Great story really liked it and it shows what a person can do.When he puts his mind to it. Good luck and good flying[8D]

The problem here is that we are labeling every beginner with the same mental and physical ability. Not everyone is the same. If you have no clue what every part of the airplane is designed for, aileron, elevator, rudder...etc, then start reading and educate yourself. The reason most beginners crash on their own is for lack of knowledge on the basics. Most people buy and airplane and are too eager to get it up in the air without even knowing what a stall is. The reason why you go to ground school on real aircraft before you get on the plane is to educate the pilot of the basics then he/she only has to concentrate on the hand eye coordination. I know for a fact that most r/c instructors cant explain the reason why the airplane flies or behave in a certain way. They know by experience and teach the student the same way....by looking and doing what he does. I have taught all kinds of beginners and usually the ones that understand the basics of flying are the ones that need me the less and end up soloing the same day or shortly after. On the other hand, those that want to learn how to fly "NOW" and dont want to listen to you explanation of the basics are the ones that take forever to solo or even crash on their own. If you do your homework before attempting to fly ,and you have a good quality trainer, your chance for succes are quite good. If you are the kind of person that think you can learn everything you need to know in 5 mins before a test then you are setting yourself for a nice surprise as far as this hobby goes.
Five of our best pilots learned practically on their own, I was there "just in case" they made a mistake. Each one of them has some background in flying either from being a real pilot or through engineering. Just like anything else in this world.....YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING YOU WANT AS LONG AS YOU WORK HARD TOWARDS IT.

Just remember Larry!!!!

Jetts

Here is another way of looking at it, if it was too, easy and you could learn it in one day, a guy could get bored pretty quick of this hobby. I learn every time I fly!!! thats why I love this hobby, because the rewards are wonderful. Some of my students get discouraged from time to time and say they arent learning fast enough, we all learn at different speeds. I taught a friend of mine to fly in one weekend, fully and safely soloed. Another friend of mine, I taught for 6 months and I never felt he was fully able to solo, although he went off to crash many an airplane, might have been my methods, might have been him, dont know... point is , stay with it guys!!! the rewards of a good flight are well worth the work.

Amen!

Troy, the cost of a 600 m. round trip is less then the cost of another plane in most cases. Even if you add a night at a cheap motel. I have been twenty years trying to get into this, crashed the first one,(15+ years ago) flight time approx. 10 seconds. Waited about two years before trying again with a gas ARF- nearly beheaded a friend on take-off... got disoriented in flight, I still remember the crater in the ground. Flight time was about 15 seconds. Impressive, huh?

Third go around, this summer, I finally had enough humility and patience to go the instructor route. Helped with the plane, engine, trim, covering.... invaluable. Saved my butt on the buddy box quite a few times. The biggest problem was in between my ears- The closer the ground got (landing) the more unnerved I became... Experience got me past that. Now I love it, I'm flying with snow skis, beautiful landings... Can't get enough.

Downside? Waiting around for the instructor to help everyone else, 12-14 hours every weekend for 1 or 2 hours of flight. He was right, though: You have to take a break. Flying always improved after a week off, that's how I learn, in increments. Thought I would never solo...

Upside? still flying that first plane, got another with no damage, just ordered a third... Crashing and burning left me so frustrated in the past that I gave up for years. 5 or six weekends (for me) with a buddy box was the best thing... Frustrating? yes. Time consuming? definitely. As frustrating and time consuming as crashing, building, fixing, repairing, and crashing again? No way. I'd do it again, with a drive, motel room, and dinners out. Just my .02... good luck, Jim in Wyoming.
***I also understand that guys/gals with alot of video-game or sim time do tend to pick it up quicker... But i'm the youngest old fart I know!***

As addictive as this hobby is, I cannot see how anyone would get bored because it was "too easy". How many types of RC aircraft are there to buy and try before one would get bored? Then there are helicopters and if one does learn so fast, he could then become an instructor that much sooner.

nascarjoe

I learned to fly by myself, but I havn't gotten in much flying time...too windy. I got a slowstick, and it was very easy, in my opinion, to fly. I didn't feel like trying to get a ride to a club field, and just went by myself at the a big big field. Let me add that I put in more than 10 hours of FMS time with the slowstick. Lots of landing practice, so my first landing was pretty good, if I do say so myself
I'm glad I got the slowstick because I lose track of the time while im up in the air, and the engine cuts out, but it glides so good that there is almost no way to crash it.

