I did it, I did it

[Keith Spriggs]

Well after an intermission of 35 years I flew the Flite Streak today. My biggest fear was getting dizzy. A little wobbly after the first flight. but OK after that.  Only real problem that I  was loosing line tension when the engine cut. Suggestions? I assembled it exactly as per instructions (well almost exactly ,I used two wheels instead of one) . It didn't say anything about outboard wing weight.  I was tempted but I didn't add any.

[RC Storick]

Add some clay under the tip and try it. If it works good cut the covering on the under side and add lead.

[Keith Spriggs]

Add some clay under the tip and try it. If it works good cut the covering on the under side and add lead.

Great idea, I wish it had been mine. Will do.

[Richard Grogan]

Well after an intermission of 35 years I flew the Flite Streak today. My biggest fear was getting dizzy. A little wobbly after the first flight. but OK after that.  Only real problem that I  was loosing line tension when the engine cut. Suggestions? I assembled it exactly as per instructions (well almost exactly ,I used two wheels instead of one) . It didn't say anything about outboard wing weight.  I was tempted but I didn't add any.

Congrats and welcome back!!

[Dan McEntee]

Well after an intermission of 35 years I flew the Flite Streak today. My biggest fear was getting dizzy. A little wobbly after the first flight. but OK after that.  Only real problem that I  was loosing line tension when the engine cut. Suggestions? I assembled it exactly as per instructions (well almost exactly ,I used two wheels instead of one) . It didn't say anything about outboard wing weight.  I was tempted but I didn't add any.

  Hi Keith; Heck, if I had known you need to fly that much, I would have put a handle in your hand after our contest! I had several planes with me and would have loved to have given you your reindoctrination flight!
  If it's the ARF, they are light, and not much weight to keep up the centrifical force. Just back pedal in a small circle to keep the lines as tight as you can and get the airplane onb the ground as quicly and smoothly as you can. I did mine with two wheels also. I hate tearing up wing tips with that single gear.
  Good luck and have fun,
  Dan McEntee

[bill marvel]

Well after an intermission of 35 years I flew the Flite Streak today. My biggest fear was getting dizzy. A little wobbly after the first flight. but OK after that.  Only real problem that I  was loosing line tension when the engine cut. Suggestions? I assembled it exactly as per instructions (well almost exactly ,I used two wheels instead of one) . It didn't say anything about outboard wing weight.  I was tempted but I didn't add any.

Congratulations, Keith.  My ARF No Mo' (a rebuilt, rebuilt FliteSteak ARF) balances 1 5/8" back from the leading edge.  Depending on the engine you are using, you may need to add weight to the nose or tail to get it there.  I am using an FP .20 and needed 3/4 oz. in the nose.  My Streak takes off and lands like a dream.  It is a solid, steady performer that will fly much better than I do these days.  I also added 1/2 or 3/4 oz. (I forget) in the outboard wingtip.  She is solid at the top of the circle with 60', .015 lines.

Have fun.

Bill marvel

[James Lee]

Keith
Congrats!!!  We will look forward to seeing you next summer!!  I have added you to our list for contest notices for next year   
Jim

[Keith Spriggs]

Thank all of you for the encouragement. I added some wing weight and it helped quite a lot.  We flew again today and had thought I might try inverted flight if everything was going well. I had invested several planes and several months in to learning how, 40 years ago. I started into a lazy eight when the engine went rich. It was pretty obvious that was not going to be able to get out of the eight the way it was running so I made most of the flight inverted. At the end it leaned out enough that I got it back upright in time for the landing. It answered my question if I could still do it even if wasn't what I had in mind.

I know that there are probably "lurkers" out there that may read this message. Maybe some of you are thinking I would like to try UC again but it has been such a long time. Well we had a guy there today with a Ringmaster that hadn't flown UC for fifty years and he did just fine. Thirty five years for me and fifteen for the other guy. Thats 100 years of layoff and not even one crashed plane out of 20 or so flights.  If us three old codgers can do it you can too. GO FOR IT you won't regret it.

[RC Storick]

A bunch of use were flying a Budder yesterday and someone put up a flight that was his 3 or 4 th all year. I said to Ted isn't this amazing you can set the handle down for months or years and you just don't forget. I is truly ingrained into your brain once you learn it.