Helping A New C/L Pilot

[Dick Pacini]

There is a young guy in town that is much into R/C.  He has been my pit man a couple of times and really wants to learn C/L.

I have a new Twister kit I am going to give him to build and learn to fly.  He has an old Fox 35 with decent compression.  It is missing the thrust washer, front washer and nut, but those parts are available from Fox.  He is a capable builder and pretty good with a Monocote iron.  He is excited about it.  He has offered to pay me for the kit but I am just going to let him have it.

I hope his enthusiasm will stay high and that he will get the "bug."  I need a flying buddy.

[Randy Cuberly]

Great Dick.
I usually give my old stunters to folks like that, but it's getting harder to find new guys of beginners around here.  Getting him to build is even better if you can keep him interested.

Randy Cuberly

[Tim Wescott]

You might want to suggest that he build it with fixed flaps.  I started out with flaps, had my mistake pointed out to me at the same time that I got a deal on a rummage-sale Skyray, and went with flapless for my Year of Crashing (or, maybe two years -- but maybe not, knock on wood).

[Dave_Trible]

Dick, this is exactly what it takes to propagate our herd.  With all the stuff re-shuffling the deck for a few old timers the REAL answer is to get new folks started.  Many of us have usable engines that won't really be worth much as collectables and will eventually be trashed by our relatives.  Give those to a kid or young adult who can get USABLE value from them. ( McCoys, KBs, Enyas, Foxs). Put some simple planes -or build some-in your local R/C shop for sale at your cost.  Offer to give lessons to those who buy them.  Give a bit of time to help the kid down the block or a co-worker.  Print up a little handout to give to show where you fly and the nessessary contact list of suppliers.  Don't push too hard about joining everything and competing.  That may or may not come in time.  Show them the fun.  Just my thoughts.

Dave

[Steven Kientz]

Flapless Twister is a great plane to start on. I deleted the flaps and replaced them with some aileron stock from the LHS. Powered by a EVO 36,11x4 prop. Does big lazy loops. Just make sure the TE are straight with the wing.

Steve

[Balsa Butcher]

Great plan Dick. Have to disagree with my esteemed colleagues: If he is a capable builder, build with flaps. Plane will not be any more difficult to fly but will fly better. Build it stock. Yes, I know the Fancherized version flies better, (I have built two of them) however a stock Twister is no slouch and was designed with a Fox 35 in mind.  

[john e. holliday]

As stated, build it box stock and fly it.   It will be easier to patch as he learns.   Tell him to make patterns of the ribs, just in case.

[Dick Pacini]

Well, my new buddy called me tonight to say the kit was finished.  I handed him the box Saturday night @ 11:30PM.  Tonight,  Tuesday, he called at 7:40PM to tell me the plane was finished.  All he needs is a fuel tank, the prop driver for his Fox and one ounce of tip weight.  I can't believe he built the kit in three days.  Sheesh, I have had a Coyote on the bench for months.

I also need to set him up with fuel, a handle and lines.

I only wish I had his drive.

[Mike Keville]

<snip> . . . I can't believe he built the kit in three days . . . 

Now THERE are some memories!

I remember when Sterling's $2.95 Ringmaster kit hit the market in 1952.

Exactly one week later our flying field in Haddonfield, NJ was overrun with finished versions of them, some with the dope still drying.  (Fox powered, of course.)

[john e. holliday]

I sit here now wondering how we did it back then with the old slow drying Testors or Ambroid.   Also didn't have the iron on coverings.   Now it takes me a week to put Monokote on the wings.