First taste of the sky

[toto]

I am .... like most elements of this hobby ...... in my infancy with settings. However, the more I tinker ... and ask ... the more I begin to understand. The three set switch settings are a beginning to give me a quick change between settings if I find the going tough and as I get to grips with a particular models characteristics. 

 

I know the other setting configurations are available on my transmitter as well as voice settings etc, all of what I am keen to through into the mix .... but for me ..... its a lego moment ..... one brick at a time..... or as pink floyd  would say .... another brick in the wall.

 

Grumpy has just helped me hit a realisation moment by sparking the idea of flight modes. If I understand this correctly, these sound like " pre- determined standards " achieved by incorporating a number of predetermined individual settings to make one " composite standard mode ".

 

Again .... only beginning to see the light on this idea ..... a bit of a brain fart moment.

 

I'll get there .... slowly though .... like everything else. .... 

 

Toto

[toto]

Flying confirmed for  tomorrow.

 

Charge transmitter tonight. Looking good ...... 

[GrumpyGnome]

 

21 hours ago, toto said:

Grumpy has just helped me hit a realisation moment by sparking the idea of flight modes. If I understand this correctly, these sound like " pre- determined standards " achieved by incorporating a number of predetermined individual settings to make one " composite standard mode ".

 

Pretty much, yes. I am not suggesting for a moment that you do this at your current point in the flying journey, but this is a taste of what I have....

 

Flight Mode 0; 'normal' flight; switch E in centre; rates = full; expo low; idle high

Flight Mode 1; take off; switch E up; rates reduced on ailerons and elevator (about 80%); expo high on rudder; control trims = FM0 except for throttle trim, which is independent; idle low

Flight Mode 2; landing; switch E down; full rates; higher expo; more up than down available on elevator; trims per FM0 except throttle and ele; low idle; bit of up ele trim

 

Undercarriage, flaps are independent but I get voice warnings if I forget/choose not to use.

 

Typically switch from FM1 to FM0 at about 50 feet, and choose FM2 when entering the final leg of a landing approach.

 

Why do I do it? It helps me with smoother take off and landings, and the higher idle in FM0 helps prevent dead sticks........ yes, there are other/better ways of doing it but this works for me :-) And I like fiddling with my transmitters capabilities......

 

I also have three flight modes on my little DLG - launch, cruise, land but that's a lot simpler!

 

There are many many ways go make use of the functionality your radio has, to help you...... and its a completely personal thing how you use it.  Or not.

 

As I said, for you now, at this stage of your learning, I'd keep things as simple as possible, so you can concentrate on the flying.....

 

Happy flying, and safe landings.

[Cuban8]

None of my models use switchable rates - from small fun leccys to  my P47 and Mk1 Spit. I only have a softer rate set for first flights because the tendency is to over estimate how much control movement is needed. Expo - only a few % used on a couple of models that did seem to benefit from a slightly softer centre response.

I forget the number of times I've been asked to test fly a buddie's model or try to correct a fault and the model's control movements have been far, far too much.

Obviously, do whatever suits the individual, but do try to avoid complication on what are after all, fairly simple models. Develop a light touch and it'll pay dividends in the long run.  Just my opinion, of course.

[toto]

Flying cancelled today ....  ..... nothing new there then.

 

Some summer.

 

Toto

[toto]

Don't know where I am for flying this weekend.

 

Just returned home from an overnighter at Sellafield. Wether is great but the last I looked it had the same depressing forecast ...... good all week until Saturday ....then it turns for the worst .... then Sunday looks better ....... you could not write a book like this.

 

I'm scared to look again ...... don't want to depress myself before I have to..... 

 

Toto

[Simon Chaddock]

toto

Perhaps you can see why for the 18 years I was involved with Sellafield I did play with cars but did not fly RC. 

[toto]

This hobby is really in the domain of the retired .... or at best ..... semi retired. .... for us that still need to work ..... its limited at best.

 

However ... no point grumbling .... when you do get the opportunity ...... its worth it.

 

Bring on the weekend ..... or will that be ..next weekend ...... 

 

Toto

[Learner]

3 minutes ago, toto said:

This hobby is really in the domain of the retired .... or at best ..... semi retired. .... for us that still need to work ..... its limited at best.

 

However ... no point grumbling .... when you do get the opportunity ...... its worth it.

 

Bring on the weekend ..... or will that be ..next weekend ...... 

 

Toto

Yep ideal if your rich retired and single. The rest of us have to soldier on.

