Im trying to build a SPAD airplane, but iv never built a gas plane before. I need stuff like crystals, and recievers - i know that - but how do all these things go together, and where can i find a diagram or something mimular that explains where to place them, and how to route them and such? Maybe a "Basic RC building Guide" or something somewhere? Please help!

-Fox

This has already been explained to you once, in your thread titled "flight packs explained." What more do you want to know?

Go to [link=http://www.spadtothebone.com]Spad to the Bone[/link] and look at the plans there. Which plane are you building? If its your first gas plan, follow the Debonair plans. Easy to build, and the plans are quite easy to follow.

Do you already have a transmitter? If so, just by a flight pack (receiver and 4 servos) on the channel that matches your transmitter. If not, buy a complete flight kit that contains the transmitter, reciever, and servos. Pick a channel thats not very crowded at your field. The flight pack will come with the receiver crystal installed in the receiver. Don't try to change the transmitter crystal unless your a licensed technican. Federal regulations prohibit unqualified personnel from changing transmitter crystals, since there may be additional tuning to be accomplished.

The debonair plans are detailed as to recommended locations for receiver battery, servos, and the receiver. The antenna from the receiver will just be routed out through the fuselage and trail behind the plane.

The servos that come with the receiver will have polarized plugs that only fit into the receiver one way. Plug the servos into the reciever and then use the transmitter to determine which channel controls which servo.

Good luck.
Brad

2Slow:

I know, i already read my other post and it got so far down the list i noticed it wasent really being read much anymore. I reposted with a different message and title to hopefully get better responces. What i want is hard to explain, its more of a hands on learning that i need - actualyl seeing the components and watching them work, but i have no access to area pilots (there are about two that i know of - and they are always busy and dont fly much anymore) That is why iv looking for visual aid - a website of some sort.

Bkdavy:

Im building either the dogfighter (classic--> .25) or the spadstick (stick series) Im thinking the later because it would be a little bigger, possibly easier to handle. Im considering either the Futaba 4YF radio (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXEFJ4**&P=) with 4 channels and 4 servos - but i dont know if the servos might be too big? Or the Hitec Optic 6 (http://shopatron.com/product/product_id=RCD158721/110 ) that comes with 4 servos, but again i dont know if these servos are right for my plane. I plan on staying the the hobby, so i want a good radio and the Futaba is only $120, the Hitec is over $200 - and i dont plane on using 6 channels for a long time (extra channel planes cost too much for me - atleast for now) On the plans for the Dogfighter (which i think im more likely to build) i read a sentence "..if you plan on using a light weight engine with mirco servos..." so i think this plane needs micro servos and the ones that come with the radios might be too big? And if i do happen to get the Futaba, can i just pick a random channel considering not many pilots are here (around 5 total i think) and i have no contact with them in the first place (iv tried - none of them were intersted in helpin really)?


Other then Radio,reciever, battery, and the servos (push rods and everything) what other electronics do i need?

-Fox

Fighting fox, i will tell you this, if you learn to fly, and fly good, you will love the hobby. (I don't fly great, but i can put put around the sky) I would get the Futaba 6EXA, or for even easier programing, the 7c, I know it sounds like alot now, but it really isn't. It beats getting the 4yf, and then your second plane say, "hey, i need more models and computer radio features.."

Just think about it.

Here is a list of clubs in Montana. See if you can find one near you and at least visit them.

http://www.modelaircraft.org/ClubZip...r.aspx?s=MT&c=

Join one if you can but at least visit and get some help there.

Welcome to the hobby.

I would recommend that you build the Spadet or Debonair trainer. Either of these will be easier models on which to learn than either of the others that you have selected.

A simple four channel system, like the Futaba 4VF, will fulfill you needs easily. When you buy the radio, it will come with the transmitter, receiver, servos, batteries and charger, everything you need as far as radio. The standard servos will handle the loads of the average .40 size model. You won't want to build a model that will require to buy additioinal micro servos in order to get it in the air.

The instructions for building the Spadet, my preferred SPAD trainer, has basic instructions with pictures on installing the radio. If you have questions when you get to that point, you can ask them here so that the questions can be detailed rather than general as is required at this point. No offense, but I don't think you have the knowledge to ask your particular questions at this point. To answer your general questions will take a significant amount of writing.

