Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

I am aware that a begginer should NEVER attempt to learn to fly by themselves. Lets say that a begginer has no option.How should they go about it. I have read that you should simply taxi the plane and full throttle it; when the plane begins to life simply lower the throttle? Does this work?

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

I can tell you from personal expierience that it is not a good idea to do this, for several reasons, 1. Model airplanes can be dangerous and people have been killed by them. 2. you will crash on your first try 9 out of 10 times. Buy a good flight simulator. I learned on one and it saved me months of training. I can recommend Great planes Real flight G2, but there are others out there. The great thing aboout G2 is that it can grow with you, and you can learn almost every trick from basic touch and go's to hovering. If at all possible find a club. Theyll usually be happy to help you get your wings. Whether you get the simulator or not, try not to fly until you get some help. It's harder than it looks.

Check for clubs in your area here.
http://www.towerhobbies.com/rcwairclub.html
just check for penssylvania

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

I agree completely with beavertail about the real flight g2...but...there's always a but. There is no way you should try to side step having an instructor for your initial flights, even if it's real incovenient and you have to go out of your way to get hooked up with one. If you go on your own it will almost certainly cost you.
Just my opinion.....good luck

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Yetti,

I know it's tough when there isn't a local club, but it will really save you a lot of grief, time, and money to learn with an instructor. Even if you have to find someone an hour or two away, you would be better off spending a few flying sessions with an instructor. If you are motivated, and start with a good trainer aircraft, then after a few flying sessions you would at least have a good shot at landing without wrecking your plane, and would have some goals for your continued progress. I have never tried a simulator, but if they are realistic enough, it sounds like a great idea.

Good luck,

banktoturn

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

I also would recommend finding an instructor somewhere. Trust us...it helps. If that is absolutely out of the question though....make a SPAD. Easy...durable...and most importantly...easily replaceable. Try out www.spadtothebone.com.
Either way...good luck.

Ty

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

You read my mind, i was just going to inquire about spads!

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

yetti,

I was in the same position as you, absolutely no clubs in my area and the nearest other town was 350 mile away. I practiced taxiing up and down the runway at near takeoff speed to learn to steer the plane and then eventually decided to just take off. I flew nice and slow and eventually crashed although it was minor.
My advice to you would be to definitely build a SPAD. You will have more confidence to fly it and therefore learn quicker. Fly it to its death and then give your trainer a go.
Buy the simulator if you have the money but like most people no doubt you've already spent all your savings on the plane and its equipment. I personally would rather spend any extra money on building a spad and perhaps buying a motor and some servos for it. (Alternatively use the motor and servos you already have)

Regards,

Troy.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Hmmmmm....I do have a club... In fact, I have two within 15 miles ! :) I had a plane before and so many people were there I could barely fly :/ I'm just very anxious...I may indeed get a spad...I'm not very sure...

Yup, SPAD time
 

Just build a spad with a thick coro fuz. Taxi -crash, replace prop, taxi-take off , fly crash, replace prop, take off fly for 10 sec longer, crash and replace prop. Or get G2, then SPAD

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Ryan,

I know what you mean. It's a hassle waiting around to fly, and a little nerve-wracking to learn with a bunch of people watching. But once you start flying, you don't notice the other people so much, and there are probably some quiet times at the field. Worst case, after you get up to speed, if you still don't like flying at the club, you can go find your own field ( maybe ), and know enough to fly successfully. Best case, you will get to like the club, and stick around. Either way, you come out way ahead learning from an instructor. I really wanted to do it on my own, and I did for a while. It wasted quite a bit of my time.

banktoturn

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

How much can I get a spad for? I've flown before, but only twice...I was good though, and the guys let me come down for a mock landing....maybe i'm too cocky!

WWW.SPADTOTHEBONE.COM
 

Have FUN!!

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Coroplast: $10
10' gutter pipe: $6
Cutting board for firewall/engine mounts: $6
Bits and pieces (screws, fuel tank, wheels, etc...): $20

The coro and pipe will five about 4 or 5 planes, the cutting board, about 20 firewalls, and you can re-use the tank/wheels/radio/engine until you feel they need to be replaced. In other words, each plane is only about $5 after the initial investment.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Get Real Flight and learn to fly everything that has wings.
You should have the skills to fly a trainer after that.

www.realflight.com

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

this is what happend to me when I tried to teach myself.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...67&forumid=144]

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

I too had to learn to fly on my own. If you must, you must. Your success depends on a number of factors. First, you must have a high wing trainer plane that is light. Many are not. The heavy ones must fly at unnecessarily high throttle just to stay in the air. Fast means the beginner is always behind the plane. Your concentration can't keep up with the plane.

