Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Well, I ordered my first plane today. I got the H9 Alpha RTF Trainer, I also got the field kit and an extra 3 blade prop and a couple of 10 x 6 props for later on when I am ready.
It all came to around $350.00 from Horizon Hobby. Not to bad of a deal.
One thing I learned after a couple of weeks of bidding unsuccessfully on ebay for these things is they seem to hold there value well. I could not believe the prices they were getting for these things used!
I finally said screw it, purchase the thing new.

I would like to thank all here for your posts. While I did not ask a lot of questions, I found a lot of answers by searching and browsing this forum.

I am 45 years old and have been wanting to fly these things ever since I can remember.
Last fall I found out I had lung cancer and the doctors are giving me a 1 in 3 chance of surviving 5 yrs.
I have finished my chemo and radiation and am currently cancer free and ready to start doing a few things I have always wanted to do.

Don't yell at me but I may have to learn this on my own, finances are a issue and the nearest field to me is 60 miles.
Wish I had the $$$$ to go to the 1ST U.S. R/C FLIGHT SCHOOL in Shawano WI. but as I am now living on Soc. Sec. that is not an option.
I plan on spending a lot of time on the sim however before I even consider taking this thing up and will not try if I think my skills are not up to it.
While the crash forum is very entertaining I don't wish to post there!
Between my brother and I we have plenty of space in the middle of nowhere for flying. (32 acres)

Wish me luck and thanks again to this great site.

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Skynyrd, as like you, I have wanted to fly these models ever since I was 5 (am 47 now). Started 4 years ago just flying a Firebird XL.
Then got electric trainers. Then started flying wings and even made some home built aircraft that actually flew half decent. Started flying glow last summer. This hobby is just totally awesome!!!! Lost a very well paying job a few years ago that would have enabled me to get a new plane every month but, the proverbial **** hit the fan. Only make half as much as I used to. Anyways, best of luck to ya and have yourself a blast!!!!

Dave...

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

im sure the guys will chime in soon, but being a newbie myself i would add this. i got a nexstar with the sim. and while the sim really does change your learning curve it will not prepare you for things in the field that could end your hobby rather quickly. things like loosing control of the plane on landing approch, pre setting the trims so the plane flies nice and level, and even tuning the engine. there are alot of things that can go wrong. so a sixty mile trek to have a trainer to help would be cheaper than having to buy another $300 airplane. you should atleast do that untill you can fly on your own.

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

I'd have to concur... atleast ONE 60 mile trip. Can you make just one? Contact the club, and try to set up a "jam session" with an instructor. Explain your situation to him and I bet you two can come to some kind of arrangement. I would hate to see you lose a plane due to the not knowing factor. Especially on a fixed income. I almost bet that if you live 60 miles away, there might be an instructor that lives within 30 miles of you, and might even come to your place... never know without asking around :)

Anyways, welcome to the fiasco... errrr... club !!!!

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Skynyrd Man,

It's wonderful that you have the chance to see your dreams come true.

Best wishes and Good Luck.

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Welcome to the hobby.

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Trust me, the last thing I want to see is a crash on my first flight.
I have thought about contacting these clubs, (I have one east and one west of me each at 60 miles) but I would think they would tell me no after I tell them I have no intention of joining them or the AMA. Or am I wrong on this?
Don't get me wrong, I would like to join and meet some new folks but I just can't afford the drive on a regular basis.

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Man that is SO great. You are going to love RC. If you can join a club because the friends you make are THE best part. I have made new friends from 20-80 years old and they have been a help and become some of my best friends. Sounds like you are setup. Take your time and enjoy every minute of it. I know I do!



I will pray for your total and complete healing.

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Check the AMA site, I just looked for you. There is a club listed in Stevens Point and Yahoo says that is @ 16 miles from you. THAT should be an OK drive for you. Take a look at this:

RIVER VALLEY FLYERS
948 JOHN R ROWE 1672 W HWY 10
STEVENS POINT WI 54481
Phone: 715-341-3435
Email: [email protected]
Url: www.rivervalleyflyers.com

Give John a call, I bet you make a friend.

This should get you on your way. Enjoy your flying. :) :)

Bruce;)

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Thanks for the warm welcome and wishes, I am keeping a good attitude during this. I told my wife by the time all is said and done she is going to be wishing the cancer did me in.:D
She's a sweetheart and is the one who encouraged me to do this, hope she feels the same after
my first crash:)
I saw this before and thought it would work, but it appears that they actually fly in Wisconsin Rapids.
But I think I may know this John Rowe from my past. We may have worked together at Woodward Governor Co. in Stevens Point some 20 years ago.
Might get lucky here, thanks for pointing that out to me Bruce.

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

I just found a picture of him on their site, it sure looks like him.
But then, that was a lot fuzzy brain cells ago the I last saw him.

