Steven Buckingham

Lets be honest, everything ultimately comes down to pilot error. Weather, pilot error (no your limits), structural, pilot error (should of checked before flight), eng failure, pilot error (with the odd exception, but you should be avle to dead stick from almost anywhere),C of G pilot error (should of checked before take off), Batt failure, pilot error (check before flight) etc. etc. Pointless poll

Did my A test in wind at 15 gusting 20, I swear on the dead stick the model was going backwards when it touched down. The flight wasn't great but the verdict was, 'if you can fly that in that, then you're safe'. The secret? Mimicking real world conditions on the sim. Each time I got to the club on less than perfect days only to find it deserted, I'd go home, key the conditions into Pheonix and fly on that. Now I can officially fly, I'm the guy, down at the site, giving it a go in most conditions.

I'm sure it's been said before but I'm not going to read back through all the posts. But I think the nature of our hobby means that there's a natural break between 20 and 40 when finances and family limit our options. I'm a returning flyer but I also used to play golf which sees a similar demographic (except they have to stop again younger), however my golf clubs are moulding in the garage while the acro wot hangs in the dining room, as right now (with a couple of ankle biters) I can get away with a couple of spontaneous hours down the field but not a pre planned half day on the course. Right now I'm thoroughly looking forward to the next 50 years enjoying flying model planes! Steve (36)

Hi Paul I'm helping a novice at our club with a Riot, he has a pair of Multiplex 2200 which fit fine (but are not cheap), my Turnigy's are way to fat and my Overlander just squeezes in. If it were mine I'd set to with a scalpel but I understand your reluctance and I'd recommend talking to folk in your club before doing anything drastic. For alternative batteries try http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?idCategory=240&LiPoConfig=3&sortlist=&CatSortOrder=desc Or http://www.giantshark.co.uk/cell-lipo-battery-c-1_114.html Check the dimensions and you should find something that will fit. I've got to admit I was surprised how slim the battery bay is on the Riot, a small flaw in an otherwise great plane! Good luck Steve Edited By David Ashby - RCME on 05/04/2013 07:06:01

Steve, You've got a good set up there for making it solo. However. Even good choices for a first plane like the Bixler or EasyStar, are ballistic missiles. There are fatal accidents every year involving model planes (most of them from people going solo and which is reflected in the price of the insurance for all of us, so please forgive us for preaching). That said it's bloody good fun and the Aurora is an awesome bit of kit. Get stuck in. Steve   Edited By Steven Buckingham on 27/01/2013 02:46:28

Hi Geoff, you're right, this set is scratch built, I'd already started the wings before I ordered the CNC pack, as I honestly didn't expect to have CNC parts for the wing (as they are essentially just balsa planks). As I've got the CNC parts I may build those wings as well and see which come out best. I would think that reinforcing the aileron joint to the wing section could be a good idea anyway, as I can imagine it would become detached in the shaping process if you we're to rely solely on the two tags. Good luck with the detachable wing, and thanks for the kind words, I must stick with the low res camera, it seems to be hiding the imperfections nicely!

I hate airports and commercial airlines. I have to fly for work, but haven't flown on a commercal airline for 'pleasure' for over 11 years, for me the torture of airports and commercial flights would mean starting and finishing my holiday in a foul mood, negating any benefit from the holiday itself. Edited By Steven Buckingham on 16/12/2012 21:46:27

I'm in the minimalist TX and plane crew, I have spare Lipos in the TX case and carry a multi tool and that is it! I did used to go down with all the peripherals in a big tool trunk, but figured its so much quicker and easier to invest in extra battery packs rather than cart a charger and car battery around. I actually take more with me when flying indoors, it all still goes in the TX case but the above also includes spare props, spare bands and glue.

Hi CS, length wise they feel strong, there is some flex across the width in the main body of the wing, but plenty have been built and flown already and you've got to trust the designer. It's certainly proving quicker and easier to construct than a built up wing. Just had a nice break, today's forecast was overcast and windy, in fact it's clear with just a light breeze, so I nipped down to the field for a quick few flights, all the more satisfying for being unexpected, despite having to wade out to the strip and the personal puddle that forms if you stand still for too long!

Here's the right wing marked out and ready for planing, typing this I'm suddenly getting paranoid that I've done a right one already... no all okay.

Hi Ian, it was just very straight forward, it definitely helped to fully mark out the areas to be taken off and then it's simply a case of planing almost down to the lines and finishing with sandpaper. I was half expecting to have to use one wing as an experiment and build another when I wound up with the inevitable waves. But I'm really pleased with the result and I'm actually looking forward to doing the other one. Pic below, still got to round off the leading edge.

Reaching for the barge pole, but its not quite long enough.... £65 (inc post and packing) for a used foam ARTF?

Steve H- Worked for me! Got two hanging in the bedroom, two in the study, one in the dining room and one being built on the dining room table. Mrs B has the patience and understanding of a saint, but suddenly talk has turned away from new curtains, kitchens and floors, to the merits of ship lap over feather board.....