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Post by markymark on Jan 11, 2010 1:11:51 GMT -5
Hi all, Having decided to take the plunge after decades of wanting to, I recently bought an ARF Telemaster. I'd practiced a ton on a simulator and felt ready to fly but crashed on my first attempt. Too much elevator I'm told. So I decided it was a bit big and fast for a starter and bought a Stevens Aeromodel Squirt. I'm building it now and hope to fly soon. It's all glued up but now I need some filler before I can finish the sanding, cover and power-up. I met Steven Miranda and he filled me in on the local scene. With three boys in Hockey I'm finding it hard to make it out to the field on a Sunday but I'll keep trying. Mark Attachments:
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Post by bearcat on Jan 11, 2010 12:58:08 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, Mark! Hey, there's a couple of us learning how to fly. I'm a beginner too and have a couple of real sweetheart wooden planes that are probably not the best trainers either. I have a 2-meter sailplane that I did some solid learning on, but when that crashed on the fifth flight, it was a real wake-up call to me that maybe foamies are a better learning platform.
We've all taken different paths towards that end too. I really prefer the powered sailplane types, and so I bought a Multiplex EasyStar. The other beginner in our group is Terry, and he chose the featherweight, slow-flying small planes, like the R&RRC and the Ember. And they really do look like fun...I'll have to try one of those myself.
I had a foamie Piper Cub, but had lots of troubles with the Chinese-made electronic components. It crashed finally on about its third flight with a servo failure. So my advice to you is if you too go the foamy trainer route, try to avoid Chinese ARF's.
Why don't you meet us out at Gavilan Field? If you want to, next Sunday, plan on meeting me at the gas station out by Old Blinking Light intersection, and you can follow me in to where we fly. Let's say about 10 AM on the 17th? Gimme a call if you're interested...505-577-8874
Tony
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Post by Lt Swiss on Jan 12, 2010 18:15:20 GMT -5
Hey Mark, Glad you made it to the forum. We get a lot of hits from people not registered so we know they are looking when they are searching for fix ideas and such. Feel free to go nuts here...
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Post by markymark on Jan 14, 2010 20:32:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome! Unfortunately last weekend I was in Durango for hockey and this weekend I'm in Denver. But my plane is finished! Thanks to Steven for loaning me some servo extension wires. Attached is one photo, I'll post some others next. I'm hoping to do a maiden flight at Baca Park tomorrow early in the morning. Attachments:
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Post by markymark on Jan 14, 2010 20:33:34 GMT -5
Top View Attachments:
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Post by markymark on Jan 14, 2010 20:34:33 GMT -5
It's a Stevens Aeromodel Squirt 400 with a 38" wingspan. Just three channels for now but I can add ailerons if I like. Their kits are AMAZING. This was essentially a 4 night build. About 10 - 12 hours and I'm a novice! Attachments:
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Post by bearcat on Jan 15, 2010 11:52:39 GMT -5
That does look like a very nice plane. I see you're running a gas motor. What size is that?
My best advice would be to have one of the experienced pilots take it up for its maiden flight and trim it out. And then once they get it up high, give you the controls and have you practice maneuvers. But let them land it, and if you get in trouble, give them back the controls so your plane doesn't crash.
I think I'm finally about ready to take my planes up on my own...but it's been about a dozen flights. I do very well now when someone else takes it up to altitude and I fly it up there. I can do everything they tell me to do. But it took a LONG time to get over my directional confusion when the plane is flying towards me. That for me was the toughest challenge. The other was realizing how light the controls are and how to keep the plane in perfect balance up there. Just think of it this way. It flies due to an equilibrium of Yaw, Pitch and Roll. If you upset that equilibrium, gravity takes over and the ground is VERY hard.
Okay we'll miss you this weekend since you're away, but maybe we'll see you soon.