Next, you must have very good throttle control so that you can throttle back to cruising speed reliably, so that the engine will keep running.

Next, it helps if you have no restriction as to whether you can fly behind your flight line. If you can fly around yourself safely, and this depends on your flying site, just fly circles around yourself to the left. Left is always easier. Take off with full throttle but as soon as you get say, 50 ft up, throttle back to half. A lot of this depends on whether the airplane is trimmed out properly. You do know what that is don't you? Plus, depending on the design, you may have to add more downthrust,,, most trainers don't have enough.

If you need to observe flight line rules, you can get disoriented too easily when the aircraft is coming toward you. In that case, turn your body and point the antenna in the direction that the plane is going. Look over your shoulder if you have to. Keep the plane in sight but always point the antenna in the direction the plane is traveling.

Finally, don't do it if you can avoid it in the least. Many clubs can be intimidating but if you hang around with your plane a few times, hopefully, someone in the club will approach you and offer to help. If not SHAME on them.

Or, get or practice on a flight simulator. A shame to need to do this,, they ain't cheap.

PS

Learning by flying left with no flight line is a bad habit you will need to unlearn when you do fly at any club field. Still it may keep your plane in one piece for the initial number of flights. When you have left flying and left-handed approaches mastered, be sure to learn all over agin to the right. Thereafter, do all your flying as though there were a flight line.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

A flight line? i can only guess what it is...

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Where is Shavertown?

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Near Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Ryan,

Most clubs will have a designated runway. The flight line is where the pilots line up to fly. Both Canada's MAAC and your AMA forbid flying behind the flight line for safety reasons at chartered club fields. If you fly at an uncontrolled field, and if safety permits, you can fly "around yourself". It is hugely easier to do this than observe flight line rules. That's why it's generally not a good idea to learn this way as you don't develop the instinctive skills right away.

Keep in mind that as the plane comes toward you, it appears that the controls are reversed. Practice taxiing and you'll see what I mean. Matter of fact, I neglected to mention this very important aspect of learning to fly on your own. That is, to taxi around, back and fourth, applying throttle up and down just shy of taking off to practice keeping the plane straight. As you get very comfortable doing this, it takes the fear out of going fast hell-bent for leather, no point of return. At one point, to take off, it's just a matter of not cutting the throttle and just letting the plane do it's thing, (take off). Thereafter, you just keep it straight till it gains sufficient altitude to make a turn. Make your first turn left,,, it's much easier.

Keep in mind that going left is just so that you don't re-kit prematurely. As you gain confidence, practice right hand turns and also right hand approaches to the runway. Good luck.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Hey, thanks for the info. You guys have been really helpful. These flight clubs seem like they ruin some fun. I'll stick with them until I learn to fly, but once i'm soloing I'm breakin and hittin up some fields near by!

Oh yea, what is the likelyness of being "shot down" I know you should be at least 6 miles away from any flight club.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Ryan,

No, please, don't get the idea that clubs might ruin the fun. Individuals in clubs can do that but like in any society or group of people that is something you can control. I'd be willing to bet that you'd make some great friends in a club and that certainly will enhance your enjoyment of the hobby.

Many of my tips can apply even when you are being instructed. Like looking over your shoulder etc.

I live in a small mining town with something called tailings, mine effluent that settles like a salt flats. These are in the middle of nowhere with nothing but squirrels and the occasional moose. This is the kind of private flying site that could be considered safe for a rookie to try and learn to fly from on his own. If your site is a school football field, park or other such public site, please don't do it. Go to a club. Even if you have AMA insurance, you don't want to take any chances by flying near, or heaven forbid, over people or buildings. These places are suitable to fly from only with slow, small, electric, park fliers.

I'm trying to make it clear that I'm not encouraging you to try and learn to fly on your own. Just if you can't do it any other way for some reason and ONLY if you can do it safely.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Well, I know that my club made it more fun than flying alone, and I got to meet alot of guys who are now really good friends that are good drinking buddies too. Dont close your self off, at least give it a shot. you wont regret it.

Joey

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

THanks for the input. I am looking at the Tower Trainer 40 RTf as well as the Avistar. The tower comes with a .46 abc and is ten bucks cheaper.haha......what are your suggestions? the avistar would keep my attention longer since it has the semisymetrical wing , but the .46 is appealing..... any suggestions ?

