Relatively new heli flyer looking to try a plane.

[chemicalflava]

I fixed the foam with the foaming GG. Seems to have worked well.

I think I might have bashed a motor bearing, though... I took it out for a short linear test flight and it seemed to do well. It's hard to tell if the plane is malfunctioning or if I'm just no good at flying it.

I need to dial in some DX6i settings. It feels a bit too touchy right now. Panic has already caused some pretty sweet unintentional 3D maneuvers.

It's also important to note that I am sim-less since I'm on a Mac. Good thing I like to fix stuff.

[ronj]

Originally Posted by chemicalflava

Panic has already caused some pretty sweet unintentional 3D maneuvers.

You too? I've done some moves I am sure I will never be able to repeat on purpose.

Glad it's in the air again.

[chemicalflava]

So I fixed the nose with GG, took it out to try again, and crashed. Broke the nose again (not as bad). Fixed it, took it out, crashed it, broken nose. Fixed it, took it out, crashed it, broken nose AND wing. Just fixed it again, but now it's dark so... I guess I don't get to break the nose again until tomorrow.

The flip side of this is that I've figured out linear flight. I'm trying to fly this thing up and down my street, so my turns (or rather attempts at turns) have been abrupt and sharp. I think if I can get out to a field to do wider, more gentle turns I'll be groovy.

The rudder is tripping me out a little bit because on the ground it makes sense the way it is (not reversed in my 6i), but once it's up in the air I think I'm pushing the stick in the wrong direction. When I reverse it, movement on the ground feels "wrong" but I still can't quite grasp it in the air either.

By the way, what kind of paint/marker works best for retouching these things? Black Sharpie seems to work well for the black areas, but the red isn't quite opaque enough and the white foam showing through makes it look pink.

[Gahawn]

Ah. Now I understand why you're having trouble. Unless there's a crosswind or you're doing aerobatic maneuvers just forget about the rudder in the air. Bank using aileron then turn using elevator. Keep the bank under 45 degrees if you can. Use the throttle only to maintain airspeed. At level flight you should probably be around half throttle. Also take it up high and learn what the stall speed is. Altitude = recovery time from a stall. Knowing stall speed is valuable info when it comes time to land.

One last thing. With all the glue you've added the center of gravity may be affected. Double check that before you go up again.

[chemicalflava]

I was getting much better flight in today in a larger area. I'm still unintentionally flying serpentine, but I can imagine that will go away with a little bit more practice.

I did crash into a tree (covered in briars, no less) and broke off the other landing gear which got lost in the foliage... The good news is I found it and it's glued back on, ready to fly again. No nose repairs this time!

I think I'm at 80% D/R, no expo. My banking is still shaky and I'm pretty sure my thumbs don't have the concept of "turning with elevator" down yet, but I definitely have the basic basics down.

Time and glue. That's all I need.

[Ah Clem]

Those are great flying airplanes. I have had one for years.

As far as rudder goes, right rudder stick should move the rudder to the right and steer the tail wheel to the right. Left should do the opposite.

You can fly/turn that airplane on rudder alone. It makes very nice coordinated turns using aileron and rudder.

All of the Horizon/Park Zone foamies I have had flew quite well.