First Flight!

[Grossman56]

After putting in 10+hours on the Flight Sim, I took on the Real thing today. The first challenge here in Cody is the WIND! Usually its peaceful in the morning but with the different weather fronts moving in and out this year, it can change quickly, being new to this I was hoping for as close to ideal conditions as I could get.
We tried a deserted road with a large open area beside it, but the breeze was such that I was trying to take off in a crosswind. With a Hobbyzone Piper Cub, that seems to be difficult, the wind kept scooping it under one wing. So we moved to a local park at about 8:00 am there was no one there. The grass was too long for a take off so my wife hand launched it for me. That worked great and boy those hours on the sim sure paid off. I had it under control, went through the whole routine of circling and getting the feel of it. Sped up, slowed down, dealt with the breeze, did a decent landing approach, cut throttle just before touchdown as I knew it wouldn't roll (it didn't). Yeah, first flight under my belt! some minor wear on the wingtips was all the damage sustained, I applied some duct tape to each of them to act as scrape pads,cheap fix.
Sure wish there was a club out this way, may have to travel over to Buffalo one weekend to check out the club there.

[Rocketeer]

Re: First Flight!

Greetings,

AWESOME!!!
Congrarulations, on bagging that first flight experience!!
I totally understand about quick weather changes and wind living here in Oklahoma......

Once again, the power of the simulator shows itself to be a truly worthy investment.
And WOW!!! You actually got your wife to hand launch for you??? Kudo's to her!!!

Take your time and enjoy the learning experiences and watch them become honned skill-sets without your even realizing it. I think your idea of perhaps traveling to a club occassionally is a very good one. The key to this hobby is not isolation, but community.

Clear Skies 'Pilot'

Bill L.
in Okla.

[Grossman56]

Re: First Flight!

Yep, she's awesome, totally supportive. Had her and the plane out again today, we tried a different field with shorter grass but still no go. Can you recommend a set of tires that might solve this problem? Have three flights now and no problems. I can bring her down for a landing smoothly, but the wheels just don't like grass. The wind was such that I set her at about half throttle and eased her down, back off further so she was just moving when they dug in, no damage. Would be nice to see a proper landing, I'll probably try the school yard which has an enormous parking lot.

[CT]

Re: First Flight!

Congrats on your maiden. I wish I had started out the way you did, on a sim. It would have saved quite a bit of $ and frustration. Tires do make all the diff. on thick or long grass, I used 31/2" lightweight foam tires on my 1400mm Cub, and will take off/land on any grass no problem. I forget the brand they were, but were likely Dubro. Well equipped hobby stores usually stock, or MRC does.
CT

[Grossman56]

Re: First Flight!

Thanks! I'll see what I can find.

[Rocketeer]

Re: First Flight!

Greetings Gang,

RC Flight Simulators, Rock!!!!

Not the only way to get started in RC flying, but maybe the best and in the long run, cheapest.

That'll preach!


Clear Skies

Bill L.
in Okla.

[Grossman56]

Re: First Flight!

Yep, I'm truly bit by the bug! Have a few successful flights under my belt now. I can't stress how much the flight sim helped out (RF7). The Cody breeze is something to contend with, but early in the morning (7-9am) is usually the calmest. Still have a little trouble getting airborne due to the torque I guess. I can trim a lot of it out but its still a challenge. Landings I can usually grease in!
Of course, the bug demands more airplanes!! So I took the advice of several people and ordered a Freewing Pandora. When I told the wife, she just laughed!
She knows me better than I know myself...
Any advice on which set up to use on the Pandora first? I'm sure that one has to be the easiest to fly. Pilot Ryan makes it look so easy, but my thinking is that it will be a little easier in the wind and hopefully will be able to handle the grass here in the park.
And the Mustang sits patiently waiting for the day..
I turn 61 in August, there's no fool like an old fool (LOL)

[CT]

Re: First Flight!

Yesterdays 60 is todays 40!!!
My wife just sneers when the UPS truck arrives. It really is an addiction, but a really, really fun one!
CT

[Grossman56]

Re: First Flight!

right on to both!!

[Hippie 64]

Re: First Flight!

Grossman you are officially a junkie like the rest of us !!! <smiley image="smiley_good.gif"/>

[Rocketeer]

Re: First Flight!

Greetings,

You know you're in trouble when you realize that for some reason you find your self shopping for a trailer just to get your stuff to the flying field...... Yikes!!

My wife is a high school coach therefore she can't complain until the number of planes I own and fly exceeds the number of pairs of sneekers she owns. So far, I'm golden!! And most of my planes cost less!!

Clear Skies,

Bill L.
in Okla.

[The Huff]

Re: First Flight!

Welcome to the RC community Mr. Grossman ! John Goodman is on his way with extra battery packs
and a high tech charger ..... <smiley image="smiley_good.gif"/>