How Do You Overcome The Jitters When Flying A New Plane?

[Aeromodeler]

I guess you can't for a while but I seem to be nervous when flying a new, expensive plane for the first and even 10th time. Even though I know it's a cream puff to fly, it's still nerve racking. Can my brothers and sisters here at the Giants give me some pointers and advise so I can relax and enjoy myself please. I eventually overcome the nervousness but damn, I wish I didn't care. I just keep saying its just a toy but it really isn't, its an expensive piece of art in most cases and all the work and scratch that goes into it doesn't come easy to me. Thanks so much for the pointers folks. B-

[Tex]

I still get the jitters with all my new planes........doesnt matter what size it is......how I cope with it of couse go high....do the trimming and then go right into wringing the plane out with plenty of altitude until I get the feel of it, that way I calm down real quik and settle into flying the plane.

[Paul5992]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Aeromodeler
	I guess you can't for a while but I seem to be nervous when flying a new, expensive plane for the first and even 10th time. Even though I know it's a cream puff to fly, it's still nerve racking. Can my brothers and sisters here at the Giants give me some pointers and advise so I can relax and enjoy myself please. I eventually overcome the nervousness but damn, I wish I didn't care. I just keep saying its just a toy but it really isn't, its an expensive piece of art in most cases and all the work and scratch that goes into it doesn't come easy to me. Thanks so much for the pointers folks. B-

I just stepped into 35%. If it wasn't scary it wouldn't be fun. I like the thrill. When the thrill is gone I think I would quit flying.

[flyinhi]

The only man I heard make sense on this matter was a German fella who said "The secret to flying an rc aircraft without fear is......money" "It's the financial aspect, you cann't be afraid of the loss." Since I'm not carrying enough cash to replace the larger planes I fly, I guess I will always have some degree of gimbal trimble also. Or at least until I am ready for the next plane!
You could just go out and stick it in the dirt! After you rebuild it, the fears tend to subside!

[Edgeman 540]

I'll tell ya,no one wants to see any airplane go in but just remember,every time you send that bird up your taking a chance and that chance might even be out of your control.If you want a hangar queen leave it in the hangar otherwise forget about how much you have invested in it and fly the hell out of it.If people were constantly worried about crashing then they would never progress in there flying and we'd all be flying pattern.My modo is this "If one can't afford to replace what your flying in case of a crash than you might be maxing yourself out financially with that one particular plane".
With a new plane I usually take is easy for a few flights then ease into the hardcore stuff.By that time I'm use to the flight characteristics and know what it will and will not handle.
I hope this helps.Good Luck.

[flyinhi]

YES YES YES! It is the thrill and the RUSH of that new bird heading down the runway and screaming upward with your testi%^$ in tow!
My Father ask me ONE time "Why did you have to get into giants?!" After he saw me fly and land my second gasser, my legs trembling, sweat beading on my forehead, TX ant. bouncing up & down I said "This is why I fly giants"! My first gasser went in for a dirt nap with no one around for the grave side service but me.

[3ddd]

firewall the bad boy and fly like hell, don't help the jitters but you will be too busy to care

[Al Czervik]

I notice my thumb right thumb really shakes on a slow roll! Usually after a few flights things seem to settle in from my experience.

At the same time, no matter how safe you're flying...there's always the possibility of it going in....for all of us!

[Rush7]

I always let my 4 year olds help me build them. By the time they get done and I have to fix the holes in it I am already over the new part and am ready to beat the piss out of it!

[WangoTango]

Until I quit drinking in '86, an adult beverage (Scoutmaster soda water) calmed the jitters AFTER the last flight of the day....... From the time I cranked up a new plane until I got it back on the ground, I subscribed to the same philosophy as 3ddd....... Firewall that puppy and bend the sticks till you puke! Now days I just lie to myself and say "Man, that last flight I did with this thing was awesome!" Then I go fly it as though it's already been flown. It's all in the mind, man..... As long as that works for me I'll keep lying to myself and just fly the poop out of it! (Just did it this past weekend with a new Tango from Horizon...... What a sleeper....... Till you fire that little firebreather up!!
WT

[appydriver]

Why would you want to? Isn't that part of the fun of all this in the first place. When I don't get a charge out of that first flight of a new plane I'll have to find another hobby. Thankfully it hasn't left in over twenty years. Do everything you can do to prepare the plane double check everything point her into the wind and just enjoy the rush. Seriously though if you get too nervous you may want to let someone else fly it for you. At least get it up and trimmed out. Just enjoy it that's what this deal is all about.

[WangoTango]

Hmmmmmmm......... A wild new plane or full gallop on an appyhorsey!! You have a tough decision to make every morning, don't you!!??
WT

[Tired Old Man]

Hand the radio to the super star at the field, 4 or 5 shots of Southern Comfort for the owner, and look the other way.

Otherwise firewall it, get her a few mistakes high, work the trims, and do a stall series. Land the beast and change the underwear. From that point on it's all cake.

[Mike Busutil]

Just be a MAN........Its just wood and money, if not you could always get into sail boats.

[appydriver]

	Quote: Originally Posted by WangoTango
	Hmmmmmmm......... A wild new plane or full gallop on an appyhorsey!! You have a tough decision to make every morning, don't you!!?? WT

Fast horses and Giant Gassers. What could be better. You ride?