Tired and wore out but excited and pumped up all in one. We learned alot today and we still have tomorrow.
We are having a wonderful time here. The weather has cooperated with normal contest weather 12-16 mph cross winds all day but 56 degrees. I personally burned almost 5 gallons of fuel today, the 170 is a thirsty little jewel.
All went well with the new setup and nothing came loose today. I was a little worried about not flying the motor and tuned pipes before getting here but Frank has been alot of help dialing it in. The first flight I did not even think it was the same airplane, we spent most of the morning trimming and all afternoon flying.
I am sure Mark will post more I am wore out and heading for a nice warm bed.
Mike

We just got in 15 min ago.

Yea Frank had some glow wire and chem lights and would not ley us stop until we were ready for invetional class ! Flew all night, don't know how we are going to stay awake to drive home but we are having a lot of fun !

awesome guys!!!!Sounds like Framk, wore you out... bet that DA170 is broke in now!!!!

Yea it is running great ! 35# carden with DA 170 on RE3's all I can say is Wow ! Frank Flew his 43% Carden with the DA 200 that was cool also ! Jason was there also and flew his new areowork bipe's and he made them look good !

We tached the motor on the ground with the 29x12n and it was turning 6600 rpm with the 32 to 1 break in oil after 5 gallons of fuel through it.
Only problem I see is power management, You have to work at not making the manuevers to large and lose points on the acs scores.
Other than that it it has many advantages.

Dang Mike you out of bed already ? I got to try to go to sleep at 3am and I had to be up at 6am but you could have sleep latter !

I just wanted to post my thoughts about the weekend with Frank.
First of all Frank is a first class guy. We met years ago when I became the infamous "Fireball" the next year Frank was flying my 43% Geoff Combs airplane for the noontime demo at the Joe Nall at Pats house when the covering blew off the entire wing.
So when he flew my plane to see how it was trimmed I know he was thinking what will go wrong this time, but all went well.

Frank really worked hard with us on the individual things we needed. He showed us how to make it easier to fly the manouvers.
When we had trouble with a particular manouver Frank would take the plane and make sure it was pilot error not the airplane.
Everytime he took the plane it did exactly what he wanted.
It was a pleasurable experience that I will not soon forget and I will spend the rest of my flying days trying to implement what he has taught me.

I do not have any regrets for my decision to go and spend time with fine people like Frank and Jason.
If you are contemplating wether it is worth it or not I cannot answer that question for you.
I can say for me I would have been happy at twice the cost.

Thanks Frank, for the wonderful weekend, I will do my best to make you proud one day.
Your friend... Mike
aka "Fireball"

Posted By Mark Mcclellan on 13 Apr 2009 8:00
Dang Mike you out of bed already ? I got to try to go to sleep at 3am and I had to be up at 6am but you could have sleep latter !

2am to 7 am thats 5 hrs only one less than usual.

Well after I got home and got a shower it was still awhile after I got into bed before I even tried to go to sleep if you know what I mean !

As soon as I get the chance I'll do a write up and post it on the SE page but I agree with what Mike said I got a lot out of this weekend and I very happy I did so ! Thanks go out to Frank and Jason !

Posted By Mike Chandley on 13 Apr 2009 8:26
I just wanted to post my thoughts about the weekend with Frank.
First of all Frank is a first class guy. We met years ago when I became the infamous "Fireball" the next year Frank was flying my 43% Geoff Combs airplane for the noontime demo at the Joe Nall at Pats house when the covering blew off the entire wing.
So when he flew my plane to see how it was trimmed I know he was thinking what will go wrong this time, but all went well.

Frank really worked hard with us on the individual things we needed. He showed us how to make it easier to fly the manouvers.
When we had trouble with a particular manouver Frank would take the plane and make sure it was pilot error not the airplane.
Everytime he took the plane it did exactly what he wanted.
It was a pleasurable experience that I will not soon forget and I will spend the rest of my flying days trying to implement what he has taught me.

I do not have any regrets for my decision to go and spend time with fine people like Frank and Jason.
If you are contemplating wether it is worth it or not I cannot answer that question for you.
I can say for me I would have been happy at twice the cost.

