Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

I have never built an RC before, but I would like to get into the hobby. I was wondering if there is an online Glossary of terms, and also what is a good plane to start with. I kinda want something is cheap, and won't cost me alot of money. Just so I can learn to fly. My wife would kill me if I spent alot of money on a plane and then I crash it. So any help would be great.

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

adws,

RCU is a good place for terms and experienced advice.

I'm not sure what you consider a lot of money.

but to get started with new decent gear is going to cost between 300-600 for an average setup.

If this is in your range first search this for for trainers First plane etc... Read the posts.

Second look for a club nearby visit see about an instructor

Third most trainers perform so much alike that the decision on which one comes down to price and personal preference.

Fourth Buy it go have fun

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

Crashem is telling it like it is.

You may find a plane, engine, radio gear setup for as low as $250 - $300 if you scout around all the distributors on the internet (Tower, Hobby People, Omni, etc).

Also, be sure to check with your local hobby shop. They can generally point you to a local club. Visit the club - these are the guys that will include local instructors who will teach you to fly - yes, you need an instructor - much like going to a local airport, picking out a plane, climbing in and deciding to teach yourself to fly - it just doesn't work that way for full size or RC planes..

A lot of times at local clubs, they will have a trainer plane available and will put you up on a "buddy box" with an instructor so you get a taste of what RC is all about and can make an informed decision as to whether this is something you want to do.

Local clubs can be a source of used equipment that is still very good for training purposes - you may have to look past a patch or two (I know for a fact that patched planes fly better - guess how I learned that). In this case you might be able to knock $100 or so off the price of a completely new outfit.

Do keep in mind that if the bug bites, this is a verry addictive hobby - I've been doing this for over 25 years and the end is nowhere in sight.

Hope that this helps.

Keep in touch and let us know how it is going with you.

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...171&forumid=22]

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

Thanks for the quick reply. First I really don't think there is a club in my area. I live in an area that most people don't find stuff like RC's and Hobbies like that very interesting. I think I might have an easier time trying to find a neddle in a hay stack, than trying to find someone who could show me how to fly. So I'm going to have to teach myself. I don't think that will be to hard....I can teach myself to do anything. I read alot and understand everything that I read, and plus I have a good understanding on physis, and how planes fly.

Well anyways second to you know a good Glossary of terms. The only 2 things I know is ARF and RTF.

And Third the money issue. I don't have to spend the 300 - 600 at once right? I can buy the plane, and then i can buy the engine, and then whatever else I might need, right? Do I have right?

And Finally thanks again for repling quicky

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

RTF

Usually include radio engine and plane.

and cost between 250- 320

Arfs allow you to buy plane engine and radio seperatly

However the ARF's can sometimes add up to 20-50 more since you are buying al'carte

If money is a issue then I would seriously rethink the learn it on your own idea!!!!!!!

If you have no chance of finding an instructor by a Sim like G2 first and practice ALOT!!!!!!!!! Cheaper then trashing 100.00 ARF's every 20 seconds

BTW look down the page and click on the "don't get cocky" thread the money you save will be your own...

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

Do the research find a club. Nobody is that far away in the US. I know of obscure small town hobby shops in barber shops, gas stations and U-haul depots.

Virtually nobody is succesful without help and the few that are may take 3 or 4 airplanes in the process. What might your wife say about that.

Do the research and welcome to what can become a lifetime obsession.

John

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

i know my wife would not be happy about me crashing 3 or 4 planes. I wouldn't even be happy about crashing 3 or 4 planes...LoL. Well if anybody lives in South Texas let me know. I would be more than happy to get to together and learn how to fly.

And what about Ebay? As anybody bought anything on Ebay before?

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

And what about Ebay?

Go there only AFTER you learn whats good and what's junk.

Tower Hobbies has very good prices and support if you are buying new look there.

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

Where in South Texas are you?? I'm orginally from a City that's so South you wouldn't believe it if I told you.

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

Well you are not going to get farther south than myself. Right now I'm in Brownsville (that is just where I work). But I live 30 miles north in Harlingen. Just for anybody who doesn't know where Brownsville is, all you have to do is look at a map of Texas and then look at the southern most tip. And that is Brownsville. If you go any farther south you will be in Mexico. In fact the Mexican border is about a half a mile away from my work.

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

You know where Rio Grande City is? That's where I grew up. That city is right on the border. My high school was about 500 yards from the border. :D

My in-laws live in Edinburg, my dad lives in Harlingen and still have lots of family in RGC.

I know of a club in Harlingen, you might wanna look them up. If you need some help, I can send you their link. Careful on wanting to learn on your own. It's a bit tougher than it looks. I'll be in Harlingen this weekend. Maybe we can hook up?

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

I'm sure it is harder than it may appear. I would rather have somone help me, but I looked for some time and I haven't been able to find anyone to help me. I have asked the guys who own Bento's in McAllen, and they told me they didn't know of a club. I didn't know that there was a club in Harlingen. The link would be great.

Yeah I know where Rio Grande City is. I have never been there but I know where it is.

