OK,

I have recently became interested in RC but I don't own an RC aircraft myself nor have I ever flown one. I don't really know where to start as I don't actually know the first thing about RC. Does anyone know of any beginners guides or of any aircraft which is affordable and easy to get started with?

Thanks, any help is appreciated!

Affordable is a relative term, depends on what you consider affordable.
Most will agree the very best thing to do is find a local club and start from there. Local hobby shops should know where any clubs are located.

Read the "Looking for a trainer, what's available. (Updated 02-20-2008)" post. It' s the very first thread.

I suggest that you buy a trainer from Tower Hobbies. It is always good to support your local hobby shops, but this is where I started and I am glad that I did. They offer what are called "RTF" or ready to fly planes. You can also get these from you LHS as well. These planes come with everything you need pre-installed. That is, the engine and all of the radio equipment. All you need to do is join the wings, which does not require glue. The three trainers that I suggest are:

Tower Hobbies 40 trainer: $259
Hobbico Avistar: $279
Hobbico Nexstar: $379- Flight simulator software comes with this plane, so if you have ZERO experience with RC planes, then I suggest that you learn orientation etc. on a simulator. Of course, this is not a substitute for a qualified pilot. The people at your local flying field will be more than happy to help you out.

To make these planes more affordable, you can even order them with 3 easy payments. One payment is billed to the card you register every month. I believe the tower trainer is three payments of 83 dollars.

In any event good luck! Check out: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=ACB

I've put together a list of planes that make good trainers and second planes. All of them on the list are proven planes that are well suited for successfully letting students learn to fly, or advance to a second plane. Check out the list here
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm] Looking for a trainer- what's available. (Updated 2-20-2008) [/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

yetti831

That may be somewhat difficult. He is from the United Kingdom... England. He may be able to find something for less money over there.

CGr

If you want to do some reading on the basics of flying model airplanes something i did before i started i suggest reading this http://www.radiocontrolmodelaircraft...book/bfibd.htm

Oh, I didn't even notice. Sorry. They have Ripmax trainers over there. The Ripmax 40 is a very cool plane.

I am working on a page for going over the basics of this hobby.

[link=http://www.hooked-on-rc-airplanes.com/learning-to-fly-rc-airplanes.html]Here is the link[/link]

Since you're from England, ignore the part about the AMA. You would need to look at the http://www.bmfa.org




And my site is free to read!

g-day
the hobby zone supercub is a very good starter plane for anyone with no flying experiance it is also a rtf ready to fly modle it is made of foam and if you do happen to crash it makes it very easy to fix it is also electric so you can fly it in any decent size feilds with no probs.
but you will find that you have to understand the theory of flight fairley well it just makes things easyer in the long run.Iwould still go down to your local shops and clubs and see what they say. the people at rc flying clubs are very helpfull and would be happy to help you get started
P.Swhen you have your first flights there must be no wind what so ever max wind would be 5 knot for first flight it makes everything harder
it is a great hobby and once you get into it you will be addicted
hope this helps good luck finding a plane

simmo

RCKen, which would you recommend? I'm looking for quite a powerful aircraft, nothing poncy! lol.

I agree. The only problem with the Super Cub is none of the parts cannot be used in a future gas/electric model. BUT for $160 you get everything that'll give you an idea if you would like to continue with the hobby. I'm sure you'll be pleased. The Super Cub is tame, very, very tame. A hot glue gun is the only thing I've used to fix it (aside from a few props HA!)

All the trainers on Ken's list are great trainers in their own rite. None of them, properly equipped, will lack power or performance. Trainers look tame and are built to be easy to fly, but that's pretty relative. Most fly in the 50-60mph range at full throttle, and they're all capable of basic and intermediate aerobatics, some will loop so tight you wanna look for prop marks in the tail after your flight, if you set them up that way. A fellow at my club regularly flies 3d with his old nexstar. It'll prop hang with the best of them, but it is a bit marginal on control surface authority in hover....

Choose a plane from the list that is available to you, appeals to you aesthetically, and is in your budget. If you want more powerful aircraft, aim for an RTF with a brand name ball bearing engine over one with a bushing engine (if it were an OS engine, you'd be looking for FX or AX series engine, as apposed to the LA series). If you go with an ARF (almost ready to fly, no radio and engine etc. included), when you choose your engine, aim for the top end of recommended power plants. That will ensure you ample juice.

J

Jamie D
I live in the UK and have just started to fly and it is great fun.
I would sugest you went for a seagul modal as the finish is better than most others (it took me a long time going around lots of shops looking at modals and talking to shop keepers most of them fly as well) and you can get away with a lot, that would put most others in to the ground.
Look on the BMFA web site as they list clubs by area and give very good infomation about the sport.
Best of luck
David

Jamie,

What are you interests in RC? I'm fairly new also and got into soaring. It is very quiet and clean with many challenges. Whatever you do, make sure to find an experienced pilot that is willing to spend some time with you. Trying by yourself WILL cost you your first plane and discourage you. Good luck and welcome to the hobby...

Don

If you get either an RTF package or a radio that has a trainer option, you can get a cable on ebay for $10 which will link to your computer, and it comes with a free full version of FMS flight simulator. This way you can get a less expensive plane (than the Nexstar RTF) and still get flight simulation experience. It's not as great of a simulator as the G4 that comes with Nexstar RTF, but it works.

So, what does everyone recommend I buy then?

I started with a cessna and I consider it a good trainer plane. If you don't care about local hobby shops, ebay has some decent prices too. My only suggestion is that the plane has a "Brushless motor". Buying a plane that comes with a brushless motor, should save you upgrade money...

A plane from RCKen's list is your best bet.

If you're looking to get information about the clubs and aircraft being used in your area, along with rules and how to get training. You might want to take a look at:

www.rcmf.co.uk

They seem to have a pretty good group of people in there that are willing to help and the information would be more specific to your needs. The R/C training in the UK seems to be more structured and controlled than ours.

Look at Hangar 9's Alpha DSM2 RTF package. Great plane with everything you need and installed at a great price. Better than a Nextar. E-flight has a smaller electric package that is about the same.

Looking at things available through one UK online vendor, I'd choose:
Plane (Seagull Arising Star)
http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=85
Engine (OS 55AX)
http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk...d.asp?id=20876
Radio (Futaba 6EXP 2.4GHz M1 R606FS w 4 x S3003 servos)
http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk...d.asp?id=22307

Are any of these items "the best" on the market? Maybe, maybe not. But, they're good products and the engine and radio will work for lots of future models.

I like carrellh's recommendations but I don't agree on the engine choice.
The OS 46AX is a perfectly fine choice and there is not a lot of difference in performance.
http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk...xd.asp?id=4709
The Irvine engines (made by OS) deserve a closer look.
http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk...xd.asp?id=5547
On a budget? The Thunder Tiger .42 will fly that trainer just fine.
http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=932

Quick question. I have an O.S. .40 LA. Tower site says min 20% oil. I'm running 18% with 15% nitro. I mean, not far off, but what kind of problems would this cause?

None whatsoever, I have the same engine running 17% oil and it has never missed a beat, Run it just a little rich and it will be fine.

get the hobby zone super cub good beginer plane.

simmo