Hey man,

He learned to fly! Read above. He was sucessful without many road trips and hotel bills, so think of all the money he SAVED by teaching himself .

While the post above is sarcastic, he is trying to make a point and that is that a new flyer doesn't know he doesn't know. That is why I took the RTF route. This way I could not build it crooked and I could not miss balance it because the one I selected came fully balanced.

I chose electric so there was no tuning of engines or concern about fuel mixes. And I didn't have to deal with flamable liquids, and didn't have to wash down the plane at the end.

I chose a starter plane that could take some crashes. I didn't start with a beautiful P51 Balsa plane I started with a pod and boom plane made out of polyetherlene that is practically indestructable.

I chose a three channel high wing plane so it would be stable, highly self correcting and provide enough control to fully manage the plane.

I chose an large, very large open grass field, not a busy, tightly managed field with a runway to do my learning. Take offs were hand launches and landings were a matter of sliding into the grass, no landing gear.

This was all based on a plan to be substantionally self taught. Now, if I was going to join a club that had a tightly managed runway then I would absolutely want an instructor and a buddy box. Too much traffic and too much need for precise take-off and landing to be teaching myself.

If I was starting on a 5 pound glo plane flying at 40+ MPH then I would want an instructor and a buddy box. That is a lot of weight and a lot of speed. Dem things can be pretty dangerous.

While a 16 ounce 15 MPH electric can still cause damage, there is a lot less energy involved and, from what I have seen, there are more slow flying electrics than glo models. I have never seen a glo model designated as a slow flyer. Some electrics can fly as low as 4-5 MPH in full contol.

So, the need for an instructor is a matter of goals and situation. An instructor is always good, but if you are going to go it alone, consider what you are trying to control. What will be the outcome of an error in terms of injury to yourself and people around you as well as damage to your model or property of others if you mess up.

Fly that 4 pound e-glider into a car and you could be looking at $1000 in damages. I know because a guy flew his 4 pound e-glider into my car. Guess how much it cost him.

You can do it on your own, I did, but be smart about it!

Well guys about 40 years ago I bought a Kraft Gold radio setup and a early OS 60 R/C motor and a liniear Slow Comet. I read the papers that came with the gear and put them all together and had a friend that said I could use his crop dusters field and with out knowing anything about the R/C flying I started off.
I landed on top of the hanger into the side of it thru a pine tree and I dont remember how many times I landed in tomato vines, but I did learn on my own and had fun doing it. This plane would not land as long as the motor was running, I had to shut down the motor to land, It would stay about 4 to 6 ft off the run way till it ran out of gas.
But to get back to the song and dance,,, If you dont have someone to help you learn to fly you can do it on your own but if you have someone to teach you it will only take 5 to 10 flights to solo. Not 30 t0 40 plus all the repairs that you will have to do.. Here In Las Vegas I send newbies to the Silver Bowl flying field to see a guy called Bob and He will teach anyone to fly because its what he does with his time in retirement. and if you go to our North Las Vegas field I know of 4 or 5 guys that will teach anyone that is just starting out. One of the local Cubs are holding a training time for those guys that wont to learn to teach new flys to do it right.. With some of the new slow flyers on the market to you can teach your self to fly but it helps to have someone who knows how and when to do what when you need help.........

