Spaceclam,

I agree. I also think it would be cool to include links to the product reviews on each plane. That is also unbias and educational.


Wings

Yes it should be included. Now, 10 points means as many as all my fingers?

Technically that would be eight

Good replies both ways, Mainly what I was thinking would be neat If the FAQs in beginners would cover the basic facts like,what is a trainer, radio basics covering function of components, like servo function, receiver function, radio function. from 3 ch up to programmable radios what stick controls what, stick travel in conjunction with control travel, basic engine design and function from bushed 2-strokes to bearing and 4- strokes to gas and diesel but mainly to cover just the basics while trying not to get into to much detail . I also like wings Idea of including links to product reviews. Could also put in a approximate expense like comparing a bushed two stroke to a bearing engine and 4 strokes. Field equipment What is needed? stuff like that.

Isn't that / this also something that should appear in ths 'RCU University?!'

I would figure that a basic 'course outline' would detail all these 'beginner' tips.. Granted, some will look through it, and most will feel their particular question deserves a post, and a stream of answeres / opinions. Or, most will find there's too much info, and still jsut post their one question. maybe the Admin team would put a special page together, with links & such for all teh FAQs we gather...

-----------

and let's not forget:

"what is the best second plane?"
"Why not a Cap, Extra, Sukoi as a second plane?"
"Why not a P-51, P-40, Me-109, etc.. I want one, but am told top steer away.."
(Or at least have a section explaining why these planes are not ideal for niovices / detail teh typical progression upto these typse of aircraft)
"What books / videos are a good place to start?"

Several of us have been discussing doing an FAQ. The biggest reason that there isn't one yet is TIME.

We feel that if we're going to have one, it should be all encompassing; Electric, glow, planes, helis, cars, boats, etc.

And frankly, all of our writers have their hands full doing reviews. These things take enormous amounts of time, and it's all volunteer time. But it WILL be something we will have sometime in the future.

I don't see how standard FAQs are going to help since most of these questions seem to want an answer in the form of a specific product recommendation rather then general specs. Unless you plan on doing a FAQ out there for every trainer I don't see it as reducing the amount of duplicate questions (and maybe it shouldn't since thats what this forum is for)

Before anyone misunderstands let me provide a few examples of the types questions that I don't see FAQs as being able to address

1. Whats the best Trainer?
2. What engines are good?
3. What radio should I get?


These and variations on the theme seem to be the most frequently asked questions and the answers that the posters seem to be looking for can be considered opinions at best.

If someone takes the time (like Spaceclam did) to describe the characterics that make up a trianer in an FAQ does anyone really think that the average newbie is going to be able to take that answer and translate it into a decision on whether to buy a lt-40 or Eagle II WITHOUT asking the question "Which is better" the Lt-40 or EagleII??????

What people seem to be basing their buying decisions on is how many answered LT-40 vs Eagle II. When both are suited to performing the job they were designed for. Then agian in the same thread you'll get some who will say skip them both and learn on a 4*

I'd love to see the FAQs focus on relaying knowledge about the hobby rather then pointing to specific products..

Not to get to Corney but alot of these posts remind of the wisdom in the saying "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime"

No offense but if you pick any product because many people recommend without understanding why then you become destined require help because you haven't learned anything.

Hey Minnflyer,

I bet a lot of people like Dalolyn and Spaceclam and others who are interested in this FAQ idea would probably volunteer to help. I hate to speak on the behalf of others, maybe they are not interested. Anyway, you could get basic RCU members to help you, then you could just critique it before you post.

Just a thought....



Wings

Wings is probably correct, you could get several volunteers to format a FAQ. But one would have to agree on criteria that encompasses the meaning of the body of the FAQs. Should it stick to the facts of knowledge of what makes up model airplanes? A little basic info on all aspects of RC planes , Info on characteristics of a trainer , Info on engine design and size. Bearing and bushed engines to 4 strokes, fuel delivery, info on radio setup and the basic knowledge of the different types of radios from 3 ch to programmable radios. Basic breakdown of radio components such as servos, receivers, batteries, field equipment. And then could also explain a little bit of info on aerobatic plans like what is a semi symmetrical air foil,constant chord ,single taper, double taper. low wing, mid wing, high wing. While this all sounds great to me I think it would have to be formated in such a way that a certain topic could be found easily and the answers in FAQs would not be long winded, but easily understood. All this combined adds up to time.So if this is ever to come about with several volunteers involved the final product would have to be edited as to maintain the same format and style of verse. So in which each individual could gather info on a specific topic and out line it in a similar fashion . Then RCU administrators would then edit and post the final version. Could this at all be possible?

you hsould just stick to facts. people can and will argue opinions. that's why opinions are not facts. you can't argue a true fact. although, somepeople do it anyway...

i also voted yes for faq's - not to start an indepth discussion
as being somewhat of a newbie - its hard to think of the questions that you would ask someone - as per a discussion room and i usually would like to browse a general area which describes different types of servos, engines, cg balancing techiques...i have a local club that is great and also a good hobby shop ( club flyer is also owner hehehe), and sifting thru many flying styles and information from you experienced flyers (i mean that in a good way) can sometime be time consuming and very technical for me as a novice. links are also a good area...
one thing is that there are so many experienced flyers that have flown numerous items - theres a whole world of info there

This is exactly what we hope to accomplish. The only problem with using RCU volunteers is that writing posts, and writing Tech Sheets are two very different things. There are many people out there who attempt to be writers that fall short of the task (I know this for a fact because I have had to edit many of them).