Sorry about taking forever to reply to your post, but I'm at work and I had to go on a photo shoot real fast.

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

I'll send you a PM this evening as I have the link information on my home computer. (still at work) :mad: Also, maybe we can exchange email addresses, I'll be happy to help. Maybe I can bring along a plane or two, I'll have to see. I'm going down with the wife, dog, and my 16 month old son and not sure if I'll have the room.

take care,

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

I understand about not having the room. I have a 3 month old son, so I understand. Plus getting pass the check point with some planes go back to S.A. might be kinda hard....LoL. If you would like to email me you can. My email is [email protected]

I have a half built plane in my shed that someone gave me, but that is all I have. Don't know anything about it so that is the bad part...LoL.

Just email me if you like. If you email me after I have gone home for the day, I will probly won't have a chance to get on my computer at home. My wife has been with our kid all day, and when I go home I uslly just take the kid or I cook dinner, but I'm sure you know how that is.....LoL.

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

sent you mail.

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

Do you want gas or electric. I would get avistar for gas and e-starter for electric.

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

I taught myself to fly. I did it with a Sturdy bird, and I think I bought everything for around 280. You may be able to get it down to 250 if you look around in the classifieds on RCU. The only things I had to buy was new props and a new throttle servo until I bought a 2 dollar servo saver. If you are going to teach yourself, I think everyone can agree that if you are on a budget, forget the balsa trainers. One mis calculation and you are plane-less. Alot of people have bad things to say about the sturdy bird/duraplane line, but having done what you are planning to do, I can say I am glad that is what I had. However, I already knew about airplanes, aerodynamics, how to tune engines, etc. This isn't something you can read up on, you can, but having first hand experience helps because that is one last thing you have to worry about.

I flew my plane into the ground, into a silo, and into the ground 100 more times. I bought plenty of propellers, but I eventually got the hang of it. 1 year later I still have my plane, and a few others. And if you really do mess up the plane, the fuselage will crack, and all that is is pvc gutter downspout, and can be purchased for 7 dollars.

Actually, now that I think about it, If you want I could sell you my plane really cheap, because I have no use for it.

I've been the budgeted R/Cer, and taught myself, and the only buddy box I have been on is when I am teaching other people. You will probably get replies saying that the sturdy bird is bad, and mabye they had a bad experience with it. It certainly isn't a graceful plane, but having taught myself with that very plane, I think that it is outstanding for the job. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Alex

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

Hey, I grew up in McAllen. There are clubs in the Valley, McAllen for sure and I think there is one in Brownsville. Check the AMA website for club contacts in your area.

I just got back from the island yesterday. Sure was a nice vacation! :)

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

Check out this web site WWW.spadtothebone.com. There are plenty of great plans to build a plane from. They are not the greatest looking things in the air but they sure fly great. I built the Debonair and the Das Plas Stick. they both fly great. Try the DEB first. I built one for my kids but they wouldn't fly it. I tried it and it became my favorite plane. I flew it for about 6 months twice a week. A friend liked it so much he had to have it made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I built a DPS and it is now my favorite plane to fly. I have many other planes but love my SPADS. OH yea they are cheap to build also.

Rick

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

Read this post I placed on another thread......I can't repeat this enough times........RealFlight G2.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...40#post1288137]

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

If you want to start with glow, It will cost you about $300-$400. i would reccomend any plane labeled "First plane" or "trainer" or things of that nature

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

Hello, I just got into this hobby about two months ago. I havent had a whole lot of time at the field, but hopefully after this week I will be flying solo. I spent about 500 dollars on everything that I will need for a little while. This includes an alpha trainer from hangar 9 complete with the all radio equipment, transmitter and all, an evolution 46 size engine, and everything on the plane was already installed except for the tail which took about 10 minutes to but on. That whole set was 300 bucks and then I bought a field starter kit that included everything I needed to get into the air. This included a field box with power panel, 12v battery, electric starter, electric fuel pump, electric glow starter, all fittings for the fuel itself, and everything else you might need to start flying. That cost me 220 dollars- so all together with tax and all I spent around 545 dollars. That is everything you will need. And like they saiid, it is addictive. I cant even fly solo yet but I am already addicted. Just shop around for whatever model plane you want, but be sure to get a good trainer. I really like mine and think it flys good, but I wouldnt be able to tell the difference in trainers yet since I just started. Good Luck!!!

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

while i reccomend the pt-40, others reccomend the alpha, others preffer the avistar or tower trainer, they all perform more or less the same. same concept, high wing, 5 degrees+ of dihedral, that kind of thing. one may have control surfaces just noticably larger than the other, but that is about it. any plane with a high wing and at least 2 degrees dihedral is a trainer, whether designated or not.

Never built a RC before, and need help.
 

While the general idea is about right, I disagree that any plane with dihedral and a high wing is automatically a trainer.

However, as was pointed out, there are lots of them, and most all of the .40+ sized glow trainers fly about the same. There are some smaller trainers that fly well too. However, there are some small "trainers", frequently eletrics that really fly poorly. That's not to say all electric trainers fly poorly, just that there seem to be more garbage in that category than in others.