Mart49 Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hi All, My first post, although Ive lurked for a while! A long time ago, 28 years to be precise, I built and flew a few planes, my favourite a glider with a 2 mt wingspan, launched from a bungee. I also had one of the first electric trainers, a cessna 172. It didnt fly too well - I think it was because the batteries were nearly the size of a small shed. Anyway, life moved on, and other things got in the way. A few weeks ago my wife bought me a Hawk sky foam 4 channel trainer. I flew her last week, but was quite rusty. It's a good job they bounce! Anyway, last night the wind had dropped to a gentle breeze so I headed to my local field. Checked and reched everything and off she went, straight and level. I banked her right, and immediately lost her in the blinding sun and came to earth nose first. The wings came apart, but having read a few other forums, they are held together with velcro, and designed to part on impact. At least that bit worked! I put the wings back on, checked everything again and launched her again, this time doing some left hand circuits. Took her up to 300' or so and let her glide, and it was really satisfying. Thats when the grinning started! Brought her in on a wide approach at about 50', but hadn't allowed for the breeze and just how floaty the plane is, and so it just sailed by at about 6' above the ground right accross the field. Applied 50% throttle and took her round again, this time lower and managed a perfect landing, just a few feet away. I decided that it wasnt going to get better than that, and went home. I've seen the thread about the addictiveness of this hobby, and my wife will vouch that the rest of the evening was spent just smiling I've read a lot of useful info on here, and would like to thank all that contribute. I'm also waiting for a keyfob camera (#16) to arrive from Hong Kong so I can play with that as well! I hope to be a frequent poster here as I get to grips with all things electric and I may bother some of you as I progress and upgrade etc. Anyway, sorry for the long ramble. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eamonn Fahey Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welccome to the forum Martin. I have been flying Model Aeroplanes for 50 years (when I typed that I felt old!) and still get that feeling after a maiden flight. My "Moto for Life" - I may be geting old but I refuse to grow up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josip Vrandecic -Mes Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welcome Martin,...and as a BEB say :"From modeling.... no one escape forever " All the best Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hi Martin, welcome from me too, glad to hear about the successful first outing. Any questions then ask away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bowker Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hello Martin, lovely story, glad it had a happy ending. A lot of first posts of this kind end up with a problem or two. Hope to hear more from you in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Richardson Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Wish my Wife flew as well as yours Martin welcome to the forum, and I am sure you will cotton on to the humour that abounds here along with all the advice and help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mart49 Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share Posted June 26, 2012 Posted by Tony Richardson on 26/06/2012 15:07:18: Wish my Wife flew as well as yours Martin welcome to the forum, and I am sure you will cotton on to the humour that abounds here along with all the advice and help. I did wonder about calling the plane a "she" !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welcome to the forum Martin, and for stepping out into the light. It can be lonely lurking on the sidelines Great story, look forward to hearing more of how you get on. Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hi Martin, well done on moving from lurker to contributor! Looking forward to hearing more. Any questions - just ask away. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hello, welcome to the Forum. I'm not the guy to ask about electric flight, but there are lots of people who are, and they will answer and give any help they can. Have fun, CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev Haycox Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hi Martin and welcome, That's it, your addicted and there is no cure, well I haven't found one yet (thankfully). I haven't been flying that long and like yourself came home with a big grin on my face yesterday after nailing a couple of landings. I have got a couple of planes to maiden just as soon as the weather improves so the old face muscles had better be ready for another workout. However, I do have a box of tissues handy just in case things don't go that well. Look farward to hearing from you again soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliggsy Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Sounds like you had a result there Martin, keep it up & enjoy y'self.......G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Richardson Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 What part of Essex are you from Martin it is where I was born and raised to the tender age of 27 before moving to this side of the world. Keep up the good flying, soon you will find there are so many models and so little time it can and does become very addictive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mart49 Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Posted by Tony Richardson on 28/06/2012 05:41:30: What part of Essex are you from Martin it is where I was born and raised to the tender age of 27 before moving to this side of the world. Keep up the good flying, soon you will find there are so many models and so little time it can and does become very addictive Born and bred in Romford, now living in Goodmayes, Ilford. I keep planning our escpe to the country, but not quite the right time...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mart49 Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 Well, the weather has been frustrating, to say the least. I finally managed to get out again last night as the wind had dropped to a safe level. I had mounted a keyfob camera to the nose and to compensate, I'd moved the battery back a bit, however after the first flight it was evident that the c.o.g was too far back. After a perfect landing in front of a couple of kids on their bikes (think " smug look" at this point) I moved the battery back, and had 2 really good flights... until the rain came My 1 concern is that the brushless motor sounds a bit "rough". I had read that the stock motors are prone to give up sooner rather than later on these planes , so I might be upgrading in the near future. Other than that, I'm well chuffed. Edited By Mart49 on 10/07/2012 10:48:02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogster Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Hi Martin, Congrats on your return. I`m not far from you and If you have not done so already you might want to consider joining a club. There are two near to you. Dagenham MFC and Brettons MFC. Dagenham club fly at Central Park and Bretons MFC fly at Bretons Farm, Rainham. I fly at Bretons and its a very friendly club. We have a facebook page **LINK** Maybe see you there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mart49 Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 Hi Hogster Funny enough, I've sent numerous emails to the contact on the Dagenham club site, but had no reply. I wondered if they were still in existence, as I used to wander over there some 30 years ago and watch them fly! I was just saying to a collegue that I need to join a club - not sure what they might think if I turn up with a foamie with own brand tx though? That said, and new tx is top of the upgrade list! Might come along to Bretons soon. Cheers, Mart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytilbroke Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Great fun isn't it. Always best it seems, to make a personal appearance or two at any prospective club.as the website E-mail might only get looked at now and then. Don't immediatly ask to fly, they will likely ask you what you have and can do. Then take it from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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