I am in no hurry to get my son or my granddaughters into the hobby until I am more comfortable and have a little larger hanger, but I am wondering what everyones opinion is about what age is old enough to learn to fly. I realize that it is a case by case thing and that some kids may not be mature enough at a given age while others may be ready much earlier. So, along with age, what attributes would you say should be observed in the individual child before they are ready? Also, any first hand experience with getting you youngsters involved would be nice to hear about.

Thanks,
Patrick

If they can stay focused... any age...

Mine has flown several times (he's 5 now) with me......

I know Vicman's young feller started pretty early too

I have had students 7 or younger. Out of the first grade seems a good time for most to begin however as noted above it is an individual thing. Wanting to learn is a definite asset. My current 7 year old has an older brother flying very well and he sees how much fun his brother and Dad have together not only flying but also in the shop building.

If the child expresses an interest then by all means give them a chance on the sticks. Simulators work well also for this computer savy generation.

EXCAP232

A sim is the easiest. However you asked several very good questions. The little feller needs to listen and know how to behave around other people's models. That is possibly the most important thing. The other is exposure, let them have acess to all the safe tools, crashed models, and paint they can handle. My son is leaning more tward rockets these days which is just fine, the idea for me is to spend time with him. For what its worth, my son was flying on a sim a little after his first birthday, at 18 mo he flew his first model. Don't get me wrong he is no Chip or Jason by any means. It is just something we do togeather

I have had a couple of young students (8 & 10) that definately learned to fly, but neither stayed with the hobby. The problem was that they didn't have any buddies in the game, so they didn't bother anymore.


Hi Vicman -- glad to see that your boy is still with it.

regards,

Britbrat

The 2 main things I watch for is: 1. They want to learn to fly planes. 2. They don't talk like > " wouldn't be cool to see the planes crash!!! < don't laugh, I have heard a few kids talk like this!! Indicates an immature attitude and no way is this little person ready to try to fly planes. I have taught as young as 8 years old and thought that that age was very close to the limit as far as concentration levels and being able to listen to instructions while keeping an eye on the plane. [8D]

i agree wiht whats been said. ive seen a couple as young as 6 or 7.

its suprising in a way, they catch on MUCH faster

Well, I can't say I know the answer to that question, but I am 40 and still haven't learned to fly yet [X(]. Can't find anyone as of yet that can teach me in my area []. But I better learn pretty soon before I am too old to learn [sm=drowning.gif].

Come down to NC and Spence will be happy to take you on as a student

My son josh is 10 and he has been learning on the simulator but he doesn't want to take the controls yet. He's pretty cautious tho.

my daughter is 12 she always goes with me to the flying field, I fly helis , but theclub cordinators father always plays with a lazy bee which caught her eye, I bought her one and with a little help from the club cordinator from wilson hobbies she was doing circles fig 8 and loops, usually children are easier to teach. ( no bad habits yet) I want to thank Kieth Wilson at wilson hobbies for all his effort and patience with her, she earned her jr radio the first day. the new jr sport 120.00 for everything, great radio for a bigginer.

Thanks for all the insight. My granddaughter is almost 8 and is very mature and intellegent. I figured she was getting pretty close. Think I am gonna get her on the simulator and see how she likes it.

Thanks,
Patrick

Brit Brat, What are you doing up there?[X(]

Flying hard & high while the sun shines, but already thinking about the curling season [sm=thumbup.gif] (& snow flying)[sm=thumbdown.gif].

I learned when I was 12. I stayed in the hobby because of a lot of support from my older brother. I have seen younger kids learn to fly but I would say they are most successful when an older sibling or parent is there for support.

Any age is good, as long as they are interested.

At this point, my two year old is flying pretty good on the simulator, "fixes" his planes, and watches EVERYTHING I do when working on my planes, or flying at the field. He even pitches in and helps clean them up(with plenty of supervision of course). Just waiting for the attantion span to increase a bit, then we're off to go fly.

26 is a great age to learn!