15 years ago when i was first looking into the hobby, buddy cords either didn't exist or were not the norm at the flying field I had access to. The instructor would take the tx, fly the plane "3 mistakes high" and hand the student the tx, taking it back if the plane was low and in trouble, or when it was time to land. I'll be using my old old futaba AM radio in my Kadet LT-25, and unfortunately I don't think it's compatible with modern FM transmitter buddy cords. How much of a disadvantage am I going to be at in this world of buddy cords if I need to use the older "quick, hand me the transmitter" method?

I learned using a combo of the two methods. Of the two, I prefer the buddy-cord. I feel it lets you progress faster as the instructor can let you get lower/slower/in more trouble before taking over. I say this because without the buddy cord, there is a 2-3 second lag while the instructor realizes you're in trouble, grabs the box from you, gets his thumbs in postion, gets his eyes back on the airplane and starts to fly it. If you're high enough, it's not a concern... but when learning to land, the instructor may not have enough time to recover.

There are also some students who are reluctant to give up control when they get themselves in trouble...I know of one student who the instructors almost had to wrestle with to take control! For this reason, the instructors were reluctant to fly with this student... you may find your instructors are more comfortable with a buddy box.

Having said this, either method will work. I'd suggest talking to your instructors and getting their opinions on it.. after all, they'll be the ones standing beside you!

Rick,

You may want to ensure that AM radio is OK for planes. I believe that 72 Mhz FM/PCM is the designated band for aircraft and the AM (which is currently in the 27 or 75 Mhz frequencies) is primarily for surface vehicles.

Take a look here: [link]http://www.modelaircraft.org/comp/frequency.htm[/link]

I don't profess to know for sure - just suggesting that you ensure that you can safely use that radio. If not, then you'll need a new one anyway, and you can get a buddy-compatible unit at that time.

As far as your question goes -- I don't think a buddy-box is absolutely necessary, if the instructor starts you out 3-5 mistakes high and you stay up there. It does present more risk - but the more practiced you are (simulators are great way to go) and slow/smooth on your reactions, the risk can be mitigated. I practiced a lot on the G2 simulator and did the hand-it-over method on my first flight - no problem.

Regards,
MrJB

I'll correct myself. Apparently there are 72Mhz AM offerings. However, still not sure if AM itself if fine for flying. Hope so.

One Sunday about the time Buddy Cords first came out, one of my students brought his very attractive wife out to the field with him. After his flight session, he asked if I would "take his wife up." And like a true gentleman I said "Be happy to!" while trying my best not to lear. I had them fire up my plane, and I took it off and flew a few aerobatic routines to impress her. Then I asked her if she was ready. "Yes!" she said excitedily stepping up closer. Taking one hand off my transmitter I reached out to her and said "Come, stand in front of me and hold the transmitter in both hands." She moved in front of me taking the transmitter as instructed and I put both arms about her and with my hands on hers began to coach her on the stick movements. She was doing very well and was a quick learner. We were a few minutes into the flight when I heard someone shouting my name. With a quick glance towards the pits I saw a club member running towards us waving a Buddy Cord! I did something then I never did before, I took my eyes off an airplane I was flying! As he got closer, I turned my head to him and he stopped dead in his tracks. He told me later that when he saw the expression on my face he knew he had made a mistake. That was really unbelievable! He read my mind! In an instant he realized I was thinking what a stupid idiot he was, bringing that cord to me as we were using MY transmitter, and that cord wouldn't even fit it! We finished the flight and I must say that I have never enjoyed a session as much as that one! Ain't this a great hobby or what?

mrjbernard,
You're way off base. There's absolutely nothing wrong with using an AM set up, and there would probably still be a lot more of them if people didn't believe as you do.

The fact that a transmitter is AM has nothing to do with the frequency on which it broadcasts, and an AM transmitter on 72.850 (channel 53) will do the same thing as an FM transmitter on 72.850.
Dennis-

Contrary to popular belief, a enormously safe training method exists that doesn't have need of a buddy-cord. See: http://mbz.portage.net/cgi-bin/yabb/...40010;start=30

nascarjoe

Well, I like my buddy cord, because I didn't have to hand over the radio I was holding, if I made a mistake. What I didn't like about it, was that it was a stripped down trainer radio, not my Skysport. It is all your preferance. I have seen potential crashes that could not have been stopped with out a buddy cord. But, I have only seen a couple. Exp. Student throws power to the engine, starts to take off, and banks the plane sharply. He did not have two feet under the plane. The instructor managed to save it, which he could not have if there was no buddy cord. On the other hand, if you don't want the buddy cord, don't use it... it is all your choice.

Just my $.02

I fly a narrow band AM on channel 18 and a good friend flies FM on 21. His transmitter operates my plane just well enough to be very dangerous. Most AMs are not dual conversion so it is best to check for interferance before flying.

The owner of my LHS (John) told me that if all the instructors used Futaba (which they do) and I am using a JR Quattro (Which I did use briefly), then the instructors could teach me his way, which is when he puts his hands over mine.

So I guess the instructor can still have instantaneous control that way.

Tanx A Lot

I believe buddy cord is an absolute MUST HAVE if the student is starting with something other than a trainer, which I have seen many times. Otherwise the old style of teaching over the students fingers is quite adequate for slow flying trainers.

