Tips For Your First Flight – part 2
For the initial takeoff. The best technique is to keep the tail about halfway between level attitude and tail on the ground and wait for it to lift off by itself. If it doesn’t, then add more back stick. Once you break ground, let the sick come forward to build up more speed. You will feel the controls become more responsive. If the stick is well back or far forward in level flight, your CG or trim may be off. Do not climb steeply on the first flight. It’s possible to have the nose so high it will only mush along at low airspeed and not gain altitude.
Climb straight out to several hundred feed before making any turns. The rudder control is very effective and you should have no problems getting the feel of it. Notice if the rudder controls are near the middle when in level flight. A strong turning tendency indicates wing or vertical tail misalignment. If you are holding too much back pressure or forward pressure on the stick, you may have to adjust the CG or the tail incidence. Before your first landing, climb to 500 to 1000 feet and explore the slow flight characteristics of your Pup. Reduce power and let the nose come down for a normal glide. Take note of the stick pressure and position and aircraft attitude you will be using in a landing approach. Next, ease the stick back farther until you begin to feel an increased sink rate (and probably more stick pressure). Avoid this condition when near the ground.
Landing is the easiest part. Make a long straight approach with partial power and normal glide speed. Adjust the throttle so you will make the runway. You only have to fly level close to the ground and reduce power when the wheels touch. Your first landing may be fast so be careful of lowering the tail too soon or it will takeoff again……the next step is to enter your first flight in a log book!
