Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

Hello Everyone!

I am new here, but I am not new to the performance world. I am looking for an RC plane, (probably two) for my sons and I to have some fun with. I have twin 7 year old boys who need to spend more time with their father.

I would like to spend $100-$400 each for the planes complete. I have never run an RC airplane, or anything else for that matter, but my sons love airplanes so much I thought I would give this a try. I have no idea what I am doing.

I don't mind building anything and would love to build something WITH them. I could build really anything, but I am not sure what a good choice for 7 year olds would be. (You can see my company at www.kirkhammotorsports.com so you can see what kind of capabilities we have.)

As my sons aren't anywhere near driving age, (not that I would let them drive what I make anyway) I thought I would turn to RC as that has always held my imagination for some reason.

I think I would like electric as I think it may be easier to deal with--but I really don't know. That is why I am looking for some help here.

I don't have ANY experience with RC

I can build just about anything. (I am a CNC programmer and I have 5 CNC machines)

I imagine I will crash more times than I care to think about.

I think electric may be easier to deal with???

I have no idea what all I have to buy and every time I turn around it seems I need something else...radio, receivers, servos....on, and on. Not that I am frustrated, I just don't understand all of the vocabulary and I want to make sure I get everything I need.

What about used/previously owned???

Please help on how I can go about this.

Many, many thanks for any help. It will be greatly appreciated.

David

Here is a link to our company so you can know a little bit about me.

:)[link=http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com]www.kirkhammotorsports.com[/link]

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

Hi what a great idea you have! I recommend you find a local club in you area and take the boys out there and introduce yourself. Talk to the instructors and see first hand what you are getting yourself into! And if your real lucky maybe Even get a buddy box flight on the club trainer.

I did a quick search and found this club in Orem UT.

Contact: DON M TRENDLER
Phone: 801/224-1580
Email:
Address: 447 N 1120 E
OREM, UT 84097-5078
Url: www.utahvalleyaeromodelers.com
Has Intro Pilots: Yes

Also here is a link for the AMA websight [link=http://modelaircraft.org/templates/ama/]CLICK ME FOR THE AMA[/link]

One other thing i would recomend purchasing [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXANC1&P=ML]REAL FLIGHT SIMULATER[/link].

Happy Flying!

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

In addidiotn to the great advice allready given

If you're not into looks, and want a plane that can crash constantly and only break props and nylon bolts, think about getting a SPAD (Made out of sign plastic and parts you could find at a Home Depot). Check out www.kombat40.com You can also modify these far more easier as your flying ability increases to get more out of a cheap plane ( ie. flat wing, tail dragger, larger control surface) Also if you intend on teaching yourself, you'll have much better sucess if you get the computer sim and a SPAD (strong enough to survive novice errors) That said you can tell I'm a fan of learning on a SPAD.... It kills me to see a beginer crash their balsa trainers into splinters along with all the frustration with the hobby that comes with that (sadly I'm sure a number of people are driven off when they're learning when they destroy a plane.....it still hurts just as bad when you're an acomplished pilot, and even though the monetary loss is usually signifigantly higher, you're sure to just get another...) Anyhow moral is get a plane that crashes well to avoid beginer heart break.

Unfortunatly, You'll have to spend an arm and a leg to get a SPAD to fly electric so if you decide to go that route....I'd say a SPAD is out... As far as Glow or electric...You're right... electric is alot less hassle...and also out of my expertise..... So i'm not sure how the price comparisons are.....but I can tell ya... as you become a better flyer, it gets espensive to adequatly equip an electric preformance plane.... On another note.... It still brings back chilhood memories with my father and our first model planes (control line with cox .049's) smelling the castor burn (kinda cool some 25 years latter)...

My advice session is over... Get one of those planes from Kombat40.com, go glow, Stand firm on the SPAD even though some people say they fly like crap (even though I disagree, and even if they did they'll make you a better pilot because some of those trainers are just tooo docile).

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

First thing I would do is buy the Great Planes Rel Flight Simulator, If you have PC..

