Nimbus 4D

[Tom]

Are you trying this by yourself? You really need a helper to hold and release the plane......if that's not possible then build a bungee launcher....I'll try to find the plans I had for the one I built.

[Len]

Joel,
I would put the throttle on a switch. Then the spoilers where they belong, on the throttle stick. If you can standardize the setup, others will be able to help out at times in the future and you in turn would be able to help others. Since the throttle is either on or off, there is no need for a proportional control on it.

Len

[sruelle]

Joel

It is exactly my setting

I put down the plane where I am supposed to stretch the bungee, I put the radio on the ground in the back of the plane

Step 1 I stretch the bungee and attach it to the sailplane

Step 2 jiggle arround to hold the glider and sit back on ground in order to have the fin in one hand and TX in the other

Step 3 adjust wings level by applying some torque on the fin

Step 4 crank the throttle up and release


Work for me

Stephane

[Joel]

Len,

The left stick is only throttle while in the launch mode. I use a three position switch, switch down, motor off ( no control ), left stick is spoilers. Switch middle, arm up, motor off, spoilers down ( both no control ). Switch up, arm up, left stick is motor control, spoilers down ( no control ). I thought about having the motor on a switch, I just like the idea of being able to control it. Maybe any irrational need from all the power plane and heli flying.

Tom,

A helper is really not an option. The initial issues were just learning curve items. How far back I needed to pull was more driven by not knowing how much was needed and fear of the wings pealing back as I let go. Now that I know the pull required, it is not an issue, pretty much just do what Stephane is doing except not sitting, I just bend over.

I'm anxious to give this another go. I'm sure it will take some time to get a new canopy, for now I will just tape it. The rest of the repairs are under way.

Joel

[yyz]

Joel,

I really admire your attitude and plan to get right back on the horse! It sounds like you have a lot going on in a very short period of time with a complicated plane. I've had very good results with doing some eyes closed, pre-flight mental dress rehearsals away from all of the craziness at the field. I know, I know... sounds like voodoo but it can really help when you have the inevitable cascade of things go wrong at the wrong time.

Again, love your tenacity and best of luck on your next flight.

[Joel]

I've been doing this a long time. I take the attitude of, it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Of course I like to get a few flights on something before I break it. I'm usually have my replacements for total losses queued in advance.

For now I'm moving back to the build thread to document damage and repairs.

Joel

[Joel]

Arggg, Nimbus has been ready to go for a few weeks now and I still haven't had a chance to give it another go. Either too much wind and from the wrong direction, and now too much smoke from a big fire we have here. Hope I don't forget everything I did wrong last time when I finally do get to take it out.

Joel