Post by gregstone on Jun 14, 2012 23:28:24 GMT 1
Hate to go against the trend - and perhaps I'm a poor example - but I have been learning to fly on my own, I'm pretty happy with my progress, and from what i read here I don't seem to be doing any more damage to my Cub than others - hope I didn't just jinx myself! 
I certainly can see where an instructor would be helpful, but I should add that I first learned to fly on my own using a Gentle Lady glider with rudder and elevator only. That gave me a leg up, but it's been twenty years since I've flown. Since I'm on my 70th trip around the Sun, learning new stuff seems a bit more challenging, but no less fun. But when I got the Cub I proceeded very cautiously.
First, i did an awful lot of driving it around on the ground on pavement. That way I got used to the throttle and I began to build some memory in my hands for what the rudder control did when the Cub was coming towards me vs. going away from me.
Second, I made it a rule to fly only when the wind is below 7 mph - and usually when it's closer to 3 - and for me that frequently means only between 5 and 7 am.
Third, I make it a point to gain altitude quickly - get above the trees, relax, go through a landing pattern - but above tree level - then try the real thing after I'm sure of what I'm going to do. In the process I have taken a significant chip off a wing tip and I have pretty much used up the original cowl and put on a new one.
In any event, I am having a ball - with the Cub, with a Champ, and with a Night Vapor - each of which presents a different, but similar learning experiences. I am really impressed with these "RTF" models - never thought I would be since I have always built my own from balsa. But I am impressed that they fly as well as they do and I am impressed that they are as easy to repair and modify as they are - and finally, I am extremely impressed with this forum and have been lurking and stealing ideas, such as the paper clip mod for holding the struts and making it easy to remove the wing.
BTW - I have been keeping a blog of my progress - and problems - and repairs et al here. flying4funofit.wordpress.com/
Bottom line - I'm all for someone finding an instructor if they can, but you can learn on your own if you take it slow and you pay attention to all the good material online.
I certainly can see where an instructor would be helpful, but I should add that I first learned to fly on my own using a Gentle Lady glider with rudder and elevator only. That gave me a leg up, but it's been twenty years since I've flown. Since I'm on my 70th trip around the Sun, learning new stuff seems a bit more challenging, but no less fun. But when I got the Cub I proceeded very cautiously.
First, i did an awful lot of driving it around on the ground on pavement. That way I got used to the throttle and I began to build some memory in my hands for what the rudder control did when the Cub was coming towards me vs. going away from me.
Second, I made it a rule to fly only when the wind is below 7 mph - and usually when it's closer to 3 - and for me that frequently means only between 5 and 7 am.
Third, I make it a point to gain altitude quickly - get above the trees, relax, go through a landing pattern - but above tree level - then try the real thing after I'm sure of what I'm going to do. In the process I have taken a significant chip off a wing tip and I have pretty much used up the original cowl and put on a new one.
In any event, I am having a ball - with the Cub, with a Champ, and with a Night Vapor - each of which presents a different, but similar learning experiences. I am really impressed with these "RTF" models - never thought I would be since I have always built my own from balsa. But I am impressed that they fly as well as they do and I am impressed that they are as easy to repair and modify as they are - and finally, I am extremely impressed with this forum and have been lurking and stealing ideas, such as the paper clip mod for holding the struts and making it easy to remove the wing.
BTW - I have been keeping a blog of my progress - and problems - and repairs et al here. flying4funofit.wordpress.com/
Bottom line - I'm all for someone finding an instructor if they can, but you can learn on your own if you take it slow and you pay attention to all the good material online.
