Due to the fact that many beginners often ask the same questions, we want to develop a complete and comprehensive Beginner's Guide To Radio Control Airplanes.

Our Goal is to provide the beginner with information from a variety of experienced fliers to ensure that the information they receive is good general practice, and not just "One Man's Opinion".

And that's where we need your help.

We need help in developing a list of questions that beginner's have. We can do a pretty good job of thinking up a list of the most commonly asked questions, but we can't think of them all. So we want the RCU public to think of the questions that you have/had as you are getting started in this hobby.

We also want to know which ones you really feel deserve a video presentation. (For example: We plan to do a Video of "How to Start and Tune an Engine" )

So here's what's going to happen to get this FAQ developed:

We're going to let this list of questions, and then we're going to give the list to Bubbagates and let him answer them all and do the entire FAQ himself (just testing to see if he's paying attention!!! ).

But seriously, we are going to divide up the list among several of us and we'll work as a team to develop this FAQ. Right now our timeline is the Weak Signals show in Toledo on 6-9 April. Those of us that are going to be
working on this list are planning on meeting there and having a pow wow to sort this whole project out.

Right now the list of those that are planning on providing content for this project are Minnflyer, Bubbagates, Piper_chuck, and myself. If any of the veterans in this hobby that read this forum want to help develop this FAQ
we'd be more than happy to have your help. Just contact any of us and let us know you want to help and what your area of expertise is.

Ok, I'll start out the list with a few questions that I know get asked a lot in this hobby.

<<Edit-- List updated Mar 24, 2006 8:00 AM CST>>
<<Edit-- List current up to post #103>>

NOTE: All new questions are printed in red.

---NOTE: This list has been sorted into categories in order to help keep better track of the questions. These in no way represent the final format of the FAQ--

General Questions
[ul][*] Do I have to have a license to fly an RC plane?[*] Does it cost money for an instructor to teach me to fly?[*] Can I fly it anywhere?[*] How big do RC planes get?[*] Is it very expensive to get into this hobby?[*] Is a WWII Fighter plane OK to start out with?[*] Ok, Warbirds are out, what about an old-style Bi-Plane? Do they fly slow enough to learn on?[*] But Trainers are so boring and "boxy" looking. Isn't there something "cooler" that I can start with?[*] What do I need to buy to get started?[*] Which should I choose, glow or electric? [*] Should I choose a kit, ARF, or RTF? [*] There are no clubs in my area, can I just fly without help? [*] Who makes the best trainer? [*] How long does it take to learn? [*] What is a field box? [*] What is the AMA, and how do I find an AMA club?[*] What's the best way to learn to fly? [*] How do I store my aircraft when I'm not flying?[*] Should I start out flying a plane that has tricycle landing gear, or go for a taildragger? [*] What is flutter? [*] Low wing vs High wing characteristics? [*] What is dihedral? [*] What do I need for a day of flying (tools, materials, charger, fuel containers and flightbox etc)? [*] How do I know when I'm ready to move on to my second plane? [*] What's the easiest way to learn orientation when the plane is coming towards me? [*] How do I clean my plane after running it? [*] How should I store my plane? [*] What is aileron differential?[*] Where is the RCU glossary?[*] Is there a less stressful, faster and easier way to learn other than with the use of the buddy-box?[*] I have a RC car, Am I ready to start flying RC planes? [*] I am a full scale pilot. Do i still need an instructor? [*] What should I expect my first day at the field with my new plane? [*] What should I bring to the field to protect me from the elements/exposure?[*] What if I hit someone or something with my plane? [*] What do the ailerons do?[*] Which way round do the ailerons work? Left up for left or left down for left?[*] My instructor is holding me back, what do I do?[*] Why do I need third party insurance?[*] Am I covered on my home insurance?

[/ul]

Engines (includes fuel and propellers)
[ul][*] What kind of fuel do these planes use?[*] Who makes the best engine? [*] How do I break in my engine? [*] How do I tune my engine? [*] What percentage fuel should I use? [*] Should I use an electric fuel pump or a hand crank? [*] Do I need to balance my prop? How do I balance a prop? [*] What do the numbers on a propeller mean?[*] What's a "spinner" and why do I need one?[*] How do I refuel my plane? [*] What after run oil should I use and whats the best way to apply it to the engine? [*] If I want a three blade prop what size should I use? [*] How do I prime my engine for starting? [*] Whats the best glow plug heat range to use? [*] What's a clunk? How do I setup the clunk in the fuel tank?[*] Are Air and Fuel filters necessary/recommended? [*] What's this "pinch test" for tuning engines? [*]What's a 3 line tank setup and when do I need one? [*] What is an easy filler valve or fuel dot?[*] I've got this second hand engine, but I can't turn it over or move the carb arm, what do I do? [*] How long does glow fuel last? [*] What do I do after I stop running my engine?

[/ul]

Plane Building/Assembly/Setup/Repair
[ul][*] How do you cover an airplane? (video candidate)[*] How do you properly mix epoxy? [*] Why is ca so messy? And how do you get your fingers unstuck?[*] What exactly is dope? Isn't dope illegal? [*] How do I attach wheels so they spin freely without being too wobbly? [*] My plane keeps rolling even with the engine at idle, what can I do to stop it from rolling?[*] The covering is wrinkly, how do I fix this? [*] How do I apply additional graphics to my plane? [*] How do I balance my plane? [*] How do I adjust the throttle linkage/servo properly? [*] How much toe in do I need on my taildragger front wheels? [*] What's the best way to attach the wing, rubber-band or bolt on? [*] Whats the best way to attach the wing with rubber bands ie: how many do I need and what size? [*] What does adding right or down thrust do to the handling of my plane? [*] How do I fix out of round foam tyres? [*] For running on grass/pavement whats the best type and size tyre to use? [*] How do I determine what temp to set on my covering irons? Won't it melt the covering? [*] Can I use a "Paint stripper" heat gun or a hair dryer to shrink covering?[*] Why shouldn't I use Home Depot plywood? [*] What are the characteristics of a good building table/system?[*] What should I use to fuel proof the engine and fuel tank areas? [*] What's the best way to thin epoxy for fuel proofing?

[/ul]

Radios, Batteries, and Simulators
[ul][*] How does the radio work?[*] What kind of radio should I get? [*] Are simulators worth buying? [*] Can you use the same transmitter for different planes? [*] What's a buddy box? [*] What are(is) dual rates?[*] What is expo? [*] I have an RC radio from an RC car I had, can I use that one for a plane? [*] Where can I get a cord to connect my TX to my PC for FMS? (for those of us who didn't want to spend big $$$ on a sim) [*] What do the following radio terms mean? TX, RX, FMS, PPM, PCM, AM, FM, Spread Spectrum?[*] What's a servo, receiver, linkage, etc.? [*] What is a crystal? [*] What does 4ch, 6ch etc. mean? [*] What's a "buddy box" [*] What is the difference between Nicad, Nimh and Li-po batteries? [*] Whats the best way to charge/discharge my RX/TX battery pack? [*] Where should I set my throws? [*] How do I do a range check? [*] How do I mount servo's/RX etc (can I run the cables together or do they need to be seperate etc?)? [*] What causes servo twitching? [*] How can I reduce the risk of interference? [*] How do I attach my receiver aerial to the plane?[*] How do I repair stripped servo hold down screws? [*] Should I use synthetic oil fuel? [*] How do I stop fuel tank foaming? [*] How do I start my engine? [*] What's a "chicken stick"? [*] Is an electric starter necessary? [*] Will my mobile phone interfere with my plane? [*] Why is it a bad idea set the ATV/EPA at 50%?[*] Which radio systems can buddy box together? [*] Should I use 4.8v or 6.0v receiver batteries?[*] What is a range check? [*] What is servo chatter?[*] Why do I need radios with 9, 12 or 14ch?
How long do you have to charge the nicads for?
[*] What does it mean to "cycle" a battery? How do I cycle them?[*] What is a "mili amp"?[*] How do I know when my RX battery is low?

[/ul]

Tools, Equipment, and Supplies
[ul][*] What kind of tools do I need? [*] What kind of glue do I use? [*] Whar kind of glue do I use for hinges? Can I use epoxy on CA hinges? [*] How do I know when my glow driver battery is dead? [*] What should I put in my field box? (both Glow and Electric) [*] What tools do I need to build an airplane kit? (video candidate)[*] What tools do I need to assemble an ARF airplane? (video candidate)[*] What support equipment do I need?"

[/ul]

NOTE: All new questions are printed in red.

