RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Yes.

I'm cool. It was just bit of sarcastic humor. That's the only way I know most of the time. Notice the "Yes" above is sarcasict humor.

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

That's ok Mike,
I don't think many people here think that badly of Americans, that's the stuff the press are shoving down your throat.
My own personal theory is, "every joke is inspired by a serious thought", so don't ever think like that, it'll only harm you.
Get some flying in instead! - much more fun, forget what people think! Just do it.

Regards, Will.

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Todd,
Here are a few details from a thread I did on another experimental aircraft for my friend. (who doesn't believe in computers) He was the guy who showed me how to build my cheap Spacewalker to learn flying.
A unique sort of guy, who never follows the crowd, and does everything his way.

Quote:-
Nick, the guy who is experimenting with this thing has tried every method of building there is, and every type of material there is, also many types of aircraft, he even built one totally of corrugated cardboard, just to prove that it could fly! - it did of course. However he has proved again and again that the use of polystyrene with thin wide ( approx 1 1/2" x 1/16" ) wooden spars laid flat and flush, top and bottom on the wings, and on fuselage sides, with some filament tape here and there, and covered with coloured parcel tape, (or Solarfilm if you want to pay), is best overall.
This is not fancy, or expensive, and will take the hardest knocks, ( because it can move ), and of course is easy to repair, ( if ever it is necessary ).
Not pretty? Too cheap? Not recommended in the book? - Oh dear! Lots of flying though, and no down time!
He also listens to other people if they come up with a good idea!

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Agreed. :)

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

I taught my self to fly RC after joining a club that seemed to resent newcomers and then having my instructor crash the Kadet I had spent several months of rare spare time building.

That being said, some 25 years earlier I had been seriously involved in free flight and CL and had a bit of full scale experience. Regardless of what one fellow said that knowledge/experience helped a LOT.

Before rebuilding the Kadet I built a Piece of Cake, which is a great plane to learn with. That was in the mid 70's. I still have that plane and fly it on occasion. The rebuilt Kadet later perished in a mid-air with another Kadet.

I later found a more congenial club and enjoyed that, but being self-taught is still a source of some satisfaction.

jess

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

I get a lot of satifaction knowing the guy who taught me was a columbian nationals pilot who was one of the best RC guys I have ever met. Learned everything I could from him. I would rather learn from the best than re-invent all the tecniques over again. He taught me a heck of a lot in a short time. I may fly the same now after 27+ years with any instructor, but he taught me more about building and flying than I think I would ever learn on my own. [8D]

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Here is my "rough as guts, no worries" Spacewalker which I learned to fly on, it has survived about 5 outright crashes, and 2 very heavy landings, without anything except minor 5 min repairs, and is still flying! It cost approx $10 to build the airframe, and got me going in RC.
It is described on page 1. post #28
I didn't mention it before, but the reason I didn't go to a club to learn is because my neck is frozen and I can't look up or sideways at all, and feeling a little self consious about this, I designed and built a special lightweight swivel recliner to sit in, and this makes the impossible possible for me! now I can fly!
Hope I don't upset anyone, but you can do all these things with very little money and a little bit of thought.
Now perhaps I can go to a club and "hold my head high" ! :eek:

PS can't get the photos to upload, will send them seperately.
Also (confession) I did a little time on a simulator before I flew, - does wonders for the orientation you know! highly recommended!

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

My Spacey!,
Note wrinkly wingtips and bent UC.!
All caused by crashes and heavy landings, - still flying! and best of all, has cost me virtually nothing - so far.

I am not recommending that everyone should learn by themselves, and although I did teach myself without an instructor, I was never alone and I did have quite a lot of experience with various types of engines on other things.
Financially the cost does not have to be very high, so long as actual flying is the objective and not showing off your aircraft building skills with conventional construction.
That can come later when you are a competent flyer, ( I don't profess to be good at flying, but I now can fly thanks to this "cheapie").

Once, I did try to adjust the mixture through the spinning prop which taught me a swift sharp lesson! - but this is quite a common thing, akin to people falling off motorcycles, - part of a steep learning curve.

Some people always stay within the square, some ( like me ) step outside occasionally, and some live outside! - they all seem to hate each other and yet each of them can be an asset to society. That's how life is!

As always, I stand to be corrected by anyone who considers my views to be wrong, - so long as they have a valid reason for thinking so.

Photos make wingspan look more than it actually is, although aspect ratio of wings and tail is higher than original, making it quite "floaty".

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Your first crash - $50!
Your second crash - $75!
Your third crash - $100!
Learning to to fly on your own - priceless!!!!!
Everything in the world today seems to need a instructor. Are we all really that scared of failure? What happened to if you fall off the horse get back on and try again? People I ask you? If courage and conviction are to be judged as negative qualities, and no one ever trys anything or experiments on their own. How do you suppose this hobby has advanced to this level, and continues to advance?
Just curious?
;)

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Can we all say TROLL:D

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Whoooaaaa Don't say that Crashem the last time i did i got flamed to death!! :)

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Gosh FLYBOY, I am in awe of your wonderful experience. I wish it were a perfect world so that we all could benefit from such good fortune.

I still, however, encourage those less blessed to use their own initiative and go it alone if necesseary to enjoy our hobby.

jess

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

If your going to teach yourself how to fly a stick plus 40 isn't a bad plane. i just tought myself how to fly the past couple of weeks and ramed it strait into the ground 6 or 7 times, almost every time i have to glue somethen back on, put a new prop on, and patch up little holes in the wing. but now i can go fly for a couple of hours and bring it home in one piece. the stick plus 40 flies kind of fast for a trainer but any plane that can last through that many bad crashes is worth it in the wallet. i did have a little flying expearence about 6 year ago in jr high i could fly my dads plane around in the air a little bit, but never took off or landed. and i fly out in the middle of nowhere so the only person i can hit is myself.

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Looks like this apparently dead thread has been fanned into life again, so I'll just reiterate what I said on my previous posts.

1. You can learn on your own ( so long as you do not make it dangerous for others).

2. It will not be a disaster if you crash ( so long as you use a cheap resilient plane).

3. It won't cost the world, (so long as you don't show off and use expensive built up planes).

4. A simulator is worth it's weight in gold.

5. Use your head and obey the basic safety rules even if you are alone, - don't be a clever Dick and ignore them. ( it's always better to have someone around though).

6. There is nothing wrong with having an instructor ( if competent and available), anyway, this is more or less mandatory at most busy clubs.

7. There are a lot of people who have wide open spaces, no instructors, plenty of initiative and are keen to fly, so why would you tell them that they shouldn't learn by themselves?

I learned to fly by myself, -
I'm quite old and perhaps not as quick as the younger fraternity, and I'm a little handicapped with an immobile neck etc. - still managed ok by myself (with the assistance of a simulator and a friend).
So ( naysayers), don't tell me it can't or shouldn't be done, or if you can't think of anything constructive to say. don't call the thread a troll!

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Wildo,

I am glad :) to hear that someone has taken a passion for this hobby and found ways around a "handicap" (I really do hate that term). At our club we have a 12 yr old boy who has SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). Now this boy cannot hold the radio and lacks the needed quickness for takeoff and landing but once he is in the air can this boy fly and in most cases he does it inverted better than right side up. He has flown a SIG LT-40, owns a 4* 60 and I have even let him have at my Twist and not a one has ever met the ground unintentionally and to the best of my knowledge I beleieve there has been only one time the gentlemen on the buddy box actually had to take control.

