Author Topic: Starting over (Read 3438 times)

Bill Little · « **on:** June 17, 2013, 03:23:53 PM »

OK, guys, I would like to get you'uns ideas for me to start back flying. It has been about 2 years now, close to three since I flew in a competition, and I feel like I can give it a try.

I had an idea to use an old profile carrier model to start out with because it is a 3 line system. If things get bad I can chop the throttle and land.

Would you take another course? I sure don't feel like I should take out one of my "full blown" piped stunters to get back into the circle. I can finish up some Ringmaster style profiles pretty quick so that is one route also.

What's the consensus?

Thanks!
Bill

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2013, 03:43:05 PM »

I think I'd do exactly what you're doing until I was sure I wasn't going to get dizzy or tired or whatever. When you can do six minutes at your old lap time, then switch.

If the thing will go inverted then do so -- I found that I could go one way all day without problems, but for a while just six laps inverted would almost put me on the ground.

If you're so rusty you're worried about crashing, then by all means build up something that you don't mind getting munched.

Bill Little · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2013, 04:45:39 PM »

Quote from: Tim Wescott on June 17, 2013, 03:43:05 PM

I think I'd do exactly what you're doing until I was sure I wasn't going to get dizzy or tired or whatever. When you can do six minutes at your old lap time, then switch.

If the thing will go inverted then do so -- I found that I could go one way all day without problems, but for a while just six laps inverted would almost put me on the ground.

If you're so rusty you're worried about crashing, then by all means build up something that you don't mind getting munched.

Thanks for the response, Tim. I don't think I am worried about crashing to begin with but I am a good bit worried about the "dizzies" from just flying in circles. In the past I have had to suffer a couple of "forced" lay offs from flying due to work, etc.. I was able to come back with minimal problems but I am much older now. I guess I will get that profile 3 liner ready and see how it goes.

Thanks, again!
Bill

Will Davis · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2013, 05:41:39 PM »

Bill,

This would be a good chance to try electric, put in alot of one minute trim flights until you get settled down, can even slow things down some at first,

Jim Fruit · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2013, 06:13:14 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on June 17, 2013, 04:45:39 PM

Thanks for the response, Tim. I don't think I am worried about crashing to begin with but I am a good bit worried about the "dizzies" from just flying in circles. In the past I have had to suffer a couple of "forced" lay offs from flying due to work, etc.. I was able to come back with minimal problems but I am much older now. I guess I will get that profile 3 liner ready and see how it goes.

Thanks, again!
Bill

Bill:

I understand your concern about possibly getting dizzy. I had not flown for ten years due to losing my flying buddy (my wife), so I had the same concerns. I switched to all electric and now I can fly alone. My concerns about getting dizzy never developed. Sort of like riding a bicycle. Just concentrate on the plane.

Jim Fruit

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2013, 06:36:13 PM »

Quote from: Will Davis on June 17, 2013, 05:41:39 PM

Bill,

This would be a good chance to try electric, put in alot of one minute trim flights until you get settled down, can even slow things down some at first,

Will is on to something.

55chevr · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2013, 07:29:04 PM »

Why not just pick up a 1 ounce tank or only fill the tank with an ounce of fuel?

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2013, 07:35:24 PM »

What ever you decide, i'm glad to know you're getting back at it!
Congrats Bill!!

Ringmaster???

Marcus

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2013, 10:50:13 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on June 17, 2013, 04:45:39 PM

Thanks for the response, Tim. I don't think I am worried about crashing to begin with but I am a good bit worried about the "dizzies" from just flying in circles. In the past I have had to suffer a couple of "forced" lay offs from flying due to work, etc.. I was able to come back with minimal problems but I am much older now. I guess I will get that profile 3 liner ready and see how it goes.

Thanks, again!
Bill

Hey Bill,
Why not just take a Buddy out in the circle with you and let him take over if you get dizzy. You can sit down for a minute then take the airplane back again.
Peraonally I don't think it's going to be as much of a problem as you think. Even if you get a little dizzy a couple of quick glances at the ground usually sets the disorientation problem straght. I would suggest flying a resonably stable airplane for the first few flights. Maybe even add a bit of nose weight to one of your existing planes for the first flight (don't over do it because it would be nice to have reasonable response to get out of trouble if necessary.
Then remove the nose weight when you want to do some maneuvers.

