mervyn robb

Hi All didn't realise I would get such a massive response when I started this thread! Thanks for it all, it made interesting reading. Lipos seem to be an emotive subject. Think I'll store them in the neighbours garage

An amusing reply Mr B but theres a message there

Thanks all for that. Obviously the contention is that storing in a suitable contained would seem prudent just in case. Mine are in a lipoguard pouch in my cloakroom as have nowhere else to store them in an apartment. Maybe I should be looking for somewhere a bit more secure and safe away from my living accommodation MERV

After hearing about the possible transport of lithium batteries in the hold of the ill fated MH370 Malaysian Airlines plane, my wife has been reading about my lipo batteries which are stored in my apartment. Do any of you keep your batteries in your house and would you be concerned about keeping them in your living quarters? I'm beginning to think that maybe they should be kept somewhere else and not in my home. Has anyone opinions on this MERV

Thanks John. Yes I think the buddy box will be used. It was difficult for the mentor to grab the transmitter over my shoulder when needed, the buddy set up would be much more convenient. I was a bit jerky on the controls and banked too steeply causing a sudden loss in height. My mentor thinks I should soldier on without the learner settings. Anyway will let him decide. It was a rewarding experience but the pulse rate went up as I got nearer the ground and my mind went into a whirl saying what do i do next - don't panic, don't panic!! MERV

Hi guys At long last after a long period of turbulent weather we had lovely spring day today and I had my first flight with my mentor. Needless to say I launched it but I was soon handed the transmitter to take over control. All went well but then I was a few hundred feet up! Once I started to lose height the controller was quickly grabbed to save the day. There was a 10-15 knot wind which didn't help Didn't switch on any of the learning aids on the Sportsman and didn't use the buddy box and seemed to do reasonably well. Looking forward to my next flight. MERV

Nasher with your Riot you'll be able to run rings round me with my sedate old Sportsman in no time! Sounds like the Riot may be my next model - If i get that far. Good luck and have a riot! Merv

Hi Scott. As I said sooner I would have liked the Apprentice but horizon said it would be at least December 2013 before it would arrive form China, that is the s15e model. Is it now available? A bit late for me now I suppose. Merv

Hi Nasher and welcome and a Happy New Year. You seem to have done a lot of practice and feel that you are ready for the Riot. However, I went through all this discussion over the last month or two and I have opted for a very conservative option the Glasair Sportsman Trainer which seems to get good reviews. Some felt that the Riot was not quite tame enough for me as a total novice. Ideally I would have gone for the Eflite Apprentice s15E with its SAFE technology but it wasn't due into the UK till end 2013. By that time I had already bought and assembled the Sportsman and now am waiting for a nice calm day. These UK wide storms are causing havoc with all of us I'm sure. Good luck with your Riot Merv

Yes John BBC NI. There is little comfort in trying to fly at this time of year and I have to think of my mentors feelings and availability also. Will just have to be patient and wait for a nice calm day. MERV

Yes John I agree I think its good to experience the worst with the simulator and see the consequences as you say. I know the simulator isn't aware of the virtual instructor because if I set the instructor on the transmitter Phoenix does not respond. I am happy enough to leave it that way. I can't wait to get out to the site but the winds seem continuously high at the moment especially at Portrush where I have been for the last 10 days. I love photographing the wild seas up here and continuously try to get my pics on BBC weather - keep a look out for my shots. Had one on Boxing Day of two surfers riding a big wave at East Strand' Merv

Happy New Year John and the rest of you. Sorry I should have pointed that out. Don't know if I can incorporate it into Phoenix yet. Maybe I don't need it and can live dangerously in the virtual world. Must enquire of the manufacturer Merv

Hi John Have been using Phoenix for a week now and enjoying it. I love the take off as it seems so easy. Have opted for keeping the ground in view which I think is the realistic scenario. I must say I find the flying fairly easy and the transmitter is very responsive so I hope I am not gaining false confidence! Its quite hard to judge what side of the hedges I am on and have had quite a few catastrophes thinking I was safe, only to plough into a tree or the hedge! Have attempted a few landings with a couple of lucky successes but mainly being smashed into smithereens. Its not easy. I tend to get over the landing strip somehow then cut the revs and glide in, maybe with a bit of elevator and a little throttle at the last minute. Its very satisfying but difficult. Its all too easy to go looping the loop and messing about so have tried to control this. Flying basic large rectangles with gentle manoeuvres seems the best way of getting the feel of things in an unhurried way. Am hoping that my Sporsman model will be fairly subdued and a bit less rushed than the simulator. I don't think I have calibrated Phoenix to incorporate the VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR on the transmitter and don't really know how to do this. There is something in the instructions about flicking programmable switches but don't understand this. Certainly when I switch on the INSTRUCTOR the Phoenix plane doesn't seem to respond as it should. Probably, as I say, due to not being calibrated in, Must put the goggles on and have another go Thanks MERV Must go and get the goggles on and have another go

Hi John Have been using Phoenix for a week now and enjoying it. I love the take off as it seems so easy. Have opted for keeping the ground in view which I think is the realistic scenario. I must say I find the flying fairly easy and the transmitter is very responsive so I hope I am not gaining false confidence! Its quite hard to judge what side of the hedges I am on and have had quite a few catastrophes thinking I was safe, only to plough into a tree or the hedge! Have attempted a few landings with a couple of lucky successes but mainly being smashed into smithereens. Its not easy. I tend to get over the landing strip somehow then cut the revs and glide in, maybe with a bit of elevator and a little throttle at the last minute. Its very satisfying but difficult. Its all too easy to go looping the loop and messing about so have tried to control this. Flying basic large rectangles with gentle manoeuvres seems the best way of getting the feel of things in an unhurried way. Am hoping that my Sporsman model will be fairly subdued and a bit less rushed than the simulator. I don't think I have calibrated Phoenix to incorporate the VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR on the transmitter and don't really know how to do this. There is something in the instructions about flicking programmable switches but don't understand this. Certainly when I switch on the INSTRUCTOR the Phoenix plane doesn't seem to respond as it should. Probably, as I say, due to not being calibrated in, Must put the goggles on and have another go Thanks MERV Must go and get the goggles on and have another go

Hi John thanks for introducing yourself, sorry it took me a while to reply. Got Phoenix loaded tonight after getting slightly confused in the calibration stage by some of the terminology. Wasn't sure what combined pitch meant so just bypassed it. Did something wrong the first attempt as every time the plane took off it very quickly nose dived to the left and wrecked itself before I could correct anything! Anyhow recalibrated it and it works fine now. Seems very realistic and there is a tendency to 'mess about' so will have to watch that. I note your comments Ian about unrealistic views but will try them to see what I think. It would seem a good idea to keep the ground in view as in reality you can at least sense its presence even if it isn't in view all the time. merv