blowing exactly paralell to the runway, I decided to go for it. The plane took off perfectly and flew just as I had hoped. I took a bit of down elevator to trim for level flight at a little over half throttle. I think I read somewhere that could be caused by drooping ailerons. I am not sure. My landing was a little bumpy, but all was fine and I took it up again. Flew perfectly. Landing was even bumpier and a busted the prop I guess I will head to the LHS for a new one and some spares. Can't wait to get back to flying!
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Woburn, MA
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My first SPAD
Congrads on your 1st SPAD flight!
Be sure to take lots of fuel when you go on the weekend!
SPADs are such a blast, You will be putting in a bunch of stick time!
I've had my QHOR and SPA3D down in the weeds many times, but I've been lucky not to break a prop so far.
Just bent the gear about 20 times!
Be sure to take lots of fuel when you go on the weekend!
SPADs are such a blast, You will be putting in a bunch of stick time!
I've had my QHOR and SPA3D down in the weeds many times, but I've been lucky not to break a prop so far.
Just bent the gear about 20 times!