Getting over those First Flight Jitters
From various comments, I’ve picked up that ‘First Flight Jitters’ are a very real consideration. The beginner’s fear of destroying the plane can be a major obstacle to taking off in the hobby! One member of my Facebook page even commented, “My hands were shaking so bad it made it tough to fly my plane on the maiden.”
So, here are a few ideas that might help overcome those fears.
First, find a local flying field. There you will find fellow enthusiasts only too willing to talk to you and offer valuable advice. The club will probably have a designated instructor who will show you how to do the following:
- Pre-flight check
So very often overlooked, and not just among beginner pilots, the pre-flight check is a huge factor in preventing crashes and mishaps. Do not assume that, just because your plane has arrived in a beautiful box, everything will be in perfect working order! Could there be a loose tail-flap, or a propellor mounted backwards?
Have you set the correct Centre of Gravity (CG)? When the battery is set too far forward, it makes the plane nose-heavy and even uncontrollable. This may cause it to head into the ground on take-off, or even fall out of the sky while in flight. Remember, a tail-heavy plane flies only once!
Is the battery securely mounted so it can’t move during flight, thereby affecting the CG?
Make sure the transmitter and receiver are bound properly.
Finally, always check that your receiver has a solid light and is not flashing.
- A range check
Nowadays most transmitters are very reliable, but you should never be over-confident and you should carry out a proper range check every time you fly. It only takes a few minutes (especially if you have a helper to turn the plane) to make sure everything is working properly! Maybe a wire to a servo is loose. Maybe the battery is blocking the receiver.
At the field place your plane 50-100 feet away from you. Keep moving the plane through 45-degree orientations and checking the transmitter, as this will give a more realistic indication of your plane’s movements when it is in the air.
Obviously, any malfunction or loss of signal means it’s back to the hangar!
- Buddy-boxing
The Buddy Box (or Buddy-boxing) training system uses two transmitters. The instructor can maintain control of the plane, but by keeping his finger on a button, he can pass control to the novice. Should the instructor feel that the student is encountering difficulty in flight, he can take it back simply by lifting his finger off the button. And if he feels the student has regained control, his finger goes back on the button!
The two transmitters do not have to be the same brand and nowadays don’t even need a cord between them as they can be connected wirelessly.
- Flight Simulators (SIMs)
A flight simulator (Sim) is a great training aid when learning to fly. At first glance, it is a glorified computer video game, but SIMs go far beyond this. In my opinion, RealFlight from Horizon Hobbies is the optimal choice in ‘SIMs”.
Although not cheap, flight simulators can really help build eye-hand co-ordination and the muscle memory necessary to become a better pilot, whether as a beginner or even an advanced flier. They are also great for when the wind is blowing a gale or weather conditions are just not alluring enough for you to venture out to the flying field!
With more than 300 different aircraft to fly — including airplanes, helicopters and drones – the SIMs allow you to practice your skills at more than 75 different flying sites, including the AMA Headquarters (Indiana, US) Flying Site. There is even a Site Editor so you can create your own field.
For Windows® 8, 10 or 11 there are several buying options and add-ons are available. Obviously, the most expensive version comes with the Spektrum™ InterLink® DX Simulator Controller. Or you can buy the software-only version for use with your own compatible Spektrum radio, with a USB Dongle (sold separately), for wireless operation. It’s even compatible with direct USB connection to Spektrum NX6, NX8, NX10 and other transmitters!
*Useful Tip: Put an Apple AirTag, Tile or SmartTag 2 (item finders) on your plane. This makes it easier to find it with a phone should you have a “fly-away.
Finally, write your phone number on the wing with a Sharpie: “If found please call xxx-xxx-xxxx”