To the Group –

I’ve been lurking for a while and recently registered. This is a great community you have here and I am happy to have found it!

Like so many others, I am about the take the plunge into R/C flying and I am putting together my “action plan” on how to do it correctly. I welcome any and all feedback on whether this makes sense …

I am a 42 year-old divorced dad of a 9 year-old son. We do the every-other-weekend thing as well as 2-3 afternoons a week together. Like most kids his age, he is a video-game aficionado although I try to keep that to a manageably moderate level.

There is an R/C club with a flying field about 5 minutes from my house and we stopped by there a couple of months ago “just to see.” The club was out in force with everything from trainers to delta-wings, to giants. To my surprise (and delight) my son was like, “Dad – this is COOL!” I filed that information away for future use.

A few weeks later, we took a trip to the local hobby shop, again, “just to see.” Again, my son was very excited. What made it even better is that the shop has a HUGE plane workshop in the back. (Huge, as in ‘big enough to work on several automobiles at once.”) The owner was nice enough to take my son and I back there, show us some planes, and just chew the fat with us about R/C.

On the strength of that day, and my son’s continued interest, I’ve decided that he and I will pursue the hobby. (It is important to note that I have been a plane nut since I was a kid and I am probably more juiced up about this than my son! ) All of that is background. Here's the plan ...
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1) Buy the Great Planes RealFlight simulator right now:
I am a website designer with some pretty serious computer gear. Between that and the fact that my son is a video-gamer, I figure that the simulator will teach us some basics about spatial orientation, control coordination, etc. I also figure that since winter is approaching, this will be a good way for us to stay in touch with the hobby even though we can’t fly. Finally, if the spring comes and he (or me!) is no longer interested, my only investment will have been the cost of the software.

2) Join a local club:
There are several excellent clubs in my area. I’ve met (and spoken with) members of all of them and everyone has been wonderfully supportive. As a matter of fact, one just had an auction that my son and I attended and had a great time. More importantly, I’ve met several instructors who have volunteered to help us when we’re ready.

3) Next spring, buy a plane:
I’ve gotten tons of advice on this topic (both in person and via the web) and I’m pretty sure I’ll buy either the Hobbico Superstar 40 Select or the Hangar 9 Alpha Trainer. Both have been highly recommended and they seem to be priced similarly. (There are lots of Futaba and JR radios at the local clubs so I’m not worried about compatibility.) FYI, I have decided to go the RTF route because I don’t really have the workspace to get into any heavy-duty construction right now. What’s nice however, is that the local shop owner has promised that he’ll help us get our plane trimmed correctly after we get it out of the box and assembled.
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With a little luck and some work, I’m hoping by next summer my son and I will be progressing well and enjoying ourselves – assuming the plan is sound and it works. If anyone has thoughts to share, I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks!
- DCD

P.S. And if the plan works REALLY well, next fall I’ll buy that big honkin’ Sig Rascal 110 as my personal “second plane.” Those giants are PHENOMINALLY COOL to me and I can’t wait to get good enough to fly one!

WOW and thats only the plan?

Sounds like a great plan and I really hope my 2 year old becomes as excited about the hobby as your son is. Im a complete newbie also and bought the Hobbico Superstar 40 ARF with very high hopes that my boy will grow up loving this addiction as much as I already do, and I haven't even flown yet.

Anyways, after reading so much praise for the Avistar I wish I'd gone that route, sounds like a slightly more capable plane than the Superstar.

Hope you guys get into it and have a blast doing it together. I already daydream about me and my boy in a garage full of airplane parts and balsa dust, up to our elbows on some giant scale plane.

Great Plan!

As an instructor, I've seen all the young ones come to the field with the "banging thumb" action they"ve picked up from gaming on the computer. When on the simulator, try to teach this from the start: Hold the stick by pinching it at the top with the thumb and indexfinger . Or, at least the thumb on top with the indexfinger close. I know, many of the best pilots out there are thumbs only, but I think starting out this way teaches control.

