3.....2....1, That is usually the numbers you hear before a take off. In this case though it is the numbers representing the flight attempts of the Raptor 22 Remote control plane I received for Christmas....... 3 attempts, 2 take offs and 1 successful landing.
This is how my first RC flight attempts went. I finally, after months of putting it off purchased the last part needed that till now was keeping me grounded, the glow plug adaptor that heats the plug to start the engine. With this piece of the puzzle in hand there was no reason not to attempt what the wright brothers achieved years ago. I was to achieve flight. So after checking the weather on Sunday I decided if the winds were right that Monday morning would be the big day. Then my mother called and for ten minutes talked about how how the Family flights had gone in the past and how likely it would be that the plane would suffer great damages the first time I fly. So then the evil fear crept in. My 550$ plane was too nice to just fly into the dirt.
Well you only live once right? So this morning I went to the runway (the back lot of the high school). I prep the plane, did the flight checks blessed it and kissed it goodbye. Then with the sound and smell of two stroke it came to life. I had decided the runway flight path was safer if I went with the wind because of fewer obstacles at the end of the runway, (I know a cardinal sin for flight). Well low and behold there is a reason we fly into the wind. The plane could not get enough lift and I crashed it into the weeds at the end of the runway. So 1 attempt.
After some repairs, (thanks to the packing tape in the cabinet). I decided to go at it again. This time though against the wind even though the end of the runway ends with an eight foot fence. As the plane sped it began to lift into the sky and then I saw the wires. Two telephone wires were directly in my flight path......CRAP! At risk of stalling I pulled up and the plane labored into the sky. Clear of the wires we were safe and sound, but like all things....what goes up must come down. Landing against the wind I miss judged the runway angle and the plane slid of the edge of the runway and into the weeds. I dreaded the worst but found the plan was no worse for the wear. 2 attempts and 1 take off. SOOOO......Why not try again right.
This time I compiled all the data gained from the first two attempts and mustered up my nerve. Now at risk was, pride and plane. The flight was rough. I almost stalled and then just before colliding into the hillside I was able to wobble it up and into the air it went. 10 minutes went by in a blink and it was landing time... After adjusting the landing path to not slide of the edge we began the decent. All was well till the breeze picked up and rocked the 4 footer hard. Abort! Abort! Full throttle and lift we escaped with our skins. On the next attempt the wind was steady and the landing was only slightly bouncy. After taxing to the truck I exhaled. That was 3 attempts, 2 take offs and yes, 1 successful landing. WooHoo! I am hooked!!
This is how my first RC flight attempts went. I finally, after months of putting it off purchased the last part needed that till now was keeping me grounded, the glow plug adaptor that heats the plug to start the engine. With this piece of the puzzle in hand there was no reason not to attempt what the wright brothers achieved years ago. I was to achieve flight. So after checking the weather on Sunday I decided if the winds were right that Monday morning would be the big day. Then my mother called and for ten minutes talked about how how the Family flights had gone in the past and how likely it would be that the plane would suffer great damages the first time I fly. So then the evil fear crept in. My 550$ plane was too nice to just fly into the dirt.
Well you only live once right? So this morning I went to the runway (the back lot of the high school). I prep the plane, did the flight checks blessed it and kissed it goodbye. Then with the sound and smell of two stroke it came to life. I had decided the runway flight path was safer if I went with the wind because of fewer obstacles at the end of the runway, (I know a cardinal sin for flight). Well low and behold there is a reason we fly into the wind. The plane could not get enough lift and I crashed it into the weeds at the end of the runway. So 1 attempt.
After some repairs, (thanks to the packing tape in the cabinet). I decided to go at it again. This time though against the wind even though the end of the runway ends with an eight foot fence. As the plane sped it began to lift into the sky and then I saw the wires. Two telephone wires were directly in my flight path......CRAP! At risk of stalling I pulled up and the plane labored into the sky. Clear of the wires we were safe and sound, but like all things....what goes up must come down. Landing against the wind I miss judged the runway angle and the plane slid of the edge of the runway and into the weeds. I dreaded the worst but found the plan was no worse for the wear. 2 attempts and 1 take off. SOOOO......Why not try again right.
This time I compiled all the data gained from the first two attempts and mustered up my nerve. Now at risk was, pride and plane. The flight was rough. I almost stalled and then just before colliding into the hillside I was able to wobble it up and into the air it went. 10 minutes went by in a blink and it was landing time... After adjusting the landing path to not slide of the edge we began the decent. All was well till the breeze picked up and rocked the 4 footer hard. Abort! Abort! Full throttle and lift we escaped with our skins. On the next attempt the wind was steady and the landing was only slightly bouncy. After taxing to the truck I exhaled. That was 3 attempts, 2 take offs and yes, 1 successful landing. WooHoo! I am hooked!!
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