New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

My 12 year old son and I are looking to get into the "game" of flying. I need help in making the correct choice for plane. Neither of us have any experience and are looking for something that is somewhat easy to learn on.
Thank you for all your help in advance!!!

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

Welcome to RC Flying.

First thing you should do, is to go to your local hobby shop and ask for what model you should start with, and next ask them for a list of flying club around your area, and get phone NO, to some club members, so you can meet somewhere so he can explain the in's and out's in RC Hobby I'm sure they will only be to happy to help you get started.

roltech

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

Yes, welcome!!

Go to www.modelaircraft.org. Use the Club Finder to find clubs in your area. Check the club web site(s) or call the contact person(s). Visit the club(s). Tell them how interested you are. Ask questions. Someone may let you fly their trainer with a buddy-box (dual controls). They will tell you where the good and/or best Hobby Shops are. Visit all the clubs in your area, or stop when you find one in which you feel comfortable.

Get advice on locally preffered trainers, radios, engines. Join AMA and Club.

Only then go spend money on equipment.

Past Pres of three clubs in three states. Worked in Hobby Shop after retiring.

Ken, AMA 19352

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

Welcome... :D

As everyone has said so far, find out how to get in touch with your local club FIRST is my suggestion. This because while most local hobby shops are pretty decent people, there are always those few willing to sell you something you don't need or that is not right for you just because they have it in the shop. The local club folks can tell you right off the bat which shop they like and why, offer suggestions on possible trainer choices and field equipment, and a lot of them (our club has one) have a club trainer and AMA instructors so they'll let you try it out for free.

My personal experience with getting started in RC indicates that a RTF (Ready To Fly) trainer with an included computer simulator can be a very valuable learning tool.

Have fun!

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

I think the first thing you should do is see what type of replies you get here. Most Hobby Stores are good but there are many who have idiots behind the counter and will sell you things you don't need nor have any idea what they do, what they're for or even what they are.

You ought to look around for a club and see what kind of support you get from them and ask advice before you start spending money.

They make "Trainer Combo" Arfs. These come with a plane, radio and engine for a good price. You could spend much more if purchased separately. You will need additional ground support equipment but that can come in time

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

I agree with the last three posts as opposed to going to the hobby shop first. They usually (at least in my area) have young kids working behind the counter that may know a little about Rc cars, but rarely know much about planes & more than likely will end up selling you an electric Toy plane for allmost as much money as you could buy a good .40 -.46 size Trainer for. Ther are many choices in this size Trainer range that are perfectly good airplanes to learn to fly on. The least expensive I know of is the Tower 40MKII RTF.


http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXCXF4**&P=0

This plane & minimal field equipment can get you started, ie, chicken stick, glow ignitor & some fuel, extra props, you're gonna need them. But first as suggested above figure out which club you want to join & meet the person who will be your instructor, heed his advice, ask what kind of radio he uses so that you can get the proper buddy cord to match his radio if he doesn't allready have one for you to use. Again as said above many clubs will have a club Trainer they will let you learn on as you build or buy your own plane. If this is the case, bring your own fuel it's only right IMO good luck to you & your son have fun, this is a wonderfull hobby that will rob you blind.[8D]

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

Finding a competent instructor at a club is the surest way to get a good start. Going to the field or club house without a plane is a good way to learn, and also to see if you feel welcome in that particular bunch.

planes: there are dozens of viable options in planes and other gear. Nowadays the choices include choosing between electric and internal combustion power, although there are those who are suspicious of anything that does not use methanol as fuel.

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

Sig LT-40 Kadet with O.S. or Thunder Tiger .46 engine
Tower Hobbies Trainer 40 or 60 Note: IMO Stay away from the Tower Hobbies Engines
Hangar 9 Alpha Trainer 40 or 60
Lanier Explorer 40
Any of the Hobbico 40 size Trainers