Tony
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Post by Lt Swiss on Jan 15, 2010 13:47:01 GMT -5
Thanks for turning us on to StevensAero. I may just get this one. I've got a need for speed... StevensAero - Adrenaline Rush Electric Hotliner
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Post by markymark on Jan 19, 2010 11:44:08 GMT -5
Sorry to take so long to respond. It's running an electric motor. It's an Align - 430 LF Bushless Motor with a 1300 mAh battery. It flies for 10 or 15 minutes and glides great. My son and I were in Denver for a hockey game and brought our planes. I had maidened at Baca Park the day before and had a few successful flights. In Denver we went to the Cherry Creek Model Airplane site on Saturday and watched others fly (and crash). It was a bit windy but I tried to take off anyway, gave it too much elevator and did a full loop back into the runway! No real harm though. The next day we went back and it was calm, calm, calm! So we stayed 3.25 hours and I went through two batteries and my son did too -- although his Diddlebug was underpowered. We'll address that.
I also have a Telemaster which has about a 10" wider wingspan. I crashed it first time out and have been fixing it. I might have it ready on Sunday and I have skis for it and for the Squirt. I also ordered a GWS Slow Stick for my boys along with another transmitter so I can help them fly. Needless to say I'm getting into this hobby.
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Post by bearcat on Jan 19, 2010 11:50:01 GMT -5
Mark, I'm looking forward to meeting you, as are the rest of the folks. It's a pretty nice flying club that is shaping up here. Great people too.
Yup, lots of snow this week, so bring either belly-landers or ski your planes. If the snow is deep enough, that'll be great for absorbing damage of impacts.
I'll be out there with my Multiplex Easy Star for sure! Can't wait.
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Post by Skis uh huh on Jan 21, 2010 17:34:21 GMT -5
I've got a set of skis for each of my planes. I'll mount them. Seems like they track better than wheels on take-off and yes, the landings, the rough ones anyway, should be easier on the planes. What time do you meet?
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Post by bearcat on Jan 22, 2010 12:29:06 GMT -5
Usually the first shows up by 9:30. Most of us get there between 10:00 and 11:00. A lot of folks don't show up in bad weather, but there's a few die hards that still usually do...unless it's really bad. Today would be one of those "real bad weather days", but by Sunday, it might be beautiful out.
I've got a foamie belly-lander I'll probably bring out. I'm saving my nice built sailplanes for later.
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Post by markymark on Jan 23, 2010 11:04:10 GMT -5
Thanks. I was up late (again) last night trying to get my new DX6i to act as a buddy box for my DX7. I bought a new Slow Stick for my boys to learn on and this seemed like the best way to teach them (and not blow a gasket). I finally figured it out this morning that the cable I was using had a short! Looks like today will be a build day. Attached is a photo of my hangar. I might have taken the term too literally . . . Attachments:
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Post by bearcat on Jan 23, 2010 11:25:55 GMT -5
That's really cool. I like how you have them hanging on your wall. That's a good way to get a lot of planes to fit in a small area. I keep mine hanging from the ceiling on fishing line. Here's a pic of my man cave: I don't think I will be able to show up at the flying field tomorrow because it's my wife's birthday and she wants me to take her to Ojo Caliente hot springs. So I'm afraid I'll miss you this week. Hope to meet up with you next week though.
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Post by markymark on Jan 24, 2010 2:24:03 GMT -5
I'm psyched to go tomorrow. I flew today in a field behind our house. It went fine but I'd prefer more space. If no one shows, is it obvious where you fly? I drove out there once to check it out. I assume you turn right where Gavilan turns left and park right there? Is it OK if I fly with no one else there? Does the owner only want flying on Sundays? Attached is my latest. Build for me and my boys. I have a buddy box setup to take tomorrow so they can fly it. Cheers. Attachments:
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Post by bearcat on Jan 25, 2010 10:35:26 GMT -5
That plane looks like what they call the Ugly Stick, except with US markings. Mitch has one (Lt Swiss) and it flies very well. His landing gear keeps breaking off landing on the grass though.
Yes sounds like you found the right place. Other people do go there and fly during the week when no one else is around. I think the owner is okay with it.
Call me at 505-577-8874 anytime this week and I can show you the field and exactly where we park. Bring a plane if you want to.
Tony
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