Flying even the beginner Flite Test builds is harder than it looks (for a beginner)

[toryander]

I had a kind of breakthrough this morning. I had this little 400mm P-51 my brother gifted me. I learned how to fly it pretty good on beginner (of course) and then intermediate. Expert mode (no gyros) was impossible; it just went spastic and crashed . I learned of Fite Test and bought their MightyMini and the sport wing. I built it (I loved the building experience) and went out to fly it with my pocket elrs transmitter on FT Trainer mode. I did manage a few, jerky flights, but it wasn't too long before I jerked it into the ground. I hot glued it and flew it (jerkily) again until another crash made it unrepairable. I bought another and built it again, determined to learn to fly it more smoothly. I got it up and went around once, but I'm still jerking it around (overcorrecting) and eventually nosedived it into my rose garden. I started thinking I'm just too poor a pilot for even the beginner builds. I could hear tearful violins playing. I engineered repairs and got it ready again. This time I spent some time looking for a way not just to repeat my earlier experiences. I learned of output curves. I set up some new curves for ailerons and elevator that slowed down the response from my jerky inputs. I took my Mighty Mini out and took it up and landed it three times without mishap. The softer controls made all the difference. Also, there was no wind and I didn't try any tricks (I had been humbled). I was about ready to give up on Flite Test builds as being too much for me, but maybe I can grow into them.

I live in the middle of nowhere with no group or club where I can meet people to learn from. It's a lonely learning exercise with a large learning curve. I'm glad this forum is here for a little contact.

My next project (along with more flying experience) is to learn how to use an aura board on my new FT Flat Flyer (P-51) with my pocket elrs tx. Here comes another frustrating learning curve (probably .

Cheers!

 

[tomlogan1]

Do yourself a favor. Build a Scout and or Tiny Trainer. You could even set them up as a 3 channel (rudder, elevator & throttle) and fly them until you are confident and used to moving the controls. You can upgrade to 4 channel if and when you want. This type of approach will give you confidence, muscle memory and the satisfaction of seeing something you built perform so well. We've all been where you are

 

[Mr NCT]

+1 on the scout and setting up expo (output curves). Another plane that flies gentler than you would think is the swappable Spitfire.

 

[JDSnavely]

I agree with the swappable Spitfire. Flies like a dream.

 

[JDSnavely]

I had a kind of breakthrough this morning. I had this little 400mm P-51 my brother gifted me. I learned how to fly it pretty good on beginner (of course) and then intermediate. Expert mode (no gyros) was impossible; it just went spastic and crashed . I learned of Fite Test and bought their MightyMini and the sport wing. I built it (I loved the building experience) and went out to fly it with my pocket elrs transmitter on FT Trainer mode. I did manage a few, jerky flights, but it wasn't too long before I jerked it into the ground. I hot glued it and flew it (jerkily) again until another crash made it unrepairable. I bought another and built it again, determined to learn to fly it more smoothly. I got it up and went around once, but I'm still jerking it around (overcorrecting) and eventually nosedived it into my rose garden. I started thinking I'm just too poor a pilot for even the beginner builds. I could hear tearful violins playing. I engineered repairs and got it ready again. This time I spent some time looking for a way not just to repeat my earlier experiences. I learned of output curves. I set up some new curves for ailerons and elevator that slowed down the response from my jerky inputs. I took my Mighty Mini out and took it up and landed it three times without mishap. The softer controls made all the difference. Also, there was no wind and I didn't try any tricks (I had been humbled). I was about ready to give up on Flite Test builds as being too much for me, but maybe I can grow into them.

I live in the middle of nowhere with no group or club where I can meet people to learn from. It's a lonely learning exercise with a large learning curve. I'm glad this forum is here for a little contact.

My next project (along with more flying experience) is to learn how to use an aura board on my new FT Flat Flyer (P-51) with my pocket elrs tx. Here comes another frustrating learning curve (probably .

Cheers!

Great job with the mini Mustang! My son and I, being fairly seasoned fliers, surprisingly had a tough time with the mini Mustang. Until we realized we were flying it way too slow. After crashing many times, I told my son to give it full throttle and go out in a blaze of glory. It flew flawlessly even after all those repairs.

 

[Draftman1]

the tudor is awesome, replica of a trainer from the past

 

[toryander]

Great job with the mini Mustang! My son and I, being fairly seasoned fliers, surprisingly had a tough time with the mini Mustang. Until we realized we were flying it way too slow. After crashing many times, I told my son to give it full throttle and go out in a blaze of glory. It flew flawlessly even after all those repairs.

"Full throttle and go out in a blaze of glory!" I love it. I had crashed my Mighty Mine twice one afternoon (before I learned how to soften the curve). It was looking worse for the wear. My brother asked if I wanted to send it up one more time. "Sure, if I'm gonna break it, let's break it good," I thought. I got it up and somehow maintained control for a couple of rounds before landing it softly. That gave me courage until later when my next noobie crashes took the wind out of my sails. (Amazing what a bit of a breeze can do). I'm still flying the little P-51. With gyro help, it's a sweet little flyer.