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Call him man, cant be bad to. But i would check and maybe he will come to u to train u

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

I sent an email to him a little while ago.
Dang...Spring seems so far away all of a sudden:D

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Sounds like you are off to a really good start. After reading all of the posts you have now found out that this hobby is filled with a bunch of very friendly and helping people

I am glad you are free of cancer. Major health changes and living through them tends to change ones outlook.

Enjoy the addiction I mean hobby ;)

BTW...this is one addiction that you really do not want to get help for, it's WAY to much fun :D

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Yes, I have found this out bigtime, thank you all for the encouragement.
Seem's I have already been the victim of a random act of kindness.;););)
Thanks Twostroke

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

If you really want to see unbelievable random acts of kindness go here

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Pay_...2359043/tm.htm

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

I spent an afternoon there a couple of weeks ago, the giving was quite overwhelming.
It's a very good thing you guy's are doing and I hope to be able to contribute in the near future.

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Thanks,

It really gives me the warm and fuzzies when I go into the thread and read. The thing is most of it is done via PM so most members never really know how things went. Most everyone that has received as well as given in that thread has PM'd me to tell me about the experience. Kinda cool...

When you are ready, just pass on the knowledge you have gained to someone else. It will make you feel good

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Skynardman, I'm John Rowe, Brother of Tom Rowe who you worked with 20 years ago at Woodward Governer.

RVF Flying field is located near the corner of Hwy F and Hwy W. between Rapids and Plover. I'm guessing it might be a 30 mile drive for you. I drive 26 miles and fly nearly every day. We have a flight school on monday nights From the 1st of June to the end of August. I used to do a lot of instructing, Now I don't do it much anymore. I started learning 3D and it took a lot of my time. Don Danczyk does most of the instructing. I'm sure between Don and I we could help you.

I don't know what kind of computer you have, but if it's decent and has a good graphics card, the best way to learn is with a Flight Simulator. And cheapest too when you consider how many planes you won't crash learning. Aerofly Pro, Great Planes G2, or G3 would be my choices. I found that somebody who has previously learned on a simulator will only take 1/3 the time to solo a real RC plane.

I"m a fairly good pilot and still fly my simulator on a daily basis practicing 3D flying. I learn everything on the simulator first. It's the only way to learn in my opinion. You can probably find a used G2 for 100 bucks or less.

RVF club dues are 40 bucks, our club usually has about 50 members. Club meetings are the first thursday of every month in the back room of the Shopko Mall in Wis Rapids. Your welcome to attend and meet some of the guys. You could get some good advice on what plane to buy for learning

John

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Hi John, sorry for the mistaken identity.
I will stop in and find out about training, don't know if I'll be able to keep my hands off the plane till June though lol.
The plane I am getting has sim software, that will have to do until I get something better.

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

well i know there all right skynard, but ill tell you anyway and its that i was in the same attitude as you , im 51 and wanted to do this since i bought a cox control line back in 63 and flew it once and then my buddy crashed it for me and i never bought another till i got my h9 alpha a year ago and put it together and flew it all by myself and landed it with only a broken prop. but if i was you id get a lot more props to break. and my son has my alpha and its still in one piece, i fly a ucd60 now with a saito 100 and love every moment and fly 3 times a week

good luck and let us know how it goes

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Skynyrd Man-
go to their web site, they have map to field and club meeting places too. You'll know exactly where to go. What is this crap about waiting til June? What is wrong with this weekend?(assuming it warms up a little) Anyway, you got it going now, so welcome to the insanity we all love!!

Bruce :)

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Hey, welcome, if you cant go the route everyone is recommending remember you got all the high $$ stuff already,,the radio and engine and supplies are the key, you can always get another trainer ARF for $80 or build a spad, although they tend to be heavy but they are cheap and they bounce too:),you can get a free cigarette sign (coroplast) from the store and make a trainer style plane from it ..go to that section and see SPAD simple plastic aircraft designs...Rog

A chartered club is probably not gonna let you fly without an AMA card, and if I had 30 acres , I wouldnt have one ...

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

I didn't read through this thread but it sounds like you bought the kit that assembles in about 1 hour and comes with the G2 lite simulator. I believe it's a good trainer.

Do you have a field near your house where you plan to fly in the future?
If you join our club you will also have to join the AMA.

There is another club very close to you, I believe it's in Iola WI. If this is closer to you, I'll get you a name of a person to contact. I don't know much about this club, or if it's AMA chartered.

John

RE: Took the first step to complete my dream...
 

Hi John,
Yes please give me the info for Iola. I did not see that one anywhere when I was searching.
I actually live closer to Waupaca than Amherst. It might be alot of back roads but it may be closer.
Thanks for your help John.

PS. How is your brother by the way, tell him I said Hi. (If he remembers me that is:D)