Here lies the next problem. Before you can start, an outline needs to be created, so that everyone is on the same page. Someone needs to take the time to create that outline, then it needs to be reviewed by the staff to check for omission, etc. then distributed to the writers.

Once all of the submissions come back, the REAL work begins. Pictures must be gathered or taken, then edited and processed, and the HTML code must be written to turn it into a web page (If you don't know what HTML code is, open any web page [I would suggest one of the newer RCU Magazine Reviews] then, at the top, click "View" and select "Source". The HTML code that creates that page that you are viewing will open)

As I said before, I have read/edited people's attempts at doing Reviews and "How To's", so if anyone would like to attempt doing this, PM me and I'll give you my email address where you can submit your stuff. I make no guarantee that it will be used, but if it is good, I promise that it will be kept for when time permits.

well, I will probaly vote no as like this past week a new trainer was released to the public, then someone would have to update the faq. However I am not sure how many know of this but towe hobbies has a beginner guide that is pretty good.


http://www.easyrc.com/airplanes/index.html

Also, here is an intro to R/C flight. kind of out dated, but some stuff is still good.

http://www.drones.com/RC-faq.html#2

a new trainer... that is all good, but a trainer is still a trainer no? and a new trainer works off the same basic principals as another one right? as long as we keep it to basics, we don't have a problem.

WOW.....you couldn't have said it even better. I mean, please people don't get mad at me, but what is the big deal about answering the same question all the time over and over. I mean, I know you don't want to answer the question ,then you have over 71,000 OTHER people that can. Please other forumers don't get mad with me. I really don't like to argue. But, just think about when you first started out in the wonderful hobby/sport of R/C flying. You didn't care about you asking questions, and wonderig if that same question was answered 300 times. Right??? You were wanting to find out information about the hobby and things about what to get. Yes I do agree about the FAQ thingemabobber, but we should limit it to not just:

jondoe: where can I get a good trainer?

munkeybut: at your hobbystop.

With this kind of just listing, you don't get the full effect of what RCU was made for. You would just go online, go to the FAQ section, and look up your question. That is another thing. As many of the questions that people can ask throughout the world, there would be a hard time with finding the question that YOU want to find. IT WOULD TAKE FOREVER. Well, a long time anyways. But, my point is, the forum for FAQs would be good, but not as good as just asking the same question over and over and letting the nice people on here politely answer it without bickering about they having to answer this question over and over, and over. Well, just my $0.02 and I know that some people will disagree with me, but this is JUST MY OPINON. THERE ARE MANY MORE OUT THERE. Sorry for the long post. Lemme read over it. Ok.........I'll just leave everything. THANKS for that help that PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN ME.............................I was just looking at dalolyn's post and just say that all of the other things that there is to find about the R/c hobby then you can just look in the Model Aviation magazine that you should get if you have AMA insurance. Another $0.02

I agree with you 100%.

Problem is, some feel their reply is the only correct reply, and if they don't reply the question will not get a satisfactory answer.

I agree with you, it is much for fun interacting with people, thus.. .a forum.


FAQ would be useful though.

Wings

A trainer works off the same basic principles as a jett fighter.

I think an FAQ is a great idea. Granted, maybe only 20% of the newbies will read it, but the smart ones will, and their barrage of newbie questions in the forum will be slightly more educated ones. I'm really new, and sure have asked my share of dumb questions. If there was an FAQ on here I might know what surface is supposed to move what way when you move the stick a certain direction. That's one I'm too embarrassed to even ask.. The upkeep on an FAQ can be time consuming, but only if you start to get brand specific. How to start an engine doesn't change, what a buddy box is doesn't change, what the AMA is doesn't change, etc.. For trainer recomendations just link them to the reviews section with a trainer search. With permission you might have a link to some of the kinda outdated but still excellent Radio Proving Ground newbie pages. - Joe

I think the main objective is to base the FAQs on facts. Mostly the principles and properties of RC flight, breakdown of the components, and explanation how everything works. I would definitely agree that delving into product brands would certainly take away from discussion. but If someone would post "What is a deference between a bushed engine and a bearing engine" if the first reply was a correct fact there would not be any reason to discuss it further. But if a person would ask "what would be better for my .40 size trainer a .40 LA or a APS .40" this would be left open for discussion and hopefully the beginner would have an understanding of the terms used to describe the deference because they have already read the FAQs, although its not a guaranty they they would read it.
Also a faq in this type of format would then only need to be edited as new innovated ideas come into the market.
speaking of this has anyone seen the new liquid cooled 58cc mvvs ,wow what will be next

True, a trainer is a trainer is a trainer, but it is what is inside a trainer that makes the difference. Sure keep it generic and explain the basics that are already posted else where on net that could be easily linked instead of re written (unless they are wrong of course).

