Comments on: Maiden Flight of the Super Cub http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/ Your blog is probably better than mine. Wed, 16 May 2012 23:39:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Michael T. Gauvin http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/comment-page-2/#comment-140103 Michael T. Gauvin Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:16:27 +0000 http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/#comment-140103 Wish I had read this before I took my 13 yr old son out on his maiden flight.He actually did make it 3/4 around the large field we were in, but as I have read, the damn ACT screwed him up. I will disable that for good, after what I have read. broken prop (have a spare) smashed nose cowling (will tape and glue) cracked firewall (epoxy coming up). We will be back at it in no time. It really did look very stable......right up to the point of "Lawn Dart" LOL Wish I had read this before I took my 13 yr old son out on his maiden flight.He actually did make it 3/4 around the large field we were in, but as I have read, the damn ACT screwed him up. I will disable that for good, after what I have read. broken prop (have a spare) smashed nose cowling (will tape and glue) cracked firewall (epoxy coming up). We will be back at it in no time. It really did look very stable……right up to the point of “Lawn Dart” LOL

]]> By: Rick http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/comment-page-2/#comment-120719 Rick Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:26:49 +0000 http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/#comment-120719 I’m new to the hobby only been in it for about six weeks now. The first plane I picked up was the T-28 Trojan I was told it would be a good plane to learn on and imp sure it would have been if I was teamed up with some one that was more experienced then I . after several attempts and lots of repair time I found out that the only thing I knew about flying was that gravity was not my friend .so about a week ago I was in a hobby shop buying more replacement parts for the T-28 and saw the Super Cub and the first thing that caught my eye on the box was teach you self how to fly so I bought it. went home put it together watched the CD that came with it .I went out in front of my house and taxied up and down the street so I could get the feel of it then I made a short flight only went for about 30 yards and in a straight line but it let me know that I might have hope after all. i went to an open field near me and the first time I took It up I was able to fly till the battery gave out I had a smile from ear to ear the landing wasn’t all that good but that’s ok I flew .the Super Cub was the best thing for me I’m going to stick with the Cub for a while then go back to my T-28 I’m new to the hobby only been in it for about six weeks now. The first plane I picked up was the T-28 Trojan I was told it would be a good plane to learn on and imp sure it would have been if I was teamed up with some one that was more experienced then I . after several attempts and lots of repair time I found out that the only thing I knew about flying was that gravity was not my friend .so about a week ago I was in a hobby shop buying more replacement parts for the T-28 and saw the Super Cub and the first thing that caught my eye on the box was teach you self how to fly so I bought it. went home put it together watched the CD that came with it .I went out in front of my house and taxied up and down the street so I could get the feel of it then I made a short flight only went for about 30 yards and in a straight line but it let me know that I might have hope after all. i went to an open field near me and the first time I took It up I was able to fly till the battery gave out I had a smile from ear to ear the landing wasn’t all that good but that’s ok I flew .the Super Cub was the best thing for me I’m going to stick with the Cub for a while then go back to my T-28

]]> By: Keith http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/comment-page-2/#comment-110058 Keith Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:01:15 +0000 http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/#comment-110058 Some good tips there from John. Time on a simulator makes a huge difference Some good tips there from John.
Time on a simulator makes a huge difference

]]> By: Zak http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/comment-page-2/#comment-102879 Zak Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:02:19 +0000 http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/#comment-102879 I agree, also, pick a nice big field. on my first flight, we chose a field that was too small, so I had to turn without getting up to high altitude. It didn't go well! I broke the cowl, and snapped the tail! P.s. When I crashed, the act leads fell out. Anyone know which sockets they go in? . . / / . . ( The cable is marked by a / /, the sockets by . .) I agree, also, pick a nice big field. on my first flight, we chose a field that was too small, so I had to turn without getting up to high altitude. It didn’t go well! I broke the cowl, and snapped the tail!

P.s. When I crashed, the act leads fell out. Anyone know which sockets they go in?

. .
/ / . . ( The cable is marked by a / /, the sockets by . .)

