Hi.

A friend of mine at work who is into R/C planes needed to make room in his garage for more planes and let me have his old Midstar .40 pretty cheap.

Now, I've been watching people fly these things and begging for one since I was little.

Airplanes in general have been a hobby of mine all my life and so has R/C. I've got a pretty good handle on how they both work, but not when combined.

How much trouble do you think I'll have learning to fly on the Midstar? Several people have suggested getting a trainer and moving the guts of the Midstar to a trainer first, but I can't really afford to do that.

I really don't want to destroy this plane my first time out... I know I WILL crash eventually, but I don't want the deck stacked too badly against me from the start.

It is if you try to do it yourself.....

Please, find a club and an instructor........

The mid-star plane is OK for a beginner, but you will need an instructor.

I taught myself to fly 30 years ago and don’t recommend it. It will surely cost you $1000 to $2000 more to learn than if an instructor is available. Most of your time will be spent repairing and the experience will set you back years of learning time.

Don’t it’s foolish.

Bill

Wraith, you'll get plenty of replies on this and I would say Exeter Acres is right. It's tough when you start.

My two cents: if you are worried about the cost, find an instructor. They won't charge you (although you might have to join a club for a little $) and you will lower the chance of destroying that plane by quite a bit.

If you can't afford a trainer now, you won't be able to afford to replace that mid-star, and that will land you out of the hobby quickly.

Lots to learn from a good instructor, and hey, they might also have a trainer for you to start on.

Good luck!

Jon

Your friend that sold you the plane should be able to help you!!!!!! Anyway the advice so far is to get an instructor, you won't get any better advice!!!!!!!

Hello, Wraith If I were you I'd get a trainer an learn to fly it with and instructor. If you really can't afford to do that then be sure to get an instructor and get on a buddy box if at all possible because you will crash on your first flight, I would say in under 20 seconds you'll have a pile of sticks. Trust me it's not as easy as it looks as I am learning myself. My first and second flights wouldn't have lasted more than 20 seconds at the most if I hadn't had someone to help me and I'm flying a Sig LT- 40 trainer which is a high wing trainer and alot eaiser to fly than the Midstar as it's a low wing plane. Do yourself and your plane a favor and get someone to instruct you. I'm just trying to save you some heartache. Happy flying and good luck to you.

mlawrencemsc
Funny 4 years ago I learned on a LT-40 then I went to a Four Star 60 low wing tail dragger. Guess what I thought? How much easier it was to fly the Four Star cause it went where I pointed it, when I wanted it. By the way a MidStar is a quasi mid wing airplane hence it's name. Just my 2 cents.

wraith0078
Do do as everyone has suggested and find an instructor. Keep the throws gentle and you'll do fine with the MidStar. The friendships I've made at my field have enriched this hobby tremendously, join a club.
John

You dont HAVE to go to a club, But at least get on a buddy box, and if you can't get a sim

I downloaded FMS and have been playing with it.

The radio I got is a JR Quattro Lite, but didn't get a training cord or servos. Got it used.

I plan on getting someone to show me how. The guy I got the plane from has the same radio, so maybe he's got a trainer cord. I'll ask him.

The LHS has a computer setup with Realflight G3 on it and I've played enough that I got pretty good with the P-51 they include with the software.

Now, I realize there's a world of difference between a sim and real world, so I'm thinking with the proper help (an instructor), I should do just fine with the Midstar.

Wrath,

I read your post in the PIF thread so it looks as though you are taking everyones advice [sm=thumbup.gif] and I really am glad to see that. In the long run you will be glad you did.

As a hint, when you are at the LHS on G3, don't fly the mustang, there are a couple of trainers in there, use them to get an idea of what you will be seeing.

As far as a second plane the Four Star series of low wing planes are great second planes and in some cases can be a good trainer. I have succesfully trained a couple of students on the Four Star 40. The fky better than most trainers in the fact that they are a point and fly type but they will not try to self correct as a trainer will, but on the other hand, they can land slkower than most trainers.