It is a little like riding a bicycle...muscle memory is a great thing and comes into play very quickly. Just relax and do it.

Randy Cuberly

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #9 on:** June 18, 2013, 07:32:31 AM »

I have an old Ringmaster with a McCoy 35 Red Head on it that I take out to fly when I haven't flown for a while. I have found when I start to get dizzy to just do some lazy 8's until I get oriented again. Seems to work for me. Where I have trouble is in wingovers and overhead 8's. I have had inner ear infection a couple of times, and those two can make me a little dizzy anytime. Most of the time I don't have any trouble with them.

George · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2013, 08:28:31 AM »

Although I have not yet tried it, someone posted SIMULATING flying by holding out your arm as if you were controlling a plane and walk around in circles as if you were flying. Make sure you do it in both directions.

I guess if you get dizzy you could SIMULATE some lazy eights.

George

Ward Van Duzer · « **Reply #11 on:** June 18, 2013, 10:19:58 AM »

Bill,

I'm sure you know what to do...I'm in the same boat now, A couple of years of painful PMR, followed by about 6 months of Positional Vertigo (that fixed itself!), Now getting the Cataracts done!!! In between eyes right now. But sure I'm going to take a clunker out the first time, probably that Force I drove into the tree at Huntersville! I also have an unflown Primary Force Electric as back up.

Good Luck! We luv 'ya....

Ward-O

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2013, 10:43:41 AM »

Bill I have the same issue as you as far as getting going again. It has been a good 4 years since I have flown and I have been pondering the same questions as how to start again like you. Like you I am not worried at all about flying the plane, I am worried about the dizziness making me crash. I have this electric Ringmaster I have built and I think I will get one of the guys in the club to fly it first then give it a try. I have a 746P Buccaneer but that has a .60 on it and i think I will not fly it right off the bat. You have been a great positive cheer leader for me so I know you will do just fine with whatever you decide to go into the air with.

I know I will probably never compete again but if I can go around in a circle for a few minutes and just have some fun, that is all I am looking for anymore. I will continue to build cause that is my first love and heck I have been thinking about going to the dark side and buying a little RTF Park Flyer just to play with.

So glad to hear you are getting back to you and hope you have a ton of fun....

Mike

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2013, 11:04:04 AM »

Bill,
I have to say this again! I really think you're making too much out of this. I suspect you won't have any real problems at all.

I returned to flying just two years ago after a nearly six year layoff due to Atrial Fibrilation.
After that was fixed with surgery, I started flying again...Geo XL with Belko .56...Took off flew pattern and landed. Yes I noticed a little bit of dizziness but nothing totally disorienting.
Uhhh pattern didn't look great but it was all there.

I would also mention that I'm 72 years old and have had some inner ear problems in the past.
Trust me, after a few laps it'll all feel just right again.

The human body is an amazing thing.

Just do it! Or as Larry say...Git'er Done!

Randy Cuberly

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2013, 12:22:09 PM »

Hey Randy; I think you are right. Confidence is probably the most important ingredient. I have not seen you since 2011 at VSC, but I thought you were younger. That puts you right up there with Doc Holliday, Uncle Mikey, and me, if I remember right. I still love to build and fly, I just don't have the push to do it like I use to. Competition doesn't mean as much as just meeting up with all the great people that make up model aviation and enjoy the same things I do. And; 72 use to be old, now not so much.

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #15 on:** June 18, 2013, 01:41:21 PM »

Quote from: Jim Kraft on June 18, 2013, 12:22:09 PM

Hey Randy; I think you are right. Confidence is probably the most important ingredient. I have not seen you since 2011 at VSC, but I thought you were younger. That puts you right up there with Doc Holliday, Uncle Mikey, and me, if I remember right. I still love to build and fly, I just don't have the push to do it like I use to. Competition doesn't mean as much as just meeting up with all the great people that make up model aviation and enjoy the same things I do. And; 72 use to be old, now not so much.

