northriver21

My Feedback: (1)

Can anyone recomend any good books about getting started in RC?

I was looking at the Hary Higley books, but I wanted some opinions.

Something that would cover anything from engine tuning to building/repairing.
Something that is new and covers todays modern equipment.
I dont want somthing that was written in the 70's because theres so much new stuff out there.

Anyone have one they can recomend and where to get it/ how much $?
Anyone have a good one they dont need anymore and want to sell?

I am at the point in this hobby that I am consuming as much information as possible. I cant get enough.
I am spending way to much time in this forum
The more I learn the more I find out how much I have to learn.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

BEST book (IMHO) is the Flight Training Course published by Radio Control Modeler Magazine. It is listed in the book section at the back of the mag.

H. Higley's books are also excellent - well worth the $$$$

Jerry

Time Pilot

Higley's books have good information in them. They also contain many promotions of his other books which gets tiresome quickly. I always felt that if you wrote a good book, that is enough for someone to look for another--just list your titles on the inside jacket. You certainly don't want to be hearing the author tell you that you just ain't gonna be as smart unless you buy another one of his books.

His books are a bit difficult to read too. Print out a page of 12ish point font, single spaced right across the page and see what I mean. Also, as you read, pictures are not always on the same page as you're reading so you're flipping around a bit. It may be a small thing to some, but I do think it is time for Harry to upgrade his '286 or whatever he used to write his books and use a more modern format. For the price you pay for them, it is the least he can do for his readers.

I have 2 books published by Model Airplane News and found those to be good.

In short, forget Higley, I'd take tailskid's advice and go with his pick.

dr_wogz

My Feedback: (3)

Don't knock Harry too much!

I'll reccomend his books. Despite the look , and readability (I'll agree with that!) there is valuable information in them, and well worth the time.

Matt Gosline

Just in case any one is wondering, Getting Airborne Volume 1 is oriented towards ARF construction and flight, and Volume 2 has lots of tips related to kit building.

I agree that the books are have very dated photos and the font is kind of annoying, but the the books themselves have tips well worth the purchase price.

-Matt

CafeenMan

Higley books are ok, but it's obvious that some of the things he does are not techniques he developed over the years. It looks like he made it up on the spot for the book.

Plus, his stuff looks really heavy. I consider him to be more of a machinest than a modeler and don't care for his books too much. But there is some good info in them between the ads.

BTW - almost anything you can learn from a book is free on the web someplace.

- Paul