First flight

[skyhawk30]

I got a Parkzone Spitfire for X-mas and after some sim time took it up today. Unfortunately I am now waiting for parts. The motor and electronics are good but the only part of the body to survive is the horizontal stabilizer.:thumbdown: I was hoping to do a little better but from reading all the posts on here it is not out of the ordinary.

Just felt like sharing. The wife (who bought it for me) doesn't really want to hear war stories

[Sgt Heli]

Sorry to hear the bad news. Thats funny about your wife. She wanted to hear how great it flew and to see its safely back at home I guess. Heck, the saying "if I ain't buyin I ain't tryin" really applies doesn't it?

[skyhawk30]

Just put the airplane back together last night. Tested all my controls and it is ready to go. Hopefully I can land it next time.

[NogaroHeli]

I just flew my parkzone spitfire fo the first time today. I got two 10 min flights in without incident- that seems noteworthy since I have NO r/c fixed wing experience and the wind was blowing so hard today I had to land a little over half power to keep from landing backwards! I know I shouldn't have been flying it but I was tired of waiting to get it in the air. I have a feeling this thing's gonna be a lot of fun- especially since I now have a spare Align 430L motor waiting to go in it ;-)

[skyhawk30]

Congrats. Glad to hear someone else can fly the airplane. I had bad weather this weekend (rain) so I am hoping again his weekend. I have only flown a coax heli a little before so I am trying as much flying as possible.

[bighead93]

Congrats. Glad to hear someone else can fly the airplane. I had bad weather this weekend (rain) so I am hoping again his weekend. I have only flown a coax heli a little before so I am trying as much flying as possible.

There is a trick to these Parkzone Warbids...stay high until you get comfortable...and come in with some power...at about 10' cut the power and gently add up elevator and flop it on the grass! Thats what I do:thumbup:

[skyhawk30]

Thanks for the tip. I was guessing that I should have gotten some more altitude to allow for some for first flight nerves. I only had it maybe 30-40 feet up.
Again thanks for the tip. I will report on the next flight.

[skyhawk30]

Took the airplane out to the field again today and crashed nose first on the hand launch. Thought I threw it hard and into the wind. The elevators seemed level, full throttle. I have the parts and am already putting it back together. Any advice on hand launching? :arggg:

[istandalone]

my one piece of advise for a hand launch, is stand at the top of a hill if you can. the decline will give you more room to pick up speed.

[NogaroHeli]

When you launch it- hold the airplane with your left hand, hit full throttle, control right controller stick with your right hand- that way you'll have control when you launch it, then run until it almost flies out of your hand and you should have control throughout the process.

BTW- I just flew mine last week with the 430L running through the stock gearbox and prop- it's crazy, it's cartooon fast! Try it once you've gotten a feel for the plane.

Good luck!

[skyhawk30]

Thanks for the input. Hopefully this weekend I should be able to test this out.

[bfireman]

I read some where not to turn the motor up to full power. The torque wants to make it crash. So give it a good toss and full power after it gets going a little.
Alan

[Rick Rotorhead]

Hand launching techniques do vary, and most flyers get a method they are most comfortable with. I've hand launched my own planes for years - this is how I do it.

Hold plane in RIGHT hand - cos I can't throw in a straight line for toffee with my left, as is true with many folk.
Hold plane high, just above head height, hold it level, point the nose at, or just above, the horizon - this is crucial - it ain't gonna get any airspeed if you just let it go with the nose pointing up 60 degrees (unless its an overpowered aerobatic job, in which case you'll not be needing newbie launching advice!).
Take just two or three steps forward and push the plane briskly forward toward the horizon.
Use at least 3/4 power - if its got a motor at the top of its capacity range - full power if its gutless.
Upon release bring your right hand down quickly to the Tx stick ready to apply some correction, usually a little up elevator until full airspeed has been achieved.

What NOT to do - if your doing this, stop it at once! Do not, run like a mad man flailing the plane about over your head, stop briefly, lob the plane upwards at 60 degrees expecting it to climb away - it won't. At best, this approach - and I've seen guys do it dozens of times - leaves the plane with no airspeed and about to either tipstall or tailslide, or both.

So, to re-cap, the handlaunch needs to be smooth and level, hard, sure, but not at the expense of being straight n'level. Incidently, I once tried a transmitter tray, but during hand launch, found myself hauling back on the tray's corner bracket instead of the elevator stick :Lol - never used a Tx tray since.

[skyhawk30]

Thanks for the information. I am bound and determined to get this plane flying and learning how to have fun with it. I knew going in with no experience it would be a little frustrating to get started. I am glad this site exists to keep the info and stories coming.

Will report on the next flight.

[skyhawk30]

The prop on the Park Zone Spitfire has a nut that holds it down and then the nose cone goes over that. Do I need to apply locktite to get it to stay? As soon as I power up the motor the nut comes flying off.

[Squirrlybird]

I second the importance of a smooth toss. However, it is kinda funny to watch a run and chunk.

Note, I dont like for anyone to crash, but I do want to see it when it happens:lol: