On christmas I finally got my aerobird challenger. I've never flown anything before, and my first flight lasted for about a minute. I did a nosedive with about 75% power right into the snow. The main wing took a little bit of damage, the part of the wing at the back in the middle ripped off a chunk around the size of a bite mark. I managed to tape it rather well, using packaging tape of course. But what I'm really asking is how much damage can the aerobird take on the main wing before it starts to become very unstable and unflyable. Cause I'm certain i;m gonna make a ton of more crash. Any replies would be appreciated.

until it doesn't fly!

there really is no answer... I have a Firebird.. (same type of plane....) and I have half of the wing held together with reinforced packing tape,... flies better now than when I bought it!!!

coupe of Questions ? do you belong to a AMA/ local club ? if not you shud NOT be flying RC AIRPLANES... was there an instructor with you, could be another flyer with some experience. We depend on our local builders, flyers and the local AMA club. we all make boo-boo's and we all have to learn the repair procediure-- talk to your local fellows. then ask the guys on RCU for help. dick

Well, the Aerobird is a foam park flyer with an all up weight of about 10 ounces, so I wouldn't worry too much about AMA insurance. And I'd agree with the "until it won't fly anymore assessment.
Dennis-

Thank you everybody for your responces. Dicknadine i didnt know you have to belong to a club, I live in canada AB edmonton and I think you just have to register the frequency, and since the aerobird challenger is 27mhz its all done for me. I'm new and just started, i really dont know 2 much about planes and regulations, I guess i should check them out

Hi thomas41546 and welcome to RCU!! Check out this link to the model aeronautics association of canada: [link=http://www.maac.ca/]MAAC[/link]. There's a ton of info on R/C in Canada here, the most useful for you will probably be the club listing for Alberta: [link=http://www.maac.ca/zones/clubs/clubs_a.html]Alberta clubs[/link]. I'd recommend getting in touch with the nearest club and seeing if they are doing any indoor sessions this winter and if you could get some instruction. You don't have to be a member of a club or the MAAC, BUT if you are involved in any accident to you or a third party with your plane MAAC membership insures you against liability. Getting involved with your local club will put you in touch with a lot of experienced R/C'ers who can help you get to grips with your aerobird challenger.

Thank you PilgrimChimp, for your help. I'll check out that website you gave me. This really helps, and I might get some instructor to help me, but then again i might just try to learn it all by myself. I've read quite a few topics that talk about the aerobird, seems to me that they are well built, so it should be able to take a couple of crashes.

Learn by yourself mate.

A friend of mine sussed out flying the aerobird on his own in about a week.

The guy going on about insurance is being a bit overcautious if you ask me.

Keep at it and go easy on the controls. Keep the rates low until you get the hang of it.

If this was a gas trainer....YES...JOIN A CLUB!!


But it ain't....

find a BIG field or park... make sure noone is around and have at it.... you Will crash (found that one out already!)
just use packing tape and keep going..

DO NOT try any of your first flights in ANY wind.... DON'T!

Once you get it down...sure...but not yet....
I have read of one guy that just flew straight...landed...walked to the plane and tried back the other way.. (Like golf)
just be very gentle on the controls.....

and did I mention that you shouldn't try to fly with ANY wind?

and if you think about a nitro plane... Join a Club

Just my weeeee humble opinion

Don't worry about joining a club with the small park flyers.. Just make sure that your flying away from people! Don't fly in any wind!

Another option with the tape is Fiberglas reinforced tape.. It's much stronger.. Also Go ahead and orde a few props, 2 new wings and a new set of tailfeathers... Once your confortable flying the A/c then take it out in some wind, then gradually more and more... This makes you a better pilot when you want to get into glow or buy different Elecs..

Yeah when you want more power, and go glow, then you need AMA, and a club ..Rog

Hi Thomas, I live in Alberta and I know that Edmonton has a very active RC club. If you want to get into larger, faster planes that can be flown in moderate winds (10-15 km/h) then maybe give them a call and see if you can go visit their field. Training is free for joining the club and crashes while connected to a buddy box are rare. The free training, fun flys and other free club events are usually worth more than the clubs membership fees. I have included the link to the Edmonton club if you want to find out what the club is all about and also to our clubs new RC web page. I live in Calgary and you are welcome to look around our field just south of Calgary or you can try flying. I have an LT25 trainer you can try kicking around the sky on the buddy box if you like. Only rule I have to go out is that the weather has to be above 10 degrees C. by 9 AM. If it takes till 4 pm to get to 10 degrees then I just stay in the basement and work on other planes. Later, Fast!
http://www.ercs.ab.ca/
http://www.members.shaw.ca/chinookwindsrc/