parrothead
Squadron leader
Blackbeard's playground
Posts: 206
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Post by parrothead on Mar 20, 2010 2:45:50 GMT 1
Welcome Major You'll scar your bird quickly in the begining. Consider this a good thing. As you break, tweak, adjust, trim, etc, etc, you will learn what makes this plane fly and fly well. As all mentioned, "toughen up" your plane during your earlier stages. I had to fight the urge to just put it in the air. Keep reading all the threads you can. Like yourself, I read until I felt I had a SC of my own. A few pieces of well placed, quality packing tape will save you from a disappointing first or second flight. I have landed (crashed) just about every way humanly possible. I guess I'm lucky because my replacements to date are one cowl and a set of home baked struts. I credit this to what I learned here.
Keep the Cub high while you learn. Your natural tendency will be flying closer to the ground. LARGE open area is a must. Easy on the controls. Even though the SC is a very stable trainer, it is very responsive to (stick) commands. Just turn ACT off. Its' worthless. I told my wife a few days ago that I am buying "new wheels for my plane..". She just smiled when I told her that it will set us back about $10 bucks. This is a great hobby. Welcome aboard.
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Post by majormonogram on Mar 20, 2010 4:40:40 GMT 1
Thanks for the tips parrothead. As you and maltiere and a bunch of other people have mentioned breaking the cowl I wish now that I had ordered one. would it hurt the performance of the plane to wrap the cowl with a piece of tape? Would that strengthen it at all? I'm ordering one now along with a set of 2-3/4 inch wheels but it would be nice to not have to wait for it to arrive if I damage mine on day one or two. Thanks again to all of you for the tips and info. I think it is really going to help me become a successful park pilot.
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parrothead
Squadron leader
Blackbeard's playground
Posts: 206
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Post by parrothead on Mar 20, 2010 5:00:00 GMT 1
I'm sure outside the cowl would work as well. I put the tape inside of the cowl. Make sure to cut out all the vents. Use the good stuff. 3M seems to be the fav. Its' just thicker, works well. Kind of a pain trying to get the tape into the cowl, but it definitly helps. My stock cowl lasted all of about three flight attempts. I have smacked, walloped, kissed the ground (dirt and grass only) many a time without a crack or break yet on this sucker. I put tape on the exposed leading edges where I feel is a potential "oh crap" area. Main wing leading edge, tail stabilizers edge. Just keep clear of the rudder and elevator surfaces.
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Post by majormonogram on Mar 20, 2010 5:58:37 GMT 1
thanks again I will definitely do this preflight. unless of course the plane arrives and the sky is slightly overcast and the wind is completely calm....lol...i don't think I could resist...
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N4768Z
Squadron leader
Flying High Again
Posts: 202
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Post by N4768Z on Mar 25, 2010 23:36:41 GMT 1
Just to throw my two cents in about the paint job. Killioughta's plane is a great ex of what's to come on a painted plane no getting around it. However, as I mentioned on the other thread to you today, if you decide to paint. Pick out your color and then hit a hobby shop for a small jar of the closest match that you can find. I use Testors as it doesn't mess with thefoam. Mine happens to cost three bucks and it's a perfect match for the red. If you crash in the weeds, it's going to take paint from the foam almost guaranteed. Grab your small jar of paint and touch it up...good as new. My plane has taken quite a few smacks but still looks like it did when I finished painting it. Painting should be way down the road on those windy days that you can't fly. I agree, fly the hell out of it first and post some video!
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Post by majormonogram on Mar 26, 2010 14:54:41 GMT 1
hey, thanks for the tips. Considering it's March and i'm in W. Texas I will probably have plenty of time for paint and mods. Although, it was sunny and calm yesterday afternoon! Check the maiden in the video section!
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Post by vegatron75 on Mar 31, 2010 0:35:59 GMT 1
I used some strip adhesive backed vinyl from the lhs. I think mono-cote makes it. It's like 10in x 48in. Sells for a couple of bucks. I just cut it up and placed it where I wanted it. It holds good but can still be pulled off....
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N4768Z
Squadron leader
Flying High Again
Posts: 202
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Post by N4768Z on Mar 31, 2010 4:46:40 GMT 1
I used some strip adhesive backed vinyl from the lhs. I think mono-cote makes it. It's like 10in x 48in. Sells for a couple of bucks. I just cut it up and placed it where I wanted it. It holds good but can still be pulled off.... If you can, post some pics. I'm new to the whole mono-cote thing but am entertaining the idea of using it. I will have to hit some YouTube tutorials and web sites to get a better understanding of the stuff. Wing edges etc. I can see me jacking it all up.
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Post by vegatron75 on Apr 1, 2010 5:51:10 GMT 1
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