Get to fly my first "big" plane!

[Xpress..]

Okay, so it's not an electric, but I don't care, I'm soo excited!

I met a local modeler a few blocks from me, and he had a 25% great planes yak 54, all setup and ready to go with a DA50 on the nose. He bought it from another modeler who had flown it about 15 times, who apparently had done some real 3D down low stuff, so I know it's ready to go :)

My dilema is what should I be doing/looking out for preflight? :confused:

Okay, so yeah, I know it's not electric, but I know some of you guys out there have gassers of this size, so I figured you can help me get airborne safely :)

[BoneDoc]

Congrats.

Make sure you have someone holding the plane down for you. Also it would help greatly if you have someone experienced with Gas engine going over everything with you. It shortens the learning curve.

Keep speed up since your wingloading is going to be high with the GP Yak. Respect the tip stall.

Other than that... have fun :D.

[Xpress..]

^Yeah, I know what could happen if I didn't have someone hold the plane down :rolleyes:

The only problem is the only guy who has experience with gasoline motors in particular(I was a nitro head when I first started in the hobby) only heads up to the field occasionally, so it's a hit or miss with him. Everybody else as far as I know flies electric or nitro, which is why I was asking if anyone had any tips :(

[paintball_kidz]

do you have a starter stick? do you know how to mix fuel?

[Xpress..]

No and yes. The engine is a big 50CC, so I doubt a starter stick can be of any use. We'll just hand start with a big leather glove :)

[dag214]

No and yes. The engine is a big 50CC, so I doubt a starter stick can be of any use. We'll just hand start with a big leather glove :)
When I had my 23's, 42,s., 62's, and my 2.5 husky I used a starter stick, only on my 150's-200's and bigger did I have a glove. Once the motor is broken in, just a flip with a stick should have her running. I know 50cc may be big if it is your first gasser, but 50cc is a perfect starter size for gassers and I actually just used my fingers once broken in. I always just put the choke on full, set half throttle and flipped until she popped once, then open the choke and set throttle to high idle and away she went on the first flip.

My starter stick was a 12" broom handle :) .

Just my 2 cents if it helps.

DAG

[Xpress..]

Hmm, dunno. Might just try to hand start it. He said it fires up like a dream :)

[BoneDoc]

Flying Giants had a "Gas Tuning for Newbies" thread. Try to find it and get some info there.

[Xpress..]

Well, I got to fire it up today. And with it being a DA, it fired up and ran like a dream :D

Idle was good, although it needs to be adjusted a bit in the radio. Full idle with full up trim kills it.

[Kwesdog]

Don't do it!!! You will be hooked on giant scale and the $$$ that goes with it if you do.

I got myself into GS about 5 years ago and havent looked back.

Harry

[Xpress..]

Don't do it!!! You will be hooked on giant scale and the $$$ that goes with it if you do.

I got myself into GS about 5 years ago and havent looked back.

Harry

I wish you had told me sooner :( :rolleyes:

When I get the cash, I might buy this one off of him if I like it :)

[jooNorway]

Since you said the former owner did do 3D I just would have checked CG and propably moved it forward a bit for the first flights... Some 3D-junkies have a far aft CG which might be a surprice for your maiden.

[Xpress..]

^No, I like sensitive control inputs, because I'm pretty precice with my fingers. Actually had to turn the expo the OTHER way on some of my planes :eek:

Didn't get to fly today :( My buddy had a service call for someones watercraft out in the bay, and he didn't end up getting back untill 12-ish. Too late and I didn't have a key to my home field :(