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Radio Controlled Model
Aircraft |
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I've never been
interested in aircraft models apart from a brief period in my teens and building som
1/72 Airfix kits whilst working the cotton fields in the Sudan. My wife thought I
ought to have a hobby besides her the dogs and our house. So she bought me a couple
of minute radio controlled models, one being a helicopter the other a twin engine
biplane. Did we have great fun! She urged me on, and soon I had an ARF (
Almost Ready to Fly ), electric powered beginner model glider and a
membership in our local model aircraft club called |
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| And so, you think, just brush up old knowledge, grab the radio transmitters control stick and off you go? Easy as pie, he? I mean I have flown before right. 10.000 hours in the log book, estimated over 20.000 landings, what could go wrong. It's all aerodynamics right? WRONG! One thing is to play around with a mini-heli, indoors. Quite another to properly operate a nearly 2 meter wingspan aircraft model with all rudders working. But, no fret, the Club is there to help and initiate the uninitiated! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A call was made and a time was agreed with the Club Instructor, Allan. Allan is a superb model aircraft pilot and is also working on his certificate for powered gliders. His daily work is as a Marshaller at Billund Airport - BLL (www.bll.dk). He is extremely accurate and competent in everything he does, including the social aspects of teaching and building up a new member of the model aircraft fraternity. As you see on the photos below, the club has its own trainer setup, a piston powered high wing light trainer, and dual raditransmitter where the instructor can override the student should the need arise. I don't remember how many traing sessions we've had, but I'll openly admit that at one stage I was almost ready to give up. It was difficult! Especially when the aircraft is coming towards you, and you have to give control inputs opposite from what seems normal. We also had some challenges trimming my glider which we also used at times |
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| Then Allan came along with a computer based model aircraft flight simulator with its own radio transmitter, working through the USB. It took me a while to sort it out, but soon I was making all sorts of maneuvers, and after some more trimming and reduction in control output, I found that I was able to handle my glider with reasonable amount of safety, and Allan decided I could have a go on my own. So on the 3rd of September 2007, you could say I again went solo! It's 43 years since the last time! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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( click photo for large version ) |
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