Has any one trained someone using a buddy box? Does both radios have to be on the same freq? or will the slave mimmick the master or vice versa ?

In a buddy box, the Master box is the ONLY one transmitting.[8D] thus it is the only one that needs to be turned on.Some people even( due to superstition or disbelief)[X(] pull the crystal out of the student boxs. At our club, the Buddy Boxes dont even have antennas or batteries. The only portion of the Student box that is functiona is the Controls, they are "jumpered" as it were, by actuating the Trainer button on the Master box. So therefore,(correct me if Im wrong, which has been known to happen). The Student is in control until the Instructor releases the trainer switch, and doesnt recieve control until the trainer switch is depressed again. Futaba 9Cs and up Take it a step further and allow the trainer to designate what controls the student has. But thats another thread Im sure. My club has 5 instructor qualified flyers, they have trainer night every thursday night in good weather and usually at least 2 of them are there. They use the buddy boxes exclusively as the method of instruction, I took my first flight on one and 6 subsequent flights to get the basics. It was invaluable, I now have two of the three style buddy cords in my TX box, should the need ever arise for someone to buddy box (particularly me on a new plane) Its not unusual to see 4 pilot stations occupied by 8 people on trainer night,,,great for learning traffic flying

Sa is right on. Actually the switch on the buddy box is left off for Futaba and Airtronics brands. The JR buddy boxes are an exception because they need to be powered by theiri own batterys. Our club uses Saturday and Sunday until noon for training new flyers. Others can fly at the same time(at their own risk!). The morning is better because the winds are usually pretty calm. Past noon, you need planes with lots of power and sport wings on them.

No need for the same freq. at least on JR boxes. The slave signals are sent to the master and the master transmits the signal to the receiver. With JR, the buddy box doesn't need a crystal at all. It does need a battery. I have heard with Futaba boxes, that they do not need the battery. Never buddied with futaba before. Just JR

Interesting point. Fastsky. Some TXs arent compatable with others,,,Others here can probably detail that more. I know when I plug my 9CAF into my wifes 6EXA, and power the 9C up, the 6EXA comes on, but it transmits on the Master (9C) freq. Interesting huh? Oh and as for flying in the wind. I went out this morning in order to fulfill my All Season Flyer requirement and took off in 20 mph gusts.[X(] Oklahoma....if ya cant fly in wind, ya dont fly at all. It was pretty nice actually,,,,We Okies actually have more trouble landing in no wind conditions,,,,go figure!,,,,oops, Im drifting off thread,,,,,sorry[:@]

PS Trainer switch on Futaba 9C is left switch on top towards the back.

Thanks.
So if this dude doesn't have the non powered buddy box I guess I cant plug into his radio which has the jack with a master radio /In other words two master radios will not work ?

The plane he has is made by HOBBICO not sure what make but it's a trainer .

Also will a Futaba REAL FLIGHT controller work , I see the jack in the back.

Also don't forget to set the trims on the buddy box to match the main TX.When you activate and de-activate the trainer switch the control surfaces should not move ..

Real flight boxes: the jack in the back is to plug your REAL TX into, and use it instead of the Real flight box. For me it comes in handy to see what different settings will do,,,,,saves on rebuilding planes,,,,

I know what you mean. I have a plans built Cloud Dancer 60 that loves to fly in the wind. Actually have a hard time to land it when its calm. Found out that my homemade landing gear is probably too stiff so will change it over befor next spring. I have about 4 other planes that don't bother me to fly in the wind but I don't like to try to train new flyers when its windy. [X(]

Many, many years ago, I used the buddy-box, but because of the strain I figured that there had to be a better way. For the last 30 years I've been using a method that for me is much, much easier, faster, safer that when I used the buddy-box. But it's only been the last couple of years that several of my fellow club members asked me to teach them this method. It only took about 30 minutes to train each member to safely use this method, now there are 3 more instructors who swear they will never use the buddy-box again.

CCR
http://www.kites.org/rc_instructors

http://www.amadistrictii.org/column/...9%20Column.pdf

I dont get it ..........please explain or give details for what I should be looking for in two links. thanks

This link explains how to use this method - http://www.kites.org/rc_instructors

This link demonstrates how well it works - http://www.amadistrictii.org/column/...9%20Column.pdf

You're full of it. The buddy box system hasn't been around for 30 years. More like 10 or so....

I beg to differ. I've been flying RC aircraft since 1970 and did indeed use the pass the box method and buddy-box. In fact, I still have a Futaba radio from that era with a buddy-box switch. It's a FP - T4FN.

CCR

I finnaly found the information you were trying to show me . I'm already Impressed with the method and think I may give it a shot.

Althought this will help with basic flights do you think it will help someone learn to fly in 15-20 mile per hour winds ? ......I know a beginner shouldn't be flying in winds like this but as we all know the day will come when they will be flying in higher winds than 7 mph.

Thanks Flier.

I have no problem teaching anyone in 20 plus mph winds, even teaching take offs and landings. I also use this method for teaching people to fly helis, which is just as easy and safe. Of course, it will take a little practice.

CCR

buddy boxes have been around quite sime time -just that they did not see wide spread use untill 15+ years ago or so. they are not perfect -no training system is including the one advocated here.pilots need a certain amount of seasoning no matter how well trained.still ticked about AMA not giving you special consideration?
in so far a who taught the Wrights -they benefited greatly byOctave Chanute & his hang gliders as to what worked &what did not. additionally, their gliders first flew as tethered kites, both manned &unmanned(where they found much of the info passed on by earlier experimenters to be wrong) this progressed to gliding their flyer off kill devil hill . they had nearly 1,000 sucessful glides before they tried powered flight. they had to master control first.