Focus Control Throws

[jed241 at msn.com]

Thanks to all that replied...

The Focus flew three times today with the recommended throws from numerous replies.

I did have one dead stick landing which was my best landing, go figure...Now I know why you guys kill the engine on final...

I let a club member fly it on the second flight. This was my response to him saying you don't need to take all that time to trim a plane, "Just put it together and go fly it"...ha...

He responded with a very nice flight for someone very new to the RC sport (last year) and handed me the transmitter when he was done. I knew we where in the air for awhile, so I started to turn back around for a down wind leg on my landing approach. Ran out of fuel before I could get it turned around. He was very surprised when I drug it in on a very normal landing approach starting from the down wind leg. I greased the landing and he felt a bit better...So did I...<vbg>

Again, Thanks for the help, now If I can just learn to land with the engine running with out being too hot...

Larry Diamond


      -----Original Message-----
      From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On Behalf Of jed241 at msn.com
      Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2003 5:05 PM
      To: NSRCA
      Subject: Focus Control Throws


      Good news is that I flew my Focus for the first time today and it was awesome. I didn't realize I could fly that smooth.

      Bad news...After take off I immediately realized that my ailerons were not as responsive as I like. Roll rate was about 1 roll per second. Flying my Aresti in the 12 to 15 mph winds probably gave me too much confidence that it wasn't too windy (Aresti roll rate is about 3 per second). Flying was not a problem...Landing proved to be more than a challenge and I cart wheeled the Focus in.

      No major damage other than the cowl looks rough and I need to build a new engine mount box. No other damage and should be 3 to 5 hours for all repairs.

      Question---> Did I stall? -or- Did I not have enough Aileron to counter the crosswind gust? My flying buddy said it look like a gust of wind rolled me over.

      Right as my wheels were getting ready to touch it started rolling to the left, I had full deflection of right aileron and could not prevent the left wing from catching the runway for a nice tumble. It wasn't hard, but the spinner caught the ground and the engine mount box gave. Came to rest on the mains.

      I thought my approach was hot, but compared to the Aresti I was flying it could have been deceiving. RPM should have been about 2,500 with a 15x12W prop. CG is right on. The control surfaces were not sealed (will be now). Attitude was level and not flared, I was in a crab approach for my landing and fighting wings level.

      Control throws per plans at 1/2 inch up/down. I thought that was a bit light so I used 5/8 up/down. I was not using spoilers or flaps. The guy I bought the plane from said he flew it per the plans throws and was great...

      Don't want to make the same mistake again, as I am very luck to have minor damage.

      What is everyone else using for throws on Elevator and Aileron?

      Larry Diamond
      NSRCA 3083
      AMA 5024
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