Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

Thanks Doug, I'll send you a reminder tonight. Do people usually go there on weekdays, like today after work?

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

I'd stay away from the US aircore trainer, it is heavy and is not easy to assemble. I went with the Global Hobbies Right Flyer 40T MKII, got it at hobby people for 90.00. This ARF flys well but needs some reinforcing if you plan on keeping it. Spend some time using a simulator it will help you learn how to fly. I would also go with an ARF for a first plane, then if you like building try a kit. Once you start flying you'll learn how to repair your plane (yes..crashing is a part of this fine sport). Most importantly get an instructor, a good instructor will make this hobby so much more enjoyable.

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

Sal_11,

The Air Core I saw the add for sounded interesting but it looks like these guys have actualy experience with them. I gotta be honest, I've never seen it, only saw the ad.

Crashem,
The Right Flyer flew great! I did have a few minor modifications to make that the guys at the field suggested:

Put lock tight on the muffler bolts
desensitize my nose wheel
Need to reinforce my firewall

It was a blast! Still flying yours?

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

cyberpilot,

Yes mine is still flying!! it does fly great!!!

I also reinforced the firewall and landing gear went over glue joints on fuse and added 2 3/8 triangle pieces of balsa under hoz. stab. that really helped..

I've got my old cub ready agian and I'm almost finished with my second Super Sport 40

Only problem I got is finding time after work and on weekends to fly!!!

I'm also getting ready to put together a P-47 I got for Christmas about 15 years ago.. Better late then never

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

Doug, I called the hobby shop and talked to Charlene, she is really helpful. I might go there during lunch and buy a trainer. That way I can come to the field on Thursday. Let e know what you think?

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

Sal, you'll find a lot of good people at the ARCS field willing to help. The majority of radios being used out there are Futaba's, so it would probably be best to stick with that or one that is compatible (tower hobbies or hitec are compatible) so that you can use a buddy box. Doug S, the trainer at the ARCS, has buddy cords. Once you get some stick time in, you should check out the Midway, PA field also, there is no set instructor there, but usually the owner of the field helps out newbies. It's a larger field with a grass runway....I prefer it over the ARCS field. Doug Johnston (DSJBEAN), his son, and I usually fly at the Midway field....quite a few other ARCS members fly there also.....but ARCS is the place to definitely go for your first flights, since you're sure to find an instructor. If you want to join either the ARCS or the Midway club, or both, you'll need to join AMA. ARCS does not require you to have AMA membership to fly on a buddy box, but the Midway field does.

Mike

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

Thanks Mike, I'll try to get a futaba radio from the hobby shop here. And I will definately go to the arcs on thursday. I went there yesterday evening but the gate was locked so I'll wait till thursday. :)

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

No problem, Sal. The biggest flying days at the ARCS are Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday........the rest of the week is pretty much a crap shoot. Since the field is state-owned, any AMA member can fly there without joining the club (you may get some dirty looks after a few months of flying if you don't join) but you won't get the combination to the gate until you join the club.

Mike

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

It's raining here, so there goes my meeting an instructor and buying a plane..........guess just have to wait till next week :(

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

Rain? What's that?

Oh, is it that wet stuff that falls from the sky that we get here in Southern California a couple of times a year? ;)

Sal,

Sorry to hear you can't make it out. Good luck next week.

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

In my opinion, and I got into this hobby about 7 months and 8 planes ago, I learned how to fly with a Avistar Select from Tower Hobbies. Everyone we train at our site learns very quickly and have no trouble flying in windy conditions. We have actually had people retire there flatbottom trainers after trying the Avistar in the course of there training, and install everything in a new Avistar of there own. These planes have a semi symetricial wing with little dihedrial and handle far better than average trainer. The Avistar is the easiest plane to learn basic flight as well as flawless take offs and landings. By the way, your average flatbottom trainer hates flying inverted and also is very cranky in crosswind situations. The Avistar loves to play in the wind. If you buy an Avistar, you won't be sorry. As a matter of fact, you will find yourself calling it your favorite funflyer a year from now.
Dennis (Red Bluff)

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

as an instructor I prefer the flat bottom trainers.They or easier to land and take off,more stable in flight,fly slower,and more durable as a trainer,the Avistar is a aerobic trainer, not a first time trainer,even tho people use the Avistar as a
Have a goodun,Johnfirst time plane it's actually a second plane

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

I have an Eagle 2 (Golgberg) that did me right as a trainer, I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. Building it not only teaches you the basic structure and layout of RC planes, but,since you build it, you tend to be a tad less "cocky" once you solo. I don't want to "kill" it, so I take baby steps, one flight at a time, learning and trying new things.
Not smashing planes to bits does keep the cost down!! :p

Have a blast!

dave

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

John,
We have found that the excessive float of a flatbottom slows down the training process. With the Avistar, we usually have new pilots off the cord in in 2 to 4 hours, depending on the individual. At our field, we discourage anyone from buying a flatbottom winged trainer. Dihedreal + flatbottom + crosswind = lots of time and glue. Dennis (Red Bluff,ca)

Real airplanes have 2 wings and round motors...................

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

Guess my years of training have been a waste,golly gee,but it usually takes 2 to 6 months with a trainer at the three clubs I fly at before the ave. person is competent enough to safely fly,reguardless of what plane they have.Yes I often see 30 day wonders all over the field,hoping to land in one piece,and crashing a plane a month,and yes I have used the Avistar many times to train with,only because the student brought it,and many of the students parked there Avistar to use the club trainer,which is a Goldberg Eagle.
Have a goodun,John.

Getting Started -- Need Tons of Help
 

John,
I understand. Some people take a long time to teach, some people never get it. We fly every day weather permitting , and when we train someone, we fuel/fly,fuel/fly,fuel/fly until they do get it. Many of our new pilots solo in 2 hours while others take 10 or 15, but we don't stop until they acheive what they came for, and we insist that they show up every day. When one of us puts someone on the cord, it's the only thing we do until the job is done. Thats how I was taught, and thats how we train new pilots. We live to fly , 7 days a week, as long as we can see.
Dennis (Red Bluff,ca)

Real airplanes have 2 wings and round motors....................