newbie questions

[rc_pilot]

Hi R/C experts,

I'm really glad to have found MRC & this forum (hope to use all the info to aid me in becoming a better pilot). I'm mostly new to this hobby & have flown only a pop-wing so far. I am able to do loops, rolls & inverted (without turns) flights. I have practiced figure 8s & getting better doing turns at higher speeds as well

Now, thinking of upgrading to real plane & based on all the good reviews I saw for the Pandora, I've decided to get that one. What impressed me most was the fact that I could upgrade my skills in the same plane (high to low wing). One area of immediate concern for me is:

- Since the wing has just 3-channels, I haven't used the rudder control. Is this an issue when I get the Pandora? Should I go back to the sim & learn some specific movements? If so, could one of you point me to what exactly I should try out?

- Also, I read about rudder-aileron mixing. Would that help? Or is it cheating? :-)

Would appreciate any tips. Thanks much

[WintrSol]

RE: newbie questions

Many pilots never use rudder, and many airframes have little need for it. The Pandora is one - you really don't need the rudder for turns, since the tail tracks well using just ailerons and elevator. The only time one really needs rudder is if you have to land in a crosswind, and have to crab the aircraft to stay lined up. If your field has a fixed runway, and you need to land in crosswinds, set your sim to apply one (gentle at first), and practice keeping lined up with the rudder, keeping the wings level.

I always use rudder in 4-channel flight, since it makes for a cleaner, coordinated turns, and, sometimes, I want to make a flat turn, just for fun. Practicing with the rudder also opens the door for knife-edges, with models that are capable of doing one. The Pandora, high- or low-wing, doesn't really do them, but it doesn't hurt to try, if you have plenty of altitude to recover.

[Lon]

RE: newbie questions

RC_Pilot,

From my experience, you will not have a issue with going to a plane with rudder control.  I learned on the Pandora myself.  My first flight was Memorial Weekend of this year with the Pandora. I started out with the high wing big wheel configuration.  Stayed with that till I was very confident of my handling of the plane.  Was probably 40-50 flights before I lowered the wings.  There is a pretty good difference on how the plane handles and reacts in the low-wing configuration.  You will find the use of the rudder during takeoff and landings a good thing. Specially on approaches to land.  Use the rudder to make alignment adjustment on your final approach, leaving your other thumb available for aileron corrections in keeping the wings level.  If you have a simulator, practice on it never hurts. You will find the Pandora very forgiving in the high-wing configuration. Just don't be to aggressive on the throttle at first with your take-offs.  And the landings you will find can be a nice gradual descent with just a little throttle.  Good luck!

Lon

[Rocketeer]

RE: newbie questions

Greetings RC_Pilot,

Well, congratulations!!
You have already derived one of the true benefits of the forum..............Community!

As you have seen, there is a wealth of experience(s) to be drawn upon and many who are quite ready, willing and able to assist where and when they can.
Having selected the Pandora has placed you in the hands of some very capable advisors here within the forum.

You have chosen wisely.


Clear Skies

Bill L.
in Okla.

[Hippie 64]

RE: newbie questions

First Welcome !
The Pandora is a great choice . Start out with the big wheels and add a little right rudder in at the servo on set up . Be sure not to adjust your tail wheel with it , keep it tracking straight . This will aid your takeoff n landings . The motor has good torque and this will offset the force . 
Don't worry on stepping up to this plane as it is a very forgiving plane . Always double check your screws are tight . The Pandora is a very tuff plane built as a trainer so it will take some bumps n bruises . 
DO NOT USE ANY THREADLOCK ON ANY PLASTIC !!!!!!! It will eat away at plastic so use any only on screws that go in metal . 
you will really enjoy this plane .




Bryan 

[rc_pilot]

RE: newbie questions

Thanks to all, very useful tips indeed. Will keep you posted on my progress...

[Rocketeer]

RE: newbie questions

Greetings RC_Pilot,

Sounds Great!!!

We look forward to hearing from you.


Clear Skies

Bill L.
in Okla.

[Grossman56]

RE: newbie questions

Hey RC_Pilot, good to meet you.  We all have Pandoras,Hippie has been flying with tricycle landing gear, and I think the rest of us are tail draggers.  I have two, one in high wing and the other in low.  Personally, I didn't notice a huge difference in the two configurations, but then again, My low wing is a bit different than the stock low wing.   found that when I changed to some better wheels, and a bigger ESC, the CG changed, so I ended up putting the battery back under the canopy.  See my post , "All us newbies, lets share"  Personally, I love my Pandoras, they've both been pranged and lawn darted, and they're still flying.  The only trick I've found is when taking off, be prepared for prop torque.  Try the first few times on a nice wide field as she's going to want to pull to the left. 
I have flaps on the low wing but I don't really see much of a difference, fun to play with but be prepared that she'll get a little nose heavy when you drop flaps, you can program some elevator in with your flaps.
I've done that with the ailerons/rudder as well, so I can switch to a mix  of both or just ailerons, depending on the position of the switch, fun to experiment with, great planes, great choice, enjoy

Grossman56

[WintrSol]

RE: newbie questions

Hey RC_Pilot, good to meet you.  We all have Pandoras,Hippie has been flying with tricycle landing gear, and I think the rest of us are tail draggers.  I have two, one in high wing and the other in low.  Personally, I didn't notice a huge difference in the two configurations, but then again, My low wing is a bit different than the stock low wing.   found that when I changed to some better wheels, and a bigger ESC, the CG changed, so I ended up putting the battery back under the canopy.  See my post , "All us newbies, lets share"  Personally, I love my Pandoras, they've both been pranged and lawn darted, and they're still flying.  The only trick I've found is when taking off, be prepared for prop torque.  Try the first few times on a nice wide field as she's going to want to pull to the left. 
I have flaps on the low wing but I don't really see much of a difference, fun to play with but be prepared that she'll get a little nose heavy when you drop flaps, you can program some elevator in with your flaps.
I've done that with the ailerons/rudder as well, so I can switch to a mix  of both or just ailerons, depending on the position of the switch, fun to experiment with, great planes, great choice, enjoy

Grossman56

Flaps can be fun, once you get used to them. The most use I get out of them is on breezy days, I can point into the wind, lower the flaps and throttle, and hang there like a kite; sometimes, it actually moves backwards, relative to the ground. I'll also use them to make it land like a helicopter, using the same technique; just lower the throttle until it starts to drop, and ease it down.

One benefit of the tail-dragger configuration: those huge wheels let you land in fairly tall grass. In higher winds, it's hard to keep it over our paved runway, but I don't really care - just set it down anywhere, and try to taxi back.

[ryramZ]

RE: newbie questions

Great advice guys!