---NOTE: This list has been sorted into categories in order to help keep better track of the questions. These in no way represent the final format of the FAQ--

<<Edit-- List updated Mar 24, 2006 8:00 AM CST>>
<<Edit-- List current up to post #103>>

Check back here to see the current list.

Thanks in advance for you help.

Ken

Here's some more:
Which should I choose, glow or electric?
What kind of radio should I get?
Should I choose a kit, ARF, or RTF?
Are simulators worth buying?
There are no clubs in my area, can I just fly without help?
Who makes the best trainer?
Who makes the best engine?
How long does it take to learn?
What's a buddy box?
How do I break in my engine?
How do I tune my engine?

**Bubba and I have a document for the following 3 already**
What should I check before leaving for the field?
What should I check when I get to the field?
What should I check just before flying?

What kind of tools do I need?
What kind of glue do I use?
Whar kind of glue do I use for hinges? Can I use epoxy on CA hinges?
What is expo?
What are(is) dual rates?

(I'll try to think of some others, these just came to mind though)

What is a field box?
What should I put in my field box? (both Glow and Electric)
How do I store my aircraft when I'm not flying?

video on covering a whole plane
whats the best building board
ken,if you want some beginers input in toledo i live there and will be at the show all 3 days

Be sure to include a mention about the AMA club finder. I've noticed that many people claim there is no club/flying field nearby, when in reality they just have not really looked. Either that or there's one maybe 25-30 min away, and thats too far for them. Also, beginners need to understand that a half-hour drive to a flying field is not excessive, and that many people drive this far if not further to get to a field/club. I have to do it myself, hopefully not for too longer.

What's the best way to learn to fly?
Where can I get a cord to connect my TX to my PC for FMS? (for those of us who didn't want to spend big $$$ on a sim)
What do things like TX, RX, and FMS mean?
What's a servo, receiver, linkage, etc.?
How do I make my trainer flight ready? ([link=http://www.masportaviator.com/]MA Sport Aviator[/link] has [link=http://www.masportaviator.com/ah.asp?CatID=2&ID=23]a pretty good article[/link] on this.)

Speaking of which, [link=http://www.masportaviator.com/]MA Sport Aviator[/link] has a lot of good articles on things for both beginners and more advanced fliers.

Have we considered building a Wiki to hold this information and more? As you know, a Wiki is a web site/set of pages that are instantly editable. You can add new pages and modify content.

I provide technical support for my employer and spend all day long answering questions. About a year ago, we switched to a Wiki based solution. Now when a question arrives, I can point the caller to a page which contains the exact answer because it was answered so many times. It has become rare now that a new question comes along and, when it does, that is an opportunity to create a new page or ammend an existing one. The Wiki has taken on a life of its own and is dependent on the community of folks who answer questions to continually populate it. I could imagine a Wiki for RC flying with pages and pages and pages all being populated by ... us ... the folks who like to answer questions. Instead of answering the next question in the forum, we would answer it in the Wiki and then in the future, the questioner would either find the answer on the Wiki or, if not found, give us the opportunity to enhance the Wiki or improve the linkages.

Ideally the Wiki would be hosted by RC Universe but could be hosted in other locations. I see someone, just the other day, was advertizing the existince of a new Wiki on his private site for just this kind of idea.

A static FAQ gets my thumbs down and a Wiki is just so much more powerful, easy to use and accesible by us all.

Neil

Neil,
Thanks for the input. We'll keep that in mind.

Ken

"What support equipment do I need?"

Should I start out flying a plane that has tricycle landing gear, or go for a taildragger?

What's the easiest way to learn orientation when the plane is coming towards me?

When do I know I'm ready to move on to a second airplane?

Since I still relatively new (only about a year in the hobby) I'll give this a shot

1.) What is a crystal?
2.) What does 4ch, 6ch etc. mean?
3.) What percentage fuel should I use?
4.) Can you use the same transmitter for different planes?
5.) How do I know when my glow driver battery is dead?
6.) How do I know when I'm ready to move on to my second plane?
7.) What's a "buddy box"
8.) Should I use an electric fuel pump or a hand crank?
9.) How do I balance my plane?
10.) How do I balance a prop?
11.) What's a "spinner"

Wow, there are lots of great questions coming up here! Ken's going to be really busy in the upcoming months!