Any of these Trainer Planes would be fine to learn on. For a Ready To Fly Plane, the Alpha 40 is a pretty good bargain and a good flying Plane. If you buy an Almost Readt to Fly Trainer and buy your own engine and radio seperate, the Tower Trainer is an excellent bargain. The Sig LT-40 Kadet is probally the most gentlest Trainer in the bunch, but slightly more money than some of the others. Basically a Trainer is a Trainer as long as you buy one from a reputable manufacturer like Tower Hobbies/Hobbico, Great Planes, Sig, Lanier, Hangar 9. My advice would be to stay clear of some of the no name brands, and Vmar. You may want to find an instructor first and see what he or she recomends. Same goes for radio system. An instructo may prefer you buy a certain brand Radio to match up with his or radio while using a buddy cord. Also remeber that a Flat Bottom Wing Trainer is more docile than a Trainer with a semi symetrical wing. The symetrical wing Trainers(Hobbico Avistar, Hangar 9 Arrow) are a bit more aerobatic, but still good for learning on as long as an instructor is used. I also suggest that you and your son join the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

So there is a trend in this thread. Go to your local flying clubs and talk to people first. Boy...it's a good thing most of us flyers and club members LOVE to talk to other flyers, new or old. I mean that in a good way. You should have no fear at all about talking to the people at the field. We do the flying because we love it. And you can't ask a question that somebody has not asked before. And we all love to have a person tell us " that's a great looking plane". Just be aware that most people have their own views about what would make a good trainer. Talk to more than just one person. You can spent any amount from $50 for a "toy Airplane" to $1,000's for a ready to fly scale job. but a good everyday trainer, flight gear, etc. should end up in the 300-500 range. Now that would be new equipment all around. There should be a few great deals at the local field or here at RCUnivers that may get you started for less. Welcome to this hobby, sickness, passion, maddness or whatever you call it. Oh.... I prefer .60 size trainers. bigger is better. Jeff

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

Another good thing about visiting a club is, the people you find just MAY have a trainer with which to offer you a little stick time.

Also, sometimes people at a club will know where to get a good used plane, radio, maybe even field box and equipment, at a good price.

Since you have a computer, take a look at beginners sections on :

http://www.towerhobbies.com
http://www.hobby-lobby.com
http://www.hobbypeople.net

Good luck,
Dave Olson

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

Some really good advice here but I think Dave did make some great suggestions. I am a "re-beginner" - in other words, I was in the hobby and dropped out 20 years ago and now that I am retired I decided to get back into it. I have a friend here in town who talked me into coming out to the field with him last fall and I was standing next to him while he was flying and he handed me the transmitter and I had a blast. I had already been looking and decided on a Hobbico Nexstar but after flying his Magic decided that I hadn't forgotten everything so I bought a Goldberg Skylark which was the right choice for me. In your case I would give the Nexstar serious consideration unless you find someone with a used trainer that you can pick up at a good price. The important thing is to get help - I learned on my own years ago and spent more time repairing than flying. Another thing is - be prepared for that first crash, it will happen and don't get discouraged - we have all been there. As other people have noted you will find all kinds of help at the field and with the local club, join the club and the AMA - most clubs require AMA membership for the insurance issues.

The most important thing you said in your post was "You and your son" - this is a wonderful hobby to share, my boy and I spent a lot of time together in RC - he was into cars and we went racing every weekend - he drove and I was the pit crew/mechanic and we had a ball.

Good luck to you and your son. I think you will find that you really enjoy this hobby.

Bill Gordon

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

I totally agree with this post. I am a self taught pilot who spent many years at the local school yards with my planes, but that was over 35 years ago. Things are much different now, and things like safety, leagel issues, and host of other problems with that senerio, didn't seem important to us kids back then. I wish I had gotten involved with the clubs in the area long before I did. Go to the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) web site (modelaircraft.org), find a local club, visit and talk with the guys. They may even be able to fix you up with some basic equipment as someone always has a trainer for sale, and, if it is all to your liking, purchase the membership from the AMA (get's you the added insurence that a sactioned club will need from you), and you are on your way. As has already been stated, this is where you will get you best advise and hands on assistance. You will enjoy those visits to the local hobby shop even more, armed with knowledge. Read magazines like RC Report, and the AMA magazine you will want to get with your membership. Sites like this will also contain a wealth of info (remebering that oppinions vary on any given subject).

It is a great hobby for you and you son, and I hope this is the season you both earn your wings. Welcolme and be safe, have fun, and enjoy all the wonderfull people you will meet in this great hobby....................Oh, one more thing, your wife may never understand all this, but I'm sure her 'boys' having fun together, will bring her some joy as well.:)

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

Take the Boss with you and your son. I did that and it was'nt long before my better half was wearing airplane earrings and flying her own pink and purple EZ 100( old BUSA trainer);)

Bill

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

Most of the advice thats been given here is good, don't rely on hobby shops for the best advice, I once had a student show up at the

field with a new trainer outfit and a gallon of 30% heli fuel the shop sold him.

