Akromaster throw

[raby fink]

Hopefully this coming weekend I will have my Akromaster finished and ready to fly. It will be powered with an OS15 LA. I have a question on the throw. Some one who has never flown before will be flying it. It has 7-10 degress of throw. I have it in the notch that will give the least amount of throw. Will this be enough throw to keep it in the air and be responsive? I dont want to much throw being a first time flyer. Also, what would be a good method for helping her fly for the first time. Meaning, should I hold the handle? Should I just go out to the center with her and talk her through it, etc. Please let me know if you have some input.
Thanks
Raby

[Larrys4227]

I'll offer some input ....

First, have an experienced pilot put up the first flights. Get it trimmed out until its comfortable, balanced and not too fast(speed) or responsive(quick).  All you'll be doing is going round and round in level flight with the new pilot.

The experienced pilot should be out there on the handle with the new pilot. Make sure the lap times are conservative as the experienced pilot has to deal with a 'faster' circle to turn around in. The new pilot is going to get dizzy.  Put in enough fuel for just a couple minutes and be ready to take the handle away. When the new pilot is ready to solo, you'll know it.  Know telling how long that will be ... everyone is different.

Dont put a brand new pilot up on an unproven plane, nor put a brand new pilot up on a proven plane. You'll be inviting disaster in a very short time.

Hope this helps.  Fly Safe!  Larry (Larrys4227)

[john e. holliday]

As I did with my grand children with a proven plane have a helper.  Put in only enough fuel for about 15 to 20 laps.  They will get dizzy and you should have the teacher/coach's hand on top of the student's hand.  Don't be afraid to get a good grip as the student will fight you when you try to correct their movement.  Of course a little instruction before hand helps a lot.  Like showing them how to stiff arm the movement and not use the wrist.  I even showed my grand kids what they were trying to do.  By about the third flight I was only in the circle to talk to them.  The hardest thing was getting them to level off once air borne. 

The last time out my grand son said he could do it.  I had to remind him about leveling off after getting airborne.  It was great being able to sit on the side of the circle and watch him fly.  Each flight I was giving a little more fuel until all of sudden he was flying a full tank out.  He was also doing climbs and dives.  The landings got worse for some reason and I asked him if he was getting tired.  After 8 flights on him and 6 on me we headed for the golden arches to celebrate. 

I also think the biggest help I have had is having and F2D combat handle that is like a letter D.  They hold the grip and I put my hand on the outer portion.  As I tell all my students,  "The hardest part is learning to take off,  fly level and land".  DOC Holliday

[raby fink]

Thanks guys for the advice. I will let you know how it works out.
Thanks
Raby

[John Stiles]

I made all my beginners earn their wings on a half-A "stuntman"......they had to log 200 crash free laps to get their wings...then they got to fly my tame Nobler with a fox 15.........it would do 102 laps on 65' cables with the right guy flying it. Turns out my best little new pilot was a 12 year old girl. I started using a center pole many years ago, because it allowed me to walk behind each newbie in tight circles giving advice, and close enough to lend a hand if needed. I even qualified a Special young man about 16 who was mentally challenged....and he did 102 laps with the Nobler.....I finally sold that plane to a buddy of mine when the piston developed a hole in the center. Whatever you do, don't let yourself get frustrated...stay calm and encourage, encourage, encourage!

[raby fink]

Thanks again for the help. The other question in my thread was that I built the AKRO with only 7-10 degrees of throw. I dont want it to be too touchy for the new flier. But my question is.... will this be enough throw to fly and be responsive?
Thanks again for the help
Raby

[kenneth cook]

       The Akromaster is going to be nose heavy with that engine in it. I have a tongue muffler on mine which saves a little weight up front. I went with light weight Dave Brown wheels which I turned down real thin. I still had to add 3/4 oz of tail weight to get it to the point I prefer. I would leave the stock muffler if your using it and keep it nose heavy for the test flights. Ken