 

[toryander]

Do yourself a favor. Build a Scout and or Tiny Trainer. You could even set them up as a 3 channel (rudder, elevator & throttle) and fly them until you are confident and used to moving the controls. You can upgrade to 4 channel if and when you want. This type of approach will give you confidence, muscle memory and the satisfaction of seeing something you built perform so well. We've all been where you are

I've put the scout in my wish list. It looks like fun. Thanks. I wonder how it would be easier to fly than the MightyMini with the sport wing. Isn't me and my inexperienced control technique that's the problem? I may go back to the trainer wing and 3 channels, it's just that it's always a touch breezy here (a mile high and open terrain) and the breeze kicks my butt.

 

[toryander]

the tudor is awesome, replica of a trainer from the past

I can't find anything on this. Tudor or Tutor?

 

[toryander]

+1 on the scout and setting up expo (output curves). Another plane that flies gentler than you would think is the swappable Spitfire.

The swappable spitfire looks great, but it also sounds fast and difficult. It can fly gently with a less experienced pilot?

 

[Tree Feeder]

The tiny trainer or simple soarer are also great builds if you want something extremely easy to fly. I also have great experience with the mini explorer, which has a central plywood reinforcement through the fuselage. This makes it very strong. Mine has survived several high speed nose dives without much damage. Also, the next time that you get a new plane you can trace out all the pieces of the kit onto a sheet of paper or several taped together so that if you crash you can use those to make another one out of normal dollar tree foamboard (dtfb). You don't need to get it from dollar tree, that's just what it's known as. Just remember to stick with it. You will get over that learning curve and then you can enjoy this amazing hobby.

Tree Feeder

 

[RickHunter]

The swappable spitfire looks great, but it also sounds fast and difficult. It can fly gently with a less experienced pilot?

The spitfire is a very stable and easy flyer with the stock motor setup. It was my first warbird when I was just learning to fly. It is also a very easy scratch build as well only taken three sheets of foam. I even built a dual Spitfire once.

 

[toryander]

The tiny trainer or simple soarer are also great builds if you want something extremely easy to fly. I also have great experience with the mini explorer, which has a central plywood reinforcement through the fuselage. This makes it very strong. Mine has survived several high speed nose dives without much damage. Also, the next time that you get a new plane you can trace out all the pieces of the kit onto a sheet of paper or several taped together so that if you crash you can use those to make another one out of normal dollar tree foamboard (dtfb). You don't need to get it from dollar tree, that's just what it's known as. Just remember to stick with it. You will get over that learning curve and then you can enjoy this amazing hobby.

Tree Feeder

Whoa, light just went on. with my wing fold on the flat flyer I didn't have to buy a whole new body, I could have just recreated the wing myself? Cool. I've never been much of a builder, but I've built three FTs in the past month. I like it.

 

[toryander]

The spitfire is a very stable and easy flyer with the stock motor setup. It was my first warbird when I was just learning to fly. It is also a very easy scratch build as well only taken three sheets of foam. I even built a dual Spitfire once.

It's like that twin Mustang. How'd it fly?

 

[RickHunter]

It's like that twin Mustang. How'd it fly?

It flew great. I actually have the Twin mustang in my hanger now. From the same swappable series. I made this one with a single elevator (which i like better), while the spitfire had dual elevators. I do like the Mustang just a hair over the spitfire, but the spitfire is a little easier to fly.

 

[toryander]

It flew great. I actually have the Twin mustang in my hanger now. From the same swappable series. I made this one with a single elevator (which i like better), while the spitfire had dual elevators. I do like the Mustang just a hair over the spitfire, but the spitfire is a little easier to fly.

Cool. Nice looking plane!

 

[Foamforce]

I think the new best FT plane for beginners is the Mini Explorer. Easy flying, no broken props, don’t worry about landing geat, and tough as nails. The standard Scout is also a darling, but has weak landing gear that will be constantly broken.

PS, yes, it’s harder to start with a FT plane than a pre-built, but when you get it, you will be GOOD at it because you understand both your building mistakes and your flying mistakes.

I flew for a few months before I realized that I had my 30% expo BACKWARDS. I could fly anything after that. 😂

 

[Tree Feeder]

My mini explorer has survived several high speed dives and spin ins with no damage except for some dirt on the nose. I highly recommend it.

 

[toryander]

My mini explorer has survived several high speed dives and spin ins with no damage except for some dirt on the nose. I highly recommend it.

Yes, it is tough. I had many crashes before I felt I needed to build a new one. I crashed that one on the maiden flight (too windy). I must have crashed harder that time because it broke that forward edge the wing sits behind and burst the nose open. I was able to engineer a new ridge and "unburst" the nose. (Look at me learning the craft!). But since I put in gentler curves I've flown it several times with no crashes. It feels so good.

 

[toryander]

I think the new best FT plane for beginners is the Mini Explorer. Easy flying, no broken props, don’t worry about landing geat, and tough as nails. The standard Scout is also a darling, but has weak landing gear that will be constantly broken.

PS, yes, it’s harder to start with a FT plane than a pre-built, but when you get it, you will be GOOD at it because you understand both your building mistakes and your flying mistakes.

I flew for a few months before I realized that I had my 30% expo BACKWARDS. I could fly anything after that. 😂

I love that bit about backwards expo. Those are my kind of shenanigans. Yes, I flew the prebuild 400mm P-51 Mustang and got really confident at medium mode. I thought I was something. Then came the Mighty Mini with Sport wing and I was deeply humbled. I realized I had no skills. But since I put in the expo curves things are going much better.