I have been flying for 20 yrs and I am still learning. I sort of taught myself out of necessity, got tired of going to club several times before the plane flew, 30 miles away ,just to have my instructor fly 4 times around and me once Just to be there 3 or more hours. ,I wanted to move Into RC from control line. I however did have my plane checked out by an experienced flier. He also told me to taxi the plane back and forth on the runway tell I could easily control it on the ground at take off speed. I had the use of a 60 acre field out back and used the farmers dirt path as a runway. I developed some bad habits that had to be corrected. I did however go to my instructors while I was learning he had a runway at his house. Once I had the feel of touch and goes I would fly with him once or twice a month He would help me, and set up another lesson I should work on. Like deadstick landings or fly in a figure eight pattern. Then moved into loops, rolls,Inverted flight. Kinda got used to traveling 50 miles to fly. Then I never flew in back again. Only set back was he liked to fly at the crack of dawn so I would sneak out of the house before light and make it home just in time. just in time means I used to have one of those wifes that thought I couldn't have any life outside of her. Boy if she only knew what I got away with. Currant Wife doesn't understand the immersion into the hobby but supports my decisions and I cant get away with nothing cause she doesn't make me feel like I have to hide anything. I would have not been able to fly myself without the experience of control line and the little help I did get. having my plane checked out was an area where I was way off and there is no doubt if I had not had it checked it would have been pieces within seconds.

Again. I'll say, I'm a beginner, so I guess what I'm saying, to some of you doesn't mean squat, so then don't read what I have to say. For all the rest of you. I am learning on my own, taking my time, along with practicing on G2, a very useful tool. It is possible, just read above posts. BUT if at all possible to save time, money and aggrivation, at the very least have someone out there the first time to help you trim your plane and get flying. I thought since I taught myself how to build, set up, and fly RC helicopters, planes would be a breeze. Not so. 2 completely different animals. You can teach yourself if you're half way intelligent, but if possible get some help, at least the first time. Also if you do try and learn on your own, Please be miles away from any kind of house, car, and most important, people. RC Helicopters & Planes can be a great deal of fun, but they can also be extremely dangerous. Thats why the guys who suggest a trainer, are so insistant. They don't want you to hurt yourself or anyone else. At least thats why I think they are so insistant on their advice.
Joe

I see many people working on that buddy box thing and with instructors. I think this really delays people. I'd say, just have someone takeoff and land your plane for you, then do takeoffs and fly around..have someone land it for you. Then eventually you will be doing everything with someone ready to grab it. Then you solo. Took me about 10 flights like this to solo. I see the same guys still on those buddy boxes, and I'm doing acrobatics...touch n goes...all kinda fun and crazy (stupid) stuff. It all depends on your hand eye coordination also and training your brain. Im 32 and really didnt have much problem. My main problem is losing the plane in the sky. As in what direction is it heading and which way is the wing turned hehe. Dark wings suck. But yea,...learn without the instructor. But if you mean like takeoff and land on your own..well I think it is suicide surely. What I did was stupid... I got lucky. I solo'd after being frustrated as to not find anyone to be around if I needed em. I did about 5 takeoffs and 3 landings prior..and finally figure well time to do it all. Just gotta keep the nerves down enough. Keep your first flight short and prepare for landings. Abort if you aren't comfortable. Keep doing this till it comes donw. Remember it dont have to be perfect, but NEVER should you have to push down to land.

GL

A picture is worth a thousand words...

That picture is worth 1000 words. Here are a few of them.

1) You guys need a bigger trash can at your field or more frequent pick-ups.

2) Learning to fly on a built up balsa plane is probably a mistake

3) If you had a trainer/first plane that could stand up to some crashes, you wouldn't be putting them in the trash like that.

Net Net:

Until you are confident that you can safely take off, control the plane in the air and land, you are best served flying a plane that is light, slow and can survive some bad landings.

If anyone needs some suggestions I know several electrics that fit the bill.

I have to post on this topic, it is to good to pass up[8D]

One thing that I have noticed, with personal experience, is how veterans treat beginners in this hobby. I have seen several commen attitudes;

1.) Support, excitment and backup, phrases like "I am SO GLAD you found this sport." This type of person will help you learn and buck you up. Several people that acted like this at the club I joined helped me fly my glow plane; I already knew pretty well how to fly it from experiance with a park flyer, but they did help me.

