Mowing 75 degree slope mower

[BobRip]

I used to build flying model airplanes as a kid. You know, out of Balsa and skin. i got reall good at building them, but could never afford to fly them. I built at least 50, if not more... People would buy them from me and I would go watch them fly.

So, flash forward to 10 years ago and the ex-wife is yelling in my ear I need an outdoor sport. So I go buy a starter kit. Radio, Ready To Fly airplane. Engine... 15minutes into the first flight I bury the thing deep into the ground. Talk about the destruction of the childhood dream.

I have NO eye hand coordination. None... Me no do remotes... ****, I can't make my tv work half the time.

Don't kick yourself for not being able to fly a plane the first time out. Pilots take many hours to get used to it. Fly the simulator for a while and then buy a new plane. Don't loose your dream to easily.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I fly real planes. Actually, I am a hangglider pilot, and am working on my private license. I have about 10 hours of stick time in helicopters (jet rangers and robinsons)..

Still, those little buttons and the gentle touch are completely baffling me...

 

[ray66v]

I fly real planes. Actually, I am a hangglider pilot, and am working on my private license. I have about 10 hours of stick time in helicopters (jet rangers and robinsons)..

Still, those little buttons and the gentle touch are completely baffling me...

I am a seasoned fixed wing pilot, with helicopter training, and other than the theory of flight, and understanding of what the control surfaces do, it really does not help with R/C flying.

You have to develop the muscle memory and be able to use the correct inputs without a thought. Especially if you are going to fly Heli's.

The sim is the only way to do that, without going broke. I was damaging my R/C heli at about $150 a pop every hour or so of flying.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I have to say I have never sweated so much than trying to hover a real helicopter. That took far, far more skill than I was capable of. I mean, flying the thing was a cakewalk compared to hovering. If you guys ever want to have the heck scared out of you take a couple of hours in a robinson and tell them you want to practice hovering... I don't know why but the Jet rangers are a bit easier... Maybe they are less susceptible to motion with their weight.

Down the street from me is a model airplane park. We occassionally use model helicopters in my work (both to destroy and to use as camera platforms). The half dozen "pilots" practice everyday or two to keep their hands sharp. It is crazy what these guys do with the model helicopters and how precise they can get.

 

[Reg]

It has a nicely rounded top, my guess is that the one in the picture hasn't been rolled since it's current top coat of paint was applied.
I'd still like to see some sort of a roll cage over it.

So, how do you get seat time when driving one of these things remotely ?
No fun.

 

[ray66v]

I have to say I have never sweated so much than trying to hover a real helicopter. That took far, far more skill than I was capable of. I mean, flying the thing was a cakewalk compared to hovering. If you guys ever want to have the heck scared out of you take a couple of hours in a robinson and tell them you want to practice hovering... I don't know why but the Jet rangers are a bit easier... Maybe they are less susceptible to motion with their weight.

You want to sweat, teach.
The larger the Heli, particularly the mas of the blades, generally the more stable, and easier it is to control. This includes R/C.
Robinson R22's not a good trainer, way too sensitive. Bell 47, (M.A.S.H. chopper), is a very good trainer. You will master it much faster.

 

[woodlandfarms]

$125 Per hour training rate for a 172 in Ca. $250 to $1000 per hour for Robinson to Jet Ranger... Saddly unless I am renting them for work I cannot afford the stick time in a helicopter...

 

[ray66v]

$125 Per hour training rate for a 172 in Ca. $250 to $1000 per hour for Robinson to Jet Ranger... Saddly unless I am renting them for work I cannot afford the stick time in a helicopter...

Those are actually pretty good prices.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Dated prices. I have not flown in over 6 months. Who knows what fuel is costing these days... But LA is pretty cheap as there is so much competition...

 

[ray66v]

$5.38 Gal./100LL, w/tax, (Ohio). Expected to be well over $6.00 Gal. mark by Labor day. Jet A is as high as $8.00 at the "Big Time FOB's"