Hi all, thanks for the replies! As far as wanting to use a buddy cord -- by all means, that's my preference! Unfortunately my radio is an older (much older) model Futaba that's not compatible with modern buddy cables. Luckily it is a legitemate aircraft radio (72Mhz) on channel 40 -- it has a gold sticker and everything. I plan to buy a new radio when money is more available, but right now it's just not an option. I'm quite sure that a Sig Kadet LT-25 counts as a "slow flying trainer", so it sounds like I'll be okay until it's time to learn to land and take-off *grin*.

I've heard about the "thumbs-on" method of training, but I think most of the local instructors are buddy-cord folks, I guess I need to get off my butt and go to some of their meetings though, and talk to the instructors to see!

I'm so happy I chose to start out Futaba (I switched the JR quattro for a SkySport 6)
Im starting out with a had to build (for a 12 year old w/ no experience) Tiger II ARF
Can u believe it?!?! I chose an ARF and still has trouble Assembling it!!!!!

But zats ok!!!!!

I hope its fun to fly.

The "hand the transmitter to the instructor" works fine 3 mistakes high, but how do you learn how to land? Suppose you're 10 feet off the runway, and the student stalls or turns the wrong way. I don't think the instructor could get the transmitter and gain control in time to save the plane (or worse).

The "instructor fingers over the student fingers" is a personal preference thing. Many men prefer a little more personal space than the method affords, but for others it's very successful.

I was trained by this method and it wasn't "instructors fingers over the student fingers", in fact, I don't think there was any physical contact at all with my instructor. Has anyone actually read how this method really works? His thumb and forefinger was underneath my thumb, which was on top of the stick. The stick could even be extended so there could be that much more "space" for the insecure. lol BTW, this "closeness" only lasts for no more than 5 minutes, total.

nascarjoe

But for me, if I had to stand next to someone that close for 5 minutes, it wouldfeel like 5 hours.

I'm a Huge Personal Bubble type of person.

This controversy about AM and FM, my advice is to check your AM set AT THE FIELD with a friend's FM radio switched on. I used to fly a Futbba Attack AM at our field where most everyone had or was switching to the newer FM Futabas. It never caused any problems, at least no one ever complained. I have since gone to FM and the Attack is retired. However I have a another AM radio of another make that I was thinking of using as we have no club rule against AM. However the other night I ran an experiment. I switched on the AM radio in close proximity to my two Futaba FM equipped planes (Ch 49 and 40) Both FM sets went crazy! s! This was indoors as I said and at close range. I want to try it again but outdoors when the weather clears. I'll move the AM Tx further away and note the results. If no flutter, then I will take it to the field and try it on all the planes parked in our pits. If no interference then, and no objections, I will fly the Am set. Not very scientific, but probably satisfactory. Anyone with any ideas or input on this feel free to jump in.

If your old Futaba radio is not narrow band updated it will be illegal to ues it. Use of the older wide band radios was eliminated in 1998-99. This is a federal law. Old wide band transmitters can span 3 current channels. Have it checked out by a competent service center before use.

The "pass the transmitter" method has many flaws. I have experienced students "freezing" to the transmitter in an effort to protect thier property. In other cases they almost throw the transmitter my way to get pulled out of the situation. It is hard to see the plane at very high altitudes and learning to land requires the plane to be lower than that. I have looked into the alternate method mentioned in this thread and have yet to be convinced. While it does seem to work getting all instructors on the page would prove dificult. For the time being I'll stick to the buddy cord method.

Only once in the past 5 years have I encountered a pilot with no buddy box connection and it also was on an AM radio. The transmitter was "gold stickered" so was updated to narrow band. Control was sloppy at best and interference dictated the plane be landed. Noisy RF areas such as the DC suburbs make it even worse. Basic 4 channel radio sets are very inexpensive these days so upgrading shouldn't be a burden for most pilots.

EXCAP232

Rick, Is your TX a Gold series one? If so the trainer cord is available from Futaba. You would have to find another TX for a buddy box. Post a pic of your TX, I just might be able to melp you out.
Brian

I believe it is. There's a rectangular gold-foil sticker on the back, and said sticker wasn't added after we purchased the radio new. Sorry i can't post a pic... Do you know the part number for that trainer cord?

thanks,
Rick

Sorry about that, I meant is your radio gold in color with black plastic ends? I'll post a pic of mine when I get back later.

Here's a pic of the gold series I was talking about. Is the what you have? Also look at the trainer cord port, how many pins does it have.

Alas, my radio doesn't look like that. It says "Attack" on the front, and the box says it's an FP-4NBL (I just now unpacked the radio from the box I took it home from my folk's house in). As I suspected, there is no buddy port . I've thought about finding a cheap FM receiver on my instructor's channel, so we could use his radio (if he doesn't mind) and then switch it back for my AM receiver once I've "cut the cord" so to speak

RVator bought two of those gold colored radios sets from a guy getting out of the hobby. We have used the RXs and servos but he has both radios and I'm sure he'll never use either one of them. Let me know if you want to email him about buying one. I'm almost positive they have the buddy cord port.

The gold radios do have the buddy box port. This is the setup I learned on several years ago. The trainer cord is not the same as the Skyport. I have not seen any from the Attack series with the trainer port. Atleast none of mine had one. Do you have the "G" series plugs on your servos and rx? The "G" series has an orange connector that's "L" shaped.