Newbie Adventures

Backtrack: Back in the game after a 25 plus year layoff. Never was any good and never had any real planes. Just fooling around with some of the neighborhood kids. No knowledge base available. Build, fly, crash approach. When I did get something to fly, I was totally into it. The only real flyers I ever had were a solid wing and body trainer with some kind of .19 (don’t recall) that would barely do a loop and a flying wing combat plane that kicked my *ss for about 3 flights. Read, speed + dizzy = kindling wood. Put it all in the trash bin/garage sale.

Present: As noted previously I live in a small town, about 1 hour west of Detroit. Starting getting interested again when I found all kinds of stuff on the web. Went through a phase of *bay, garage sales, swap meets, etc. buying all kinds of weird stuff, some useful, some not. One mostly free-bee along the way was an old (1969) homebuilt trainer henceforth referred to as the “old bird”. It was in serious need of a re-build. The last flight of this plane had ended at a fence post, according to the previous pilot. Kept reading the forums and rebuilding some of the junk I had assembled waiting for the never-ending Michigan winter to subside.

I joined AMA and PAMPA and found out there were 3 other flyers in the area. Made contact with one of them as was invited to a great field. They all work for the same company and they had convinced the owner to let them keep a circle mowed close. It’s in an industrial neighborhood, so nice and quiet on the weekends. I could not ask for better, as most times it’s a no waiting situation. I went out to the field and met two of the guys. They are flying beautiful airplanes, like Accentors, with fantastic finishes, carbon fiber push rods, adjustable lead outs, the whole works. Flying pattern after pattern. Intimidated would not describe me at this point. We were out late in the evening so I was happy to just be a spectator. I did drag the refurbished “old bird” powered by a pre muffler lugs Fox .35, out of the trunk. Nobody laughed (out loud anyway) and it was pronounced airworthy.

I had still not run the engine (see my “Need Fuel” thread) but I was getting fired up. Got fuel and got that baby running. Ran through some break-in tanks and started to feel comfortable with everything. Now just waiting for the right weather and a clear “honey do” schedule. My day arrived on Saturday, May 12 2001.

Super clear day, low humidity, and just a little wind. I’m chomping at the bit and I’ve got no flying partners available. I had rigged up a stooge and decided to go it alone. Left the wife and babies napping at home. Cruise on over to the field, not a soul in sight. I think this is good as some considerable embarrassment may be just around the corner. Fire up the old Fox, run through a tank and all is in order. Set up the stooge, run another tank through and everything is holding up. Roll out the lines, attach the handle, check for neutral, test the stooge line. All systems go. I realize I’m sweating like I’m in a sauna and it’s only about 63 F. Adrenaline? Check!

Fire it up again, re-check the stooge for security, and head for the handle. Remember all you guys are in this with me, based on knowledge transfer. Grab the handle, grab the stooge line, release and viola! Bouncing through the tall grass and lift off! Goes directly vertical (don't overcorrect!). Slack in the lines and I’m running like heck. I decide to just go for the loop. The ground was about two feet too tall. SHE-BLAMO! Figure 9 with a score of 10 from the judges. Broken wood prop, tail feathers a mess, plenty of grass and dirt. Hit the ground pretty much straight in, so I was pretty impressed that it had not turned to toothpicks.

Return home and after a quick triage, go for the CA glue and 90 second epoxy. The stabilizer/elevator had broken straight across the hinge line, one of the parts I had not rebuilt. Sewed new hinges with dental floss (Deborah, the wife, helped) slapped on some super glue/epoxy here and there. The whole time I’m thinking about all of this time that I spent sanding and painting. Now I’m building. No appearance points needed, just get that baby airworthy. Re-started the engine to make sure it would still run, got Deborah and the babies and headed back out. After several failed attempts with the "stooge" (kept hitting the prop in the grass and stalling) help arrives. An old timer (JD) I had met at the field the first time I went to watch came driving up. Got me over on a hard pan spot, pulled out a refrigerator box side for a runway, checked out everything for balance and assured me it was an airworthy craft. Cranked her up and LIFT OFF! Goes directly vertical again, but this time I hung in there and completed the LOOP ON TAKEOFF! Deborah thought that was the way you were supposed to do it. Got it under control and finished the flight, mostly level! Broken wood prop on sort of crash landing. JD says "Yer motor's a little hot for that plane. Let me give ya’ a nylon prop and run it a little rich. Are ya dizzy?" NO S***. I'm guessing I was turning 5 second laps on 52 foot lines so what's that? About 45-50 MPH? You tell me, math is not my strength.

Made the changes, got the old Fox .35 fired up, back off a little on the RPM's and off we go. DIRECTLY VERTICAL again! Saved it early this time, so no loop. Little slower laps so less dizzy. Grinning like a 6 year old. Ran the tank dry, crash landed, (need bigger tires and more forward landing gear for this tall grass). Launched JD’s Accentor a few times and called it a day. Nothing a little more super glue won't fix.