The midstar will do well for you but an experinced pilot/instructor will give you information that no SIM can ever give. As an example, how to properly trim a plane for hands off flight, how to tune the engine and a host of others.

I commend you highly for thinking ahead. Now when you do start to fly be sure to carry that over into your flying. Thinking ahead of the plane is the hardest thing to master but once you can do that then it all gets easier really quick.

Good luck and most definitely keep us informed

Yeah, And to change planes, go to aircraft select aircraft on there... Use the PT-40 if it is on there.. Or any other high wing plane.

Well, I'll throw my beginner two cents worth in to the pot here. I too agree with everyone here about getting an instructor first, but I do not agree with some of the posts that suggest you WILL crash on your first flight. If a person as some knowledge about aerodynamics and better yet, a pilot to start with, you have a good chance of flying successfully on your first flight. I know it may be rare, but I am an example of that. I have had several successful flights without a major crash. Sure, I've had a broken prop or two but nothing big. I do believe that having the skill and knowledge associated with flying full scale does benefit you greatly with flying RC. I think someone who is not familiar with flying either large or small scale does need some help right from the start. I had someone who gave me some great suggestions adn insight when I started. I guess I get tired of reading people's posts warning that you will crash and burn if you attempt to try flying without an instructor by your side. It can be done and some people prefer to do things on their own the first time. But,an instructor sure doesn't hurt if you are not comfortable with taking up your expensive bird on your own!

I didn't just fly the P-51. I think they were ready to throw me out. I played with the NextStar too. I use the Piper Cub a lot with FMS. Nice and slow. Gives me plenty of time to react.

I have to admit, I'm torn between getting gung-ho and taking the Midstar out and finding someone with a buddy box and getting a trainer and gutting the Midstar to put the stuff in it.

I should have mentioned, I'm not a complete R/C newbie. I'm on my second engine in my Monster truck, a Tamiya Terra Crusher and I used to have a T3 that I raced. I know cars aren't the same as planes, but there are some basic similarities. Like reversing your inputs when it's coming towards you. And the rotten engine in the monster refuses to hold a tune, but that's a question for a different board, and I know car engines are a lot more high strung and finicky than plane engines.

I'm gonna go ahead and see if I can't find a trainer or high-wing somethingorother. Birthday's coming up. Maybe I can convince myself to raid the savings account.

If I do it right the first time, it's a lot cheaper than doing it right the second or third time...

I may just be overly paranoid.

I'm not out that much money......yet. Got the plane, engine, radio, servos, receiver battery and a starter for $140.00 Already got a glo ignitor and all the tools for my R/C cars. Just need to get fuel and a fuel pump. Wouldn't even need fuel, but planes don't use 30%

A guy my dad worked with had an older Cessna that he took us up in a couple of times and even let me fly once or twice. Big thrill to a 12 year old at the time.
I also got my mitts on the Old A-7 Simulator at the Air Guard base shortly before it was removed to make way for the new F-16 simulator. They wouldn't let me fly the new sim.... At least not until I got back from basic, but I still wasn't "supposed" to fly it.

And it's not that I've never flown a model. I constantly went out the field when I was a kid and pestered the hell out of everyone in sight. More often than not, I'd get a little stick time just to shut me up.

I'm definitely gonna find an instructor. Shouldn't be too hard. And I'll probably end up putting the engine and servos in a trainer type airframe.

I'll take pictures when I crash it. You guys will be the first to know.

Wraith,
First, welcome to RCU! It's a great place with a lot of friendly people, and you'll find a lot of good advice here.

I'll also recommend an instructor, and am happy to see that you're heeding that advice. But I think you might be okay learning on the Midstar. You've given us more info since your first post, and the Sim time and "control reversal" you learned with RC cars will help.

Rather than spend the little money you have available to buy a trainer, find the instructor first, and try the Midstar on a buddy box. You should know pretty soon if it'll work or not.

Good luck, and have fun!
Dennis-

Why don't the moderators put a self-teach thread at the top of the forum so there aren't 10,000 threads all asking and saying the SAME (*&%^%^%$ THING!? Of course, I guess there are folks that LIKE making the same answers to the same questions 6-8 times a week...

