He doesn't have much of a chance at all. I am familiar with the situation; I taught myself to fly. No matter how much you think you can (and everyone thinks they can) your odds of making a successful first flight are probably in the 1000:1 range.

I think the only way anyone would have slightly better odds is if they spent a lot of hours on a computer simulator program. And all that would do is get you up higher and farther so you could crash harder....

Sounds like you're --he's-- determined to destroy the airplane despite all the advice given here. Let me say this now before you experience that first crash: "I told you so!"

Happy landings,
desmobob

Maintain your altitude.

Turn left, you have to give it right to level out.

And when it's coming at you move the stick on the right towards the LOW wing to get it level again.

I taught a guy in one day. I went there 3 days later and there he was flying it on his own!

He said, your the best instructor a guy could have! (Well, I was the only instructor he knew at the time!) lol

Beginners! Do Not try it on your own!

I'm sorry I posted such a stupid question anyhow!

Would anyone care to see a picture of Me and my 1st place trophy at the 1981 Nationals?


It was for the Most Crashes in one day! lol

Don't worry about it. I was there too, i thought i couldn't use an instructor because i didn't have a clue about flying fields, until i found this site. Its really great, and every one just wants to help you. In this case, 3/4 of them were just mocking you, but thats how it goes. There were many posts like this before and frankly, people just get tired after a while of seeing them over and over again. Search "Teaching myself to fly" in forums, and you'll find alot of hits.

We're not -- it's been great fun

1. Bring extra DEPENZ!
2. CALL AHEAD to order the next plane, so it will be on it's way!
3. Pick-up paper on way to field, look for part-time work...as you will NEED the extra money!
4. Bring a large box or plastic bag to collect your plane in..so you don't litter up the RUNWAY.

THAT's about it!

bobz
www.theultimategamer.net

If this is at a public field, then at the very least...
1) Keep the radio off until....
2) get the frequency pin

If not at a public field, then please
3) make sure your not anywhere NEAR an active field!

Nah, it was fun. All one had to do is read a few of your prior posts to realize it was a setup.

My buddy wants to start flying RC Airplanes.

I told him I have a flying lawnmower, a flying dog house, and a flying witch!

He said he's thinking more on the Flying Bag Pipes level.

If anyone knows where they are available, please let him know!

thanks

I've got a set that flew to China and back. They've even been played on the Great Wall.

Flying a plane when looking through the cockpit has got to be the easiest thing in the world. Flying a plane while it's coming towards you or beside you is a different story.

I haven't flown model planes much but I can tell you it's not like a video game. It's all about perception and perspective. Judging direction, judging speed and judging altitude.....from a distance. I found that a simulator helped improve these skill's in me. But I still wouldn't fly without an instuctor.

It's not like you're gonna be a newbie forever. My instructor told me that he'd expect me to have it down pat in about 4 lessons. There is no way you learn at that speed if those first flights are riddled with crashes.

1-The plane will take off by itself, no need to pull alot of up elevator.

2-Don't bank the wings past 45 degrees and it requires a little back stick to bring the plane around. Bank then pull.

3-When the plane is comming at you, push the stick to the low wing.

Personal note: Get help.

I was just wondering if a park flyer or sailplane can train you to fly a trainer. It kind of bugs me that the plane is called a trainer but it deffinitley cant train you. I bought a trainer about a year ago and have been stuck in a non flying trap because any instructer is a 3 day drive away and with the gas money I could get a sailplane or park flyer. So just wondering if there is any possible way to learn without an instructer.

1) Go potty first
2) Call LHS, order duplicate of whatever your flying, there wont be enough to salvage. While your at it get another flight pack.
3) Get 911 on an open cell phone line, let them know where you are and that you will be needing medical attention, shortly after they hear the shriek.[:@]

Mikmaxx in far off Samoa,

This has been a fun thread to read. Without question the best way to learn is under the guidance of those who have gone before. However, large separation from any source of help is the one circumstance that justifies giving a sincere answer here. Yes, RC flying can be self taught. It’s not easy. It won’t happen fast. But if our interest level is high enough to make up for setbacks, here goes:

First you’ll need patience. In the days before ARFs, completing an aircraft construction project was the regular price of admission. Even if you do start with an ARF, you will be doing repair work!