Spent Saturday night putting things back in order. Spent Sunday (perfect flying weather) doing Mothers Day stuff and trying to be into it. “No honey, another hour at the zoo would be great. The babies seem to be having a blast.” Dying to get back to the field the whole time. At this point I’m like a crack addict in denial. Finally get everyone back home and happy and grab the stooge. Off we go!

To make an already long story somewhat shorter: Got in a few good flights. The score: 10 takeoff attempts, 5 actually out of the grass without stalling, 3 good flights and 2 figure 9’s. This is one tough “old bird”. Just straighten out the landing wire and go for it. JD finally showed up and I let him launch me into a final figure 9 (OK so I’m a slow learner). Broke the prop again and was getting a little concerned about structural integrity. Called it a day by holding his Accentor and watching some great flying until darkness descended.

So, if you’re in the game or thinking about getting in the game, GO FOR IT! It’s a blast. I can’t wait to get better. You will meet some really nice people and get lots of help. I would like to take a little more space to thank a few people directly.

Currell Pattie, my first direct contact through email and at swaps. Got the old Fox and lots of advice from him.
Larry Benson, the original builder of the “old bird”.
Leonard Neumann, for supplying this forum and more than several words of direct advice and encouragement.
Randy Ryan, for keeping the ball rolling and finding close fuel for me.
Curtis Chapin and “JD” for letting me on the field whenever I want.
Everyone else who has posted to me or the boards in general. What a treasure trove of knowledge and support.

Hope you enjoyed the story. If anyone can tell me how I’ll try to post a picture of the old bird. I have it as a jpeg, but can't seem to cut and paste it here. You get bonus points if you can positively ID her.

Best regards to all,

Clay
"There is no such thing as a stupid question....but I'll keep trying"

Is the Fox you're using the one I sent you in the mail? Was that the one that wouldn't needle?

You're ready for something else now, like one of the Sigs, Streak, Ring, Goldberg, etc.

But I'll almost guarantee that you were going faster, unless you had the Fox really running at 4 strokish slow, which apparently you were not.

Clay: go with 60 foot lines. Also try a 10-5.

Yes, the very Fox you sent to me. It seems to be improving with age. The needle seems to be doing what I want it to now, so maybe it was a piece of crud or running time, as you had advised.

I'm still re-building on the Ringmaster Jr that was saved from the trash heap. To be powered by a OS .10. Getting a little spooky about flying a "smaller plane". I'm sure the "old bird" will keep me amused for a while. I still got the virgin Fox .35 35th Annv. and Flite Streak cooling in their boxes. Some day.....

Clay

Our stories seem pretty similar - I used to hang around control liners in the mid-late 60's - started some models - never finished - flew ONCE.

Gave up in early 70's - one or two 'renaissances' over the last 30 years - never came to much and here I am 46 and having another go - a Ukey 35 with a Fox 35 about ready to fly - I should be getting my second flight in the next few weeks 30 or so years after my first.

The internet has helped a lot - both the boards and the ability to 'find' control line goodies.

The existence of control line arf's helps too....

Hey Tone,

Thanks for the note. Even in my confused state, I can offer two bits of advice. 1. Easy on the up to avoid the dreaded L.O.T. (loop on takeoff) 2. Bring extra props. Good luck, you are going to have a blast.

Currell,

You are probably right about the speed. Seemed to me like I was doing about 100mph I went out and got some 10/5's so we'll see how that goes. I think I'll stay with the 52' to see how the prop changes things, then go on to 60' if I feel the need. Planning on keeping the old Fox .35 running slobbering rich. Not sure of the total break-in, so I'll stay on the safe side.

The Fox .15 you sold me is not R/C, so it's good to go as is. Raining like heck today

Clay

(Keep the wrist locked, and point the entire arm to change the altitude of the trainer. For youngsters, I carried an Ace bandage and tongue depresser sticks. I would place the stick with one end in the palm of their hands, and strap it on - not super tight, just enough that the temptatition to wag the wrist up and down results in the stick signalling the boy/girl that they aren't keeping the wrist locked. For our non-US readers, in case the term "Ace Bandage" doesn't immediately click, it's a long elastic strip of cloth used to support a weak or strained joint, such as a knee.)

Kiwi

On the subject of taking off in one place, and walking to another: I do this some. I'll take off of grass, fly over it mostly, but when I hear that telltale stutter that says the tank is about drained, I'll walk the plane over to a baseball infield, and try to land around where the second baseman fields.

Yes the Ukey comes that way (inner bellcrank hole - the horn at maximum length) and I'm also going for a forward CG.

Nils N says that 'on the spar' is about the right CG for best stunt performance so I'll set it up for that and then add some weight to the nose to bring the CG about 3/4" forward.

Whoever gets to test fly it for me before I have a go is gonna have a boring time!