It will give you a good start on the orientation and getting use to the sticks, If you crash on here just hit the space bar and you have a new plane, soone told me that the software will pay for itself many times over.

It is very realistic and fun, I't s basically how I learned.

I started with the Hanger 9 Alpha Trainer RTF - Readt to Fly Everything is installed and is done for you, Just fuel her up and go. I paid $275

Flys great and is easy to land. But it is gas not electric.

Sounds like a good thing your doing, Your boys will remeber their times spent fly with dad forever.

Good Luck!

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

I could never thank my father enough for introducing me to r/c. Those late evenings of flying with him were, and are, the most special times of my life.

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

Since they're young I would go for a Sig Kadet LT-40. It is big, so it's easier to see, handles very well at slow speeds, and floats in for landings. That is what I am flying now and next year I'll get my (now) 7-yr.-old started on it. You'll find adherents to every sort of trainer, so this is just my opinion.

I know it's the upper range of your budget, but $400 per plane will probably be what you end up spending. Buy two radio packages and use the 2nd radio for the 2nd plane's receiver/servos/battery and the transmitter (minus battery, antenna, and crystal) for your trainer box. Having my own trainer box turned out to be essential at my club.

The most important first step is what mstroh3961 said: visit the club and talk to the members for advice, input, and to find out how friendly they are.

-Jeff

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

I also would like to commend you on your efforts to indulge your sons in something they love. My dad got me started when I was 5. I'm now 50 and he's 83 and we still fly every chance we get.

I would also like to reaffirm the comment about finding your local club. This is not something to do in your backyard, and you will learn more in one afternoon there than we could ever say here.

But to give you a general idea, to start out you will need three things: (Note, I am speaking of "Glow Engine" equipment here which is my preference, but electrics are similar)

1) A trainer type Airplane (They are all vey similar, so I won't recommend a brand)

2) A radio - you will NEED a basic 4 channel radio (4 Channels = Rudder, Elevator, Ailerons, Throttle) at a cost of about $120 each (If your wallet can go $190 you can get into a 6 channel computer radio). The radio will contain all of your electronics - Transmitter (or control box) receiver, servos, batteries and charger etc.

3) An Engine - These can be gotten in the $50 range, but you're much better off going into the $80 range for something you can grow into.

Of course you will still need accessories, but you don't usually need to get everything at once. If someone shows up at my field with just a jug of fuel, he can borrow anything he needs from me (another good reason to check out that club!)

So go on over there with the boys and introduce yourself, You'll be glad you did!

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

Have fun with the Boys. My son and I have been building, flying, and fixing now for four years. He is five now and flies on a buddy box quite regular. We had some structual failure on his Superstar two weeks ago and now I got him a new World Models Super Stunts. I have had one before and loved it. Everthing here has been right on so far. Meet the local club, make sure they like the little guys, that was a problem for me. Get a sim. Get a .40 size trainer. $400 bucks all day long.:)

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

Vicman,

Many, thanks for the kind words.

What is a buddy box? I assume it is a box that allows someone to take over flying the plane if you are about to turn into a lawn dart...I think I may need one of those for me! Is that correct?

What is a 0.40 size trainer? I assume that means the size of the engine? (I am used to 500 cubic inch motors :D ) Is the size of an engine stated in cubic inches or in liters?

MinnFlyer,

I appreciate the comment about trying to find the local club. I will give that a shot in the next couple of days.

Who makes a good radio for the 6 channel? (Thank you for the explaination on 4 channels = rudder, elevator, ailerons, and throttle.) What do the other 2 channels do?

I think bigger is better with engines too.

Doggscube,

Many thanks for the suggestions. Where can I purchase the Sig Kadet LT-40 or other planes from? What is a trainer box? (Sorry for all the dumb questions I am sure you have answered about 1000 times in the past week.)

ME109-K4

Thanks for the kind words.

EAP,

We have lots of computers around here. What is a flight trainer? Can you just get a program and plug it into your pc and train yourself without eating dirt?

Any advantages or disadvantages of the electric motors vs the gas motors?