Hi Jim,
Yeah Doc and I were kids in Kansas City at the same time!!

Randy Cuberly

steve bittner · « **Reply #16 on:** June 18, 2013, 01:52:43 PM »

Pick a plane you where comfortable with when you stopped and go fly. I had not flown in 14 years, went to Brodaks with a 4.0 second lap time Hi Aspect and a Hi Johnson Stuka.
I put the Hi Aspect up 1st and had fuel issues and got just alittle dizzy at the end of the flight because I was not able to do to many manuvers. Put the Stuka up next and just went thru the pattern just fine second time I flew in 14 years. Have had my chest split and valve replacement, still have A fib issues and 40% heart capacity. If you do the manuvers you wont get dizzy.
Good luck

Eric Viglione · « **Reply #17 on:** June 18, 2013, 02:03:43 PM »

Hi Bill,

Glad to see you are on the mend. It's all pretty much been covered, so I'll only add one thing... well, maybe a couple... and a boring story too...heh.

I would use a plane that was at least somewhat stunt-able.
Why? Because going in circles is what you are afraid will make you dizzy, so the best thing to do at that point is stop and do some insides and outsides or lazy 8's, which I'm certain you could still do. This would let you recover long enough to continue with some level laps. You might also consider letting someone else start the plane for you, so your not weakened or winded by the time you get to the handle. You can always take over that job once you build your stamina back up.

Also - Before your first outing, go into an empty room in the house, lock the door (so no-one can walk in and laugh their arse off at you) and hold out your hand in the handle flying position and turn in 5 second circles just like your flying. Might not hurt to have a comfy chair within staggering distance. Do it in 1 minute sesssions until it doesn't bother you anymore, try a 2 minute session, then 5 minutes. You should be good to go from there.

I confess to doing this when I came back to flying, and even flew several indoor stunts this way before I picked up a handle again. It worked like magic!!!!

When I put up that first flight with everyone watching after a nearly 14 year layoff, and started doing loops, eights and inverted, everyone was really impressed, and, I didn't get dizzy or crash. Little did they know I cheated and did some indoor "air flying" to get my feet back and knock the rust off.

Let us know how it goes and what you decide to do!
EricV

Rafael Gonzalez · « **Reply #18 on:** June 18, 2013, 02:21:54 PM »

I am practicing on "dry flying". I go to the backyard on the grass and turn around both ways( ~5-6 sec/lap) I try and look up and point my hand also. Had a stroke 8 wks. ago and everything is coming back. The first time I tried it, fell/sat on my ass after 4 laps. Doing it once a day now I am up to 17-20. I know it will come back with time and practice and it saves me a plane...

I put a chair in the area so I can hold on to it when I get lightheaded and may sit.
Well wishes to all of us!!!

Bill Little · « **Reply #19 on:** June 18, 2013, 04:23:51 PM »

Thanks, everyone so far have given me great advice. Ward-O, I WILL do something!

Will got me to thinking......... we do have an Electric Super Clown which has never been flown....... I think I can set the timer for 1 or 2 minutes. 1 minute would barely allow me to get into the air, it takes me about that long to walk 60 feet!

and I cannot go out alone since if I DO fall, I cannot get up on my own with out something to grab hold of, and a cane doesn't work.

I haven't been away from flying for this long in a long time, plus I am a great bit older now.

Thanks, All!
Bill

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #20 on:** June 18, 2013, 07:20:18 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on June 18, 2013, 04:23:51 PM

Thanks, everyone so far have given me great advice. Ward-O, I WILL do something!

Will got me to thinking......... we do have an Electric Super Clown which has never been flown....... I think I can set the timer for 1 or 2 minutes. 1 minute would barely allow me to get into the air, it takes me about that long to walk 60 feet! and I cannot go out alone since if I DO fall, I cannot get up on my own with out something to grab hold of, and a cane doesn't work.

I haven't been away from flying for this long in a long time, plus I am a great bit older now.

