So, I finished building the Sea Duck 2.0 and maidened it for the first time last weekend.
I was ALL OVER the place, getting it trimmed out and flying level. The plane just felt SUPER twitchy compared to the old model, and wanted to roll left and right with the slightest movements, or nose up and down right after taking off and adjusting any little bit of elevator or ailerons.
One of the 3D pilots came over and started checking on me because I was so twitchy, and I told him I thought it was all me being nervous, and I brought the plane down for a landing.
Well, it turns out it was me, and it wasn't.
You know how, on the plans for most of these planes, they tell you to check your throw rate? Yeah - I forgot to set it to 16 degrees of throw, like they suggested. I also didn't have any expo whatsoever programmed in, like I had on the first plane. The guys at the field kept asking if my plane should be doing what it was doing, flipping and rolling in the manner that it was, and I said "Yes, and no. The old one rolled smooth as butter; this one, however, is SUPER sensitive." They thought it was all expo settings, which it KINDA was, but it was also how much throw I'd set it up with, which was FULL throw. OOPS.
The good news is that I've flown and landed it successfully, and I know what I need to do before I take it up next time; I've already made a throw gauge and will be setting up my rates for low and high.
I was ALL OVER the place, getting it trimmed out and flying level. The plane just felt SUPER twitchy compared to the old model, and wanted to roll left and right with the slightest movements, or nose up and down right after taking off and adjusting any little bit of elevator or ailerons.
One of the 3D pilots came over and started checking on me because I was so twitchy, and I told him I thought it was all me being nervous, and I brought the plane down for a landing.
Well, it turns out it was me, and it wasn't.
You know how, on the plans for most of these planes, they tell you to check your throw rate? Yeah - I forgot to set it to 16 degrees of throw, like they suggested. I also didn't have any expo whatsoever programmed in, like I had on the first plane. The guys at the field kept asking if my plane should be doing what it was doing, flipping and rolling in the manner that it was, and I said "Yes, and no. The old one rolled smooth as butter; this one, however, is SUPER sensitive." They thought it was all expo settings, which it KINDA was, but it was also how much throw I'd set it up with, which was FULL throw. OOPS.
The good news is that I've flown and landed it successfully, and I know what I need to do before I take it up next time; I've already made a throw gauge and will be setting up my rates for low and high.