Need instructor in Central NJ
 

Looking for someone to help me get started in the world of warbirds. I purchased the Hangar 9 P-51 PTS and had a great 15 seconds of fun. I am waiting for the replacement parts to come in so I can Fly her again. I am looking to see if anyone is interested in helping me out. I live in Allentown,NJ. I know Mercer County Radio Control Society is local to me, but I am not sure if I want to join a club. Thanks for any help.

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

Had you joined the club your instruction would've been for free. The first year dues would've probably been less than the replacement parts you've already purchased for your crashed P-51 ? Economics ain't rocket science, you know.

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

MK7,
Sorry to hear that your first attempt was costly, but then again they usually are when someone tries on their own. I can tell you this much, if you're not willing to join the club you are not likely to find an instructor to help you out. First of all, if you are that close to an organized existing club there is a good chance that you may interfere with another pilot on the same frequency as you are on, on they my interfere with you and cause you to crash. Most instructors are only going to teach you if you join and attend their club. As was said above, the cost of instruction is normally free so it would be well worth it for you to join the club. And besides that, joining a club puts you in contact with other modelers that share the same love for this hobby that you may already have. My closest friends came from the flying field, even though our friendships extent well past the flying field that is where I initially met them in the first place. Lastly, before you continue please join the AMA, [link=http://www.modelaircraft.org]AMA website[/link] . You will more than likely need to join the AMA in order to join a club. Plus the AMA has liability insurance that can protect you in the event that you injure another person or cause property damage with your plane, but please know that the AMA insurance won't protect you unless you are flying within guidelines set out in the AMA Safety Code.

I know I may sound like a broken record here, but joining the club will probably be the one best thing you can to do help yourself learn to fly. Most clubs will have training times set out where the only flying allowed during those times are people that are learning to fly.

Ken

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

Thanks for the input RCken. Gee, I really didn't need an economics or rocket science class. Thats why I am asking questions. That was kind of a rude responce in my opinion.

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

MK7,
I am sorry if you took my response as being rude, because that is not how I meant it.

Ken

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

I thikn he was talking to Joe.....

while it was "rude" ..... his point is the same....


you "CAN" learn on your own... but it is much quicker and cheaper to learn with an instructor..... and it is fun to hear all the good stories

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

No problem RCken, I was talking about Joe, maybe I just took it the wrong way, I'm having a bad hair day. Sorry all. But anyway, I just joined the AMA and am contacting the club. So thanks for the advice.

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

honest it will be the best in the long run........

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

You may not want to join the MCRCC. They have many members and it can be a little hard to get flying time with an instructor. Plus, there haven't been too many good days to fly in the area lately. Maybe try another Club? Mine is always looking for new members and we're cheap to join. I'm still flying with my Instructor, he's a good friend now and we have a great time at the field along with everyone else. And crashing is a part of learning........sad but true......

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

Hi MK7!

First and foremost - AMA and a club are THE way to go... worked for me!

Being a fellow central NJ guy myself, I thought I'd give some advice. You can search for AMA chartered clubs at [link=http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx]the AMA club locator[/link] website. The one I belong to is the Jersey Coast Sport Fliers, in Colts Neck - great club (of course), but it might be a little far for you... I'm not exactly sure.

Good luck!!

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

hey MK7 here is the link http://www.mcrcs.com/
they flying field real close to you. I fly there but not as much now since they a a sound limit. there are alot of guys that fly warbirds including me. get there on a saturday or Sunday normally the place is crowded. ask for Keith since he is the pres of the club. hope to see you there.
Richard

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

MK7,
Welcome to the hobby! Once you get hooked up with your club and an instructor you will have a blast! I joined a club last year and have met some really wonderful people who all love to fly and talk about airplanes as much as I do. I even met a guy who taught me to fly a 'real' full-scale plane and takes me flying on a regular basis. Being a member of a club gives you 'ownership' over the flying field (which will become a very special place) and a say in how things are done. It has been totally worth every penny joining the AMA and a local club.


A side note: On the weekend of May 16 is a pattern meet in Jackson, NJ. Pattern is precision aerobatics and what the guys do with their planes is really impressive. If you are in the area you should stop by and check it out. There is usually some time for flying after the meet, which is on Saturday AND Sunday. I will be driving down for this.

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

The fastest and least expensive way to learn how to fly is to join a club. You will be tapping into the experience and knowledge fo those that have been flying for quite some time. Even if you join for only 1 year... you will save yourself alot of money by learning from those that know how to fly, versus trial and error.

RE: Need instructor in Central NJ
 

We have a medium sized club with two flying fields in our area. We are located about 10 miles west of Atlantic City along the Black Horse pike. We have several qualified instructors willing to help you out and the only cost is to join the club. You can come as a guest with an AMA card a few times, but if you intend to stick around, you will have to join. That's pretty much the same with any club, by the way. But, we fly on State property (Strawberry Field is a NJ Forestry runway) and county property (our Riverbend is county owned parks and recreation property) we have certain obligations to them.

Anyway, if interested, I can certainly give you more information as to where our club fields are located. There is someone there each Wednesday, some times all day, and usually on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, weather permitting.

CGr.