2.) Complete indifference (well, almost). This type of person doesn't care who or what you are, as long as you get lessons, and stay out of there way... generaly this is the type of person who wishes there was no one else at that particular field. This kind of person is someone you just ignore back.

3.) Well meant warning - perhaps the most dangerous to this hobby (in my opinion). This type person (In my case, it was the person who sold me my first plane) wants to make sure you know what you are getting into. They tell you things like "The first thing you'll do is crash" or "You are going to crash, it is just a matter of time". Well this is very often true (in fact, can anyone think of anyone else who has NOT crashed in some way or other) It put me off. If I did not like planes as much as I did before this, I don't know that I would have gotten one. Here I am with my 150 bucks that I worked hard to get (mowing lawns) I don't want to be told I am going to crash, like that. Another person I talked to, had it alot better: "Great! This sport can always use another pilot, make sure your accidental landings arn't to hard"

Now. When someone says "Go get an Instructor." That is rather, ahem, negitive to some people. I for one, did not have to much of a problem with it, except when people kept bugging me. I flew a little park flyer, and people kept asking me WHEN I was going to get instruction. It felt like; Hey you dummy, don't you know you can't learn without an instructor?

Now understand this. I REALLY like my instructor. I had more fun while flying with him, then I ever did with my PF. I wasn't nervous about getting it down, if wind comes up, or the myriad of things that you become aware of when you have a remote in your hand.

So. My advice is, becarefull what you say to a begginer. You don't want to drive them away.

P.S. Before anyone posts about "Injury caused by a dangerous prop" I understand that. I have no proplem with prople cautioning about danger to others, although that is small as long as commen sense is used.

Yep,

They shoulda went at it alone......[].



Just kidding.



Wings,

ok, but i would like to try to learn how to fly helicoptors on my own, i live out in the boonies - i would think this would be almost nearly impossible, i probably have better chance of winning the lottery back to back [:-]

i have been flying fixed wing 7-1/2yrs (not straight)

is it really possible?? what about the little picollo?

Come on dude, what kind of response do you expect in here.

I don't know anything about helis. I would venture to say they are ten times harder than planes. And we all know what kinda of response we get when asking if you can learn to fly a plane alone.

Wings

THATS SOOOOOOOOOOO TRUE!
Although EVERY single person that has helis in my club have learned on their own I doubt you will get any support in here. Get the simulator and practice Then get a good beginner heli and the wide stance pods. If you take it easy there is no reason why you shouldnt learn.

".........awaiting for the bombardment.............."

Get a SLOW STICK, I taught myself to fly with it you can to. $35 is a steal for the plane and you can trasfer the tx to new aircraft as you develop. Good luck and have fun.

I learned how to fly heli's on my own. Although I don't recommend it. Its not an easy thing, to say the least. They are of course, dangerous, but a fricken BLAST Just getting your helicopter set up the correct way, by yourself, is not an easy task. I did NOT set up my first helicopter. I did drive about 30 miles (after I screwed my heli up) to get help because no one flys them around here. There's main rotor, and tail pitch. Getting the gyro set up properly, servos reversed, etc etc etc etc. Search in the heli forum for "very bad fisrt flight". That person is me. That will give you an idea. I fried 2 clutch assemblies.They are also VERY hard to fly, even just hover, until you get the hang of it. Before I even started up the engine I practiced almost everyday for 3 months on G2. If it wasn't for G2, I would have went through about $800 in crash kits. It can be very frustrating at first. But I like difficult things/challenges. Anyway, sorry to babble. It is possible, I am proof. But I DO NOT recommend it. Save yourself lots of time, money and agrivation. If you want tp learn how to set up and fly a Heli, drive for 100 miles if you have to to get help. If I had to do it over I would not have tried on my own. But I'm stubborn and like to learn things myself.
This was posted by Joe (NOT RANDY41)

Something got screwed up in the previous post. Its supposed to be me. I typed all that stuff and somehow it came up under Randy's name. Don't know what happened. Sorry Randy!
DustOffUH1

It happened again *** is going on? I'll stop typing now. Sorry again Randy.
DustOffUH1