Stradawhovious
"That guy"
Went flying on Saturday, and brought my youngest kiddo with me. Normally he would be TERRIFIED to come flying with me, but only because he knows I would want him to bang the sticks around, and he is really scared to crash.
This time was different.
I went to my local hobby store and grabbed a Spektrum DX4 transmitter, and got it all set up to buddy box with my DX8. I showed him how the system worked, and he got really giddy to come with me.
We got to the field, I got the FT Flyer all ready to go with the buddy box and sent it up in the air with a hand launch. It immediately spiraled into the ground with a very unsatisfying thud.
Lesson one for the kiddo... In this hobby you crash. Period. Luckily he just laughed because he knew I was in control of the plane.
Turns out if you connect the rudder to the rudder channel, and expect the aileron input to control it you're going to have a bad time. Good news is that I was able to bring it in with no damage and make the necessary corrections.
Lesson Two for the kiddo... ALWAYS check your control surfaces. ALWAYS.
This time I got it up in the air, brought it up about 3 mistakes high and counted down like we practiced... "Three, Two, one, You have control" and pressed the trainer button.
He's a natural.
Well, mostly anyways.
He did fly over his head a few times, into the sun a few times, and got up and down confused a few times, but with some gentle coaching and a whole lot of positive reinforcement he eventually got the hang of it. Also, with the buddy box system the plane never once hit the ground as a result of his input. I brought it in for a few nice landings to change the battery, but other than that the FT Flyer performed perfectly. I really think that the FT Flyer is a FANTASTIC beginner platform.
Next time I think he will start learning how to land. I can't wait... and more importantly, neither can he.
This time was different.
I went to my local hobby store and grabbed a Spektrum DX4 transmitter, and got it all set up to buddy box with my DX8. I showed him how the system worked, and he got really giddy to come with me.
We got to the field, I got the FT Flyer all ready to go with the buddy box and sent it up in the air with a hand launch. It immediately spiraled into the ground with a very unsatisfying thud.
Lesson one for the kiddo... In this hobby you crash. Period. Luckily he just laughed because he knew I was in control of the plane.
Turns out if you connect the rudder to the rudder channel, and expect the aileron input to control it you're going to have a bad time. Good news is that I was able to bring it in with no damage and make the necessary corrections.
Lesson Two for the kiddo... ALWAYS check your control surfaces. ALWAYS.
This time I got it up in the air, brought it up about 3 mistakes high and counted down like we practiced... "Three, Two, one, You have control" and pressed the trainer button.
He's a natural.
Well, mostly anyways.
He did fly over his head a few times, into the sun a few times, and got up and down confused a few times, but with some gentle coaching and a whole lot of positive reinforcement he eventually got the hang of it. Also, with the buddy box system the plane never once hit the ground as a result of his input. I brought it in for a few nice landings to change the battery, but other than that the FT Flyer performed perfectly. I really think that the FT Flyer is a FANTASTIC beginner platform.
Next time I think he will start learning how to land. I can't wait... and more importantly, neither can he.