]]> By: John http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/comment-page-2/#comment-99834 John Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:09:22 +0000 http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/#comment-99834 I got my first super cub when I was 11. Over the past years, these are some important tips Ive learned: When you start flying, start out with a hand launch, and fly forward, and land. Once you are comfortable, start trying turns. Try a 90 degree turn, and land. (on grass.) then try turning toward yourself, and do a series of S turns to get used to reverse flying. Once you land that, try flying high, and revolve around yourself. Using your knowledge from the previous tests, land. Once you master that, your good to go! Repairs: Like just about everyone else mentioned, epoxy and packaging tape will do the trick. However, I recommend buying new parts after they have taken so much damage. I replaced the fuselage, and took all the electronics out. This was fairly easy. Besides that, there has been no major damage to my cub. Most repairs were done by screwing things on and off, and replacing the parts. (props, wing struts, cowl) If you need to glue electronics back in, a hot glue gun worked amazingly. Tips: I recommend a simulator. You can go out and buy some $100 software, or download FMS for free. (http://www.flying-model-simulator.com/) Alll you need is a controller to use. NOTICE: I DO NOT TAKE ANY CREDIT FOR FMS!!!! Also, never fly when its too windy. It is no fun at all, and I crashed into a tree doing this. (when I had to buy a new fuselage.) I got my first super cub when I was 11. Over the past years, these are some important tips Ive learned: When you start flying, start out with a hand launch, and fly forward, and land. Once you are comfortable, start trying turns. Try a 90 degree turn, and land. (on grass.) then try turning toward yourself, and do a series of S turns to get used to reverse flying. Once you land that, try flying high, and revolve around yourself. Using your knowledge from the previous tests, land. Once you master that, your good to go!

Repairs: Like just about everyone else mentioned, epoxy and packaging tape will do the trick. However, I recommend buying new parts after they have taken so much damage. I replaced the fuselage, and took all the electronics out. This was fairly easy. Besides that, there has been no major damage to my cub. Most repairs were done by screwing things on and off, and replacing the parts. (props, wing struts, cowl) If you need to glue electronics back in, a hot glue gun worked amazingly.

Tips:
I recommend a simulator. You can go out and buy some $100 software, or download FMS for free. (http://www.flying-model-simulator.com/) Alll you need is a controller to use. NOTICE: I DO NOT TAKE ANY CREDIT FOR FMS!!!!

Also, never fly when its too windy. It is no fun at all, and I crashed into a tree doing this. (when I had to buy a new fuselage.)

]]> By: nadoDBA http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/comment-page-2/#comment-89880 nadoDBA Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:40:29 +0000 http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/#comment-89880 My 11 year old has been flying the super cub for 9 months now. I wish I had found your blog when we started, but am very glad to be able to read it now. I’d like to add our BEGINNER experience. When we started, our rationale was that we should just take off and land with a very short straight flight. LESSON #1 for us: Take off and landing is the most perilous part. Broken wings, battery boxes, props, tail section, transmitter antenna (?!), wing struts, and lots of gluing with Gorilla glue and 5-min epoxy. It was far better to take off, get very high, and just practice flying. More fun for they boy, less tears/frustration. We found ACS to be a liability and never use it. I found these items to be useful at the beginning: extra props and wing struts, at least two batteries, and packing tape, which we use each flight to give the battery compartment extra support. Foam safe CA glue would have been good too, had we known about it. Many flights later, he started to tire of doing only loops and circles, so we shifted to doing mainly take-off’s and landings, and the challenge made it more interesting. We now use 2-1/4” Du-Bro tires and 10x8 props, but are otherwise “stock”. Our extra battery is a 7 cell NiMH. Some of our mistakes so far: 1. We realized at some point that we had lost nuts/washers from the prop shaft during one of the early prop breaks and the prop was too close to the cowling, causing it to rub. We also had subsequent problems keeping it well attached because we didn’t have the right combo of nuts/washers. Lesson: write down the configuration of nuts/washers for future reference. Also, you can trim off pieces of cowling that stick up and hit the prop. 2. We replaced a wing before realizing that you can reliably epoxy them together. I had mistakenly thought that it wouldn’t be strong enough once cracked. 3. One wheel nut cracked, and subsequently came off at touch-down, resulting in somewhat of a crash landing. 4. Wheels fell off during flight. Our “landing gear” has loosened over time, and seems to be more solidly attached if we don’t quite place it all the way into the slot. Good luck catching the plane in your hands unless there is a lot of head wind. 5. We learned the well described lesson of flying in too much wind, with resultant “lawn-dart” landing. We had to replace the pinion (prop shaft) for that one, which was only $2, and epoxy the cracked firewall. I hope these lessons are helpful to others out there. And one more: read this blog and others extensively! Thanks, Dave (and others who took the time to post). My 11 year old has been flying the super cub for 9 months now. I wish I had found your blog when we started, but am very glad to be able to read it now. I’d like to add our BEGINNER experience. When we started, our rationale was that we should just take off and land with a very short straight flight. LESSON #1 for us: Take off and landing is the most perilous part. Broken wings, battery boxes, props, tail section, transmitter antenna (?!), wing struts, and lots of gluing with Gorilla glue and 5-min epoxy. It was far better to take off, get very high, and just practice flying. More fun for they boy, less tears/frustration. We found ACS to be a liability and never use it. I found these items to be useful at the beginning: extra props and wing struts, at least two batteries, and packing tape, which we use each flight to give the battery compartment extra support. Foam safe CA glue would have been good too, had we known about it.

