Now you are talking, hang in there and don,t worry about advancing to other stuff to fast.

-Don,t Quit-

I started flying RC at the age of 36, and crashed about the same number of planes during the first few months of my involvement in this hobby. It certainly would have to my advantage both financially and time wise had I gotten out of the hobby. But this is something that I'd always wanted to do, so I chose to stay with it. Nearly 26 years later, I still find this hobby totally enjoyed and well worth the time and dollars spent. If this sometime you really want to do, hang in there and things will come together for you. Good luck! By the way, I just crashed my 4 plane in less than 6 weeks, and I am quite confident in my skill to control to control an RC plane.

<span style="font-size: x-small">My nicknamewas Crash. Without access to a buddy box, Itaught myself to fly. 20 crashes later, the only equipment not wrecked was the transmitter.
Now is a good time to chuckle.
After five years of makingfirewood by wrecking countless trainers, I bought a 1/6 scale Cessna 182 Skylane (Kyosho) figuringbigger was better and a nice high wing would be more stable. Following several successful flights including takeoff and landing, my success abruptly ended when a slow speed stall caused one wing to drop. Instead of nosing down to gain a bit of speed and balancing the wings (by adding abit of Aileron), I raced the engine to full throttle and gave it full up elevator. Those Skylanesperform a vivid corkscrew.Moments afterward, Irealized my mistake. Crossing that threshold cinched my desire to improve and to know how. My next planebecame an Ultrastick 60, which I still fly today - in fact, it is now my float plane. During one of my earlly flights with the Ultrastick, I deadstick landed from 1/4 mile out and managed to taxi right up to my spot on theflight line.

They don't refer to me as Crash anymore.

Hang in there - you have thresholds yet to cross. Once you gain the understanding of flight - particularily the notion that every action has an equal or opposite reaction - you'll soar like an eagle.

Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense&rdquo; - Sir Winston Churchill</span>

Should you quit? SHOULD YOU.... QUIT???? Oh for heavens sake.... NO, NO, AND FINALLY NO. Here is my simple opinion and it really pertains to my thought processes only. What you choose to do is totally and completely up to you. I agree with most of the comments regarding your question. I am now coming up 52. I have been flying for about 18 years. Not all completely successful. But not all completely failed either. I taught myself and it was very difficult. However, I did it. I would have liked to have a friend help, however did not have one available. Some people can. Most can not. I feel a buddy box with a friend that knows what he is doing is truly the best way to succeed. It gives you the chance to relax and really "GET" what is going on without the complete risk of losing a plane. It will help build your confidance and it will sure set your nerves to ease. I would say, have a friend help you with a buddy box. Here is the part that is REALLY, REALLY, REALLY sweet. One day you will be flying along, (buddy box of course) and it will all "JUST" click and come together. Before your mental processess can even realize it, you have just flown the entire flight, from take off to landing, totally and completely by yourself. The power....the absolute adrenaline pumping power you will get from that will "Launch" you head first into "I can do this". "I have done this"! And it is a sensation you can't easily forget. From that point on, you will find a surge of belief and "Instinct" will become a second nature. This is not to say you will not have an accident some time down the road. However it does soften the blow when it does occur. For me? Flying is all I dream of. It has been with me since I was a boy. I will never lose that power and belief of doing something I love. My hope is that you will find encouragement in these simple words to restore your desire for flying. If you want to do something bad enough, You WILL find a way. Should you quit? Na.... keep at it. Keep 'em flyin. YOU CAN.... DO IT.
"If'n ya ain't inverted, Ya ain't doin' it right.

+1

Sometimes the short answer is the best. luker, you'll end up with another 27 or so planes if you listen to all the advise you've been given. You have a good plan of attack there now. Stick with it!

I was in the same boat you are with the exception that i started flying two years ago. I even got one for my two little ones. Well, needless to say they busted theirs on the first hop while mine lasted about two weeks. Within that time I also learned how take one apart and put replace the different parts I screwed up. It was fun for a bit. Then i stopped. I haven't flown for the past year then i got the itch. It must be the winter. Being indoors so much I needed something else to pass the time. I hopped back on the bird. Bought a little 4ch. heli just to get used to things again so when spring comes I can get out there and fly again. You'll see alot of guys say that your never too old to fly and don't get discouraged and their right. It feel good to fly. Don't give it up no matter what.

Dont quit! I gave up Racing nitro buggys about 5 years ago, mostly because of my wife. It has bothered me everyday since! And i crashed quite a few cars and buggys. But I rebuilt them, repaired them and kept on . Im happy to say that just recently I have purchased a new buggy and all!! And if,and when I crash it!  Ill remember you n your planes and be thankful that buggys dont fly!