Here is a link that shows him flying, one gentlemen on the buddy box (basically for takeoff and landing purposes only) and the other gentlemen next to him is just holding the radio. Since this picture was taken we have made him a radio holder that clamps to his chair. Oh and by the way, his chair raises about 3 feet and angles back, coolest thing you ever saw.

http://www.krcs748.com/picnic_photos...0Flying-re.jpg

I agree that if it was better for you mentally as well as physically to learn on your own then I for one support you and am glad you did it. I do preach the instructor bit allot as some info you get from them is quite invaluable, but I am also aware that some people just do not need it (This boy has done all his flight training with very little input from anyone) as he flies everything on G2 then does it on the real thing.

Do not get me wrong but please do not feel self conscious about your disability ( i know it's hard I've been there before). If someone has anything negative to say at the club or anywhere else for that matter, then they are the one with the disability (having a closed mind [>:]). As far as being , as you say "old". If you have not already discovered, this hobby will tend to make you feel quite young again, I know it does me.

OK..rant over...

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Thank you Bill, I don't know what the current term for "handicap" is, ( I know it's PC to change it every few years), but it all boils down to the same thing, ie a bloody nuisance!

The kid you mention shows what can be done when you try, and no doubt this sport will do a lot for his future happiness, and I'm sure he'll be able to master the takeoff and landings someday.
He has much much more to overcome than I have, and I take my hat off to him.

I have been a engineering tradesman, and a motorcyclist in the past, and this has helped me with the engine and construction side of things, but the flying is another thing, it takes some skill which the young people seem to have a lot more of.

I built a special lightweight fold up swivel recliner from an aluminium beach chair and a swivel office chair base, and it works a treat! now I can fly, when previously I couldn't even look up to see the plane in the air, so think again you guys - there are ways round all these obstacles, and don't let anyone swamp you with rules, - commonsense and a little bit of forethought is all that's needed. ( but if you are in a club, then I guess the rules rule.)

Please don't think that I'm being clever, - I'm just trying to say that anyone could do these things if they try, and learning by yourself really isn't the big deal some would have you believe.

Learning to fly really well is another thing of course! :eek:

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

I did not even consider that you were being clever. I was trying to stress the point that people with physical limitations should not be looked down upon. I have a father and a sister that are both wheel chair bound and both have learned to fly R/C which has given them a whole different outlook. :)

The only training both received is the basics from me. Both go to the field with me whenver they feel up to it and both at first felt shy and reserved about being there but they quickly discovered that 99% of our members could care less about them being physically challenged and have treated them with admiration and respect and show them no pity, but are genuinely concerned with their well being, which is important.

Our club has made exceptions to our solo requirements and pilot certificates requirements for the boy and both of my family members which enabled them to solo and earn the certificates but it still was hard enough to make in challenging.

I personally grin from ear to ear :D whenever I see any one of them get hold of the transmitter and fly as well or is some cases even better than myself or some of our other members. It just gets on my nerves when someone puts down a person for doing what works best for them and it's painfully obvious that you gave the process you took some serious thought before you did it.

Flying well comes with lots of practice. I did go the instructor route when I started out and had a very good one.

Here are some tips that I have used for learning R/C and he even includes stick positions for all the maneuvers he describes plus a printable card to take with you.

http://members.cox.net/moorman1/maneuver.htm

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

I don't post much but would like to tip my hat to Willdo. I have not flown since 1963 and then rudder only with escapment for those that know what that is. I have collected many kits over the years and never lost my interest in R/C. I was in an accident and as Willdo suffered major neck and back surgeries although not as bad as his. I can't see in front of me and about a 20 to 30 degree above angle. I build for others and do quite well at a 7 to 8 on a 10 scale.

After reading this foum guess what I did I went and flew today. I live out in the country no club, no instructor but after reading all this and Willdo I went for it. No landing strip just a farmers field that had been cut. RERSULT a real 10+ made two flights with broken props on landing both times, the first one my fault the wind on the second, got hit sideways about 3 foot from the ground no damage to aircraft. I can only say here I go, I have quite a few planes built and ready to go and only needed someone like Willdo to show I should go for it.

I wish only the best for all of you and at age 60 I feel like a kid right now and have batteries charging for tomorrow. I CAN'T BELIEVE I FLEW TODAY AND LANDED. Thanks Willdo for the inspiration.

