Hey Guys,

I am new to the forum, and to the hobby... A few days ago I ordered a Megatech Nitro Airstrike and I should get it in a day or two...

I mistakenly thought this was something I could just go out and fly like a kite, but looks like I was obviously wrong and very stupid. So after reading all the suggestions to get a trainer, I am definitely down to do that. I am located in Chicago, IL, are there any fellow board members that live in the city? If so, where is there a flying field? How do I start at this hobby?

This looks very exciting and thanks to everyone for your help!

-Leo

Leo,
you can go to the AMA website www.modelaircraft.org and you'll be able to locate flying fields and/or RC clubs in your area. Contacting a local club will be your best source of relevant information that may be specific to your location. Otherwise, RC universe is your best bet.

Chicagoans?

There's a guy here named rc_sport that is from Chicago. look him up in the members list and send him a PM (Private Message).

Where about in Chicagoland are you? In the city, or out in the 'burbs?

Cheers,
Neil.

I'm in downtown, Gold Coast / Lincoln Park, right by the lake... I wanted to go fly the plane at the park across the street but now I guess I cant :-( LOL

-Leo

Ah, I used to live down there too (Lincoln Park/Lake View.) I'm out in the 'burbs now, and am going to visit a local flying club in Naperville this Thursday evening. I'd invite you out to join me, but I'm guessing that haul is a bit too far for you

Cheers,
Neil.

Hey Neil,

Thank you very much, you guys are awesome!

Unfortunately I'm finishing up my last quarter at Northwestern Univ and I have a midterm on Friday so I cant come out on Thursday, otherwise I'd give it a go..

What kinds of accessories should I buy after I get my plane? Engine Starters? Fuel? Anything?

Thanks

-Leo

Hehe I've no idea about what to buy for the flight box either. I'm going to be getting one myself pretty soon - I've been spreading the purchases out during the construction of this model. That way the costs come in under the wife's radar

Maybe when we both get our thumbs trained up a bit we can meet up at one of the respective clubs and attempt not to lawn-dart.

Good luck with that mid-term,
Neil.

I saw a neat deal at the field last weekend. One guy had a double-decker Walmart tool box, with wheels and a handle no less. He had "aerated" part of the lower box to house his battery and installed a power panel. It was pretty slick and probably cheaper than the fancy made-to-purpose units.
Mine is a converted tackle box. I carry a fuel can with a bulb pump, and use a glow starter with a built-in battery and a chicken stick instead of an electric starter. The only down-side I see right now is that I have no way to field-charge batteries. The extra trips (very short) back and forth from the flight line to the Jeep are theraputic.
I liked the "under the radar" line. Very descriptive of stealth modeling.

Hey again guys,

So I received the Megatech Nitro Airstrike today and put it together.. the instructions were awful but I got it done in like an hour (my first plane).. but as I was finishing I noticed something that struck me: about 4 inches back from the nose of the plane, there is a deep crack in the fuselage board that runs all the way down to the bottom of the plane! The crach is nearly 3/4 of the distance deep, another 1/4 and the whole thing would break off.
What should I do? Is this something that a bit of masking tape or superglue can fix?

I am VERY reluctant to disassemble it and mail it back to the supplier I bought it from.. I'd rather just fix it because I figure I'll crash it myself very soon anyway and cause more damage.. please tell me what I should do.

Also, what's a good club for beginners around Chicago? I just want to go down to an airfield and check this thing out and get some pointers on how to fly..

Thanks

-Leo

If you bought it new from a suplier i'd ring them up and tell them the problem, if there any good theyll replace it at no cost.

Well the way I bought it was that I got enough 'reward points' from this internet company I do business with and they had a third party send it to me as a gift ... plus I've already put it together so I'd rather fix it than waste time trying to get a new fuselage.. is it easy to fix?

I have never flown so I am sure I'll crash plenty of times anyway ...

I am very eager to learn, is there anything going on this weekend in Chicago?

-Leo