Pretty sure this is old news and a many-times told story, but I had such an enjoyable first day.
The Phantom arrived yesterday while I was out of town, but got home in time to start charging batteries last night. Easy task, except my fumble fingers struggle a bit removing the balancing connection from the charger.
Today I got out the props and began balancing them. I had gotten the Du-Bro a few days ago and had watched some videos on the balancing process. Three of the four props needed balancing. I decided to use the CA method and had picked up thick and gel CA, plus the activator . I marked the heavy ends with a red a dot of a marker and place the CA on the light end, underside of the prop. I had a cardboard toilet paper tube that I cut into a 1" inch long tube and used the round of the tube to spread the CA evenly over the curvature of the prop. Gave it a spray of activator.
I had what's called a headlight renovation kit for automobile headlights. It includes various grades of sandpaper and a foam handle with a velcro face to match the back of the sand paper. I sanded with the medium grade and then the fine and then super fine. Went back to the Du-Bro, sanded more, Du-Bro, sand more, DuPro and done.
Put the landing gear on, taped the antenna and compass in place. Did the decals and installed the props.
Drove to an aerodome, but it was busy, no place for learners. Found a church with a big field. Turned on the transmitter and put in a battery in the Phantom - that in itself is an art getting that all stuffed in. Waited for an eternity for the lights to give the right sequence and then did the circle around calibrations.
Sat in a lawn chair, got comfortable and took off. Holy cow - - easy to use, difficult to master. Went through the first battery and many successfully landings. The second battery I got to do the walk of shame. I let it get too far away to see orientation and got up and started walking towards it, a block away and near at the church. A little hilly, so I lost sight all together as it headed downward for what I assumed was a crash landing.
Found it in the grass, 10 feet from the concrete parking lot and a good 30 feet from the church. Lesson learned.
Went through three batteries, tested RTH and considered the day a success. Thanks for folks on this forum providing useful information. Head out tomorrow to gain some more experience.
Tonight I'll put on the "Reward If Found" sticker on the Phantom with my cellphone number.
The Phantom arrived yesterday while I was out of town, but got home in time to start charging batteries last night. Easy task, except my fumble fingers struggle a bit removing the balancing connection from the charger.
Today I got out the props and began balancing them. I had gotten the Du-Bro a few days ago and had watched some videos on the balancing process. Three of the four props needed balancing. I decided to use the CA method and had picked up thick and gel CA, plus the activator . I marked the heavy ends with a red a dot of a marker and place the CA on the light end, underside of the prop. I had a cardboard toilet paper tube that I cut into a 1" inch long tube and used the round of the tube to spread the CA evenly over the curvature of the prop. Gave it a spray of activator.
I had what's called a headlight renovation kit for automobile headlights. It includes various grades of sandpaper and a foam handle with a velcro face to match the back of the sand paper. I sanded with the medium grade and then the fine and then super fine. Went back to the Du-Bro, sanded more, Du-Bro, sand more, DuPro and done.
Put the landing gear on, taped the antenna and compass in place. Did the decals and installed the props.
Drove to an aerodome, but it was busy, no place for learners. Found a church with a big field. Turned on the transmitter and put in a battery in the Phantom - that in itself is an art getting that all stuffed in. Waited for an eternity for the lights to give the right sequence and then did the circle around calibrations.
Sat in a lawn chair, got comfortable and took off. Holy cow - - easy to use, difficult to master. Went through the first battery and many successfully landings. The second battery I got to do the walk of shame. I let it get too far away to see orientation and got up and started walking towards it, a block away and near at the church. A little hilly, so I lost sight all together as it headed downward for what I assumed was a crash landing.
Found it in the grass, 10 feet from the concrete parking lot and a good 30 feet from the church. Lesson learned.
Went through three batteries, tested RTH and considered the day a success. Thanks for folks on this forum providing useful information. Head out tomorrow to gain some more experience.
Tonight I'll put on the "Reward If Found" sticker on the Phantom with my cellphone number.
