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MAIDEN FLIGHTS ! ( ALWAYS LEARNING)
#1

Here is the place where maiden flight info , needs to be added . for example, Type of Plane , C of G, Radio set up , flying area, Having a buddy, a Plan, How to . etc etc , And 2nd flight. +more

please add your thoughts .

1: spend lots of time on your plane for setup , search forums , for known errors about your plane , more importantly don't take anybodies word on a forum without checking yourself , or getting someone you know to double check . consider battery size and flight time for the 1st flight , weather on the day , and the characteristics of the plane , and where your flying it . Always set up nose heavy rather than tail heavy for the 1st flight .
2: dont be a mug as most of us do , ask for help and assistance from an instructor or trusted flyer for the 1st flight no matter how good you are , theres an unknown situation about to take hand in the skies , and you may need trimming help or a talk through from someone standing next you about plane position where people are etc . get your Buddy to check your plane pre flight , for controls , range check always , before it goes up , no matter how good you are as a flyer , this is a big error that people dont do. Before take off DECLARE maiden flight , and perhaps have the sky to yourself . Its important that everyone at the field knows your taking aplane up for the 1st time , this can prepare them for an unknown event.
3: inflight , consider the plane your flying , it wont be like your other planes , an EDF for example has no prop thrust going over your flight surfaces, and generally needs spool up time and will have wash off speed , so wont perform like your 3d flyer , or warbird , or bi plane . do not do any rolls or aerobatics on your 1st flight . IF ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH CG OR RETRACTS OR ANYTHING NOT NORMAL IN FLIGHT BESIDES TRIM, LAND IMMEDIATELY
your 1st flight is to set trim , check functions of plane like retracts, flaps , control response , speed charactoristics and landing approaches and then safe landing only , allow less time in the air than you expect from your batteries . WHEN LANDING YELL OUT LANDING LEFT TO RIGHT /RIGHT TO LEFT . When plane lands , don't taxi back go to the plane and disconnect battery , look for anything out of place before you move , even battery position etc . IF ANYTHING OTHER THAN A GOOD FLIGHT HAPPENS, KEEP YOUR BUDDY , AND ANY AUDIENCE INFORMED , OF IMPENDING SITUATION .
4: post flight inspections , inspect everything from temp of motor , esc , batteries voltage per cell after flight , record how long you flew for , all your servos hinges and wheels , wings elevon and rudder thoroughly before your next flight , make sure the plane has any fixes needed done before your next flight .ASK YOU R BUDDY OR FELLOW FLYERS FOR ANY ADVICE , anything they noticed about your maiden , and attend to them . do not risk anything that is not right , repair or modify anything that needs attention before next flight .
IF ANYTHING , is changed than your next flight is another MAIDEN !


2ND FLIGHT
1: This should be better flight , however still a maiden view , no low flying , your plane should be trimmed and your flight time increased or decreased now depending on how your batteries were after the 1st flight , do this in stages not vast increments .
do some flyovers , check for straight and level , your throws may have been reset and the plane should be flying better .
the most important part of the 2nd flight is keeping a level head , as a 2nd flight i believe can be more dangerous than the 1st . therefore i recommend a buddy , who doesnt have the adrenelin of the 1st flight stand with you again , to stop you being over confident . believe me a plane is more likely to fail or go down after the 1st flight if there is a mechanical/ electrical issue ready to arise .
Time to check your C of G . Go up high , do a roll 1st and see if your plane flies a straight , if not your CG is out .
do not fly inverted !!!!!! fly up at 45 degrees and then invert to see if your nose drops . if it does its nose heavy . do not fly inverted . land and reset balance . if its tail heavy it will fly horrible and twitchy , you would've noticed this on 1st flight and landed immediately .

3RD FLIGHT , recheck everything set further flight times as per battery setup , then set your c of g , and send up again . this time try inverted flight hi up . hopefully by now everything should be setup .
4th flight introduce light aerobatics and low flying ,
spend time with your plane , and don't take it for granted , safety wise hardware is still untested in time , always check your plane pre flight and after , maintain it , and give it a good 5 -10 flights before you declare it safe .

IF THERE IS ANYTHING TO ADD PLEASE FEEL FREE

patience !!Biggrin paaatience !!Paranoid paaaaaatience Tounge paaaaaaatieeence Lol dooooohhhh !!! Upset


DANGER WIFE CAN READ FORUMS . love you darling . sig changed .
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#2

Great work Frank.

I have a few suggestions for the first few flights.

Think carefully about your control throws after the maiden and whether or not increases or reductions are necessary to make the aircraft more user friendly, an over twitchy aircraft is just as dangerous as an aircraft that is sluggish or slow to respond to control input.

The addition of Expo from 20 to 50% should be considered at this time particularly in high speed aircraft to make it more compliant at different flight speeds.

My final recommendation would be to give Dual rates a big miss for the first few flights until the aircraft has been trimmed and you are flying it in your comfort zone, you have enough to think about during the first few flights without worrying about where you have you Rates set at any point in time.

Gazz

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Don't ever let the fear of landing keep you from taking off!
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