Hello! Long time watcher, first time order

TailGunner

New member
Hello! I first found flite test youtube while sick at home with Covid in Dec 2021.

I’ve wanted to fly a RC plane since I was a kid 20 years ago. I’ve finally just ordered a mini tutor and the mini explorer kit. I’ve watched a lot of videos in trying to learn to build and fly it. I live on a few acres but in the desert so I wanted wheels so the belly doesn’t get torn up. But wanted to fly slow too. So I bought both the mini tutor and the explorer.

I’ll guess I’ll test out the mini explorer and see if the belly holds up ok to the non- grass landings or if I’ll have to fly it at the local park with grass. I guess I could clad the belly in something.

Anyway I’m excited for the kits to arrive! Thanks flitetest!
 

Mr Man

Elite member
Hello! I first found flite test youtube while sick at home with Covid in Dec 2021.

I’ve wanted to fly a RC plane since I was a kid 20 years ago. I’ve finally just ordered a mini tutor and the mini explorer kit. I’ve watched a lot of videos in trying to learn to build and fly it. I live on a few acres but in the desert so I wanted wheels so the belly doesn’t get torn up. But wanted to fly slow too. So I bought both the mini tutor and the explorer.

I’ll guess I’ll test out the mini explorer and see if the belly holds up ok to the non- grass landings or if I’ll have to fly it at the local park with grass. I guess I could clad the belly in something.

Anyway I’m excited for the kits to arrive! Thanks flitetest!
Welcome!
You could cover the belly with aluminum tape or duck tape. Enjoy flying!
 

Flyingshark

Master member
Hello! I first found flite test youtube while sick at home with Covid in Dec 2021.

I’ve wanted to fly a RC plane since I was a kid 20 years ago. I’ve finally just ordered a mini tutor and the mini explorer kit. I’ve watched a lot of videos in trying to learn to build and fly it. I live on a few acres but in the desert so I wanted wheels so the belly doesn’t get torn up. But wanted to fly slow too. So I bought both the mini tutor and the explorer.

I’ll guess I’ll test out the mini explorer and see if the belly holds up ok to the non- grass landings or if I’ll have to fly it at the local park with grass. I guess I could clad the belly in something.

Anyway I’m excited for the kits to arrive! Thanks flitetest!
Josh might already cover this in the build video for the Mini Explorer, but you can cover the surface of the fuselage that will hit the ground on a belly landing with a layer of packing tape. I did that for my Tiny Trainer years ago and it's still holding up! Aluminum tape and duct tape are also definitely options, but they're probably a bit heavier.

Once you get really confident in your flying, you can also try slowing the plane down almost to a stall and grabbing it out of the air! :D I've been doing this lately when my field is wet and I don't want to soak the foam board.
 

TailGunner

New member
I built the mini tutor first! I did drive out to public land so I wouldn’t crash in a neighbors yard. I messed up and weighted the tutor tail heavy. Hahah it was quite a hand full 😂. Broke the 4 props I had pretty quick. The up side is the bushes and trees around here do a pretty good job of catching the planes. I finished the explorer and re-weighted the tutor. Got 10 props off Amazon and flew both today. Tutor is my fav, because it’s fun to land with the wheels. The tiny explorer is cool to take up and turn off and glide back down.

Here’s Rocky the Tracker the kids named. I have shark mouth and US WW2 stickers coming for it soon.

The kids and me both want a Sea Duck after I showed them Tail Spin, my fav show as a kid.
 

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Piotrsko

Master member
You'll notice that most sea ducks here are painted in official livery.

First couple of "flights" should be prop off radio on control surfaces centered, gentle tosses, into bush landing optional. Was covered back in that day with every Goldberg or Sterling kit and called test glide. Young uns don't test glide much any more, their reactions are gobs faster BUT they rebuild more.

Gets off soapbox
 

Merv

Moderator
Moderator
...I guess I could clad the belly in something...
Welcome to the forums.
To cover the belly, anything lightweight will work. I sometimes cut up an old milk jug & hot glue a flat chunk to the belly, it makes pretty good armor.