All of the beginner stuff I have found are things like, "how to pick a plane" or "get an instructor."

I want to know how to fly. For example, when I turn and bank the plane, it starts loosing altitude and heading in a curve for the ground. I know why it does this, but what it the maneuver to cope with it?

I'd like to find a website that talks about how to fly.

Thanks
Jim

G'day Mate,
You need to add up elevator when the nose starts to drop during a turn, but the amount of up elevator depends on the amount of bank angle, it also may need more power to overcome the drag caused by the aileron & elevator, then the elevator needs to be released, before opposite aileron is used to level the wings, so it won't balloon up after turn is complete.
Do you think you can remember all of that while you fly for the first time, or do you think that maybe, just maybe, you might be better off getting help from someone that knows how to fly.
Be aware, all I wrote above, is fine, after the plane is trimmed & set up correctly, the engine tuned so it keeps running while in the air, it has the right size prop, the aircraft is balanced properly, elevators, ailerons & rudder move in the correct direction, & move the correct amount, not too much or too little.
Do you get the point.
GET HELP. or a large amount of patience & money. & a couple of garbage bags to put the pieces in.
The best way to learn is by doing, & you can't DO, if the plane is in need of repair or replacement, all the time.

you can read a book on how to ride a bicycle, but you're going to fall....
if you want to know how to fly, the best way is with an instructor....the 2nd best method is with a simulator.....the worst option is to get an airplane and go fly..it will be very expensive and frustrating to do it this way....
for right now go to your local flying field ask lots of questions and seek help there
good luck

Jim:

What both Allan and Jetmech said will be echo'ed on and on in this thread. It's a beginners forum and that's what experts say to do to beginners.. get help from an instructor. You asked, now we are telling you..suggesting to you... offering help to save your plane and your pride, and your budget.

I know, we all know.. it's pride to do this on your own. All of us fully understand that. Or perhaps it will take a half hour or an hour to get to your local club field. We all know that too. It takes me a half hour to get to my local field, but I still go. But, the garbage bag scenario is not a fantasy. It's real.

There are no magic words to say that will get you to make that turn properly so you do NOT spiral in. It just isn't gonna happen. The only way to do it is to get someone to help you and point out what you are doing and when you are doing it wrong and fix it at that time. Then, after practice, you develop 'muscle memory' to work with your brain and get that turn done automatically. All the inputs you need will take place pretty much by themselves when your brain 'commands a right turn'.... it will just happen. But that all takes practice and making mistakes and learning from them. But the only way that will happen is if you KNOW when you are making mistakes by other means than by crashing into the ground. An instructor will do that, will point out your mistakes, correct them, and you can move on.

Listen to what we are trying to tell you.

And best of luck.

CGr.

You don't want to hear "get an instructor", so I won't say it.

NO amount of reading how or practicing on a sim. will allow you to fly successfully the first time.

OK, I WILL say it. Find an instructor who talks about how to fly. You gotta crawl before you can walk.

Dr.1

For that specific question, here's an answer. The wing creates lift that is proportional to the plane's speed. Lift is reduced in proportion with the cosine of the bank angle. Cos 60° = 0.5, so if you bank to a 60 degree angle, you will have half the lift (lift x 0.5).

To correct, pull enough up elevator to compensate, while banked. This will also increase the rate of turn. When the turn is complete, and you straighten out the bank angle, you will be climbing because you forgot to release the elevator. Get used to releasing the elevator compensation as you straighten out the bank angle.

There are a million such questions, all have answers and explanations. There's a book, "Stick & Rudder", sort of a bible for full scale pilots, has those type answers.

Good luck,
Dave Olson

Up elevator and a little opposite rudder. The more you bank the less the elevator will keep the nose up and the more it begins to decrease the radius of the turn. As the plane tips (banks) the rudder becomes more of an elevator in function.

A student pilot's manual (full-size fixed wing aircraft) will help with the flight fundamentals and the effects of control surfaces. Check the local library.

Harry Higley used to have a pamphlet/book out galled "Getting Airborn" that covered the basics of R/C flight. Probably discontinued for liability. It's hard to read and move it into practice because you can't hold a book while you're flying and taking your eyes off the model can be almost instantly fatal (for the model).

Seek out a club and find a mentor. Hands down the best way to learn.

Here's one called "Getting Started in Radio Control Airplanes" but I'm not familiar with it so I can't say whether it's helpful.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXNY36&P=7

Here's a site on flight controls (full size aircraft)

http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Airpl...ight_maneuvers

Another, more brief.

http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/flight52.htm

A good analogy...

No book or bicycle simulator will teach you how to ride a bike.

Likewise with RC aircraft.

And when you "fall" with an RC plane you tend to do far more than skinning your knee... you loose your plane, confidence and for some neophytes, the desire to continue.

There is more to this than flying the plane too... trimming, preparation, proper proceedures, etc. need a bit of guidance to learn and understand.

Some people seem reluctant to get an instructor, or in some cases to even try...

There's nothing to it... find a local club, visit a meeting and get in tune to what is going on.

Usually you'll learn a lot in that first meeting.

