Basic

[RustyTumbles]

I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread dedicated to the finer points of flying the basic sequence. Basically a forum for us newbies to learn tips from the more experienced. What do you guys think??

[Biff]

Grite idea mite! (oops, I was writing in Aussie speak.) Great idea mate!! My first pointer is have a trimmed out airplane. Let the plane do the work and you point it where it needs to go. Another great idea Rusty!

[Geojungle99]

I think that would be a great idea. I'm hoping to start this year along with a few friends and we could use some help. There's more to Imac than just flying and I, for one, would like to learn the judging and calling aspects of it as well. I've been wondering if its commen to see pilots in the basic class with 40%'s?

[RustyTumbles]

Thanks biff,

I know I have learnt alot from the other Aussie IMAC guys and I haven't even flown a comp yet... Just thought this would be a good place for the experienced guys to help us newbies out...!!

Geojungle99,

I am starting out with a 27% ultimate bipe. You can virtually fly anything in basic. Its really a class to get you interested. However starting with a 40%er would not be a bad idea because you can use it later as you progress through the classes. This would also allow you to iron out all the bugs before you get into the higher classes. I would have done that but my budget would not allow for it. So I would say go for what you can afford....

[RustyTumbles]

[quote=Biff]My first pointer is have a trimmed out airplane. Let the plane do the work and you point it where it needs to go. [quote]

Thats a great piece of advice biff. for those who don't know how to do this correctly, check out peter goldsmiths trimming guide. I think it is still available from the IMAC website...

[RustyTumbles]

Here's the link...

www.mini-iac.com/Portals/57ad7180-c5e7-49f5-b282-c6475cdb7ee7/PGoldsmith%20on%20trimming.pdf

[Geojungle99]

Hello Rusty,

Well, I hope this thread gets off the ground because it would be very beneficial and would probably help to avoid having many of the same questions repeated along the way. It would all be in one spot.

I'm flying a 33% Aeroworks Edge right now but I did recently buy a 40% Extra that I have slowly been working on. You are right on the money as far as using it as one advances. If all goes well and with some help, I should be able to get it dialed in and use it for years to come. After flying a friends 40%, I realized how much easier they are to fly...its kinda like cheating because it makes me appear to be a much better pilot than what I really am. Everything slowed down and become much easier. Anyway, slowly but surely I'll keep plugging away and trying to improve.

[RustyTumbles]

I plan on using my 27% ultimate up through basic and sportsman, then I will have saved the funds for a 40%er. Not sure if I will stay with a bipe or go back to a mono wing. We will see how the little ulti performs. You are right the bigger planes show alot better than the smaller ones. But if you go out an burn lots of fuel practicing you should be able to get the smaller planes to look just as good.

Has anyone got any good pratice ideas?? What works for you??

[excelpoint]

My first bit of advice to a newbie wouild be to slow it down. Most new guys dont show much in the way of throttle management.Try to space the manouvers out evenly so they dont look rushed.Remember you have 300m ever side of you for the box. You dont have to use it all but take advantage of the space you got.

[Geojungle99]

What a friend and I have been doing is breaking the sequence up. We'll practice the first 3 manuvers of the sequence a couple of times. Than the next 4 a few times and then the last 3 a few times. After doing that we'll fly the whole routine a few times. After doing that we'll just fly and have fun. During the course of all my flights I've been trying to focus on keeping the wings level and flying straight lines. It sounds easy but its not. Add a little wind and its a new ballgame. A more experienced pilot recommended that I spend more time flying inverted. So I've been praticing that and again, keeping the wings level and using the rudder to fly straight lines in relation to the runway. It's been coming together...slowly.

[excelpoint]

"Has anyone got any good pratice ideas?? What works for you??"
Rusty. After you have flown a comp or two you will notice the manouvers you constantly score low on.Practise that manouvers over and over until you have it nailed,then go onto the next one.For your first comp just make sure you are fully comfortable with the sequence. Dont do what I used to do and just blast through the sequence a couple of times, you need to concentrate on your weaknesses.

[Shaker]

Couple simple rules to follow which will help you out a lot..

#1 - Take your time. Don't rush through the flying. Going faster is NOT the way..
#2 - A properly trimmed airplane is worth its weight in points. Do not overlook this and don't be afraid to ask for help.
#3 - When you're learning the sequence.. don't even try to fly it all at once right away. Fly the 1st maneuver.. and get it RIGHT. Then when you feel good about it.. add the 2nd maneuver.. and so on. When I'm learning to fly a new Unlimited sequence.. I take it 3 maneuvers at a time until I'm happy with them all.

#4 - Geometry, Geometry, Geometry. Draw correct lines before you worry about ANYTHING else. Straight and level flight into and out of every maneuver will gain you points over almost 50% of your competitors normally. Far too many points are given away because a pilot starts a maneuver diving, climing, wing low, etc.. In fact.. this should be close to #1.. learn to fly straight and level.. from left to right and right to left.. without doing ANYTHING. Trust me.. it'll REALLY help your flying..

That should be a good start..

[RustyTumbles]

Once I get back home and put the new motor into the extra I'll start learning the 06 sequence and concerntrate on the basics as you recomend. I had the throttle control nailed and once I start practice again we'll see if I've still got it. I've got a month from the time I get home to my first comp so I have alot of work to do.

I agree with your practice methods, I learn the sequence in stages of 3 or 4 manuevors then put it all together. Once I know the sequence I fly it 2 or 3 times in a flight then I'll mess around for the rest. I never really thought of still trying to fly straight line when ya messing about. I'll give it a go next time I fly..

[sweetpea]

here's what I suggest............since most of you fly your planes already.......


trim your plane out according to Smith's or local hotshot etc.......but before you make any changes write down what your old settings where. Then practice for a month or so with your new settings. Write them down.


Then switch back to your old settings and fly the routine again..........why you ask?

Well its easy to fly a trimmed out plane and if you don't reference it to a non trimmed plane have you really learned anything. This might just teach you what your changes did during your flight.

[RustyTumbles]

Doesn't the trimming guide say to make one change at a time and check the results. If you just go back to all the old settings you just wasting practice time IMO.