They used to make a plane called the duraplane, that was almost indestructable that you could probably still find at a swap meet. It's a beatuful thing to have a plane that can take big time abuse. I had a Ace All-star that could be cartwheeled down the runway or flown into a pole (with witnesses), and with straightening of the rubberband mounted wings or the tweeking of the wire landing gear back, you could be back  flying.

2 thoughts,
First, you aren't too old to learn this. Guys your age, LOTS of them, are learning how to fly full scale planes. That's harder, trust me. Guys your age probably represent the biggest group of students there are...

Second, you need to be out there frequently, especially at first. Twice a week minimum! Wind presents special challenges - LEARN them - so you aren't scared to fly in them! It'll open up many more flying opportunities.

If you are still reading these I will add a few more.  I always had trouble with .40 size planes because they use up the whole field for landing approaches and the trees seemed to always be too close.  The powered gliders were always my standby as well as .15 sized planes. The gliders give time to correct wrong inputs and smaller planes are tougher when they hit and tumble.  SPAD (simple plastic airplane design) planes are cheap and build quickly and come in many good designs now.  They are only slightly heavier than 'real' models and take a beating.  It keeps the cost down at least, if you take a few hits.  Oh, practice touch and goes or at least low approaches and low circles.  I am still doing this, especially on new planes.  I still like Control Line better though for low circles.

First R/C plane in 1978 (Thanks Dad for the "get your mind off the divorce" thing)

This hobby has been an important part of my life. Have traveled to fly ins all over the country. Made many new friends. At 77 I still fly on a regular basis including indoor twice a week in the winter.

I like training with an electric powered foamie. They can be slower in speed and much, much easier to repair, especially at the field.
I encourage all my students to invest in a simulator. A buddy box is nice, but have seen students fly powered gliders on the first try.

Hang in there.....

RonJ
Wisconsin

quit

I almost quit the hobby once. Was really enjoying flying my first 2 planes, then got a Decathlon that I was really excited about, and 'hated' flying it. Second flight went into a death spiral, disappeared with a huge crash into the corn. 4 hours wading waist deep in a swamp with about 10 other guys turned up nothing. I went home pissed.

After blowing off some steam, returned the next day to find the plane in the corn, almost in perfect condition. I cleaned it up, made necessary repairs and sold it, and got a plane that flew more like the way I wanted to fly. I am still flying planes, and still loving the hobby.

Changing planes is a challenge. I've got 3-4 years under my belt, flying mostly pattern/F3A airplanes. I like the way they fly. I have a Yak, it's a handfull but I'm slowly taking it out and learning to extend my personal flight envelope, and just got a little scale Bonanza to fly. I am confident with the pattern planes, but am ready to accept that a little .30 size plane might just show me how much room there is to improve.

I suggest finding one plane, maybe two if they are VERY similar, and practicing. Practice making turns without losing altitude, practice high altitude stalls, practice shooting approaches but staying 30ft or more off the ground. Learn the airplane, learn to read the signs of a stall, and learn how slow you can fly the plane while maintaining lift and control.

Hi Luker. I'm a year older than you and just quit flying at a club where people were "crashing all over". In fact I quit because one of them hit me. Get with a competent instructor pilot. If after a serious go at it you and he are in agreement that you are safe I say "good for you" If it does'nt work out for you maybe it's time for "Grandpa to take the keys away from Grandpa". Good luck to you my friend.

If you have to ask..............................................

If this is really what is going on here then perhaps this thread will be an interest. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10...m.htm#10934080 I also have far more planes than I need and is hard to get real good with any single one of them. Even though I did it this way I am in the same camp as those who are recommending to get real good at 1 plane at a time. It is the best way and perhaps the "cheapest"

I didn't almost quit , but I did have 2-3 crashes right in a row that really puzzled me. I had a real set-back where I was almost afraid to fly again , but spent some more time on the sim. I'm right back at it in full force now. Having a blast. Keep going Luker , you'll be a better expert because of it. One of these days you may look back and have to try hard to remember what it was like starting out. I hope I never forget how it is to be a noob.

Have you considered buying Realflight to practice? It really helps with reaction to varying orientations.... and take-offs & landings. I've flown many a flight beautifully only to ruin my plane on a bad landing and I've destroyed my planes several times on take-off with seconds due to errors on my part.

Flying is an exercise in patience.... mistakes and crashes can be frustrating & costly time & dollar wise ... but if you enjoy the flying and you will get better as you go its worth it imho.

Going to a local club to get buddy boxed and some help to build your confidence is a good idea...most guys at most clubs love to help others

Are you flying in calm or windy conditions?

What plane or planes have you been trying to fly? Maybe your choice isn't suited to your experience level. I started on 3D foamies and ruined many ... obviously a tame Super Cub would have been easier/smarter... but whatever gives u enjoyment go with... but maybe a tame slow flyer as a practice plane is what you need. Or buy/build a cheap easy to repair foamy like a 40 inch profile you can really slow fly.

