Date: Tue, 26 Jan 93 16:01:56 MST
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
From: $stevee@sasb.byu.edu (Stephen Eldredge)
Subject: Re: My plane has fallen and it can't get up!

In article <1993Jan26.175711.9845@noose.ecn.purdue.edu> mgwheele@author.ecn.purdue.edu (Matthew G Wheeler) writes:
>From: mgwheele@author.ecn.purdue.edu (Matthew G Wheeler)
>Subject: My plane has fallen and it can't get up!
>Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 17:57:11 GMT
>I've been flying my first plane, a Goldberg Falcon 56, for about 
>6 months now I feel like I'm getting to be a pretty good pilot.  
>I just finished a 0.049 size Taylorcraft.  It weighs 15 oz, has
>about a 1 ft^2 flat bottom wing, micro radio gear to control
>rudder and elevator, and a Cox reed valve engine (no throttle).
>
>I was expecting this plane to be a fairly gentle flyer.
>It looks like a mini trainer. Thismorning I attempted my
>flight.  The wind was about 10 mph, but I fly in over 15 mph
>comfortably with my falcon. Anyway I hand launched the little
>plane into the wind and it did a half loop half roll to
>down wind and mashed into the ground before I knew what happened.
>I'm sure I must have moved the stick, but I don't even
>remember it. I was expecting to have a little more time to 
>get control of the plane.
>
>I guess I'm looking for sugestions.  I'd really like to fly
>this plane without the aid of an instructor.  I have very little 
>$ invested in it and I'd like to use it to practice doing my own
>first flights. I will wait for a calm day before trying again.
>And I'm wondering if I have the control throws set to high.
>If anyone else has any suggestions I sure like to hear them.
>I really need at least 2-3 seconds of semi level flight after 
>launch so that I can get can get control of the plane. Thanks.
>
>Matt Wheeler
>

One of my HL power jobs met the ground with similar fate during the weekend 
because of the same problem. My excuse is that I flipped the dual rate 
switch for full throws on accident before I let go.  20yards and several +-
90 rolls later I impacted.  Fortunatly damage was minimal.  The problem here 
is over controlling.  Due to the *MUCH* shorter moments of the small planes 
control surfaces need to be less.  One suggestion that I might offer is hand 
launching without power is a straigh glide with the controls centered.  Once 
you have a little confidence that your glide is correct and true with no 
input, try elevator and then rudder *slightly* to assertain their effect.  
These first low and slow flights are a great help in determining how much 
throw is needed.  I have found that too little is preferable to too much!!

After you are satisfied with the glide performance try it under power 
again.  Keep the control inputs small until you get some altitude.  Small 
models, because of their size seem to fly faster.  One way to ease into 
powered flight and slow things down a bit is to put your prop on backwards.  
!!!WHAT??!!! you say?  Well the airflow should still be in the correct 
direction, but thrust will be less because of the lost effieciency  of the 
reversed prop.  This may help slow things down enough to get a couple of 
stable flights in.

hope this helps

Steve Eldredge
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc