a bit of a flight report

rogermharris Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:30 pm

Well...

Finally after about two weeks we had a decent enough evening to fly. I bit breezy but what can you do but deal with it.

I made up a longer set of lines (32') on a new handle to try. Was a bit too long with the wind we had and were having to chase the slack so we went back to the short 22' lines. I will have to try somewhere in between.

Had a bit of a rough outing. Broke two props. One... Michael had the handle upsidedow nosing it into the ground on takeoff and the other was me flying the new trainer without doing a preflight check for equal line length with a level handle so between the wind and the elevator being up about twenty degrees with the handle level and long slack lines, it did about three loops and in the process of trying to get it under control and back down it caught the prop and broke it.

We now have to remember our basics and always do a pre flight check of the controls. Just too rushed after not getting out a guess.

Switched to the bipedal that had a 5x4 prop on it. Guess it does not pull hard enough and will try a 6x3 next time but it went straight up about ten foot in a slight just of wind followed by a stall and nose dive into the ground. It split part of the lower wing and ripped the machine gun off the top wing. This was the larger heavier 1/8" ply machine gun. The one that will be in the kit will bee 1/16" ply and a little smaller. Hopefully the next flight out will be succesful for the bipe.
I did have a guy come by the has been flying since a kit with his grandfather. He has a few of his old planes and brings out the control line planes now and then. He had heard us flying and stopped by to check things out. In the process I sold him a bipe kit! The wind calmed down as we were ready to wrap it up so I flew Michaels brodak mustang on its maiden flight. ( He is afraid to fly it yet) but he is flying much more consistent. It's a slow heavy flyer but stable and well behaved. Lots of fun.. Lots of excitement and a bit of disappointment for today but it's all good.

Ken Cook Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:53 pm

Roger, a simple effective way to avoid the handle upside down situation is a safety thong. You and your son should be flying with one regardless. The thong would be placed over the hand and onto the wrist therefore not allowing upside down orientation. How the lines get hooked onto the model is another scenario. I place red heat shrink tube for my up and green for my down, there's no confusion.

rogermharris Wed Jun 24, 2015 8:13 pm

Ken Cook wrote: Roger, a simple effective way to avoid the handle upside down situation is a safety thong. You and your son should be flying with one regardless. The thong would be placed over the hand and onto the wrist therefore not allowing upside down orientation. How the lines get hooked onto the model is another scenario. I place red heat shrink tube for my up and green for my down, there's no confusion.

a bit of a flight report 58677209-6DC0-435E-A776-FB0108F019FE

Using a thong and the handle has a thumb grip. I also paint the up line clip with red nail polish. I just need to remember to do a preflight check of the controls prior to starting the engine. Gotta get back in the habit of doing so.

getback Wed Jun 24, 2015 8:33 pm

Glad you got a go at it !!! I heard you say at one time you take off into the wind I thought the same thing but should bee take off with the wing,,, gives you time to get ready and speed up to go into the wind more stable with just lift from wind Very Happy

notice were they take off at Smile

rogermharris Wed Jun 24, 2015 8:40 pm

These little planes are so light they nose over when taking off with much of a tail wind. I will try and make some adjustment to taking off with some side wind. All part of relearning I guess. Thanks for the diagram Eric!

getback Thu Jun 25, 2015 7:46 am

Here is some more info I am sure you know but is easy to forget http://brodak.com/solo_flight , do you have any 4.50x4 '' props was what we most were using in reed speed for more RRRRRs and good thrust http://coxengines.ca/cox-.049-propeller-yellow-4.5-x-4.html since you have wind most time it seems , wing tip weight ck. , rudder off set ? , any engine right thrust off set ? just 2% can make a huge difference ,Just some reminders Smile

I would try and keep those lines 30-35 ' maybe a little wiping action to get here in the air also

rogermharris Thu Jun 25, 2015 8:00 am

Thanks Eric!

