Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and to RC planes in general.

A little history about me. I've loved airplanes ever since i set foot in one when I was 4. I'm currently a ME major and is hoping to work in the industry. I've wanted to start in model planes for awhile now but never had the money or time. My plan is to learn all the technical aspects of the planes itself, then get a trainer and move on from there, eventually I would like to build/design my own planes.

I was hoping to get some advice as to where I should start and what trainers are the best for what I want to do in the future.
I also live in Seattle WA, and i know there are many clubs around here but all of them are really far from me. Just wondering if anyone else on this forum was in my area?

thanks ahead of time

There isn't a trainer that will make your future plans any easier or harder, but there are trainers than make it easier and harder to build your flight skills. The RC hobby is truly two different skill sets- building and flying. I suppose it's up to you which to develop first, but I'll suggest flying since that saves you a lot of repairs. There are several clubs near Seattle. I promise you, the driving time to a suitable flying site where an instructor is there to help you is much less than the repair time you'll have to put in by flying in an unsuitable location by yourself. Even a simple .40 size trainer needs a lot of space to fly safely in. I'd say a minimum of 1500 feet long by 500 feet wide assuming a suitable landing strip is located in the middle of that.
As for what to buy, have a look at the "what's available" sticky at the top of the beginner thread. Do go ahead and buy a 6-8 channel computer radio though. The simple ones that come with RTF airplanes are just money thrown away. Just so you know what you're getting into, you should budget about $500 plus your club dues and AMA fee to get everything. That's not the bill for buying all of the best stuff, but just new serviceable equipment that won't break and frustrate you. You can save some money by going used, but there's always a gamble there.

I dunno about a 1500 foot runway, I fly off abou 30 ft by 330 ft. my local club field! and I fly everything from a umx SBACH too a 27% EXTRA!

ok as for trainers, you want too pick up a "kit" there are some very good kits left out there, SIG Kadets, and anuone of these would be a good start! http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=AAB

after building a few kits,and you start too see how and what it takes too build them, then you can start too think about drawing out your own designs!

I don't live in Seattle, west about 65 miles! but I do know there are some great guys closer too you! so keep an open eye out, someone will find ya!

I agree with Jester about learning the flying part to save a lot of repairs. I started with an Avistar with and OS46 in it and it was a great trainer for me. I did take 5 years off and after coming back, I bought a trainer package that came with the radio and he is right the radio was not the best. However, I live outside of town and do fly foamies at my house using the road in front for a runway. My field flying radio is a Spektrum DX8 and for programming you can't beat the new radios. While you are practicing your flying, you can have a kit plane under construction. My first build was a Sig Somethin Extra. And don't discount the club route either, I have learned a lot and it also helps shape what you direction you go for future flying. You can be exposed to scale, pattern, giant size, and all sorts of aircraft types...then you can decide on what you want to do.

For posterity, here is a thread with a picture of my very first build.... my Somethin Extra is the first post:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/kit-...ring-jobs.html

Jester is not suggesting a 1500 foot runway , he is suggesting a area that big with suitable landing strip in the middle of it .. I think that is reasonable

ok senior moment, you got me! but with that said, yup that would be minimum, almost sounds postage stamp size! my bad!

Thanks for all the advice guys. I was thinking of starting with the park flyer RTF p51 since that's one of my favorite warplanes. Ill check out some of the clubs around me also. This isn't related but is there a way to fet notifications say through email to see if you get replies and is there an app for this forum?

Edit: I found out how to get notifications


Thanks again

Yes wiskykid it all depends on what is on each side and each end and what you are flying . You pretty much need to look at each flying site to access its useability ..Some of my bigger planes would never even come close to fitting in an area that size yet my smaller foamy jobs would fit in an area 1/2 that size .. I am sorry ...What is an app ?

Sorry if I didn't clearify,

Like a mobile application where its easier to view and reply to threads/posts. For example tapatalk, autoguide, gtrlife to name a few. Most forums have apps or can be used by and forum app like tapatalk.

Thank you

Here we go again, why all new people live far from flying fields and want to start flying warbirds

I started with a parkzone p-51 and crashed it on its first left turn lol. I had no idea about dual rates or anything. Looking back I was destined to fail because of my lack of knowledge of simply where to start so kudos to you for taking the patient first steps! Ultimately, the best way to start out is by buddying up with a trainer. This way, when you get into trouble( yes, inevitably you will get into some trouble in the beginning!) the trainer can instantly take control and get you back up to a safe altitude. This is by far the least expensive and overall least stressful way to learn. All AMA chartered clubs have their certified trainers and one will even let you try out the field and get a feel for the buddy box setup. Most clubs have club trainer planes you can learn on at no cost to you ( but its a great gesture to supply the fuel!). Everybody is different and we all have our own learning styles but if you want to learn to fly without losing many planes in the process, go to a local club and try buddying up with a trainer. Like I said, they'll let you try it out and see if you like it before you make any commitment to club dues or anything like that. Hope this helps!

Im surprised no one mentioned the flight sims. They are a good aid

knight51,
Before you buy any planes, I would check out your local clubs. Many clubs, like mine, have 1 or more planes that are designated for training.
We have people that can train with a buddy box. That way you can start learning before you even buy a plane.
There is even a good possibility that someone in the club may give you a plane free or very cheap. When I joined my club, one of the club
members gave me a nice trainer for free. I still had to put an engine and radio in it, but I was able to get good deal on those through the members or through contacts from club members. I still have the trainer, and I use it for training new or potential club members.
By the way, I live north of Seattle in Burlington.
Good luck to you.

Thanks for the insight,

I think that is a very good idea, I was just skeptical at first because of the distance and such.
Maybe we can meet sometime. What club are you in?

I just got back into the hobby as well with a PTS P-51 from Hanger 9 ( model just discontinued). I also picked up the Pheonix4 sim for my laptop. Saved me HUNDREDS of dollars in the beginning. Good luck.

Invest in an eclectic glider and an instructor if you can find one.

Knight51D,
I am in the Skagit county rc club. Our field is located in Sedro Woolley
Here is a link to our web site.
http://www.skagitcountyrcclub.com/

Also, here is a link to the club search area in the ama site. This might be helpful for finding a club if you have not used it already.
What area of Seattle do you live in. I don't go to Seattle much, but there big swap meet in Monroe in Feb. We might be able to meet then.
http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx

Thanks for the links. I'm by the udistrict next to UW, but might be moving soon up north by northgate or SE close to downtown seattle. I'm fairly new to Washington so I don't know that many places.