I worked all day, visited Mom, had enough time to get in two flights at the new field. A successful day. Time to relax.

said _nobler 2001.06.03 at 19:09:26 PDT

First flight of the season yesterday, weather was fine early but by the time I got to the field, cloudy variable winds. I was darn lucky now that I look back on the series of events. Takeoff roll was precarious with a veering to one side and possibly an over correction plus a too early rotation provided the right conditions for an almost minor stall with a drop of the nose to the tarmack. Cotact of the prop must have been made but the engine continued. I regained control of the plane, airborne, but not showing flight characteristics that I'm familiar with. "Somethings not right", as I struggled to gain altitude to clear the trees barely hanging on the prop I got it around the pattern but was in a real bad position for landing. Another bad decicion, I'm going to do a go around. Again, a struggle to get to any altitude and clear the trees. Somehow I got it around and put it down gently. Post flight inspection revealed, at least 1/3 of the prop was missing. On takeoff, I must have made contact and pieces of the prop must have shed, but the motor kept running. I was lucky. Lesson learned, gain as much speed as possible before rotating for take off. Watchout for those winds. Real scary to try to keep the Kadet airborne at full throttle, nose high. I don't wish to repeat this flight. Conditions or experience will have to be better. We hung around and watched the weather conditions deteriorate, going to breakfast was the final decision.

said _nobler 2001.05.27 at 07:20:51 PDT

Gee, its been awhile since my last flight. Winter here in Chicagoland has been steadfast. Looking forward to when the weather gets warmer. Been doing a lot of simulator flights.

said _nobler 2001.02.21 at 12:35:09 PST

Breezy today, I'm talking 13 mph but nice temps around 70 and it's my day off. Steve Moskal joined me at Ned Brown with his Electric Zagi Speed 400. We both got in 4 flights and delt with the wind with caution. As long as you're careful with the approach and do a go around when needed, the Kadet will come in pretty good. Really slows down into the wind. Was able to demonstrate to Charlie the RCer who first flew her that I've come a long way. He was pleased with my progress. So far so good, she looks great in the air and I'm pleasantly happy to just putter around the sky and get experience. The guys are noticing that one of the things I like to do is a low pass in front of me. It's kind of neat to see her up close after an approach then fly by adding power and going back to altitude to continue my figure eight circuits. This is a really fun plane. Will continue to fly the simulator for practice and work with the Kadet to gain experience. Wow 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th flight.

said _nobler 2000.11.01 at 13:11:18 PST

Oh boy! Today started with very light winds but very dense fog. In fact just as I was arriving at the RC field the only RCer there was packing up to go home. Fly to high and you're in the soup. It was 10:45 AM, lots of day left with hopes that it would get better, and it did. I was the only one at the RC part of the field, so I decided well why not just take my time and get ready. The fog steadily dissipated and eventually I felt that I would be ok. Had my engine running and range check done when fellow Controliner friend John Broughton arrived. I decided to try it, no experienced RCer, no buddy box. Take off was good into the wind, flew my figure eight circuits. Eventually it was time to land. Did a coulple of approaches and go arounds, I think on the third try I felt good about it and put it down ever so nicely. This is incredible. Still feel a little shaky while flying, but I'm doing it by myself. The Kadet is very stable and if given the right commands is such a pussycat. Today I completed 5 flights, all by myself. Real nice feeling of accomplishment. Fun plane to just putter around the sky in. Because of its size and light wing loading, she really has the ability to slow down, gives a guy a chance to think. Definitely having fun, and the thought of getting 5 flights in, is truly remarkable. 11 flights.

said _nobler 2000.10.25 at 21:19:01 PDT

Truly an exciting day for me and the Kadet. Three flights, all with the buddy box. Harvey got it up for me and let me do my figure eight circuits. Before landing he did a loop and inverted flight with it, and then let me do a few more circuits. Second flight with Carter, I did the circuits and did my first landing. If I may say so myself, it was sweet. Third flight, I took off, flew around, and landed while Carter held the training switch on the buddy box. Hey you know what, I think time on the Real Flight Computer RC Flight Simulator has really paid off. I think I'm getting the hang of it. Stay tuned. This is becoming to be real fun. Ha!

said _nobler 2000.10.22 at 20:26:55 PDT

Today favorable winds with the Kadet all ready, found old Charlie at the field willing to help again. First flight ended earlier than expected when it was discovered "buddy box" idle was set too low and engine quit. Charlie took it back and landed it dead stick. Second attempt was joyuos, at least for me. After Charlie got it to altitude, he switched it over to me. Boy did I have fun. Did a lot of figure eights and even a close pass. Hey, I was in control and flying it. I might even learn this RC thing after all. Then cautious Charlie said it was time to bring it in, darn, I was having so much fun. Charlie landed the Kadet ever so sweet. She really slows down and is a floater. Stay tuned for more.

said _nobler 2000.10.18 at 13:38:21 PDT

Maiden flight occured on October 11th, 2000. Wind conditions were just about right and I found an experienced modeler that was willing to help me, and fly it. It wasn't a long flight, maybe 5 min and I didn't get a chance to fly it. Maybe that's good. Charlie didn't want to horse around too much so brought it back in for a soft landing on the grass. Unfortuneately, Charlie had to leave, so I continued with taxi exercises. Real good to see it in the air, kind of lets me know that she can fly. With the Kadet's large wing, she really has the ability slow down, I'm really looking forward to flying her. The buddy box will be connected next time.

said _nobler 2000.10.12 at 11:17:16 PDT

Finished Kadet photos. Taxi tests completed. Motor runs good as long as I don't flood it when starting. I'm ready for maiden flight, just need a light wind day and my test pilot, Jack Hiner.

said _nobler 2000.09.29 at 14:13:45 PDT

Roll tests and first powered taxi test. Gee it's great to see it together. Will have to adjust idle, can't get a transmitter engine cut. Looking good, finished photos hopefully within the next week.

said _nobler 2000.09.16 at 18:34:16 PDT

Fuel proof nose weight anchor blocks, prime, then paint. Nose weight strap completed with easy adjustment. Tidy up the wiring, mount switch and mount battery in foam. Make a fairing for the pushrod exit. Clean-up MonoKote and check wing for warps. Final balance. Take photos.

said _nobler 2000.09.04 at 20:37:06 PDT

Wow! I didn't expect this. The statistics for my photo pages to this date are as follows. Sig Kadet Senior, has been viewed 99 times with one photo downloaded. Banshee, has been viewed 25 times. By the way, had the Banshee out last weekend and put in 5 patterns, had a good time. Just wish to thank all that have visited and viewed my Webshots photo page. Feel free to leave comments or suggestions. Thanks again to all that have visited. Tom Nied

said _nobler 2000.08.15 at 07:49:50 PDT

To Arky Destination; Yeah, I'm starting to strip out some of the gear so that I can resume working on it. Almost sounds like I'm going backwards in the assembly steps. Found out that the wieghts I need to bring it into balance are only 8 ounces, and that is at the firewall. Originally I thought they were a pound. I feel better about that and might just leave the fiberglass pushrods in as originally intended. A heavier nosewheel, a heavy hub under the spinner, and re-balance with the weights as far forward as I can get them. Should be ok, we'll see.

said _nobler 2000.08.10 at 18:10:10 PDT

To GRAND INQUISITOR: I took a look at the photo page, and just have to remember that those shots were taken in late May. I had a real sense of completion before a relaxing Arkansas trip last July, but in the the 11th hour realilzed that I just wasn't done. Interesting that you should notice a subconcious thought.

said _nobler 2000.08.09 at 10:25:51 PDT