All us newbie pilots, lets share..

[Grossman56]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Tried to fly today but the wind started picking up, I managed about a lap, and had a rough landing, should have known better.
Broke a prop and damaged my ego, dang wind!!!!!


Grossman56

[Rocketeer]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Greetings G56,

I finally got a chance to check out the shop pics you posted....
Sweet!! Man!!! Lot's of table space.....

Have fun with your shop update....... Time to get your freak on my friend!!!!!



Bill L.
in Okla.

[Grossman56]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

And so I did Bill, the Pandora (1) came apart today!  So nice having time off to fix the dumb mistakes.  Anyway, off came the landing gear and the vertical stabilizer.  Into the garbage went one of the new props.  I had some spare LG parts that I thought might to the trick, but she still sits funny.  Oh well, she's come through many a mishap that was fixable with the existing parts, but time to get real.  The rudder was breaking away from the stab and the landing gear was, well what the wife would call 'catiwompus', suffer spell check!
So, parts on order.  Looks like we'll be working through next weekend so I best enjoy his one, closer and closer to Spring.


Grossman56

[Grossman56]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

While browsing You Tube, I found this interesting video on repairing foam hinges.  Tried it on the Pandora rudder and it works great, see what you guys think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLfRWJ_pgGA
I just used some of the left over contact cement that comes with every kit we've ever bought and it sure solves the problem.  It was just like new, had to work it a bit just like you would when she came out of the box, buy, hey, cheap and handy repair.

Grossman56
[hr]
Also, here's one on repairing those nasty dents and creases that we all have on our birds, its so simple that I think I've found a winter hobby!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iokFq9V6sY8
My Pandoras could sure use this, as well as the Waco, actually, everything I've flown up to this point!!

Grossman56

[Rocketeer]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Greetings G56,

Nice video on the foam scratch and dent repair.
To be honest, I never know that spackle came in different weights.

Thanks, this will come in handy.

Clear Skies

Bill L.
in Okla.

[Grossman56]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Yeah, surprising isn't it!  I'm wondering how smooth of a surface you can get by thinning it out, I'm thinking it might fill in the Foam skin-like cracks and give you a completely smooth surface.
Was bored yesterday, so I started dragging out all my 1/32 models that I've had packed up for 3+ years.  Most have survived the move with minor repairs.  My Monogram Phantom Mustang got assaulted by a picture frame before we moved so I gathered up the parts and packed them away.  Got looking at her and she's definitely repairable.  Its such a rare kit, even the reissue ones are hard to find.  I have one still in the box, never been opened and the cellophane is still on it.  Was saving it for the Grand son that I haven't got yet!!

Grossman56

[CT]

RE: Good Day Flying

I was flying yesterday at the local field (park), they have a large soccer/baseball field in the back which is rarely used, perfect for my 1400 class birds. I enjoy this field because it is relatively isolated with the occasional high school kids and tots/parents. While flying a lady brought her 4 yo grandson to watch and gave them an airshow (couldnt resist) After landing I always taxi up to the kids to let them touch and explore. The excitement in their eyes is priceless, and the parents always show gratitude in giving them a personalized airshow and up-close look at the bird. Brings me back to my childhood days when I would do anything to fly a Cox .049 control line plane. 

Anyway at the same time a group of 3 high schoolers walked up to also check it out. One of them commented on how he liked the aerobatics and said he wanted to join the Air Force to be a pilot. Now we all meet those kids who say they would like to be pilots but most are just curious or fascinated. Something about this kid stood out as he seemed very mature for his age. I told him that he would have to go to college and get good grades to attend the AF Academy, he said he was an honors student and was planning on going to a UC school. Impressed with his plans I offered him encouragement and told him to watch for me on the weekends.

I am impressed with how mature and responsible the high school and college age kids are today, and compared to my days at that age, are considerably different from the sex, drugs, and rock & roll of the 70's. A few months ago I was picking up my 2nd grade son at school and ended up giving his friend a ride. I mostly drive a minivan due to the fact I can remove the rear bench seats and haul my planes. So I had them both seat belted in the front seat. While waiting at the school intersection a young kid was crossing the street in front of me and did a double take, noticing the two kids in the front seat. He came over to my window and started lambasting me for putting 2 kids in the front seat. First reaction of course was defensive, but a minute later realized how impressive it was for a kid that age to go out of the way to call out a wrong by an adult.

Enough of the diatribe, the point is that I got a twofer yesterday from flying, providing inspiration how little it may be, doing what we all love to do.
 
PS - Remembering the late/great basketball coach Jim Valvano and his philosophy, " Dont give up, never ever give up" comes in handy for those bad flying days.

CT

[retiredflyer]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

I usually fly from a relatively little traveled road through the middle of a blueberry field. Makes for a perfect runway, although a bit narrow for my liking sometimes. Because I'm still new at this I get nervous when someone stops by to see what I'm doing. The worst is when my timer is going off and someone stops their car in the road and I HAVE to land! They roll the window down and want to talk and I can't take my eyes of the plane and yelling for them to move along.....quickly, or you are going to see something really exciting and me crying!

[Capt. Crunch]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Hi Retiredflyer

I had to laugh at your post, as I too fly off a narrow runway. It never fails when my alarm is going off, and I have to land, here comes a car!
I tell them to move and they pull up another 3 feet. I try to be nice and politely tell them its not a helicopter and I need more room, but I'm pretty sure I come off as an A hole


Glad to hear I'm not the only one with that problem!


