OMAC page 2

From the Mid Atlantic Radio Kontrol Society, Snow Hill, Maryland

Getting the Harrier Down: a building-block approach

by Jeremy Chinn

Part 2 of 5

If you have followed along with the previous article, you now have a simulator to learn on as well as the right kind of airplane to learn with. This is a point at which many people just begin banging the sticks around and thrashing the airframe around the field. Not only does this not necessarily turn into the safest situation, but it does not often yield success.

To learn to 3-D well, you need to learn with a building-block approach that builds a good foundation of basic 3-D maneuvers and progresses from there. This progression will use much of the basic aerobatic knowledge you have previously learned to control the airplane in all attitudes and situations.

While most people think the core maneuver to flying 3-D is the hover, that is unfortunately incorrect. The most basic and fundamental maneuver for learning 3-D is the Harrier. The Harrier is a part of a majority of 3-D maneuvers and skills learned during training to help build rudder-control skills necessary for more complex maneuvers.

To learn to Harrier correctly, we are going to use another simple maneuver called an elevator. Learning to Harrier this way initially allows this first maneuver to be flown at a higher altitude and with an easy escape route.

Start by climbing to an altitude of “five mistakes high.” Level the airplane at center field with the nose into the wind and cut the throttle to idle. When the airplane has slowed significantly, hold full-up elevator and allow the airplane to fall. If your airplane is set up correctly with an appropriate center of gravity and control throws, it should descend slightly nose down or level. An idle set too high will cause the airplane to descend nose high.

As the airplane descends, use the ailerons to hold the wings level. During the descent, the wings may rock back and forth. Careful correction with the ailerons will help correct this problem with most good designs. When the airplane has reached an altitude of one mistake high, decrease the pressure on the elevator and increase the throttle to fly out level. You have just completed an Elevator. Congratulations! Continue practicing this maneuver until you are comfortable with the airplane descending in this manner.

continued on page 6