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Introducing someone to RC
Hi,
Ihave someone who is 13 and interested in the wonderful world of RC. He is not sure about which direction to go in: airplane, heli, build, glow or electric. Ihave built a trainer, building my second plane, have a foamie and a small indoor heli. He wants some advice from me and I am not sure on what to even suggest. As we all know, there are many options in this hobby, so how do you recommend to a 13 year old on where to start? He has shown some interest in building, but Iam worried that it will end up taking too long. On the other side of the coin, winter in Central New York does not leave much for flying. Any input will be more than welcomed. Ihave already sent him to www.gettingairborne.com, but Iam sure even that will be a little overwhelming to begin with. Thanks in advance, Brad |
RE: Introducing someone to RC
Thanks for recommending GettingAirborne to him Brad, we really tried to keep that site from being overwhelming.
I know what you mean about Syracuse winters. I have a good friend who lives there and when I lived in NY, I'd visit him every year when I'd go to Pulaski for the salmon run! (Boy I miss that) The more experience I have with people using simulators, the more I am convinced of what a valuable tool they are. I would recommend hooking him up with a sim for the winter, let him play with Glow, Electric, Gliders, etc., and by spring he may have a better idea of which way he wants to go |
RE: Introducing someone to RC
MinnFlyer, thanks for the response. The only reason gettingairborne may be too overwhelming are the choice available. Not the sight per say, just so many different avenues.
I did mention that he should use a sim to start with. His birthday is in Feb which is that how this all came about. I will get him into the sim for a little while and then revisit his favourites. |
RE: Introducing someone to RC
Yea, there's no doubt that the choices can be overwhelming, which is the nice thing about the sim - you get a little of everything :D
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RE: Introducing someone to RC
Fast gratification is the key with youngsters. He probably doesn't care about perfectly round loops and greaser landings like you do. He just wants to fly. To that end, the sim is a good idea for the winter because it's fun, but when it's time to get a plane I'd go the foamy route. They fly well enough in low wind to be fun, and they are easy to fix. Let him enjoy those and if he sticks with it for more than a month maybe let an instructor take him up on your trainer.
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RE: Introducing someone to RC
13 is a good age. You have maybe 2 good years before girls.
Some of the video game generation have amazing eye-hand coordination and learn very fast. My middle son the game freak literally soloed in a day. Shot touch and goes on his 4th flight and did the full take off and land on the 5th. Tom |
RE: Introducing someone to RC
Kids are generally easier to teach too. I don't know if it's the video games or simply that they are a blank slate, but I tell a kid to give left aileron, the plane rolls left. I tell an adult the same thing, it'll roll right and then nose down with full throttle!
Good luck with introducing the youngster to the hobby. I would think once he gets his head around controlling the plane some pylon racing would be a good way to keep him interested. |
RE: Introducing someone to RC
:D
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RE: Introducing someone to RC
hi,everyone:
Im a new commer to , i have no idea which direction would be my hobby.For till now i haven very clear understanding of RC,ecen though i love them very much......who can analyse for me? thanks advance |
RE: Introducing someone to RC
ORIGINAL: _brad_ Hi, I have someone who is 13 and interested in the wonderful world of RC. He is not sure about which direction to go in: airplane, heli, build, glow or electric. I have built a trainer, building my second plane, have a foamie and a small indoor heli. He wants some advice from me and I am not sure on what to even suggest. As we all know, there are many options in this hobby, so how do you recommend to a 13 year old on where to start? He has shown some interest in building, but I am worried that it will end up taking too long. On the other side of the coin, winter in Central New York does not leave much for flying. Any input will be more than welcomed. I have already sent him to www.gettingairborne.com, but I am sure even that will be a little overwhelming to begin with. Thanks in advance, Brad I've been letting people fly my aircraft for free for many years now, even if they tell me they can't afford the hobby/sport or if they claim to have no real desire to get into RC aero modeling. Just like auto dealers insisting that customers take a test drive in a new car. Fliers1 |
RE: Introducing someone to RC
Thanks for all the tips so far - they are all helpful.
I have offered to take the youngster with me on my next trip to the field and also have him fly my plane. I also do not mind of he flies it continuously as I am in the process of building my second plane. |
RE: Introducing someone to RC
ORIGINAL: jester_s1 Fast gratification is the key with youngsters. He probably doesn't care about perfectly round loops and greaser landings like you do. He just wants to fly. Let him enjoy those and if he sticks with it for more than a month maybe let an instructor take him up on your trainer. Normally that first session will "hook" anyone and motivate them to keep with it. We've done this with 12-15 year olds in our club's summer camps, and the motivation sticks with them this way versus starting with the sim alone. |
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