Hello everyone,

First, I apologize for asking I am sure the same questions asked by other new people to this hobby. However, your feedback/comments will be appreciated!

I want to learn to fly and need some advice. I know here in Coos Bay, Oregon, there is a club as I have seen things from time to time about them in the newspaper. I don't know where they meet but I will look for them. I will seek the advice of someone local hopefully who will help me later with the actual flight instruction.

For now, I do want to begin by purchasing a plane. Iwant it to be a ARF type (I believe this is the right term) as I would want to have some understanding and appreciation on how the plane surfaces really work. However, I don't see myself building a kit plane as that would be beyond my abilities I am sure. I would prefer a non-electric model and my question is, what would you recommend?

I don't see myself spending a lot of money on the first plane as I am sure I will have a few accidents. Based on this, the plane would have to be somewhat durable.

Your help is appreciated!

Darrell

Why not contact them already? You will get a lot of input as to what is the best airplane to get from RCU. In fact, there are thousands of threads on the "Best Trainer". But you should familiarize yourself with the club first. You can achieve the following:

1. Know the rules and regulations before you buy - Some place do not allow 2 stroke engines because they are too loud. Others may not allow planes above 40 class.
2. Know what radio equipment to buy - if you go out and buy a JR whereas everyone and their mothers are using Futaba, you will find it harder to find someone that can buddy box you.
3. Take the first flight on a borrowed trainer and see what your instructor recommends - while I am a firm believer that a Trainer should be someone's first plane, there are many that disagree, saying planes like the 4 star, which is now availalbe as an ARF, is as good a candidate as long as you are a quick learner. Who is to say but the instructor.
4. Get to know the people - you will be much better off when hands on guidance than on line guidance as a beginner.
5. Maybe find a good deal - You may find that there are people willing to sell their planes for cheap or even give it away. I wouldn't be surprised if you got a complete set and an instructor all in one visit!

There you go... my 2 cents.

Listen to forestroke and welcome to a hobby that can kill your bank balance! Learn one thing which is MOST important ... 'Know when to pull the hand brakes'! Ask Forestroke how many planes he has now!!!

I too would say find the club first and go ask questions.

You'll want a trainer type plane, and they're all pretty good, fly well and are reliable, but the club will likely have recommendations. You'll also want your radio gear to be compatible with your instructor's.

One other thing, plan on shelling out in the $450 to $500 range for everything you need to fly, including field accessories, glues, etc.

And welcome to RCU!
Dennis-

Welcome to the hobby.
The questions you ask are the correct ones for a new person and the answers are the best advice available.

Welcome.

Go to your local hobby shop (LHS) and ask about clubs. They will steer you to one. Then go out to the field and introduce yourself. No doubt one or more members will be very happy to help.

The advice you have gotten already is right on.

The advice you have gotten is right on.

I would like to add the following though:

Do not get a RTF setup. Get the plane, engine and radio separately.

Get a USER FRIENDLY 46 size BALL BEARING engine. OS, Thunder Tiger Pro and Evolution are all very good USER FRIENDLY engines. By user friendly, I mean that 99%+ of them will run fine right out of the box. There are many very good engines out there, however, quite a few of them require a fair amount of "fiddling" with to get to run properly. Unless there are restrictions about using a 2 stroke engine, I would stay with a 2 stroke for the initial engine.

When you talk to the club, find out which are the LEAST USED channels, and get your radio on one of those channels. You will have minimum waiting time for the channel to clear before you can fly.

While many people use 4 channel radios, I suggest getting a 6 channel (or more) COMPUTER radio. Typically by the 3rd or 4th plane many flyers want the ability to use flaps or retracts. The 6 channel will allow you to do this without having to go buy another radio. Additionally, a computer radio will allow you to store several models in memory (you will not have to trim the plane every time you fly a different plane), have trim save, mixing functions, etc. The price difference is normally not that great.

One of the best answers on this subject I have seen in a while...

I agree completely, the radios in the club make all the difference in the world as to what you need to purchase.

As far as the plane goes there are several, my personal favorite is the SIG LT-40 ARF. A little more expensive than most but as with all of the trainers it can take a pretty good beating which for a new person is important. I am no way trying to insult you but most new pilots tend to be a little hard on landing among other things.

The Nexstar is another good one.

forestrokes reply was probably the best put advice I've seen on RCU for the questions you asked, Especially #5. When you go to the local hobby shop or flying field don't be shy about talking to people and asking as many questions as you need. A few years ago, when I lived in Columbus, OH, a guy came to our field asking some of the same questions and I was so impressed I ended up giving him my Sig Kadet a few days later.

agnew, there is a guy that frequents these forums by the handle 'CoosBayLumber'. I think this is his profile: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/show...sp?memid=24753 . Perhaps you could private message him and see if he can hook you up with a club. Good luck, and welcome to the addiction, er I mean hobby.

Thanks to those of you who replied to my email about help for someone new!

I have taken the advice to heart and will pursue what you all suggested.

Thanks again.....


Darrell

Welcome there Agnew,

Consider that this ain't just a hobby, it is a habbit.

There are alternatives, like drinking and smoking and painted ladies.

Or drinking and smoking with painted ladies.

Actually, this is an addiction. You have stumbled into an AA meeting that just looks like a recruitment point.

Run Forest

Just kidding Agnew, this is by far the most fun you can have standing out in a feild freezing your jewels off with a bunch of geeks.

Welcome to the brotherhood.

Take a look at this ARROW RTF.

[link]http://www.masportaviator.com/ah.asp?CatID=1&ID=29[/link]

Agnew,

I believe everyone has writen the correct answers to your question. The only thing i have to say is, take a look at electrics. I know you specifically mentioned non-electric, but just for the hell of it, look into hobby-lobby.com. They have alot of electric planes. Electrics have a habit of costing much less then glows. And not to mention durability. Electrics usually come foam (since no company has developed a descent electric engine that can overpower an all-wood constructed heavy airplane, hint hint). Foam is great since you can fix almost anything with just epoxy glue.

To tell you the truth, i just ordered my first airplane yesterday. It was the Cessena RTF 180 from Wattage. I think its great. You should take a lookt at it at:

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/128309.asp

Good Luck!

Agnew, my admitted limited experience with electrics make me recommend against them. While they ARE constantly improving, I believe you will be happier with a 40 size gas trainer. I agree with previous writers that you should get with your club instructors for their recommendations. I hesitate to tell our local students to listen to the LHS's because they are more into cars & trains and are profit motivated in many cases. We don't have a good PLANE shop in town right now. Good shop closed when owner retired a few years ago. I instruct at my field and our student fly a variety of "trainer" a/c but the Alpha and Arrow series. Join a club that uses buddy boxes, it WILL save time and MONEY. Enjoy the hobby.

Samlot, it will be interesting to hear how your first venture in R/C flying goes. Meanwhile, a .40 sized glow engine trainer will probably still be the most common recommendation for beginners.

I wanna hear more about drinking and smoking with painted ladies!

I even got my own paint! (Does it have to be fuel-proof?)

Jeez MinnFlyer, he wants to start in RC like me.
Not get mixed up with alcohol, like Jack Daniels, cigarettes, like Marlboro Lights, and blond women with pouty lips and large, firm, ripe, bazooms, you pervert.
But, now that I think of it.....

Depends on what you're drinking.

The women will cost a LOT more than a good plane and not last as long.
Bruce

Bruce - they will last long enough!!! I mean much longer than you want them :-) Plus, they are very expensive to repair... if they wrinkled, a shot of the heat gun won't do them much good :-p