beginner pattern

Hi! I'm Alex and I'm 11-yrs old. I have built/flown a li'l Wizard, A 1/2A Skyray, and now I fly a U-KEY 35. I've done wingovers and I've tried a few loops. My Dad also lets me fly his Twister (like never because he hasnt crashed it once, and doesnt want that to change!) I would like to learn some beginning stunts, and I heard there is a beginners pattern. What are the stunts, and do you have any tips on how to do them?

Thanks,
Alex

I believe this is the way it goes:
#1 Take Off and level laps
#2 Wingover(after flying 6 1/2 level laps from take off)
#3 Three inside loops
#4 Three outside loops. These can be entered from either the upright or inverted position. If you decide to enter them from the inverted position, do 1/2 of a loop follwing your last inside loop to get in the inverted position.
#5 Two inside square loops.
#6 Two horizontal eights. These aren't like the lazy eight. You do a complete inside loop first and then do the outside part of the eight to the left of the inside loop.
#7 Two overhead eights. Enter like you are doing a wingover. When directly overhead do the inside loop first and then the outside portion of the maneuver. Body positioning is very important on this maneuver. I'll let someone with more experience expound on this. After doing two overhead eights you exit the maneuver just like you were doing the second half of a wingover.
#8 Landing. Try to let the airplane descend easily( no rising and falling) after the engine quits and try to land as smoothly as possible. There needs to be two level laps between all of the maneuvers after the wingover. Of course after the overhead eights you just fly as many laps as needed to run out the tank. If the engine quits before you get in two level laps between the overhead eights and the landing you are permitted to whip the airplane in order to finish the two laps. The beginner pattern should be able to be completed in 3 1/2 minutes or so.

Forgot the exact number of level laps required before the wingover. I was just remembering at the last contest I attended we were going 6 1/2 laps from the takeoff point before starting the wingover.

Just remember, when learning the maneuvers in the pattern (any pattern) do not try for the 5 foot bottoms prescribed in the pattern. Shoot for 10-15 foot bottoms while you are learning and get the shapes down first. Once you get the shapes down and are confident with them, then you can work on bringing the pattern down to the prescribed height (maybe when you reach intermediate or advanced.)

There is nothing wrong with flying a little high. There is a lot wrong with crashing because you tried to fly too low for your skill level. And if you do tend to crash every time you fly, your dad will never let you fly his plane!

Hi Alex-Brodak's catalog shows the beginner pattern. If you don't have one you can go to the Stuka Stunt pattern, elsewhere on this site for reference. In the beginner pattern the maneuvers are takeoff and level flight, wingover(not reverse-in other words just do a 90 degree wingover from upright flight and recover upright), 3 inside loops, 3 outside loops, 2 inside square loops, 2 horizontal 8's, 2 overhead 8's and landing. Don't worry too much about getting the bottoms down to 5 ft right now just try to make the loops smooth and round and the figure 8's the same size and the crossings the same place. Good luck!

Alex --

Although you don't have to fly inverted to complete the beginner's pattern, put that big, bad U-Key 35 on his back for a couple of laps. It will help you more than anything else you practice. Also, takes the fear out of doing the outsides if you start them from inverted instead of tucking under from 45 degrees (in the beginner's pattern, you have that choice).

You might be interested in the fact that at the Central Oregon Lawn Darts (i.e., C.O.L.D.) contest, Scott Riese and I were judging Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced PA. I asked Loren ? if he would like to have Paul Walker fly his Ukey (Thunder Tiger .36, Helicopter version) before Expert. Then I checked with Nils, the CD, and asked Paul if he would consent. All parties willing, the flight took place, with PW munching a Butterhorn for the first 4 tricks. Scott and I decided to score the flight, and Nils posted the score at John Thompson's Yahoo CL Forum. Paul scored 513.5 points with a U-Key .35 that he'd never flown before. Joe Just would have been thrilled to see it! After the flight, Loren asked if there were any trimming suggestions. Paul suggested moving the CG back quite a bit. I thought he'd suggest 3 more engines! Anyway, Paul is an outstanding flier and a good guy to put up with our shenanigans. Moral of the story is don't underestimate the ability of a U-Key 35, especially if it is properly trimmed. Steve

Yep, all true. I have pictures. If anyone wants to see 'em I'll be happy to email 'em out to anyone who asks. By the time I got to the digital camera Paul was done with the butterhorn I don't think he was even aware that he was being judged. I sent copies of the pix to Joe Just, he was very pleased. I'm sure Paul could beat that score by 20-30 points easily with a little practice with the Ukey & some trim adjustments, which tells me Ukey's will fly pretty dang good if the guy on handle can do his part.
Nils

Scott and I both noticed that Paul's flying improved noticeably after the Butterhorn was polished off. Steve

That's a good point. Some people can fly with their hands in their pockets, or eat a dognut, BUT one thing that works for me is to keep the off hand up at my chest. Guess watching PAUL and DON fly you try to mimic them.
I still think the u-key is the way to go for you ALEX

Scott,

Interesting topic - what we do with our hands while flying. Alex, I'm a beginner also, although it sounds like you are farther along than I am. I'm 45 years old, and have built a Skyray and a Flite Streak from scratch (following plans), and I've just done my first loops today (four of them, then I crashed!).

On the subject of what we do with our hands, I must confess I'm still working to keep my "flying arm" (the one holding the handle, in my case my right arm) straight. I tend to keep my elbow bent, holding the handle near my chest. Not only does it create extra strain on my arm, but if I needed to suddenly tighten the lines, I'd have to step back quickly. If I kept my arm out straight, I could just pull the handle in towards my chest (the way I now fly).

Alex, I'm really impressed with the questions you ask, and the things you post. For someone so young, you certainly seem to have a lot going for you. Your father is also to be admired, as he has obviously taught you a lot. I tip my hat to you both.

IF you guy's send me your e-mail I'll send you Paul Walkers trim Chart Updated by ME! Lots of good points and it's the BIBLE. Scott.....PS..... your other hand should be OUT of your pocket and should be at a comfortable position. Don McClave and Paul Walker have there left hand on there chest during an manouver.

Scott: I would be interested in getting your chart. I am sure others would, also.

But then, you have got to post YOUR e-mail so people can e-mail you to get the chart from you.

Leonard Neumann
[email protected]