Well, I had my first float fly and also the first flight of the year! A little hand shacking while taxing out to say the least. Its a Kadet Senior kit w/ ailerons powered with an Evolution 61NT spinning a 12x7. Got taxied out and was letting it vien into the wind and once lined up started to throttle up, and yup, it loaded up and died, Going to change prop to a 13x5 and try that, so can keep a click or two on the throttle while letting it vien into the wind as the 12x7 was to much pitch. After the retrieve and restart, taxied out again and throttled her up, at about 60' she lifted off. It dropped to the left as it broke water and with the hand shacking going on I over corrected at bit and after a couple wing waves she climbed out beautifully! Cordinated turns were a must as it was quite a site without. Only did a few circuits as I head some boats firing up. Landing was a bit forced as I caught a dock in my perifial vision and got a little paniked, the was my first time wasn't use to seeing that. I'm going to recheck the lateral balance and change props and see what happens. All and all, a GREAT new experience, and like a fish, I'm HOOKED!!

flynte

It's good that you are using something other than a wooden prop. Spray from the water will destroy a wooden one quite easily. Maybe a 12 - 5 would be a good prop to try. It will give you a little more clearance between the water and the prop tips. You might also try putting a piece of yarn on your antenna (assuming it isn't a 2.4 GHz one - too short) and using that to determine wind direction. That way you wouldn't have to wait to let the plane weather vane.

I like the suggestions! It is a 72mhz, but I could pin the yarn on the back of verticle stab just in front of the rudder also. Unfortuantly I don't have a 12x5 in "stock". I'll definitely get one on the next order thou. Thanks!

flynte

edit.. forgot to mention I did leave 3.25" clearence above the floats with the 12"

Glad you had a good time.Float flying is really addictive.I have over 500 hrs flying fixed wing and only last year built and fitted floats to my Super Club. Went toa flyin last yearwith a land based strip next to the lake..I didnt even get my other planes out after doingmy first water plane flight. Thats all I did all weekend,flying off the water,and have never had so much fun.....Mintie