Haul and hang on.........

[Bill Little]

I have had some time to think lately and one of the topics was *flying CLPA*.

I have seen so many people when they are learning that do what the title says.  They yank on the handle and hang on until it is time to do something else.  This is a common fault I know. 

I ain't that good, I only fly a few patterns a year, maybe two dozen if I am really lucky, but I can fly the pattern (and close to 500 once or twice).  The deal I have seen is that once you are over the terror of heading toward the ground, you learn to actually fly a maneuver.  Giving minor inputs as you go through the shapes.  Once you actually feel this, and someone coaches you as to what the maneuver looks like from your perspective in the middle, you will begin to see a *pattern* take shape.

Am I crazy?  (don't answer that......)

Bill <><

[Greg L Bahrman]

<The deal I have seen is that once you are over the terror of heading toward the ground, you learn to actually fly a maneuver.>

AGREE, AGREE, AGREE
Right on Bill. Flying toward the ground is a big one. You need to have confidence in your engine run and confidence that your plane will do all it's asked to do. Just cranking on the handle is easy, trimming your ship to respond is a lot harder. If your engine run keeps changing it throws your timing off. You must have consistant engine runs and then your on your way. Grins

Am I crazy?  (don't answer that......).......Naw, you just have a spirited personality

[steve pagano]

     That's pretty much what the guys at flushing are teaching me at this point, How not to go into Oh Crap Mode when approaching the ground and to be more easy and graceful on the handle.

[phil c]

I figure I'm not really practicing if I don't pancake a plane in on one of the square maneuvers at least once a year.

Get your coach a copy of "the Judge's View" from vicstunt.com for a good look at how the maneuvers should look to the judge.

[john e. holliday]

I think Windy U. stressed that on one article he did on helping a fellow modeler with a new plane.  They spent just as much time on getting the engine run consistant as they did on getting the plane to fly level upright and inverted.  DOC Holliday