Since the new trainer nexstar is out, it has some cool advances that are not in other trainers making it not the same old thing. I could see the faq as a good idea, but i think it will get bogged down on what and what not to put in it.

No sir!

I have been told by the most experienced and competent RC airplane pilot on the net that all trainers all the same!


Wings

that's the idea. human interraction is great. i enjoy yacking on all day on this forum, believe me. however, the newcomer to the hobby and site will not exatcly know what to look for. so, if somebody were to ask what they needed to get started in the hobby, they probably wouldn't get anywehre because of the sheer amount of replies. i have been stuck in those already. 70+ replies is kinda confusing. everybody is countering everybody elses opinion on all 25 sub-subjects about the different things required. all the faq should do is list the basic things you need, and the helpful items that are not absolutely necessary that people still use like an electric starter. see, when you know a bit about what you are looking for, you can asked a question that is a bit more narrowed down and get relevant results. for instance, if somebody went on to google and typed in
"i want to get started in rc" to try and find some advice, they would have exactly 317,000 entries to sort through. however, if we have a faq that said something like "a good place to look for answers to this question is on rcuniverse." it would explain a bit about what is needed and give some usefull keywords to search for on rcu to try and find a good answer. you whould be sure to come up with something. i like the link idea. id doesn't say that you have to buy this brand or that brand or even what pieces of equipment, but might give the pros and cons, a price range, and a list of places where you can get some similar items, making sure to state that these are not the only places you can get one of these and you may try searching through our forums with kewyords such as these. you guys seem to think the faq would eliminate the human element of it. it would help narrow down the search so the newcomer isn't left with a thousand replies, half of them arguements and contradictions. i am sure all of you newcomers would agree with me here. also, about the nextstar. think about it. it may have some cool additions, but it is designed for the same old thing to do the same old thing with the same old stuff. i therefore consider it a trainer. for instance, on my trainer, i have a nosewheel break. does that mean it is an out of the ordinary trainer? no. not one bit. that's like saying a transmitter with a neck strap is not like any old transmitter because it has a cool dohickey that makes holding it easier. it still does the same thing, doesn't it? and in the same way? and for the same reasons? let me give you a generic description of a transmitter. don't get me wrong, i know you all know that a tramnsimtter is, but i am jsut making a point. a transmitter is a device that utilizes control sticks that sent input to a broadcasting system wich in turn gives commands to the reciever on the plane which interperates them into servo movements to control the plane. they generally have an antenna, sticks, a battery, electronic components inside. the nextstar might relate to a computer radio while other traners your basic 4 channel. the comp radio has some cool features, but it still does the same thing for the same purpose. therefore, it is still a transmitter in my book

All I can say is... Don't ask this guy for advice about women!

The advantage of an FAQ is not to avoid answering the same question over and over, but it is to give a more comprehensive answer to a difficult question.

Example:

"I want to get started in RC, where can I get a plane?"

This guy asked a simple question, but the answer is soooooooo complicated.

"Do you want electric or glow?" "What's glow?"

Where are you going to fly it? "I can take off and land in my driveway" (Don't laugh, I actually had someone tell me that, and no, it WASN'T a big driveway)

Obviously, this guy needs to have a LOT of basic questions answered.

So it's not so much for the "How do I install Hinges" or "Should I use thin or medium CA on this?" type of questions, but for the person who doesn't have a clue as to what's involved, so that you can just point him to the FAQ and he will have at least SOME semblance of what we are doing here.

You are right Minnflyer, that would probably not be a good idea.



Wings,

Allow me to ask who has read the RCUNIVERSE faq about posting.
I haven't yet.
A faq is a great idea in the town of perfect!
I live in the town of Montpelier and I'll bet your town isn't much different.
People will glance at it about a month or so after they've asked 10 or so questions.
This whole faq ***** came about after some b!tchin about repetitive questions.
Some people feel that only THEY can answer questions accurately.
Fact is,, (read my other post),, We learned from you..
Allow us to answer it if you don't want to.
We WILL try to mimic your knowledge as best we can.
Another faq is,, is that it feels good to some of us newbies to be able to answer questions to those VERY FEW that know less than us...
(it's like, jeezow, I'm learning enough to answer versus asking..)
I'm not sure how to answer this whole dicussion more than I have, and I'm sure I'll get drilled for this one........ BUT!!!
If ya wanna FAQ.... Buy a Fricken book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!