ARF is a great way to go and can involve a 9 year old totally in the process of getting everything together. There are lots of things to use basic tools on. You might consider getting the plane and flight equipment for the "Winter Project". This would give you guys plenty of time to work on it a little at a time, take trips to the Hobby Shop etc.. It's possible to get bored with the simulator, but with a plane sitting there, or hung from the ceiling, and dreaming of Spring, it doesn't get any better than that!
I'm sure this will be great no matter how you do it.

I bought the Great Planes Realflight sim and practiced on it for a year before I even considered buying a plane. This past summer I felt I was ready and bought a RTF trainer. I "buddy boxed" with an instructor at the field for several weekends and then struck out on my own. I was amazed at how close the simulator was to actually flying. Landing was easier in real life than on the sim. The sim doesn't teach engine tuning and set up. I am still working on that, but I must say had it not been for the sim I doubt I would have been flying solo as soon as I was. It sounds like you have a good plan and with lots of practice on the sim and a good instructor at the field you have a sure fire recipe for success. Good luck.

DCD,

Great plan! Nothing like plannin' ahead! Hope your son's interest continues to develop.

Check out all the different R/C magazines out there as well. I just read an article on the Hangar 9 "Easy 2". Holy cow,[X(] a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench is all thats required to get it ready.

My personal opinion, for what it's worth and I have to agree with woodbutcher as far as buying it now, is to buy an ARF that takes a bit more time to get it ready. You're gonna' find yourself making the occasional repairs after you get airborne, it's the nature of the beast (and what an awesome beast it is!), so you might as well get used to mixing epoxy, gluing your fingers either together or to your plane with CA, repairing covering and all the other good stuff that goes along with this great obsession NOW as opposed to learning it in the spring. You can also spend some time learning all the facets involved with two stroke glow engines. Spend this winter breaking that new engine in! Why wait 'til spring?! Not to mention, every time you and your son look at your creation it will bring you closer together as well as create a burning desire to get it airborne. Then, as they say, the sky's the limit.

Best of luck to you!

Lastly, the worse possible case as that you and your son don't like it. then you just unload all your stuff on ebay at close to retail prices!

It's so refreshing to hear that someone not only HAS a plan, but that it's a good one!

Good luck to you and your son DCD!

(I got MY son started back when we were doing the every-other-weekend thing too. Now he's 25 and kinda busy with women, but he's looking forward to the day when he can get back to the field!)

DCD,
Definitely an intelligent approach to learning this hobby, but give in a bit more to the compulsion side of it. Buy an ARF now too!

Whether or not your son maintains an interest, and I'm guessing he will, you seem as though you WILL remain interested, so indulge yourself.

Putting the ARF together (as a first timer) will take approximately 25 to 40 hours, so if you spend 2 to 3 hours per week with your son assisting, half your winter will be spent getting it ready. A RTF on the other hand is only a long Saturday afternoon.

In any case, welcome!, and have fun.
Dennis-

EXCELLENT plan!!

One suggesstion that I would make is this: As some of the other guys have mentioned....get an ARF this winter.....but let me take it a step further......get both a RTF model AND and ARF. Build the ARF this winter to keep the interest, purchase the RTF in the spring....the reason I suggest this is, once you and your son get airborne, you'll want to fly with each other at the same time!

Good luck and welcome to the addiction....er...hobby!

Hi DCD:

You got some serious heavy duty advice above. It is all good. I hope all your endevors meet with sucess. Your plan is logical,well thought out and darn near perfect. If you follow you plan all should go great. I have only a few suggestions:

As stated previously I believe 2 planes are in order. One for each of you. I feel that having your son build "His plane" could be a significant thing for him. I feel he will have a sense of accomplishment that is priceless. It should also help in the Bonding sense as well. I wish you the best with all my heart.