Many flights later, he started to tire of doing only loops and circles, so we shifted to doing mainly take-off’s and landings, and the challenge made it more interesting. We now use 2-1/4” Du-Bro tires and 10×8 props, but are otherwise “stock”. Our extra battery is a 7 cell NiMH.

Some of our mistakes so far:
1. We realized at some point that we had lost nuts/washers from the prop shaft during one of the early prop breaks and the prop was too close to the cowling, causing it to rub. We also had subsequent problems keeping it well attached because we didn’t have the right combo of nuts/washers. Lesson: write down the configuration of nuts/washers for future reference. Also, you can trim off pieces of cowling that stick up and hit the prop.
2. We replaced a wing before realizing that you can reliably epoxy them together. I had mistakenly thought that it wouldn’t be strong enough once cracked.
3. One wheel nut cracked, and subsequently came off at touch-down, resulting in somewhat of a crash landing.
4. Wheels fell off during flight. Our “landing gear” has loosened over time, and seems to be more solidly attached if we don’t quite place it all the way into the slot. Good luck catching the plane in your hands unless there is a lot of head wind.
5. We learned the well described lesson of flying in too much wind, with resultant “lawn-dart” landing. We had to replace the pinion (prop shaft) for that one, which was only $2, and epoxy the cracked firewall.

I hope these lessons are helpful to others out there. And one more: read this blog and others extensively! Thanks, Dave (and others who took the time to post).

]]> By: LaneR http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/comment-page-2/#comment-75847 LaneR Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:30:14 +0000 http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/#comment-75847 got it jst pull it off with all ur muscles got it jst pull it off with all ur muscles

]]> By: LaneR http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/comment-page-1/#comment-75846 LaneR Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:29:32 +0000 http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/#comment-75846 same here we cannot get the prop off same here we cannot get the prop off

]]> By: DaveT http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/comment-page-1/#comment-56487 DaveT Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:46:46 +0000 http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/#comment-56487 After reading some of the comments I dont feel so stupid. From a distance it must have looked like I was swatting at a sworm of bee's on my controller. Dam ACT messed me up good. This is my first plane and I reallt want to get the hang of it..it's not as easy as the sim or the video's. I broke my prop, plus several other things, and I cant figure out how to get the prop off. Help before I really make things worse. DaveT After reading some of the comments I dont feel so stupid. From a distance it must have looked like I was swatting at a sworm of bee’s on my controller. Dam ACT messed me up good. This is my first plane and I reallt want to get the hang of it..it’s not as easy as the sim or the video’s.
I broke my prop, plus several other things, and I cant figure out how to get the prop off. Help before I really make things worse.

DaveT

]]> By: duston http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/comment-page-1/#comment-55919 duston Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:06:21 +0000 http://thesmithfam.org/blog/2006/10/09/maiden-flight-of-the-super-cub/#comment-55919 broke my prop, how do i change it. broke my prop, how do i change it.

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