Thanks, All!
Bill

Bill
Going up with an untried, untrimmed airplane doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Fly something that you know and trust and just go do stunts...no dizziness there.
If you know the pattern, by all means fly that! No long periods going round and round!

Randy Cuberly

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #21 on:** June 18, 2013, 08:32:04 PM »

I think you're worrying about it too much. Yes, you will get a bit dizzy during 6 level laps upright, and worse inverted...so don't do all of them. Maybe skip the OH8's and do some more V8's instead.

You can do this! Know that you can do this! Your team is counting on you! Rah, rah, rah!

Steve

john e. holliday · « **Reply #22 on:** June 19, 2013, 09:57:58 AM »

Well I am a kid to Randy, I am only 71. Went to Topeka this year with no practice flights, in fact no flights since I believe the Ringmaster Marathon back in October when we froze, Sandy(the demented poodle) and myself. Flew planes I knew would do the job if they only had a pilot. Did not notice if I got dizzy or not. Maybe it was the wind. But, start out slow if you do get dizzy by setting the needle a little rich just so the plane will fly. Then lean it out as you make more flights. Now you guys that say you are past getting dizzy, try your favorite airplane on lines that are 15 foot shorter than you are used to.

Yes, I remember when Randy was one of the stars of the Flying Eagles of KCK along with Walter Weatherford. Not too many left of the old Eagles.

RandySmith · « **Reply #23 on:** June 19, 2013, 10:02:46 AM »

Do not use a new E power plane, use one you already have flown trimmed and know. The time is zero problems, just use less fuel, and if you get dizzy when you fly, just do lazy 8s . They are simple to do and you can stand still while doing them, your launcher can come out to the middle of the circle after takeoff for insurance... providing they know how to fly

Randy

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #24 on:** June 19, 2013, 01:08:57 PM »

Fly the Spacehound. You will be so busy watching bits of covering fall off that you won't get dizzy.

Bill Little · « **Reply #25 on:** June 20, 2013, 08:39:09 AM »

Quote from: Steve Fitton on June 19, 2013, 01:08:57 PM

Fly the Spacehound. You will be so busy watching bits of covering fall off that you won't get dizzy.

Hi Steve,

The Spacehound is still a great flying model, just need to rebuild the engine and change out the wheels! (and of course, recover it!)

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

dave siegler · « **Reply #26 on:** June 22, 2013, 07:17:13 AM »

get a Bi Slob. They fly slowly and stay out there on the end of the lines. do 8's hover. Lots of loops. The three line is OK, but you cant do tricks.

Bill Little · « **Reply #27 on:** June 23, 2013, 02:02:45 PM »

Hi All,

As some have said, I might be over concerned for no reason, but better safe than sorry in this case.

I have a couple different profile stunters that are pretty durable and fully trimmed out, so I will take all comments under advisement then go and have some fun.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Lester Nicholson · « **Reply #28 on:** June 23, 2013, 04:19:18 PM »

Bill, I was 61 when I returned to controlline after 20 plus years. I have problems with my feet in that if the airplane comes in I'm screwed; what I did was just take what I had out with my wife to hold and flew. Got real dizzy the first several flights, but that diminished quickly and went away altogether after 3 or 4 sessions. When I got two dizzy to spin around I just stood still and did a few loops and lazy eights. Get back at it. I chose to go out with just my wife which removed a lot of pressure, for me, to perform. I f this helps, good = if not, disregard. Nick

Dan Bregar · « **Reply #29 on:** June 23, 2013, 05:04:37 PM »

Yeah, go have some fun ! And let us know how it goes.

Phillip Bailey · « **Reply #30 on:** June 26, 2013, 08:05:57 PM »

Bill, Aberdeen isn't that far. I too am trying to get back into the game and wonder why don't we help each other out. I'm having some back and sholder problems, (neck) that make anything above fourty five degrees ,,,interesting. I'm going back with my old Ringmaster. Hope to talk to you soon, Best of luck always buddy, Phillip Bailey

Author Topic: Starting over (Read 3438 times)

Mike Griffin

Eric Viglione