When you fly, you are going to have to observe and interpret events for yourself. One great benefit of the information age is you can discuss events with experienced RC’ers right away. If you can’t train with an instructor in person, you can still communicate with one. This will help a bunch.

You will need a large area to fly at. Some place with a forgiving surface. A large flat field of tall grass is ideal, with as few airplane grabbers (tress, rocks,…) as possible. And for safety it must be far away from people and structures.

Last, you will need a suitable airplane. Your idea of a park flyer or glider is on the right track. The plane must be able to fly and stay right side up just fine by itself. It must fly very slow, and should have a simple easy to repair structure. Many “trainers� claim these qualities but not really so true for most of them. I’m talking about the kind of inherent stability that “free flight� and “old timer� aircraft posses. Those types in kit or ARF are hard to find these days. There are many very light polyhedral winged thermal flying gliders still around that have these qualities. Adding a small engine to one of these is a good choice. Electric power is a good option to consider.

Before RC there was free flight. Models were designed to fly entirely on extreme inherent stability. The overall flight path was shaped by the aircraft’s state of “trim� set by the operator prior to launch. When RC first came along, free flight modelers thought of this as a way to change the state of trim during flight. It started with very small rudder command that allowed just gradual alteration of aircraft heading. Next came throttle control. This allowed altitude control. Power level dictates gradual climb, level flight, or glide. The hobby has all but forgotten that rudder and throttle only is fine way to control a model. And that a skilled pilot could make these planes do all sorts of normal and aerobatic maneuvers.
(A little side bar here for any instructors. Take any modern trainer, make sure it is sufficiently nose heavy for good pitch stability, pull the elevator trim all the way back, and learn to fly it with the left stick only. Then teach your students the same)

The next step in RC evolution was to include pitch (elevator) control. Adding elevator control is a dramatic step. Elevator control allows the pilot to alter the natural “trim� speed of the airplane. The dynamics of flight is now much more complicated than with just rudder and elevator. The performance “envelope� is greatly widened. Somewhere around this time proportional control RC equipment came along. Then aileron control became practical too. Standard 4 axis proportional control was known as “full house� and was a very big deal. Today it is taken for granted. The average modeler today doesn’t understand trim and stability like they used too.

Basically, following a path similar to the above is a great method for self teaching. You want something very slow that really will fly itself just like the old free flight planes did. First you learn enough about trim and balance to “free flight� it. Then think in terms of experimenting with changing trim during flight via your RC equipment. The learning will just snowball from there.

Hopefully this is enough to at least get you asking the right questions. And please feel free to inquire further here in RCU. I always enjoy hearing about people who have made this hobby work in far away places.

Multiflyer

Thanks alot bud that really was what i was looking for. Ill come to you when I need help. Thanks again!

Well hell, we could have given him all of that, but the limiting criterion was THREE hints.

BIGDAN - I did exactly what you're going to do... I became a better builder because of it. My 1st flight lasted all of 10 seconds because I pulled up and kept up elevator, not knowing how to fly. The plane went nose 1st right into the ground and was totalled.

Do yourself a favor and get a simulator and/or instructor. It'll save you a ton of money and even more frustration.

Are those Bag Pipes powered by Gas, Electric, or just a lot of Hot Air? I think he mentioned something about wanting Steam Powered! Can they be converted very easily?

He needs to know!

BIGDAN - I did exactly what you're going to do... I became a better builder because of it. My 1st flight lasted all of 10 seconds because I pulled up and kept up elevator, not knowing how to fly. The plane went nose 1st right into the ground and was totalled.

Do yourself a favor and get a simulator and/or instructor. It'll save you a ton of money and even more frustration.

HOT AIR, lots of hot air!

Ummm, in case you didn't notice, BIGDAN already flies.

1) Pack TUMS - for that moment when you're sitting there thinking about flying.
2) Pack Aspirin - for that headache you'll get trying to decide if you should take it up.
3) Pack toilet paper - for that moment you realize your nerves have excited your irritable bowel syndrome.

Squat in the Lotus position

Close your eyes

Say Omm, Omm, Omm, Omm------