Hi all,

I am just getting into the fantastic hobby of electric and sailplane rc models, so I need some advice from you 'oldtimers' in the sport.

Right, I know how to fly, since I am a pilot, but what I need is a good book or set of articles, that will teach me all there is to know for a beginner / intermediate about electrics. By this I mean all the terminology, technology of the radios, motors, batteries, speed controllers etc etc.
I bought a book yesterday, "The Parkflyers Pilot Guide" or some title similar and it was interesting, but a bit basic.

Can anybody advise me re a good book, I heard there is a new one publisher called 'Foaming Around" ?, or articles in magazines that will enlighten me?

Also, what is a good soaring plane to start with for slope soaring, and a good electric for parkflying ?

Thanks A Lot!

Hi!
Just because you happen top be a fullscale pilot doesn't mean you can fly a R/C airplanes!
It simply isn't so!
There are many good electric airplanes and motors to choose from but it's a jungle for a novice to choose the right stuff.
Electrics has the adwantage to glowpowered airplanes that they are small and light and could be flown everywhere.
I would say get a good radio like a 6 channel computer JR MK 12 transmitter and a high winged ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) trainer made of Depron. There are many to choose from.
A good combination of items could be: Blue-Bird 4-10 g servos, Jeti 5+channel reciever and the smallest AXI utrunner motor (25g), 8x4.3 GWS plastic prop and 2-3cell 450 mAh lipo (lithium polymer) battery and a fast charger.

And the most important thing...join a club and get help! You learn many times fasterif you do and you don't have to crash as often.

Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

don't do it, take up golf!

Ya, golfing takes up less of your time and your money. [8D]

I fly discus launched gliders, slope gliders, 2-3 meter thermal duration gliders and a 3.6M scale glider. I also fly small electric planes so I think we are of the same interests. I will list a bunch of links that should be helpful.


Here is an outstanding series of articles published by the AMA that will be
really useful to new pilots. It is called, "From the Ground Up" by Bob
Aberle. I highly recommend it.
http://www.modelaircraft.org/mag/FTGU/Part1/index.html

Sizing Electric Power Systems - Starts at post 2
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_43...tm.htm#4310056

Six Keys to Success
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18

Getting Started with a Flight Simulator
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3893

Pod & Boom Parkflyers - We love them
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5925

Why would anyone want to join a club?
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232


Sailplanes are Wonderful!
http://www.*********.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5356

What do you recommend as a first sailplane?
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211753

First Sailplanes
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1641547/tm.htm

Learning to use a hi-start
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1171131/tm.htm

Sailplane terms - Help me understand
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185385

DLGs
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2357948/tm.htm


Radio information resources for new flyers
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520811

What you need to know about receivers
http://www.*********.com/forums/radi...ers-12151.html

Don't Buy a Standard Radio
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4454

For beginners - Computer Radios and Surface Mixes
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157053

DX6- The Perfect Parkflyer Radio
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2077

First Electric Gliders
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235

Let me know if you find anything useful.

You most likely also know how to drive a car, but see what happens the first time you try to drive an RC car! It takes a while to get used to operating something by remote control.

B.L.E. , Jaka... being able to fly a rc plane doesnt mean you can fly a 70 seat jet airliner either...what I meant was I understand the physics and theory behind the way the plane flies and dont need info re that. Just the stuff specifically related to electric RC flying,terminology, technology of the radios, motors, batteries, speed controllers etc. Thanks for the advice though, I already have a JR 6 channel and 3 models, but the models are all RTF kits and so I didnt get any exposure to the nitty-gritty stuff.


jaka, could you name a few of these planes you would recommend me to try out?


aeajr, thanks very much for the links, I shall have to print them all out and read through all of it. It does seem that we have the same interests.

aeajr Sailplanes are Wonderful!
http://www.****/forums/showthread.php?t=5356

could you correct this please? thanks[sm=thumbup.gif]

this one too please

What you need to know about receivers
http://www.****/forums/radio-electro...ers-12151.html

thanks, I heen printing stuff out for 20 minutes and am almost overwhelmed by the wealth of information, awesome!

I have several electrics From a couple of Firebird scouts, a comander (sp?) 4 helis ect.. but the ones I recommend that I do have are both GWS models.
Slowstick - easy to fly and can fly very slow, Mine is the 300 speed and doesn't handle wind very well. (if I had it to do over I would get the 400 )
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHCJ2&P=0
I also recommend my newest addition, the Estarter, 4 channels and even though I have not flown it yet I have read good reviews on it.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHCL2&P=0
Both of these come with motor and gearbox, you will need your own electronics.