ORIGINAL: jon31072000
Hey all. First off, let me start by saying that there are a ton of beginner posts and I have read most. Almost all revert back to the same thing.... Go to your local field. This is where I struggle. Between my wife and I, we have one car and 3 kids, so travel is out of the question and to my knowledge there is only one local club around. I have attempted to seek out their schedules, without success, and show up on random days in hopes of catching someone. I did catch people there on 2 occassions but when I started asking questions, seemed stand-offish and like I was bothering them so I left both times. That community seems very closed to outsiders and the fact that I am a grown man(kinda) 31 I was expecting a little more cooperation and information. Due to this experience, I have chose to go into park flyers. I just ordered my first, Parkzone Tycoon 2, and learned I made a big time mess up. I plan on keeping this plane in the closet as everything I have read about it says its well worth the money, but with as little experience as I have in the air, dont think I should even put it together till I know I can keep flying. This leads me into why I post.... Can I self teach myself how to fly with say a Parkzone J-3 cub or something that is cost effiecent and managable? I have read alot of posts about the Air Hogs Aero Ace and will have that tomorrow to start honing in the skills, but I imagine that will only take me so far. Any advice on what I should be looking at would be helpfull. I want to stay within $200 for a decent RTR trainer if possible. Thanks tons, Jon
I'm going to disagree with just about everyone who's posted, here. You have no spare time, a small budget, and expectations.
If you want to learn on your own, you'll need a bigger budget and time to do repairs.
If you want to find an instructor, you'll need to travel, adjust your expectations, and deal with an instructor's available time.
If you join a club, you'll need most of your budget for dues & and any required (AMA, perhaps) memberships.
My suggestion is to get an RC Flight Simulator. They are very instructive, you can't destroy the planes, and they're there waiting for you, on your schedule. Most are within your budget. I believe I saw a Sig ad where they're selling a controller for about 40 bucks, bundled with an inexpensive simulator.
Using a simulator does not prevent you from having a plane on the building board. And, a flight sim does not prevent you from making contact with clubs, when you have time, and making contact with officers and instructors.
Dropping in at the field when the two people present are preoccupied is not uncommon. No one goes to the field with a new plane, hoping that a new prospective student will show up and need an hour of attention, immediately. Most people show up with a limited amount of time to spend. They want to get a plane in the air and enjoy it (perhaps you know the feeling) before they have to go home or to that church meeting, or get to the home improvement store before it closes. The proper time to make contact is at a scheduled club meeting or a prearranged visit.
Best wishes with whatever path you choose,
Dave Olson