If you don't take their advice, do me a favor and come back on here in a month or so and let us know how much it has cost you and how PiZZed you are that you didn't take their advice. It's a great sport -- do your best to ENJOY it. ENJOY !!! RED

I disagree, An RC flight simulator will help learn to fly! Flying is nothing like riding a bike no matter what people tell you. There are some like G3.5 that will teach you all kinds of trick from professional rc pilots.

Depending how much time and money you want to spend will determine which simulator to get.

It helped me and i will always recommend it to beginners. If you spend the time on a simulator you will definately reduce your crashes.

Many of my crashes were due to mechanical and electrical failures.

Now i am not saying you will fly like a pro.... I'm not even saying you won't crash ( everyone crashes ) but your down time will be greatly decreased.

Wo, did I give the worng impression. Here's what I'm up to:

My Multiplex Magister is on the way. I got the Magister model for FMS and have been flying, flying. Two weeks ago the local club had a fun fly and I went, and met the guys, great bunch. One guy 85 years old been flying since they invented RC. I got a Supercub and though electrical failure was the cause, I watched that puppy destroy itself into parking lot asphalt in my first two trips. Fortunately I got my money back cause of the electrics, which I'd called the shop and Horizon about the first time. See the supercub forums for many other similar problems with Supercub electrics. Even if they had ailerons I wouldn't go back. Even if they weren't made of bear cooler styrofoam that breaks on impact.

I don't want this to happen to my Magister so have already arranged, absolutely, for sure, certainly, without fail, to meet with somebody from the club out at the field the first few times for some help. I need to find out what kind of buddy box to bring if they don't have one, I see them going for 10 bucks on ebay.

But, I have as I said been trying to fly a Magister in FMS and keep having the same darned mistakes happen. I can see where it is really going to help to solve a lot of problems in FMS first. So THAT is what I was seeking help in. I see from my original post you guys thought I was taking my plane out and spiraling it into the ground over and over . Hah, I'm laughing heartily right now. Nope, no way, not going to go it alone on my new hot rod. Besides hanging with the club is half the fun. I'm just an impatient guy who wants to know everything right now so am not likely to hold questions til the next time I visit them. Thanks for all the sage advice.

Jim

Excellent. Just ordered it from Amazon. I see it was first published in 1944.

Seems like elevator would raise the nose....does it increase lift or just make up for dropping from reduced lift?

Thanks a lot.

Jim

Thanks Charlie!

Jim

It doesn't increase lift. It does pitch the nose up (increased angle of attack). That's how you compensate for dropping (loss of altitude) from reduced lift. Mind you, increasing the angle of attack increases your stall speed... so make sure you have adequate speed to keep from stalling (and falling out of the air.)

Anticipating your next question ("What do you do when a stall occurs?" ) the answer is, pitch the nose down, so you gain air speed over the wing, level the wings, and recover to level flight. Then recover your altitude. Then try your turn again, with additional air speed.

Which will generate more questions. It goes on, and on, and on. Enjoy!
Dave Olson

A few years ago I found a training manual that was developed by the Crystal River R/C Club in Beverly Hills, FL by Mike Lynch and Tom Rhodes. It contains a wealth of good advise for both trainers and students. Unfortunately, their website has since disappeared, and I can't find a current link. I have modified it for our clubs use, but have been unable to contact either of the authors to obtain permission to put it on our website. If you want to PM me with an email address, I can send you the PDF file.

Brad

Thanks Dave!

Jim

LISTEN to the well founded advice your getting here it will save you frustration, pain & $$$$$$!!

while it is true reading will not help you you can learn a lot about what to expect.trouble is.......... it happens very fast & RC flying only gives you time for trained reflexes NOT deliberate thought. If you dont know what to do & have not seen it before you will be helpless in only a few seconds . the next thing you will see it pieces of your plane to pick up.
one of the best books STILL on the subject is John Carrolls LEARNING TO FLY RADIO CONTROL MODELS BOOK . out dated model wise but tecniques ARE TIMELESS. usualy offered on e bay.

Maintain thine airspeed, lest the ground arise and smite thee.

Brad, PM sent. Thanks very much for the kind offer!

Jim

I tried to find it on ebay and google, no luck.

Jim

1) Get a friend to help you.

2) Get one of the started electric RTFs that come with a video and good instrucions. The Aerobird 3 is a good example.

3) Look for books in the hobby store or one of the on-line retailers

4) Get a flight simulator and practice on electronic planes before you get a real one.

That's it. or ask a million questions and use the crash and learn method.


These links may be helpful:

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

Teaching Someone To Fly - Tools and Techniques
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5767

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

Why Join a Club?
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=238

You can lean to fly on your own, but...
http://www.*********.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7549

Hat, Sunglasses, what else?
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5008712

PITCH, ROLL AND YAW
http://www.ampaviators.com/index.php...d=64&Itemid=27

First Planes - What to consider, What to buy
http://z6.invisionfree.com/rc_forums...topic=41&st=0&

Thanks for the wealth of help, Ed, very much appreciated!

Jim

Visit the links, then post questions here or there. We all want to help you be successful.