When you move further along on the decision making process, you can post what you have decided and get opinions on your choices. Take it one step at a time rather than trying to get a total answer from a couple of general posts.

Good luck,

The Debonair is probably the best bet for you, since you're obviously a beginner on glo-powered planes. Have you flown anything?

I'd never built a plane, and had only flown a 2 channel park flyer. It took me a week to build the Debonair per the plans, and four sessions with an instructor to solo. I did (foolishly) try to fly it on my own before I found an instructor and nosed it in on my first attempt. Repairs were simple, and I've been very happy with it ever since. I now use it for aerial video.

The spadet is a little more complicated build, and as I understand it, the Dogfighter and any of the stick series planes are good second planes. You'll find that SPADs are so simple to build, its easy to just use the same radio equipment as you move on to different planes. Your first build will not be your last!

Good luck.

You need to get with someone who knows what they are doing. You are not gonig to be able to safely build and fly this bird by reading stuff off of a message board. Whatever the work schedule of these other hobbyists is, you need to get with them--somehow. Even if they can't teach you how to fly (and I highly recommend you getting an instructor), maybe they can at least teach you how to not cut your fingers off. With your severe limit of knowledge about these things, you are going to get hurt--or worse, hurt someone else. That is the best advice I can give you concerning your question. In your other post, I explained how things work together and what not. Now, you are wanting someone to tell you how to install them and get them to work your control surfaces. Most of us on here have what you want--knowledge of the hobby. You need it, but you're not going to get it out of us over some message board. If you were to show up at my field tomorrow, I'd be happy to walk you through the whole process. I'd even teach you how to fly the thing, but not over the internet--it's impossible. Please, get some help before you end up in the hospital.

Fox, Come to Missoula and I will show you everything you need, or email me and I will hook you up with a guy in Cutbank, or you can find deadeye in Conrad, and there are clubs in Great falls. Seems to me there is one in Lewistown too.

Give me a PM and we can get you going.

Yes! By all means get a hold of me or FLYBOY!! I'd be happy to offer my help if asked. PM me for personal contact info.

Eveyone:

My exp. so far in airplanes has been control line gas engines, my electic - which i got used to flying withen 5 minutes, tons and tons of simulators (some think those are helpful - some dont) Iv flown real aircraft, my current job is building aircraft at the airport (small 1-2 people experimental planes) Iv built Free-Flight planes for some time now, and my main job line i want to be in is Aeronautical Engineering. I dont think i would have any problem building the planes at all, flying them - all i would have to do is get it in the air and after about 30 seconds i could get relitivly decent control of it. Iv flown 2 gas planes with buddy box (even pulled a roll with a trainer - a really nice one i might add - altho it ticked my instructer off , this was at the greatfalls club i believe - or helena i cant remember which i was at. And i flew again at the Recent Thunderbirds airshow in great falls) And again on the local residents - the closest i know of lives down the street - he has tons of planes and stuff and he flys occasionally, but hes not super interested in teaching or even showing me his planes, ill go bug him once in a while and hope to catch him on a good day

Montana residents:

Ill pm you two fairly soon (were leaving right now) and see what we can set up. Thanks for the offers!

And by the way - if i seem like im being arrogant or something - i dont mean to, i just have a little more experience then i think you all know. Im just letting you know where i am on level (IE :building capabilities and stuff - i still have no clue about the hobby as a whole)

thanks again!

-Fox

I'm ducking out of this one. Good luck.

Fox,
I am in Great Falls every Sunday for work, I can meet you if you wanted to drive down and help out if you'd like. I was just through Lewistown last weekend on my way to Billings. I am in Cut Bank during the week, Snowbirds RC Club here. Be sure to contact either myself, Deadeye or FLYBOY, we would be happy to help. Some help in person and not just the net is priceless.

Good Luck

EDIT: Fox, I can help with anything RC but I do not do SPADS and never have, but Randy aka Deadeye in Conrad is the Man to talk with about building SPAD's. I'd contact him about building your SPAD. I'd be happy to meet and discuss any questions you have on RC.
Later,
Mark