After about 5 years of wishing I had a simulator, I went out to the LHS and put down the money.... Glad I did. Due to work and home preasures, I seldom get out to the field to actually fly. Maybe about 5-10 times a year, for the last decade or so... I'm what you would call an advanced beginner.

Ive put in at least 12 hours of Real Flight 6.5 stick time, in the last three weeks!

I think I am actually starting to improve now!

My training schedule:
Week One:
Clockwise and counter clockwise circuits, Level.
CW and CCW figure eights, level as I can keep them
Trying to keep from corkscrewing out of loops.

Verdict: Man Am I rusty!


Week Two:
More of the above, plus adding some basic aerobatics:
half cuban eights
Inverted passes
Coordinating the rudder.

Verdict: Getting better!

Week Three:
begining knife edge flight
trying to complete knife edge circles...

Ive got a LONG way to go...

Wish me luck.

DG

Some more virtual building. Thinking about a 48in twin, maybe an Argentinian built attack plane... would look smokin' with some rockets and tanks under the wings.

Met up with the crew for flying session this morning. Enjoy the pics....Continue Reading

I rebuilt friend's old tigermoth that had been knocking around my garage for almost 10 years- (See my post below, "the good old days" for a pic of the plane in it's youth circa 2002) I threw on the floats and wings from my first 'Moth. Originally in float flying mode I had used a Geared Johnson 250 and 8 heavy NiMh cells. Updated to the "Modern Era" with a 1300kv BW and a 350Mah 3s LiPo and 3g servos it flies better than it ever did before, still light and slow but with the power to go vertical. it still at it's best in DEAD calm, at about 1/4 throttle shooting touch and goes.

Whipped up a profile design for the Luft 46 Me 329 tonight. Hopeflly I ll have a chance cut one out soon. Just one of the planes I'd like to get to eventually.

I was inspired by the great images on the Luft 46 site, and the incredible JMorgan 1/8th scale 329 build.

DG

The famous "Smoke Squadron" of Brazil was in town this weekend performing their fantastic aerobatics routine in their Embraer Tucanos over the lighthouse of Salvador. Thanks to Fabio, We managed to get a great spot on the hill at the base of Fort--- almost directly underneath them during many of the maneuvers. Enjoy the pics!...Continue Reading

It's Brazilian Independence day! Bom Feriado para meus amigos no Brasil!

I Decided not to work through another national holiday, So I left the apartment early to meet the AERODUNAS Club at the the Petromar Stella Mares field. Conditions were gusty, and it was It was my first time there. Another great location to fly! Bahia Brazil doesn't exactly have the greatest infrastructure, in terms of roads, electrical grid, etc but there are at least four dedicated flying fields within a 30 minute drive of the city of Lauro De Frietas. Amazing! Each one with an friendly and enthusiastic group of flyers, Muinto Legal!

Muito obrigado ao Fabio, Edson, Thiago, e todos os demais para acolher-me para o grupo. Obrigado a JP por me deixar usar sua hélice 10x6....



The conditions got progressively worse, with planes starting to fly backwards in the wind... We retreated to a local Barraca until a small rain storm passed by. the winds dropped, and conditions were good for a few more flights with the BOOM and a successful re-maiden of the F-18. Finalmente!!!!...Continue Reading

That the weather on Saturday mornings is the worst of the week?

That I have one prop adapter that will fit the motor shaft, but not the prop, and another that will fit the prop but not the shaft?

That out of all the servo arms I have collected over the years I cannot find one with the correct diameter and spline pattern to fit the servo I already glued into the plane?

I am sure I have a few more of these in my head somewhere..

Started two new builds to round out the South American fleet: an F-4 Phantom pusher, and SEMFF combat Yak-3.

Great day flying, and working on my Portuguese with the AeroSalvador group....Continue Reading

F4 phantom, 30in Wingspan. I'll keep you posted.

The hornet is about ready to fly.

Finally I can upload the photos--

Met up with the aerosalvador crew once again in Stella Maris. Alan made several more impressive flights with his Embraer 120, Edson and Tiago freestyled their easystar clone about three feet off the deck, and Roderiro made the windy conditions look easy with his 40in Stik

Took the opportunity to repair the damage from the figure-9 I pulled with the MsComposit Boom a couple weeks ago and did some final assembly on the F-18. Mocked up the drop tanks and weapons... Looking the buisness! very happy with it so far. can't wait until maiden...

Some nice onboard cam stills of the AeroSalvador Unidunas site from Edson: Expert Pilot, Designer and Builder in Salvador Brazil:

Fotos aéreas 2602 2011.wmv (5 min 24 sec)

Some old images of My original flying buddies and our fly-in at the horsepower hollow aerodrome: AKA KingNine ranch. Circa 2002

After about a year and a half in Salvador Brazil, A HobbyKing catalog suddenly showed up at my Casa. I don't remember ordering it to my address down here, I hadn't made an order from them since I left the states, I didn't even know they had a print catalog so its a mystery.

DG

Had the chance to go flying again with the great guys from AeroSalvador. Here are some more photos of the action this weekend. There was some more smooth flying by Edson, with his self designed high winged camera plane and a remaiden of Brazil's depron motorglider with Fabio at the controls.

Yesterday, I spent a great morning flying with the the Depron/Electric fanatics at From Clube AeroSalvador at UniDunas field in Stela Maris Brazil. Slightly gusty conditions made for difficult landings at times, but the Pilots who fly on this airstrip frequently made it look easy. It was my first time flying in more than a year---- man I was shaky on the sticks.

Heres the link to the map:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en...01302&t=h&z=20...Continue Reading