Go to a club FIRST, talk with the people at "the table of knowledge", thats the table where all the old farts are sitting. Hook up with a

instructor, this is a MUST if you want the plane to last longer than 5 seconds.

There may be a bulletin board at the field with planes for sale listed, many pilots sell their trainers after they solo and you can get

the whole 9 yards (thats airplane talk) cheap, plane and radio ready to fly. This is a TOOL to teach you to fly, dosn't have to be fancy

but airworthy, no smaller than a 40 size plane but a 60 size would be better because the bigger the plane is the easier it is to fly

(trainers anyway) but either size will do just fine. Have your instructor inspect it and your ready to go.

Also, club monthly meetings are a great source of info so try to make it to one of those right away, they have "show & tell" planes

and projects and sometimes items for sale and lots of flyers to answer your questions.

Good luck.

Chuck

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

Ok,
This one will probally start a flame war. But I am a new pilot also. My first purchase was the Hangar 9 P-51 PTS. It came with everything(well almost everything) needed to get her in the air.
The road I am following is asking tons of questions here as far as the build goes. Talking to my LHS which fortunately is very informative. And when I go to fly it will be with an instructor.
The only drawback I have with this plane so far is that I have so much time in "modding" it to strengthen it, that I am almost afraid to fly for fear of crash and burn.
Will report back this weekend after my maiden to give more insight on how the flight goes.

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

We all have to face that fear and get on with it. As we progress and start flying more advanced models you will see more time spent on maintainance than flying with certain planes. You must keep these planes flight ready just like you would a full scale bird that you fly your family around in or make a living piloting. Fuel, vibration and basic airframe stress can take it's toll.

From the reading I've done the Hangar 9 P-51 PTS looks like a good training plane. My older brother is going to start flying with us soon and I'm looking at differant trainers for him. I just wonder if the P-51 wouldn't be a better second stage trainer though ?
Seems if you can get your flight basics and first takeoff and landing solos with a true trainer and coach, then break out the P-51 PTS during the final trainer stages it would stand to reason that you'd be better equipped to handle the stress of flying your brand new plane for the first time.

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

The Hangar 9 P-51 PTS plane is about 4 times the price of a Tower Hobbies trainer. When just starting out you need lots of other stuff besides just the plane. I would suggest getting a cheap Tower trainer and spread the remaining money to other items that are handy such as an electric starter, power panel, and a 12 volt gell cell battery. :D

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

I was in your shoes in Dec. and all these guys told me to go find a club, get an instructor and read the Forums. Well they were right. The plane I thought I wanted (Hanger 9 Mustang PTS) was discouraged by the instructor assigned to me the first night I went to the club meeting. He took me to the local junkyard junkie (evidently every club has the guy who buys everybody's old equipment and feels the need to fill up his basement with all this equipment) where I bought a used NextStar with OS46 and Futaba 6 channel for $150. I also spent another $50 on a field box, battery, charger, starter, glow igniter and misc parts.

I must say the advice I got on this Forum regarding the local club and instructor was right on. I got assigned a old retired guy that went out of his way to help me through the learning process and accomodated my limited free time for flying. It has been a great time and I now have 8 planes and look forward to someday flying a warbird.

One note that I did not find on this forum. After I got my wings I took the time to say a big thankyou to my instructor and gave him a $100 gift card to the LHS. I think its important to recognize the time these instructors spend with a student. Heck he probably saved me $500 in expense had I stepped into the LHS unknowledgable.
Good luck, Jerry.

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

What a great thing to do for your instructor. I have had some people offer me money, not $100, but still the offer was made. I tell them this. I am just repaying the help I got when I started. When you get to the "Old flying guy" stage, remember the help you got and offer it to the new people. I never have and never will take money for teaching a person to fly. But there is nothing wrong with accepting a offer, thats just me. Just to help a person solo in a safe plane and under his/her own control is payment enough. And it's really cool when after a few months, people say that the student is flying better than the instructor. Not a slam on my flying ability, just a pat on the back for a good job teaching. Instructors....got a love em! Jeff

RE: New "pilot" need help with purchase
 

WiredMike
Are we ever waiting to hear from you after your maiden flight! we have seen you progress in RTF ( Ready To Fix) your P 51.

roltech