which one?

[kingsnake93]

Which plane is a good one to start with? I just got a Firebird Commander2 and I have crashed it a few times. Is it a good one to start with?

thanks,

[Dave Robelen]

Hi Kingsnake,
I am going to move this thread over to Park and Backyard Flyers where it will get more response.
Regards, Dave

[Leo L]

It may sound silly, but I suggest that you get the microflyer Aeroace by Airhogs. Its available at Toys-r-us for $30 and will get you experienced in the feel of a 2-channel plane. You will learn two very important basics: you cannot beat the wind, so don't fly unless it is very calm; and proper throttle control. With most planes, but particularly 2-channel planes, if you give them too much throttle, they will nose up, stall, start falling, gain speed, nose up again, etc. Without elevator control to help you, you need to reduce throttle to gain control. Follow the manual in adjusting your Firebird to minimize this trait.

I, and most of the flyers in my local park, started with the Firebird Commander. I didn't like the fact that the plane would make corrections on its own, because I would end up fighting it for control. As soon as I started flying in the "advanced" mode, the flying became a lot more fun and a lot more controlable. I still managed to find almost every tree in the vicinity of the flying field, but this eventually drilled two important facts into my brain: 1) trees are your enemy; 2) altitude is your ally. Always go for altitude and try to fly at least 100 ft. above the tallest nearby obstacle, whether its a tree, fence, house, etc.

[kingsnake93]

hey I am 12 and i cant hand launch whenever I do it climbs to fast then does a nose dive. But when i ground launch with wheels it does fine until about 10' then does a nose dive. but the park I fly at it has like 120' tall trees.

[Leo L]

If you are still having problems, try the following:
1) Adjust the tail as much as possible. Loosen the front screw (but don't let it fall out), tighten the back screw as much as possible, then make the front screw just tight enough that it won't vibrate out.
2) Add the shim under the back of the wing
3) Add some weight at the front of the plane. I squeezed several quarters infront of the battery compartment and that seemed to help. Just make sure that the weights are attached and do not start to roll around.
4) If you can come up with $30.00, go to Toy-r-us and buy an Aeroace by Air Hogs. Its a tiny 2-channel plane that you can fly almost anywhere. If you check out the various threads here, on RC Groups and on RC Universe, you will see that a lot of people have a high regard for this simple little "toy". The most important thing is that flying the Aerocae will get you a feel for backing off the throttle until the plane stops nosing up, then falling.

When you take off from the ground with the Firebird, back off on the throttle the moment that the plane leaves the ground. If you are still at full throttle when you reach 10ft., the plane will stall every time and will fall to the ground every time.

[kingsnake93]

The tail was already fully Adjust and had the wing shim on the wing. I just practice geting
about 20' of the ground and then land.

[aeajr]

THROWING UP WILL MAKE YOU SICK!

Let's take a look at that hand launch as it can be troublesome for new flyers.

Always launch into the wind. ALWAYS!!!! No exceptions! If the wind is not
blowing into your face, you are facing the wrong way.
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=43

Motor at FULL throttle. Remember, if you throw-UP, that will make you sick.
You want to send it straight out and level on a hand launch. This is true for 2 channel, 3 channel and 4 channel. It is true for electrics and gliders. Don't throw up.

Your plane may actually lose some altitude as it gains speed. As long as the
wings are level and the plane is flat, that is fine. The plane should look
like it just flew past you, not like it is climbing, at least not right away.

On 3 and 4 channel planes, don't pull back hard on the elevator till it is up to speed. Maybe a TINY bit. It should start to regain that altitude all on its own as the lift of the wing kicks in. Until that happens, a big pull back on the elevator is like putting
on the brakes, and it will slow the plane down, the wings will lose lift and
it will stall and likely fall to one side or the other, especially if you
haven't thrown it with the wings level.


Stall?
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=31

Think of it this way, if you throw the plane up, it is like starting to ride
your bicycle up hill in high gear from a standing start. VERY HARD to do.
Better to start on level ground in a lower gear, get up some speed, then
attack the hill. Same for your plane.

If you throw up, the plane can not gain speed fast enough and the wing will
not get up to minimum flying speed. Getting a firm, flat, wings even throw
takes some work. Send it out like a big dart you are tossing at a board on the
wall.

Try this visualization:

Stand under the goal post of a football or soccer field. With the motor at
full power, throw it straight out so it will fly under the cross bar of the
other goal post.

Under the other goal post? Yes under!

That should give you a nice flat throw! If you are trying to throw it OVER the
goal post, you are tipped up too much. Strong firm, flat throw, not up, or
only slightly up. Those wings need to be flat to gain lift. ( Don't worry,
by time it reaches the other end of the field it will be much higher than
that cross bar, but don't try to throw it over the bar. Let the plane do it.)

This tendency to throw up is a very common mistake that lots of new flyers
make. You will crash and crash and crash and that will just make you sick!

Remember: If you throw-up, it will make you sick!

I recently exchanged messages with a new pilot. He was having
terrible problems. Happens that he lives near me. Brought the plane to me.

After checking it out, I launched the plane. The plane flew perfectly. In fact
I set it at full throttle, threw the plane and then stretched my arms out wide
so he could see I was not touching the controls.

Turned out he was throwing UP at about a 45 degree angle. Now he does it
right, flies in 10+ mph winds and is teaching his brother how to fly. He also
became a member of our club.

So, is your hand launch making you sick?

[kingsnake93]

Throw up? all I know is that when I hand launch it curvs up and stalls evan when at 50% power.

[aeajr]

Throw up? all I know is that when I hand launch it curvs up and stalls evan when at 50% power.

If you are making a level throw and the plane immediatly climbs too much then stalls, the tail is out of adjustment. You may need to shim the front of the tail to reduce the angle. The procedure is in your manual for adjusting the tail with the screws. If that doesn't work, try cardboard or paper shims.

[kingsnake93]

With the shim on.

[aeajr]

Unless you are flying in strong wind, take the shim out.

You should NOT be flying in wind until you are very acomplished, so take the shim out.

The shim reduces the amount of lift the wing provides.


Questions:

Are you trying to take off into the wind?

The boom is the black tube that comes out of the body of the plane to hold the tail. Can you move it up and down or can you rotate it it?

You should not need to add weight.

Are there any creases in the tail of the plane?

[kingsnake93]

No not many creases...No I can not move it up or down or left to right