Multiplex Mentor 03 - Anti-crash training flight

http://www.123rc.net - Sunday 24th April 2010, I stuck my Sony PM1 HD camera on the belly of my Multiplex Mentor and had an awesome training session with our clubs resident lunastick pilot as I was feeling a little more confident, and wanted to at least have-a-go at take-off's and landings to see what all the fuss was about...

I should also point out that our flying field is surrounded by tree's, with an oak tree at one end of the runway and a taller Fir tree at the other end (almost), so its 3 walls of trees with a little space to on 1 side to take-off and land and the only way to approach the runway shallow is to come at it from 45 degrees over the valley or between the tree's!

Boy was I in for a bumpy ride, as at this stage, I had not flown anything else other than this Mentor, on a buddy box, with instructors doing the take-off's and landings.

So, load up the mentor with a brand new Hyperion battery, 5000mAh for plenty of mucking-about time, and away we go..

Well, my very first attempt was a total disaster, the plane steered heavily to the left and almost ended up back in the pitts, but my instructor took over and took off. He went round and back down for another attempt..

Well, that first attempt was a bit confidence-knocking, but hey, its only a foam plane right? I was quite nervous, but at the same time, quite excitied about starting on the road to self flight, so was totally "up for it" today..

So, after a decent 2nd attempt, the wind changes direction and were suddenly landing from the left, but also taking off to the right, towards the huge oak tree, so its full power and climb ASAP.

Anyway, after 25 minutes solid flying and 4 take-offs and 4 "attempted" landings, I'd had enough and felt a bit dented for the day, its definately time to get the easystar finished for some much needed practice, and to learn orientation better..

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• multiplex mentor
• RC Flying training
• RC Takeoff
• RC landings
• RC Planes
• radio controlled planes
• radio control flying tutorial
• airplanes
• model vehicles
• crash accident
• aircraft
• outdoors
• stunts
• aviation
• high speed
• ufo

[carlp69]

Great series of vids mate.

As a very cautious heli beginner here (a year between building a T-Rex 450S kit and taking its first spin up lol) I love watching beginners learning vids. It really comes across how much stress you are feeling as the plane lurches from one side to another lol

Keep going..

[123RCUK]

@carlp69 Hi Carl, thanks mate, and yeah, it is stressful, but its good to step outside the comfort zone and surprise yourself with new skills :-)

Your right though, the concentration required is immense, triple more-so when learning, but I love the 30 minute flight times on the mentor, it feels like a major crash-course (without the crashes).

I'm learning fast right now wih the easystar as the mentor is grounded for upgrades, am experimenting with the easystar, so hope to have those vid's up

[3DDabbler]

Hilarious video :), I really enjoyed your sub titles. Makes me remember my first 20 or 30 landings. I recommend getting a simulator for your computer if you don't have one already. It improves your skills dramatically and without the stress of crashing a real plane. 

[123RCUK]

@3DDabbler Thanks mate, appreciate the comments, and if you saw my other videos, you would see I already have 2 simulators for my PC :-)...... Not the same as the real thing though, especially with the tree's around our runway..

[123RCUK]

@3DDabbler Thanks mate, I'm already having a blast, I'm flying a Multiplex Easystar at the moment and tried Ailerons on it yesturday which was a disaster, so have converted the ailerons into flaps / air brakes instead, just need to test fly that 2morow hopefully..

[E744763Productions]

Not bad at all! It took me awhile to get my orientation down but once I got the hang of it, it was second nature to me. My first land takeoff was pretty scary to but now I know to use the rudder and I takeoff with no problems now. Thats a bummer that you guys have to put up with a tree like those.....can you cut them down or is the local farmer going to sue you? LOL

Great videos, keep them up!

[123RCUK]

@E744763Productions lol, We have 1 huge tree at both ends of our runway... Cant touch them either, farmer would probably chuck us out if we did. I'm flying/filming with the easystar at the moment as the mentor is undergoing a facelift and some repairs to where the undercarraige is pulling the cockpit apart from the main body too.. The Easystar is such a cool little "throw'n'fly" its great fun.. Anyhow, Todays electric monday, so off to the field for a bit-o-fun with the easystar and new firefly!

[3DDabbler]

@123RCUK I had not seen that you already had a simulator. I had only watched this video. Sounds like you are well on you way then! I just watched the "first to land" video as well. :) Very fun to watch. I don't think I will be participating in one of those types of contests any time soon. I was surprised only one plane was destroyed on the ground. :) Good luck on my years in a very fun hobby! You will have even more fun when you get into acrobatics-hovering, Knife Edge spins etc.

[adioperator]

Great videos and instructions, 5*