Thanks Frank, for the wonderful weekend, I will do my best to make you proud one day.
Your friend... Mike
aka "Fireball"

Mike, Mark and Steve.. Thanks for attending the school this past weekend. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to spend time with all of you, and I hope you came away with something useful that can be applied to your flying. I could see a definite improvement from where we started to your final flights. Even though we didn't get to cover as much as I would have liked, I still think the groundwork is there and you can use the tips we worked on throughout any sequence or unknown that gets thrown at you. Good luck at the upcoming contests, and I'll be watching the scores!! :-) Look out Wayne!!

Frank

I'm looking forward to this weekends contest ! Wayne had better pray for rain that might be the only thing that can save him now !

Hi Folks,

I was also fortunate to get to participate in the first Aero U this past weekend. I would have posted this sooner but I was so wiped out that I don't think I could have typed.

A quick word about where I am in SA flying. While I've flown since the early 70's I'd never flown SA until last year. I flew three contests in basic last year. This year I made the move to Sportsman. So, Frank had a lot of work to do with me!

Mark and Mike met up with Frank on Saturday morning, about 9:00 Frank asked "who is first?" and it was on.

We each flew a flight in rotation, the first flight was working on trimming and mixing out bad tendancies. If the airplane looked like it was doing something odd, Frank would fly it to see if it was the airplane or the pilot.

The next flight we started into sequences. I think we all spent at least two flights on the first manuver.

The wind was challenging but good as we all got a lot of pratice learning how to properly wind correct.

Saturday ended with us each having flown eight flights. I have to tell you I was totaly wiped out at that point.

Sunday was a bit warmer, but just as windy out of a different location. The clear advantage to this flying site is that you can fly over wide open terrain in three different directions if you want to. The runway is a full size grass strip so you have a ton of space to land if you have a problem.

After it was all said and done I had gotten through 3 manuvers. That tells you two things. I needed (need) a lot of help, and how much Frank made us each work each manuver.

Frank is a super instructor, he talked me through each element of each manuver, helped me correct during the manuver by telling me the correct stick input and why.

I might also mention that I started Sunday with a brand new, never flown airplane and engine. Frank helped me get it set up properly and trimed, in a much shorter amount time than I could have done it myself.

This weekend is one that I will remember for a very long time. The amount of information that I learned is increadible. It will take this old 286 processor a while to get through all of the information, but I'll go into this contest season a lot better pilot than I would without Frank's class.

Guys, if you can attend one of Frank's sessions, do it! You won't be disappointed. I'd also recommend doing it in Champaign as the flying site is one that is perfect for this class.

Steve Kaluf

It was great to meet you this weekend Steve, I think you are going to really like that new Cap that you flew on Sunday,,,,,, just remember it will slow down on landing.

Mark,
It was great to meet and fly with you guys this weekend too. Man, that was a good lunch by the way!

I really like the CAP, I'll get it slowed down!

Steve

Steve, great report... man i'm encouraged by reading your posts. I guess the "Miracle" worker, can help this ole guy as well!!! Awesome stuff guys!!! Let me Yell across the roommmm.... Linda, Jordan, Stephen,, there's hope for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don

Don,
Just bring your clan, you'd have a class to yourself!

Steve

Just an FYI guys... there is still an opening for the weekend of April 25-26, if you want to get tuned up for the flying season.

Frank

Frank and everybody I wrote up something about this past weekend and sent it to Roy and he will post it soon.
Mark.

OK the article I wrote about this part weekend is posted on the SE home page, go check it out !

The second school is this weekend!!! Beautiful weather, low 80's expected and lots of flying. There is still an opening to get some work in before the IMAC season gets underway here in the midwest.

Frank

The last "Spring" school session was completed this past weekend! One of the most gorgeous flying days I've seen in my life. Sunny, high of 78 and gusts to 1-1/2 mph! Couldn't have had a better time.

The Fall sessions will be starting in September and there will two weekends scheduled. If you're interested, contact me and we'll reserve as spot for you.

Frank

Hey Frank , Last weekend Al from Radiowave came by and just gave me an airplane kit !!!! I thought that was really nice of him then he said I was supposed to bring it to you, dang !!!!! See ya at the XFC in a little over a week, Mark.
BTW, did the guys at the last school like the secret Box ?

I'm getting ready to schedule classes for this year. I'm currently looking at mid April to start. If you're interested in attending, contact me at f.noll@comcast.net so I'll have a better handle on dates to accomodate everybody.

There will be less classes this year, with more attendees. This way it will be cheaper for the entire group for the weekend.

Frank

I'm in... I hope a date works for me!!!