Jeff

[retiredflyer]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Hi Retiredflyer

I had to laugh at your post, as I too fly off a narrow runway.  It never fails when my alarm is going off, and I have to land,  here comes a car!
I tell them to move and they pull up another 3 feet. I try to be nice and politely tell them its not a helicopter and I need more room, but I'm pretty sure I come off as an A hole


Glad to hear I'm not the only one with that problem!


Jeff

Glad you had a laugh Jeff.  One time a car pulled right up behind me and I was not looking at it (which I shouldn't be..right?) and the guy starts shooting the breeze.  YADA YADA.....OK buddy, I'd love to talk BUT!!!.  I did a quick glance at him and it was a local cop in his cruiser....OOPS.  I thought as soon as I landed he was going to arrest me for flying off that road.....No, he was great and just curious.  WHEW.

[CT]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

It is fun to hear all the stories about local flying fields, and really enjoy the vids. I had one of those Oh S--- moments flying at the local middle school, which is adjacent our High School. Late afternoon flying my Stinger 90 when I see what looks like a fireman jogging onto the field straight at me and giving me the "cut" sign. Not knowing what was going on I immediately dropped flaps and gear and landed the sucker. He said they needed to clear the airspace since a lifeflight helo was going to land at the High School. Followed him back and enjoyed the mini airshow of a beauty notar heli. landing for a local accident victim pick up. This site is routinely used during non-school hours for emergency patient pick ups since it has a large empty parking lot.
That was my excitement for the day.

CT

[Grossman56]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

I too, was flying off a side road just a couple of blocks from home, its a subdivision that hasn't been built on, I was flying Ol' Weedwacker, just learning the hobby.  I'm all lined up to land and in final approach, this girl comes flipping around the corner on her bike, Whoops!  Throttle forward, yank the stick back!!!!
She came close to wearing the plane on her backside!!!


Grossman56

[Grossman56]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Hey guys' here's one you HAVE to check out if you are thinking about that P40B here is the OLDEST P40B in existence and she's a Pearl Harbor veteran to boot!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBrjdobW2p0

Let me know what you think

Grossman56
[hr]
But, of course, if you are saying to yourself,"But Dan, she's not in Flying Tigers markings so I can't get as excited as I'd like to"  Fear not Flying Tigers junkies (me included)
I have something just for you.........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0-Tp_SEFwg
Ahhhhh!
If I had a million dollars!!

Grossman56

[Loneflier]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Wow! He was really flying it too, not just slow passes. Makes me want to go out and fly mine right now!

[Capt. Crunch]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Well...crap...I thought I had my next plane all picked out.  But now maybe I want a p40, or even a zero.

For being the oldest air worthy p40b in the world, he sure didn't baby it at all!   Cool video.


Jeff

[Grossman56]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

I hear you!  Its interesting that the early model P40B and C, and the ME 109E appeal more to me.  The lines are somehow more interesting..........

Grossman56
[hr]
This weekend I've been dragging out my old 1/32 scale models and seeing how much damage the move caused them.  Came across my P40E with a broken off wheel and covered in dust, so, well, what else do you do?  Take a picture of course!
Looks like she crashed in the desert!

[Capt. Crunch]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Ha! I used to have a bunch of those plastic models too! My brother and I almost had every plane that flew in WWII.
Our pride and joy was the B17 flying fortress. I wonder what happened to all of them.

Still blows my mind that as a kid I glued models together, and pretended to fly em. Now I'm putting them together and ACTUALLY flying them lol


Jeff

[Loneflier]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

I am guessing a lot us went the plastic model route as kids. I know I certainly did, and had planes, cars, ships, even some an Enterprise hanging from the ceiling in my room. Somehow they all disappeared after I went to college, and I am afraid to ask what happened to them. :angel: RC stuff fascinated me, but no way could I afford it back then.

Guess it just goes to show that getting old is mandatory, but growing up is optional!! And I know that I plan to keep on enjoying building and flying my planes as long as I possibly can, heck, I think it helps keep me young. Just the other day I was out flying, and a mother and her daughter pulled off the road to watch me fly. The little girl was probably only about 10, but she was really interested in flying and the models, and I bet I talked to them both for nearly 30 minutes about the best planes to learn on, where to get them, and even offered to help her on her first flights. She was pretty excited as they left and I heard her asking her mom to go to the hobby shop then! 

People are really interested in this hobby, and love to watch these planes fly.  

[SOB8604]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

Guess it just goes to show that getting old is mandatory, but growing up is optional!!

No truer words have been spoken.

[Grossman56]

RE: All us newbie pilots, lets share..

I'm with you guys!  I had every Revell 1/32 model out there except the P47.  I remember thinking,"They're so big!"  Over the years, I've stumbled across some kits at flea markets etc., and couldn't resist!  I have the P51B, the Pappy Boyington/Baa Baa Blacksheep limited edition Cosair and the Phantom Mustang still in the box, as well as the Memphis Belle 1/48 scale B17.  Just in the process of repairing the Phantom Mustang that I did build (bought two kits), a 1/32 Corsair, a 1/32 F15 and a 1/32 F104, just for decoration around the room.  Still have an HE 111 and a B26 in the box.
Once I got into the RC planes, it was like a second childhood as you can all relate, except.......THEY FLY!!!!!

too cool for words!!!


Grossman56