Highsierrahelis,

What is a SPAD? Is it just a plane I put together myself from Home Depot?

mstroh3961,

Many thanks for the info. I had no idea there was even a club around here. We do have lots and lots of wide open spaces around here though but I have never seen anyone flying them around.

Thanks to all and sorry for the dumb questions. I hope soon I will not be asking you all what SPAD, trainer boxes, ect. are, but HOW DO I FIX MY CRASH!

David
:)

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

If you decide to go the Electric Route Check out the GWS Slowstick I bought My dad one for fathers day and after he learned how to fly it under my guidence we can now go out and fly it in our back yard<1/2 acre>. We can fly it low below the treeline or soar WAY up the above the house and road then come in to land it at walking speed on our drive way...


The air frame itself is $35-40 and the support equip and servo's and reciever will be about $100.. The Airframe is a very very simple build. Using tape to construct it(as shown in manual) It took me (I've built 3 glow afrs) 30 minutes to build.. if you go this route buy The GWS Quick charger and Severl (2-3) battery packs.... We have 2 650 MaH battery's worth about 15-20 minutes per flight..Replace the stock wheels and replace with foam ones for easier take off's and landings plus they look better.

My .02

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

David, I was in your very situation though later in age with one of my three sons. He was 14 at the time and we too needed something to do as a father and son project. I had always wanted to get into RC, but wasn't able to, or didn't know how to get started until later in life. Now, I only wish I had started earlier.

Now my 14 year old is just about to turn 18, has a car, girlfriend and plays on the H.S tennis team and is looking at college after his senior year this year. We recently sold his last RC airplane, but I'm still going strong and having a ball. I'm confident that one day he will come back to the hobby.

The answers already provided are excellent. Get out to the local flying club and learn what is going on by watching and getting to know the people. No doubt they will help you select the best trainer to match the buddy boxes supported. Likewise flight lessons are free in most clubs, or should be. This is how many of us learned and now we all have a responsibility to pass the heritage on to those who are new jst as others did for us.

To answer a few of your questions - A buddy box is just as you described. It's a trainer box that connects to your transmitter to allow an instructor to assist you in learning while flying. You get real hands on experience while having someone on the controls who can easily take over when you get into trouble. It's a great way to learn.

A flight simulator is a computer program that comes with a 4 channel Tx. just the like one that comes with many trainer aircraft. The best benefit you get from the simulator is stick time regardless of the weather or time of day. If you practice on the flight sim as though it's the real thing you will find that it's very close to flying a real trainer, and not just another video game. Generation-2 is a very fine flight sim made by Great Planes. A flight sim will make the learning process faster and more fun. It will also pay for itself in saved airplanes. :D

Here is a link to an article I wrote for our club to assist new people in the hobby. It's called Rookie Tips. I wrote it to help new club members get started. The material is designed for our flying club, but the content is easily adaptable for just about any AMA sponsored club. It's a long read designed to get you asking questions when you visit your local club and to answer many questions you will have. It's also available in a PDF file so you can easily print it out for reading when you please. Hope this helps and good luck.

http://www.rocketcityrc.com/rcrc_rookie_tips.html

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

Here's the website to the only SPAD I've ever owned

www.kombat40.com

RE: Help for a Beginner and his sons
 

The best simulator on the market today is real fight G2 simulator

It is Around $175 - $200

you can check it out at www.realflight.com

I used it and spent nights and weekends preparing myself, adding high winds and programming flight failures to get me ready for problems in real life.

Once I thought I was ready I contacted a local club member to hold my hand for my first few flights.

I used the Alpha Trainer RTF .45 and the within three flights I was taking off, landing, loops spins, inverted.... basically any0thing I wanted..

I got tired of the trainer in a matter of a few weeks. I contribut my success and ability to the Sim..

Within my first five flights I had to dead stick ( Engine Died ) land the plane twice and both times I used my sim knowledge and gained speed and turned her in and put her down on the middle of the runway both times..... I fear if I had not practiced this situation on the sim I would be less one plane!

Good luck, get us up to date on your progress!