 

[Eric Robson]

49 minutes ago, toto said:

This hobby is really in the domain of the retired .... or at best ..... semi retired. .... for us that still need to work ..... its limited at best.

 

However ... no point grumbling .... when you do get the opportunity ...... its worth it.

 

Bring on the weekend ..... or will that be ..next weekend ...... 

 

Toto

You live in the wrong part of the country Toto, for the last 18 years of my working life I lived in Northants and despite working many hours and travelling with my work I managed to get a lot of flying done. Having retired to the North East of England I seem to get less flying done now due to the weather, must be global warming as I  don't remember it being so bad for so much of the year before I went South in 1982.

[GrumpyGnome]

Ummmm....... no. 

 

I lived in South Wales, then moved North, then further North. Can't say my location made a great difference to flying opportunities. Work commitments, family commitments, and distances to flying fields did.

 

Once Toto is fully solo, there will be more opportunities to 'snatch a quick flight' in evenings, and even when away at work...... but, yes, he's right, retired or semi-retired folk typically have more opportunities to fly. Although family commitments need careful managing!

 

Chin up toto, you'll soon have the Aeroscout living in the car ready for the slightest opportunity.....I used to keep a UMX model in the car to have a flight on the way to, and from, work..... and I occasionally flew mg little heli in the larger meeting rooms 🙂

 

As to it being a hobby for the rich, retired, and single.... pheesh! I am only one of those, and enjoy it to the full.

[Learner]

Toto was rich before he bought the model shop, probably be single if he carrys on buying, just got the retirement to crack and he's away😃

 

[Chris Walby]

Does it matter where you live or your employment status? Or is it a case of whether you choose to fly or not?

 

One club I belong to fly on Thursday and Saturday irrespective if its raining Thursday and nice on Wednesday (if you fly mid week by default they must be retired (mostly)).

 

I also fly in Northumberland and most of those flyers rarely discuss wind conditions and just go fly!

 

For me its not so much what the weather is doing (unless its raining), but more importantly what model you have to fly. Floaty foamy models can have stabilisation but its worth switching that off to see what is actually happening or a model with a higher wing loading may cope better. The other factor is cost if you get it wrong.

 

I had a EPP foam delta (YETI) that I would fly in almost any conditions, why because it was almost indestructible, easy to repair and cheap. I sold it on, but have a FliteTest Versa (cheap) foamboard delta. Mine has a motor front and back which adds to the wing loading, but if I crash it only one might get damaged (motor shafts are less than a pound).

 

I agree that if you are instructing a trainee then if its windy it will probably overload them with flying, but if they can fly circuits then its a benefit or they will get stuck in the rut of "can't fly today its too windy".

 

Any model fly with max 10mph gusting 20mph, after that pick you model to suit the conditions

 

[toto]

Unfortunately I don't dictate the rules.

 

I go on the opinion of my mentor and although disappointed when we judge the conditions against us .... am happy to let him call the shots. Sometimes, it's more the threat of rain that makes the call. Its a healthy drive down to the field for me just to sit about if it rains. 

 

I have done it and enjoy just having the crack but on some occasions there are other things I can use my time on better if it looks like unfavourable conditions. ..... that said though ..... we do fly in the wind when deemed reasonable to do so .... so we don't let wind totally discount flying.

 

Believe me ..... I'm as keen as anybody to stay in the air as any progression over the last while will quickly disappear otherwise.

 

Fingers crossed for this weekend provided all the variables are met ..... weather, no motorbike racing at the field and availability of my mentor .... or someone else who can supervise me. I am solo but still need someone standing beside me for now.

 

Toto 

[toto]

Speaking of which ..... just checked in with my mentor ......

 

looking good for Saturday. My batteries etc should be fine but I need to bind the NX8 to the NX6 as I may be back on the buddy system after the previous weekends disasterous flight with the Supercub.☹️

 

to be determined .... watch this space.

 

toto

[toto]

I'm saying nothing .....,.,, but its still looking good for tomorrow......

 

Check batteries ...... and bind the two transmitters for the Tasman ........

 

Hope I've not jinxed it .....

 

Toto

[toto]

Breezy ..... but bright and dry ....... the excitements just too much for me.. 

 

Toto

[toto]

Well ...... one flight today .... in fact half a flight.

 

My mentor started the flight as it was the maiden flight of the Tasman. It flew well although struggled a bit when in my hands in the wind and nearly came a cropper.

 

Never mind .... she is down safely and will see another day. I did not go back up though as I thought it was just to windy and the Tasman a touch light to do the job.