Glowplug has a good idea here. Doing some building is a good idea. Your local hobby shop sounds real cool. I suggest you guys build a kit yourselves maybe later on. A building board from Great Planes I belive could be stored under a bed. A few simple tools:

Hobby knife, Sanding block from your local whatevermart, some glue (your choice), a measuring device (a ruler and a yardstick would do) and a razor saw and covering iron, and your set.

I think building from a quality kit like the SIG LT40 would give both of you a real understanding of the guts and bolts of this hobby. You will as stated by Glowplug need to eventually make repairs. What better way than to have the plans and the knowledge of assembling it yourself. And the feeling of accomplishment when the beastie flys is uncomparable.

I apploogize fore the long diatribe. And I would add my congrats and blessings

Mark Shuman

To the Group -

This is all fantastic feedback and advice -- I really appreciate all of you chiming in!

Well, "the plan doth evolve!" As I mentioned, I am a professional website designer. My local shop doesn't have a website and the owner is considering my doing a site for him in exchange for a plane. That fits nicely with the advice some of you have given about getting 2 planes -- one for me and one for my son.

Actually, I like that idea a lot because as some have said, having a tangible reminder of what we're working toward (besides the simulator) is an excellent way to keep the excitement level up. I also like the idea of doing something "with our hands" as a father/son activity.

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions - keep 'em coming!

- DCD

As an FYI, you can see my website here: [link=http://www.dixontech.com]Dixon Technology Group[/link]

Ok, here's what you should do...

get an RTF and an ARF AND a kit!

Then, you can start flying right away while you put the ARF together, and you can build the kit over the winter.

better get TWO kits, one for you and one for your son.

In fact, get 4, two trainers, and two intermediate planes

No, wait! Get six! 2 trainers, 2 intermediates, and 2 advanced!

While you're at it, get engines and radios for BOTH!

And a Giant Gas Plane! If money becomes a problem, you can always sell the house. (did I mention that this hobby is addicting?)

@MinnFlyer -

LOL! You are truly a sick individual! But based on what I've been learning about the hobby, I can certainly feel what you're saying!

Whether it's R/C planes, computers, stereo equipment, motorcycles, or whatever, "Big Boys Toys" definitely have a way of biting you in the butt (and the wallet!) and not letting go.

Hopefully, I won't get that addicted too quickly!

Thanks for your response!

- DCD

I couldn't agree more that your plan is a great one. Your barter exchange with the hobby store owner is also a plus.

The simulator is a great way to get started but not the be all to end all. Especially with your son, it will be hard not to think of it as another video game.

Couple of points.. The suggestion of using thumb and forefinger on BOTH control sticks is excellent advice. Get into that habit. It will pay off when you need to get into throttle management and working tricky landings. Also, keep the control box off your lap. You don't have to stand but use it as close to the real world as you can.

Good luck.

DCD, you have no idea! (Actually, I used to be a lot worse, but since I became a moderator, I've had to tone it down a bit)

Just for the record, here's one of my favorites:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10..._1/key_/tm.htm

I agree with Minnflyers post #12. It seems to be the most rational comment on your orignal plan.

I still miss the twins in that thread.

Don't wait do it know, but beware this hobby creates serious addiction, even worst than the video games, consider your self warned

ha i'm only 13 and i have 5 full time jobs (and thats just to get my pattern planes)

DCD, where in Chicago are you?

@rc_sport-RCU

I'm in the South Suburbs -- Lansing, to be specific.

Ok, I'm in the far North burbs

Damn, I wish I'd have looked up Grayslake on the map. I was in your neighborhood last weekend Robert! Spent sunday afternoon - tuesday in Zion. And drove down to Chicago on Monday. But for some reason, I thought you were south of the city. Oh well, there's always Toledo!

Good luck, I got 3 planes so far, and I can't even solo yet[], once you get that first kit, there is no going back[X(], for me anyway. Well, at least you don't have to hide receipts
Joe

Hey rc_sport. I will be at my inlaws house in McHenry/Johnsburg area the 13-16 on Nov. I used to live in Naperville and St. Charles. Went to H.S. in Aurora in 88'