Not sure
 

Hi, I'm new here. I'm considering getting an RC plane, but have no expierence either building models, nor flying planes (although I did take a plane to England once :D). What would be the best way to get into this hobby?

RE: Not sure
 

The first step is to locate a flying field in your area. Stop by and talk to some of the pilots. They can help point you in the right direction. Find out things like what kind of radio most of them are using (this will help when you are ready to go on the buddy box). Find out what kind of engines are most common. Just maybe you will get lucky. Some clubs have their own trainer, all you have to do is join the club and AMA of corse and they will teach you to fly on their plane.

RE: Not sure
 

Check out the "Beginner's Guide to R/C Flight" on my web page.

RE: Not sure
 

I can not strees enough the importance of finding your local flying club and joining them. Most, if not all, have a training plan and I have met very few people in the R/C world that would not help.

There are several advantages to joining a club.
1) The combined years of flying experiance is something of great education to learn from.
2)Most clubs habe a trainer and a buddy box and more than enough experianced pilots that are more than willing to help.
3)you have more help than you could imagine if needed
4)MOST IMPORTANT---------- You have to join AMA. Some people think this is a wast of money. I will tell you from experiance, it is worth it.

I was injured at our field. To make a long story short, the AMA insurance saved me a big hospital bill. An airplane ran into me from behind at near takeoff speed. The point is that the AMA provides you with insurance coverage as well as you local field.

5) You have access to people that can prefight your bird and make sure everything is flight worthy and safe. Even us experianced flyers like to have another set of eyes over things before maiden flight. We are all human and can forget things. A pretty simple way to reduce the risk of a problem on the first flight. Also they can fly and trim your plane for you.

All in all you will have a little investment joining a club. If you look at the advantages and the odds of trying to go it alone, well you have more than made up the investment. And it is a lot of fun too.

I just moved across my state and have no club here. I really miss the friendship and gathering with someone else to fly with.

Maybe I will start my own....... Well hope this helps, and have a great time. Too many people invest in the sport only to fail at their first attempt and then just quit out right. Sad way to try a sport.

Email me anytime for any help you may have.

Dave

RE: Not sure
 

I'll re-iterate what ryanpilot said. Its always great to have extra sets of eyes look over your plane. I had my Twist out a few weeks ago.
After fueling up and checking to make sure I had the correct model in my Futaba 9C, a guy noticed my elevator servo was missing the screw that holds the arm on. If I had lost the arm in flight due to no screw, I may have had the plane going full bore towards the pits and parking lot with no way to pull up! So, there are definite safety factors involved.

Dave...

RE: Not sure
 

I am going to throw my $0.02 worth in also.

Find a club and join the club and AMA.
The club will provide an instructor at no charge.
Do not try to learn how to fly on your own.

If you think this is foolish advice and you can save some money by teaching yourself consider this:

1. Your trainer, radio and miscellaneous field equipment most likely cost you $300 - $500.

2. Your plane, motor, electronics and miscellaneous stuff in it are worth $200 - $300 (This is for a trainer)

3. A 5 lb. - 6 lb. plane flying at 40+ mph, with a 10" or 11" propellor spinning @10,000 rpm can inflict severe injuries if it hits a person and some considerable damage if it hits a vehicle or building.

4. The AVERAGE 1st flight of someone trying to teach themselves how to fly is 30 seconds (or less) and almost always results in damage to the plane and possibly the other equipment in it also.

If you are lucky, no person will be injured and no vehicle or building damaged. Do you want to throw away a good part of the money you spent in 30 seconds (or less) ?

RE: Not sure
 

Welcome to RCU, and I sincerely hope this will be a very long term relationship.

Simply put, there's no feeling quite like flying your own airplane. It can be very rewarding, and unfortunately at times very dissapointing, but it's always a challenge and always interesting. Flying is actually very easy once you master the basics, it's a simple combination of hand eye coordination and some slightly refined motor skills. I would venture to guess almost anyone can fly, although it's going to come easier to some than others. (A good instructor makes all the difference) It's also something not a lot of people do, but the ones who do, are usually very passionate and excited about it. The few times I've gone to other fields I've been swamped by fellow pilots, who once they figure out I'm a fellow pilot usually ask me if I've brought something to fly, and if so let's get it out and fly it. We like to look at each other's planes, comment on each other's success, comiserate over failures, etc etc, but I think you get the idea.

You've already heard the best advice about getting into the hobby, I.E. find a club and talk to them. MOST of the people in this hobby will go way out of their way to help a newcomer. If you have any interest in aviation I beleive this hobby will get a big ole' hook in you.....


Andy

RE: Not sure
 

Why is it "A penny for your thoughts," but, "you put your two cents in"? Someone's making a penny. That's just good ol' American capitalism.....

RE: Not sure
 

Why is it "A penny for your thoughts," but, "you put your two cents in"? Someone's making a penny. That's just good ol' American capitalism...

RE: Not sure
 

Look in phone book for RC hobby shops. Then phone them. They will know where the RC clubs are and probably have contact phone numbers. Try and talk to RC club members and arrange for a club visit. An hour visit at an RC club with an instructor will teach much than you would expect. The clubs members or instructors can advise you as to what tyo get. If they have a favorite trainer, then go with that because they probably have the most experience with it which will help the learning curve. [8D]