 

I may need to think my strategy out again. I'm thinking substituting the Tasman with the heavier FMS Beaver. The jury is still out on that yet.

 

Toto

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Cover bases whilst you're learning toto, take more than one. Having said that progression comes better when you stick to one model till your sorted.

[Simon Chaddock]

toto

If that was the first time you had flown the Tasman then as a new pilot you will struggle. Everybody finds a maiden stressful. I presume your mentor managed ok with the Tasman but then he has skill and experience that you do not yet have. If you were not happy then it is quite acceptable to not go again

Of course you will find it easier to fly in calmer conditions but overall waiting for such conditions in the UK is likely to significantly slow down your rate of learning. The clever bit is recognising when weather conditions are at the limit of your current skill level 

Heavier planes will handle winds and turbulence better but they also fly faster giving you less time to think and react correctly. How you respond and the time it takes to react is the "essence" of learning to fly. It takes practise to get good at it. Remember each plane react differently so as John suggests keeping to the same plane means their is one less variable to master.

I hope this helps in your deliberations.  

[toto]

Hi Simon,

 

My mentor managed it without any issue. I only had it a couple of minutes and found myself getting into all sorts of bother. I had just flown downwind and was turning to return back against the wind and nearly lost it altogether. Very lucky to have kept it in the air. I let my mentor take back control by handing him the transmitter and he landed it.

 

I don't know if maybe my confidence has just taken a knock after writing off my Supercub. ..... a possibility. My flying had been coming on leaps and bounds but I seem to have taken a pretty major step backwards now. I'll get over it.

 

When the Tasman was sitting in the pits, the wind was nearly upending it at times. I genuinely feel its a bit on the light side but others may have a different experience of that. I know Ron Gray uses his as an everyday hack and considers it to be capable enough of handling wind. We were recording 15mph winds and at times I am sure it was stronger.

 

I like the model enough so maybe just need to perceveire for another session or two. I am confident that on a calmer day, there probably would not be an issue. I'll use it again next weekend regardless of wind conditions. I will also bind my buddy box to it as well and maybe take a temporary step away from the solo flying until I am happy that I am on top of it.

 

At this rate, I'll never progress onto that 5m wingspan concorde .......... ( a definite attempt at humour ).

 

Cheers for now

 

Toto

Edited August 4 by toto

[GrumpyGnome]

That is just inexperience showing toto. Happens to just about everyone. Absolutely no shame in: 

 

a. Deciding against another flight due to conditions

b. Handing over control.

 

I am a little surprised though, I thought you were setting it up on your transmitters to be buddy-boxed...... I must have misunderstood.

 

No shame at all in returning to the buddy-box when flying a new model.... or if your confidence has taken a knock.

 

As regards taking multiple models, or whether to swap to the Beaver.... My view is to stick to one model so you know how it flies in all conditions; and use the Tasman because bumps are likely to be less damaging, and spares are probably easier to obtain.

 

Chin up!

 

GG

 

P.S. I reckon you already have a mahoosive foam Concord sitting in a box, and loads of piccies ready to upload..... 🙂

[leccyflyer]

Toto - try not to overthink it. Yesterday was pretty windy up here and down there, so very likely out of your previous comfort zone and a place where you've little experience, so naturally it'll be more challenging. One of the main factors that can cause mishaps for beginners is that they have not yet developed their airmanship to recognise when it is too windy to fly comfortably. It's not just a windspeed number, it's the variability in the windspeed and the wind direction, which can come with it's own peculiarities depending on the particular site.

 

I took a few models yesterday, but we both chose to fly the wee stabilised 400mm "warbirds" as the best models for the conditions, which were crosswind, relative to our narrow strip, very turbulent low down, due to the wind curling over the trees and plain windy, but smoother, higher up. Knowing that comes with experience - including when to just not go to the field at all, a decision which everyone else had taken having just looked out of the window.

[Frank Skilbeck]

If it's too windy, go sloping, was up on the slope yesterday and a newbie was there with a stablised rudder elevator Radian, was a bit of a handfull in the wind, he actually managed better with my very old Wildthing delta, sometimes you can't beat the oldies.

 

Been tutoring another flier with an old DB Mascot with an OS40, what a cracking trainer.

[Trevor]

Toto, what battery do you use in your Tasman? I use 3300mah - 3500mah (because I have them) and the aerobatic  performance is still very good. The battery bay is big enough that there’s no problem balancing it with these larger batteries  and it might help a little bit in windier conditions.

 

Trevor