Probability of survival

Fifty years ago I could fly control-line reasonably well; since then nothing but RC and full size. Am about to complete an Oriental with an OS46S . What are the chances I can fly it ? What length lines should I use ?

Jose,

Come join us at Whittier Narrows on weekends. There will be people there who will be more than glad to help and answer questions.

Jose, at our age, 90 foot lines will keep it slow enough to not get dizzy. My first five or six flights after 20 years got me dizzy and that was with 60 foot lines and a Fox .35.
Meet with the guys at Whittier Narrows like Keith says and get all the help you will need to get back into the air. Makes things easier and much quicker and you will meet lots of guys like yourself, getting back into it or just got back.

>Fifty years ago I could fly control-line reasonably well;
>since then nothing but RC and full size. Am about to
>complete an Oriental with an OS46S . What are the chances I
>can fly it ? What length lines should I use ?

An Oriental with a 46? I think I would put 65 to 70 foot lines on that baby. Again, a lot will depend on how you set it up and the prop that you use.

I think that flying these airplanes is a little like riding a bicycle. You never really forget how, but you, like the drive chain might get a bit rusty. I tried riding my unicycle a while back, and ho-boy...a little shaky there, huh? (Actually, too much weight up high)

But take the guys up on their offers to help. As to getting dizzy, watch the airplane. Dancers and ice skaters who spin around learn to focus on one point. That is why their head seems to face forward even while the rest of their body spins around. Now, keeping the head stationary while the rest of the body turns is not recommended while flying our airplanes, but keeping your focus on the airplane which looks to be stationary does.

If the club has a trainer, and offer to let you "warm up" on it, take them up on the offer! I picked up the handle after only a 14 yr layoff, and was glad to have a beater to warm up with. Though I didn't dork it, it was already trimmed out. Flying your new untrimmed ship will most surley add to your pucker factor, and dorking it may discourage you mentally beyond repair for your return to C/L, and we wouldn't want to loose you that way...

Eric V

Jose: Just fly it around 30 degrees up, and with a half tank. You will be Ok. And check the CG, making sure that it is not particularly aft.

>Jose: Just fly it around 30 degrees up, and with a half
>tank. You will be Ok. And check the CG, making sure that it
>is not particularly aft.
>
>Currell

Check the CG? With the 46LA, uh, probably not going to have to worry about it being too far aft.

Hehehe, I'm with Leonard. I don't think even I could build an Oriental porky enough to be tail heavy with an LA.46 That's a lot of engine for an Oriental, got anything smaller?

Now, keeping the head stationary while the
>rest of the body turns is not recommended while flying our
>airplanes, but keeping your focus on the airplane which
>looks to be stationary does.

For the first time I disagree with Leonard..

When teaching people to fly I tell them that if the stare hard at the airplane, the ground will spin... That is what causes dizziness... Yes, watch the airplane...BUT... when the ground starts to go around violently, LOOK AT A FIXED OBJECT OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE for split second, and the ground will stop spinning. After only a few flights you will get used to it.

Hmm.. my mother used to tell me that all controline flyers are dizzy anyway!

Tom Niebuhr