The bottom line is everyone crashes... and you crash a lot more as a newbie and when learning.... especially if you only fly occasionally....... its just part of the hobby......... but if it interests you & you enjoy it then stick with it.

 dont quit. just get a flight simulator!

Come Fly with us in tyler lots of experience we usually fly sunday true tuesday when the weathers nice and its always nice to fly somewhere new and get some new perspective.

I have told many of my friends this, When I don't think I can fly anymore I will keep right on building, and I will get a good pilot to fly for me.. If you love the planes and building.. there is never a reason to quit...

Some of my friends are of the opinion that If they can't crash it ...nobody will, I can't understand that personally ?

In fact i don't really like flying at events, but if my buddy that I trust wanted to fly them, I would be happy to co-pilot


big crowds = big nerves to me ! hahahahah

If you are having fun, and being safe....you are doing it right

I can remember back when RCU did not allow spam!

My suggestion would be to get one plane and keep trying with just one plane. If you crash, get another just like it. I learned to fly on a balsa USA sick 40. The fuse on the plane is just 2 long maple spars with some tail feathers and a plywood box for the wing to sit on and to hold the electronics. It cost around 70 bucks and you can buy another wing for about 20 bucks. I rebuilt the fuse on mine with wood from hobby lobby 5 or six times before I crashed it and totaled it completely. So I just ordered another wing and bought the wood from hobby lobby and used my drawings and built a new fuse from scratch. You paint the fuse and only have to cover the wing and tail feathers and the plane is a good flying plane that can really take a lot of abuse.

i think maybe a good instructor to stand beside you and give commans before you get in trouble and help if needed. i helped alot of people over thirty years of flying and do not use a buddy box never lost a plane traning. for first time fliers i give them the raido then reach over and fly under there thumb.this shows how little movemont is needed.and when things go bad and can not recover from talking (left or right or pull back )i reach over and help not takeing radio unless i really have to.i have helped people your age after watching being helped by others. take of an landings mostly and all i really did was show how to fly a nice patteren an were power setting should be around the patteren.one was 68 and now 80 still flies.and me at 47 has alot of years.

Don't quit. Please take time to read this. I've got some good stuff for you.

Being a real pilot and a pretty good RC pilot I have learned a single important thing over the years that separate those who learn how to fly well and those who don't. This thing is epsecially true for landings.

OK, so this thing is understanding what really makes an airplane fly, stall, and basic aerodynamic behavior. It's UNDERSTANDING that will make you fly better and not God given skill. If you don't understand, you WILL NOT LEARN TO FLY WELL.

My first recommendation, please take my word for this I know what I'm talking about, is get a good trainer plane and find a good instructure that really knows RC flying and theory and do not fly alone again until you get the basics down. That means you can fly and grease landings consistenly. I would bet if you put in 10 - 15 flighs with a good instructor and have an open mind for learning - don't pick a guy who just can fly a circle, but someone who really gets it, you will be fine and love the hobby. After flying for 8 years I don't crash much anymore and my average lifespan for a 3D airplane - taking risk - is 3 or so years.

Second, if your aircraft setup is poor and your transmitter setup is poor you ARE NOT GOING TO SUCCEED - PERIOD NO EXCEEPTIONS. I see guys at the field week after week that cannot setup a DX7 and they just crash planes for a living. If you don't know setup a tx any plane can be really hard to fly. I can make a trainer a devil to fly by messing with the CG, trim and tx. For instance, a tail heavy airplane with no expo on the tx is a recipe for disaster and I see guys do this all the time.

Third, landing is DEAD EASY on a nice day. I fly with my dad a lot and he struggles from time to time with landing. He won't listen to me but I keep telling him the key to landing well is not really the wheels touching the ground part. The key to landing well is setting up a good approach. Guys watch me land my GS plane and say well, some guys just have it. He greases it every time. What they don't know is I land a RC plane whether it be 3D or other just like I land a Cessna 172. If your approach altitude, turn to final, glide slope and throttle are off your landings will ALWAYS suck and you will hit the grass and the fence and whatever else is in the way. When I land and when turning on final approach I am almost always at the same altitude, nose down and throttle setting. Then I practically just watch the plane glide 5 degrees nose down to the ground and give it a little flair - greased and as easy as pie. ITs ABOUT SETUP FOR THE APPROACH. Please get this. Landing on a calm day is not a high-skill or coordination intensive thing. It's just about setup, setup, setup. If I was flying with you I could explain this by showing you how in 10 minutes an if you listened you would be landing great for the rest of your RC days.

Get someone good and get on a buddy box and start enjoying this wonderful hobby. It sounds like you almost there. You just need some understanding and good training. The skills will come naturally even if you are not gifted and I am not say you're not.

Now, if you want to compete for the TOC, that's a different topic alltogether

Have fun, PM me if you have any questions.

Steve

OK 74 posts, only one says quit. We all agree you shouldnt. Stay with us