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

rwfly
That's the spirit, - we're not done yet! and a broken prop or even a plane or two can't be termed a "disaster" - all part of the fun I think.
Build a lightweight swivel recliner of some sort, and a whole new world will open up for you, believe me!
Good luck with the flying. ;)

bubblegates
I see you have done a lot of work to make it possible for people to have a go at this sport who otherwise wouldn't be able to consider it, they are lucky to have you around, and I hope that it has opened up their world somewhat, - I'm sure they will agree that it has.


Yes I'm a bit self conscious about my little predicament, and I did get a pretty negative response from a club I was intending to join, specifically from the club captain, and being a little rebellious (and angry) I decided to try it myself, - and it worked, - maybe it won't for everyone, but with a little commonsense, I don't really see why not.

I used to be passionate about motorcycles, and hoped to still be riding when I was older, however, I can't even throw a leg over a bike now, and this flying is giving me a new lease of life.
It's ironic that it was model aircraft engines that got me interested in motorcycles originally, (similarities in the engines) - that was way back in the late fifties ( when they were still using escapments in RC ) and it was easier to ride bikes than learn to fly aircraft, so I went for the bikes. :)

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Wildo,

Thanks allot, that means allot to me and the club.

This all started in the late 80's

Not to get into a lot of detail. For 10 years I flew terminally ill children that came to Orlando Fl, for a well known charity in full size aircraft (mainly Cessna 182's) if they were able to get into the plane. Just seeing these amazing kids, their spunk and joy for life was an unbelievable lift to my spirits. Here you had children that knew they were going to pass away and out enjoying life just as nothing was wrong. I did this almost every day of the week. (We had a great sponsor for the fuel and aircraft)

I now see the same expressions doing what I do now and am considering talking to the same charity to do it again with R/C airplanes. It helps lift your spirits as well as theirs and in the end everyone has a good day.

I completely admire you for what you are doing and the club you went to needs a bit of an attidude adjustment.

RWfly,

That is way too cool. Props are cheap, having fun is where this hobby is at and it shows that you were having a ton of fun.

I still may be from the middle age crowd but fun is fun. I guess you could say the little boy in me is showing again :D

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Thanks Bubb Hey I have two planes charging tonight and going with another r/c friend to fly. This should be a good one wish me luck. I made the jump so should have a ball tomorrow. I have a somewhat large one ready to go 80" wing and if I do o.k. tomorrow IT'S NEXT. All the best to all of you, you are great. Ron

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Let us now how you do...

Enjoy

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

Hello everyone
Well my friend came over and we had to work on the balance of his plane(new plane), got that done and went to the field. Guess what the farmer had spread sand the real fine stuff on our landing strip, it will be great next year but we had a heck of a time getting the planes in the air. Mark finally got his up and it was great hands off NO TRIM ADJUSTMENT needed, it does not get better than that.
By the time we got done with all this I didn't have time to fly it got dark. I orderesd three sets of Dave Brown lite wheels today 4 1/2 "down to3 1/2 "hoping they will support the planes on the sand.
I now have three planes ready to go, batteries charged and the added expense of fuel I tell all here is Willdo's fault.
Best to all is this not GREAT Ron

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

RWFLY
Glad to see you really getting into the flying,
- Have you checked out any special chairs yet?, or are you managing ok.?

I haven't flown much lately, ( we are in the middle of winter now, with wind and rain), and I'm putting a little 25cc Honda four stroke in a Super Decathlon which I bought secondhand.

Too bad about that very fine sand you talk about! - careful, it could be the death of your engines if it gets whipped up into your carb!

Anyway good luck with the flying. ;)

RE: Teaching yourself to fly
 

I haven't flown in 25 yrs & am thinking of buying a Kombat 40 trainer, although ugly, it looks almost indestructible.

Why don't more recommend this type of plane for those who are dead set on learning on their own?

Curious.