Post by sham on Jun 25, 2015 21:24:13 GMT 1
Well, you won't want to know that it flew tonight then? So just go away while I tell the others 
Charged the batteries yesterday, just before it rained... but tonight it was perfect, so off I went with the Supercub, the Sportcub and the Bonanza. The guy who was at the field last time was there with a multitude of planes and we had a laugh, me putting 8 batteries through the two foam planes and him flying everything from a foam biplane to a balsa 3D monster.
Then, out came the Bonanza.
No video, because I forgot my phone and was nervous enough anyway.
On the first take off attempt, the prop hit the nose wheel (the wheel sprung against a rut) and took a chunk out of the tyre - and I nearly went home, but the other pilot told me to stop fannying around and just max the throttle instead of a gentle run.
So, up it went and I flew about 6 minutes before a very nervous but smooth landing. Second flight was better, but still nervy.
So, impressions...
Its fast, like really fast. Very smooth and progressive but also very direct and fast to respond to commands. Its not properly trimmed yet, but flies nicely and is well balanced. Importantly, it came home in one piece. It won't corner slowly, which I have to remember. I didn't use the flaps or retract the gear - the flaps add an element I want to save until I'm more at ease, and the gear I wasn't going to risk with the damaged wheel. I'm thoroughly delighted, and will get more so as I get more relaxed with it.
A very good evening! At last.
A new wheel, and a little more bend on the nose gear - and I'll be good to go again.
Charged the batteries yesterday, just before it rained... but tonight it was perfect, so off I went with the Supercub, the Sportcub and the Bonanza. The guy who was at the field last time was there with a multitude of planes and we had a laugh, me putting 8 batteries through the two foam planes and him flying everything from a foam biplane to a balsa 3D monster.
Then, out came the Bonanza.
No video, because I forgot my phone and was nervous enough anyway.
On the first take off attempt, the prop hit the nose wheel (the wheel sprung against a rut) and took a chunk out of the tyre - and I nearly went home, but the other pilot told me to stop fannying around and just max the throttle instead of a gentle run.
So, up it went and I flew about 6 minutes before a very nervous but smooth landing. Second flight was better, but still nervy.
So, impressions...
Its fast, like really fast. Very smooth and progressive but also very direct and fast to respond to commands. Its not properly trimmed yet, but flies nicely and is well balanced. Importantly, it came home in one piece. It won't corner slowly, which I have to remember. I didn't use the flaps or retract the gear - the flaps add an element I want to save until I'm more at ease, and the gear I wasn't going to risk with the damaged wheel. I'm thoroughly delighted, and will get more so as I get more relaxed with it.
A very good evening! At last.
A new wheel, and a little more bend on the nose gear - and I'll be good to go again.