Chuck,
Hasn't anybody told you yet??? As the newest member you have to successfully answer EVERY question as part of your initiation!!!!

Ken

Ok I havent even flown my trainer yet, but here is some Q's I have had recently.

How do I refuel my plane?
Are Air and Fuel filters necessary/recommended?
What is the difference between Nicad, Nimh and Li-po batteries?
How do I repair tears and holes in the covering?
How do I clean my plane after running it?
What after run oil should I use and whats the best way to apply it to the engine?
For running on grass/pavement whats the best type and size tyre to use?
If I want a three blade prop what size should I use?
How do I adjust the throttle linkage/servo properly?
Whats the best way to charge/discharge my RX/TX battery pack?
What exaclty is Nitro fuel?
Where should I set my throws?
How do I do a range check?
How much toe in do I need on my taildragger front wheels?
How do I prime my engine for starting?
How do I mount servo's/RX etc (can I run the cables together or do they need to be seperate etc?)?
Whats the best way to attach the wing with rubber bands ie: how many do I need and what size?
How do I fix out of round foam tyres?
Whats the best glow plug heat range to use?
How do I apply additional graphics to my plane?
What causes servo twitching?
How can I reduce the risk of interference?
How should I store my plane?
What's a clunk?
How do I setup the clunk in the fuel tank?
What does adding right or down thrust do to the handling of my plane?
What is flutter?
How do I attach my receiver aerial to the plane?
Low wing vs High wing characteristics?
What is dihedral?
How do I repair stripped servo hold down screws?
The covering is wrinkly, how do I fix this?
What do I need for a day of flying (tools, materials, charger, fuel containers and flightbox etc)?
Will my mobile phone interfere with my plane?
Should I use synthetic oil fuel?
How do I attach wheels so they spin freely without being too wobbly?
How do I stop fuel tank foaming?


Some of these may have already have been suggested. These are some questions I needed answers for recently and in the past.

Looks like you've got all the questions I can think of except one, unless I missed it, How do you cover a plane? Minn's video on plane covering would be great to have in there for first time kit builders.

yes elenasgrumpy,that was my number one,most intimidating part for me was covering

Yup, And just scrlloing thru I see that I did miss it. You allready posted it. I don't know if you've seen Minn's video on covering yet, it's real good, but keep in mind he makes everything look real easy! But at least he shows you the proper tecnique for the diferent areas. After that I think it's a matter of practice, practice, practice![&:]

Yup, And just scrolling thru I see that I did miss it. You allready posted it. I don't know if you've seen Minn's video on covering yet, it's real good, but keep in mind he makes everything look real easy! But at least he shows you the proper tecnique for the diferent areas. After that I think it's a matter of practice, practice, practice![&:]

well, as a beginner, i think a complete list of needed items and additional items with foot notes on which items are "the best" or easiest to use while building,flying,ect. and maybe even pricing (i know that would be hard to actually do) for all the items needed to get started. the prices dont have to be 100%, but just a general amount that one could expect to spend in the first "stages" of this addiction.....i mean....hobby

elenasgrumpy,yes i watched them several times great stuff,more of it would be great,lots of covering questions in here

How do I start my engine?
What's a 'chicken stick'?
Is an electric starter necessary?
About how much will it cost to get started?


If I come up with any others, I'll add them as I think of them.

By the way guys, if you'd like a QA guy... I'd be happy to do it (editing, spelling and grammar). Just let me know.

Are we going to include a list of times & places around the country where all the Rc Airplane 12 step progams are being held? Afterall if we're gonna incourage them to participate in our desease we should offer some help to teach them how to live with the desease. We could call it RCA. Instead of wearing a bumper sticker that says"I'm a friend of Bill W." It could say "I'm a friend of Orville W." [sm=idea.gif]

Hi, my name is Ken & I am an RC Addict, Last year I spent $5000 on fuel alone, don't even get me started on the time & money spent on Airplanes & magnetic building tables. I know I need help but I can't do it alone. Help me please![sm=drowning.gif][sm=confused.gif][]

And no I'm not a day early because it's allready Friday in the Land Down under.[sm=lol.gif]

Actually, you ARE early, it's still Thursday evening down there. [sm=tongue.gif]

Your right Chuck, but I only missed by an hour, & certainly Ken can use an extra hour a week of abuse.[8D]