If you like to crash RC planes and do lots of repairing,order new planes from Tower,and have lots of money to blow in the bank,
and probably endanger life and limb...you won't need an instructor![sm=lol.gif]
OTHERWISE....I would HIGHLY recommend an instructor, don't ask how I know this recommendation!

I think you will do fine. The only other hard thing besides control reversal is small movements towards the ground. Another person shouldnt even see you thumbs moving

Just to echo the recommendations to use sim and get an instructor. I also find several clubs have training planes for use by newcomers and many instructors have the same offer. Makes it low risk to you and yours.

NVFlyer,

Do a search for a thread titled "he flys the big ones" Makes for interesting reading. Being a FS pilot really doesn't matter that much because of the prespective of R/C (i.e. you're not in it).

Instructor = safest and cheapest way to learn though not the ONLY way

Very interesting reading. I don't laugh behind a computer much but I couldn't help myself when I read the first post of that thread. Here is a link to it: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_34.../tm.htm#341542

redbirdy
Thanks for posting the link.. I can't believe its been over two years since that thread started and yes I too couldn't help laughing either.

NVFlyer,

Don't mistake my comment for bashing you its just that over the past 20+ years I've heard many times how FS piloting experience makes "all the difference" and as you can see from the first post in this case it did!!

Hi all,

I am currently teaching myself to fly and have not destroyed my plane yet.

I have had a few nasty landings ingluding a cart wheel or two, but the little beast is still going.

I will say though it is extremely difficult to fly on your own. Especially when you first have to trim the plane.

If I had easy access to a club I would defenitely get an instructor as it would of saved me hours in repairs.

I found that my experience in playing lots of computer games as a kid came in extremely handy. I found that it was easy to remember which way to turn the plane when it is travelling towards you and general orientation of the plane and the controls.

I have seen a video of a pro slam a plane cos he put the wrong rudder in on a low flying knife edge, so everybody must get confused every now and again, or maybe not.

I have had 5 flights and have improved vastly since my first flight. Once you can get rid of the nerves its not so bad.

You can only try.

Anyway I do think it is possible to fly, if like a previous member said you have a basic knowledge of aerodynamics, and the ability to know where to point the plane which ever way its facing, then you stand a chance.

The satisfaction of getting the plane back down in one (or sometimes two) pieces is worth the risk. At least until you crash a couple of planes, the you might want to seek the cheaper option.

Crashem, no I did not take offense of your comment toward my FS experience. I like reading others take on these subjects.
However, I was only trying to say that SOME people are able to teach themselves RC with the benefit of flying full scale. I believe that a full scale pilot having an understanding of aerodynamics and flight characteristics is nothing but beneficial when it comes to flying RC. These are little planes, but they still are airplanes. They both stall the same and recover the same. They have the same tendencies when it comes to slow flight and crosswinds. Yes, your perspective is different and that takes some getting used to, I will admit that. But all in all it is the same flying an RC versus a full scale.
I was so excited after my first few flights, I came back to the guy that had given me some great pointers to begin with. I told him how great it was to realize that landing an RC is virtually the same as the big birds. I flew a correct pattern ( or at least what looked to be a correct pattern from the ground), reduced power abeem touchdown point, turned my base, reduced power some more, maintained a somewhat correct rate of decent, turned final and pulled power back to idle, flared the airplane about a foot off the ground and kept pulling back pressure as the speed bled off, and then let it settle in for a nice touchdown. It was the same principals, only applied to a smaller craft with a different perspective. That's all! I read some of the posts after searching the "fly the big ones". I read with interest the guys that said it does no good to have FS experience. There were however a few posters that had the same philosophy I do. I just want people to know that it can be done. Not all of us have a club and instructors that are close to home. Yes my local club is only an hour drive away, but I prefer to have fun on my own and learn by doing. I do have to say that the hardest thing for me to learn is not the flying, it's the prep of the airplane and learning how to set up my engine just right and so on. I think I will seek some advice from the local clubbers someday and learn from their years of experience.
Anyhow, great posts! Hope everyone has great flying weather wherever you are!