I don't have any smaller props. I will have to order some and see how they do.
I have the proper tip weight and rudder offset. I generally overdo the rudder offset instead of angling the engine but that's an easy thing to try. I also have the the wire guide shifted back on the wing tip a little to pitch the plane to the right

All good suggestion and reminders none the less

I will try a few degrees of right thrust with the 30' lines and order some different props. I have been running the master airscrew 6 x 3's and they pull well, just break easy. Bring back the old white top flight props! You could beat the snot out of those props

**Cribbs74** Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:51 am

Glad you had a good time!

Any Babe Bee should pull well enough on 35' lines. Even with a 6x3 and draggy dacron lines. You might want to check your landing gear placement instead of playing with props.

rogermharris Thu Jun 25, 2015 10:00 am

Cribbs74 wrote:Glad you had a good time!

Any Babe Bee should pull well enough on 35' lines. Even with a 6x3 and draggy dacron lines. You might want to check your landing gear placement instead of playing with props.

you think i should try moving the gear back? i'm sure the trainer would stunt better with the wheels back near the c/g and check the balance. i will have to do some playing and will certainly report what i find. i have also ordered a hand full of the 4.5 x 4 props along with a couple parts i needed. it's almost impossible for me to put in a small order from cox. lol!

it's all fun and thank guys for all the input Thumbs Up

**Cribbs74** Thu Jun 25, 2015 12:01 pm

You mentioned it was nosing over, move the wheels forward. I've never had to use more than a 3 pitch on anything other than a speed plane, although I am no expert by any stretch.

A 4 pitch will take longer to spool up and will eventually spin you around faster. Especially on short lines.

You should really post some video if possible. I did a lot when I was starting out. I received a lot of help (and ribbing) I was greatful though as it helped me to be a better pilot. You already have some experience under your belt so it will go much faster for you.

Just a thought.

ElectricTony Thu Jun 25, 2015 12:02 pm

getback wrote:Glad you got a go at it !!! I heard you say at one time you take off into the wind I thought the same thing but should bee take off with the wing,,, gives you time to get ready and speed up to go into the wind more stable with just lift from wind notice were they take off at

I would have a hard enough time doing some of these 100' in the air with r/c...
I can't imagine doing it much closer to the ground on the end of a string.
As a kid flying control line I had all to do to keep it flying without stunts and not getting dizzy. The most I ever managed was a few loops!
You guys got it all over me!!! Shocked

Tony

rogermharris Thu Jun 25, 2015 12:39 pm

Cribbs74 wrote:You mentioned it was nosing over, move the wheels forward. I've never had to use more than a 3 pitch on anything other than a speed plane, although I am no expert by any stretch.

A 4 pitch will take longer to spool up and will eventually spin you around faster. Especially on short lines.

You should really post some video if possible. I did a lot when I was starting out. I received a lot of help (and ribbing) I was greatful though as it helped me to be a better pilot. You already have some experience under your belt so it will go much faster for you.

Just a thought.

the nose overs where due to tail wind pretty much on release. the landing gear on all my planes right now is mounted to the firewall. i will work through everything suggested and see how it goes. mabee some video with the next report.. i know at least for me that i can pick lots of things up from watching my own flights on video

**Cribbs74** Thu Jun 25, 2015 1:49 pm

I see, that must have been one windy day!!

Sometimes my launch point will vary depending on prevailing winds. In that scenario I would launch with a cross wind going into the windward side of the circle.

rogermharris Thu Jun 25, 2015 3:15 pm

Cribbs74 wrote:I see, that must have been one windy day!!

Sometimes my launch point will vary depending on prevailing winds. In that scenario I would launch with a cross wind going into the windward side of the circle.

Makes sence to launch with a cross wind to push the plane out.
I think I need to get some of my " I'm flying planes again" excitement
I was a little rushed getting out yesterday and three new planes out for their maiden flight got me going in too many directions I guess. lol!

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