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I have been in rc for over 20 years. After the usual interuptions in life, I am getting back into it. Problem is, my rc knowledge is stuck in the 80's, when .61 was a big engne size and there was one servo for ailerons and no pull pull wires. Where can I get an update-books/videos/websites?

Thanks to you all

You should be able to find all the information here on RCU. Do a search and you`ll find most topics have been covered. If not , just ask.
welcome back.

Really, the same stuff you didnt need back then, you dont need now, most everything is ARF with complete hardware and .061 is still big for some of us.....Rog

Welcome back. You need not feel bad about having "80's" knowledge of RC. You will quickly pick up additional info to add to your present knowledge. One big difference you will find is that there are numerous "practitioners" in RC today that are unburdened with any knowledge of RC. They just buy stuff that is already plugged together or pay someone to plug it together for them. In the 80's, RC was still a predominently builder/modeler hobby. There are still builder/modelers out there, but not to the extent you might remember. There is lots of good stuff to enjoy in RC. Have at it!

The builder modelers are definately out there. There just not all here typing when they can be building

Welcome back to the hobby allansd2004, Your knowledge and experience will be a great asset here and if we can help you catch up with the newer stuff we most certainly will. You do not have to build complex modern planes to enjoy this hobby. Here is a website that you may enjoy. http://www.earlyrcmodels.com/

Flyinrog said it well.

There's not much from the 80's that you still can't do today. Did you NEED 2 servos on the ailerons back then? - No - So why would you need them now? Simply put, it's because manufacturers design their planes that way so you have to buy another servo [:@]

And personally, I got rid of all my 60-plus size engine once I discovered 4-strokes. Get yourself an OS 91Surpass 4-stroke and you'll throw YOUR 60's away too

You got more power choices. If you like oile exhaust, you got 2 and 4 stroke powerplants that go in size from the .60 to the inimaginable:-) And still growing... Gas engines have improved a lot, from using mostly Quadra in the 80's to almost anything! And finally electric power that is functional and clean for almost any size airplane (and also any size checking account). PLUS, as of the last couple of months, radios that will not interfere! No more having to check other guy's frecuencies... Things have gotten better:-)
also one has to mention the advent and acceptance of ARFS in this hobby. You can buy more ARFS today than you can buy kits... And they are cheaper than building a kit. My last 2 arf's are the RV-4 and a Curtiss Hawk (both from Great Planes) the quality and value of both is outstanding! In short, it's a good time to be in this hobby:-) I loved the hobby 30 year ago when I got hooked, and I still love it today! Oh, I forgot, real model turbines power most jet models nowdays:-)

Get a bunch of magazines, look at the websites, and search the Internet! The manufacturers are all around waiting for your cash:-)

Welcome back!

Gerry

Here's a site that has tons of info, www.airfieldmodels.com

Scott

Saramos,
Unfortunately Airfield Models is down right now. I don't know why, but I'm going to try and contact Paul and see what's up.

Ken

Electrics, specifically brushless motors and lithium-polymer batteries, have improved by enormous strides in the past few years, not to mention the 80's. Thats probably one of the biggest changes in the hobby, and well worth looking in to. There are also things that are so new that have only been released in the past year or two. (2.4 Ghz radios comes to mind) Other than that, RCU has all the information on anything you may want to know, so check out the "search" button, or simply ask. There's no shortage of people who want to help! [sm=shades_smile.gif]

Don't forget about simulators! Get a feel before you buy the actual plane. Wasn't "DOS" from the 80's??

there isnt really much difference in everything today than in the 80's but it has got smarter and lighter,and kits are almost non existant these days.engines have got easier to tune,but the princepials are the same as always.

Who says you have to leave the 80's? Just build yourself a Tiger 60 kit or a King Kobra and go have a ball!

I agree although I'm more stuck in the nineties. After getting out of the hobby for about six or seven year due to getting a family started I'm getting the old stuff back out. I built an old ace grasshopper kit and put a black widow and an old attack radio in it and i'm having a blast. I just got an old big stik 20 with a 48 surpass airworthy again and gotta get the guts to fly her. Low tech doesn't have to mean low fun.