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Hey Ryan,

My suggestion is to go with the Avistar....it was my first plane and I absolutely loved it. Because of the semi-symmetrical wing it does land a bit faster, but nothing you can't handle if you are careful. And you can also put a .46 in it later when you get comfortable with the plane and want more power. In the meantime the OS .40 LA is a good running, dependable engine. Not a lot of power but but they run great.
Like I suggested in my previous post.....get hooked up with an instructor, they will help you avoid a bunch of stuff you don't want to happen.
Also, do a search in this forum on the Avistar and the other planes that you think you may want. There is a ton of information on this.

Good luck..happy flying

Rick
Albuquerque R/C Club

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

You might want to try a website called Deja-News. This site searches the entire web on any topic ever discussed. All the postings you've ever made on the Internet will be found on this site. This includes opinions on modeling products. Punch in the names of your prospective trainer aircraft and you'll get varying opinions but after a bit of reading, a consensus will form.

I'm inclined to avoid the Avistar specifically because it has the semi-symmetrical wing. This generally means an aircraft that will fly faster than a flat bottomed trainer. It's just the nature of the beast. When it comes to learning to fly, fast is NOT good. Not that it can't be done, but learning to fly on a faster plane just makes it that much harder.

One of the best trainers, I've found in 35 years of modeling, is the Carl Goldberg Eagle. One of the reasons for it's success is that it was relatively light and could be slowed down so that the rookie could keep ahead of the plane. There are many others but wing loading is the key to a good trainer.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

I'm kind of partial to the Midwest Aero-Star 40, partially because I have one, but also because they get great reviews from everyone who flies them. See the reviews of the ARF version on this site: http://www.rcuniverse.com/reviews.ph...ew&reviewid=70

I did the kit version as I wanted some kit building experience and it was a pleasure to build.

Having just gone through the instructor experience, I HIGHLY recommend it. I have a 100 acre farm and live about 40 minutes from the closest club. But, driving to the club, the instructor was took my plane off, then gave me control and saved my bottom when I was on the verge of losing it! Landed on the second lesson and can now solo fine. It was a pleasure and the two instructors I worked with taught me some things I wouldn't have learned solo. Also, it was much more fun getting to watch everyone else fly in between flights, see other planes, and dream of my next plane, and the next..... :)

Lastly, for computer experience, if $ is a factor, you can buy FMS and a cable to go to your TX on eBay for under $20 and its perfect for a beginner to get a feel for flying. That's what I did and my instructor commented that I was WAY ahead of the game.

If there are two clubs close by I would say you'd be crazy to try to learn without help. It costs nothing, except maybe a lunch out of appreciation, and is a great social experience, too.

Just my 2 cents, :)
Heath

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Yetti,

Another thing to consider when flying alone is what happens if you have an accident - not to the plane, but to you?

We have had at least two cases at our field that went along the following line. A pilot starting up his engine, plane not restrained properly. Moving electric starter out of the way, hooked cord over throttle stick on transmitter. His hand and arm came in contact with prop (read that meat saw).

Now you have a pilot with one fingertip cut 3/4 through and another finger cut 1/2 through. He went into shock. If someone hadn't been there to drive him to the ER he would have bled to death.

A similar incident happened about 6 months after this that also needed a trip to the ER.

Then about 2 years ago while a friend was holding down a plane of mine, I tweaked the needle valve on a little sport .15 and managed to brush my thumb into the prop arc. Nothing serious, but when I got it cleaned up a bit, there were 10 slices in the tip of the thumb and a good chunk of fingernail missing. Nothing that a few bandaids couldn't fixup.

Hate to be grisly about it, but things like this do happen. And the results can be grim.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Yetti,

Another thing to consider when flying alone is what happens if you have an accident - not to the plane, but to you?

We have had at least two cases at our field that went along the following line. A pilot starting up his engine, plane not restrained properly. Moving electric starter out of the way, hooked cord over throttle stick on transmitter. His hand and arm came in contact with prop (read that meat saw).

Now you have a pilot with one fingertip cut 3/4 through and another finger cut 1/2 through. He went into shock. If someone hadn't been there to drive him to the ER he would have bled to death.

A similar incident happened about 6 months after this that also needed a trip to the ER.

Then about 2 years ago while a friend was holding down a plane of mine, I tweaked the needle valve on a little sport .15 and managed to brush my thumb into the prop arc. Nothing serious, but when I got it cleaned up a bit, there were 10 slices in the tip of the thumb and a good chunk of fingernail missing. Nothing that a few bandaids couldn't fixup.

Hate to be grisly about it, but things like this do happen. And the results can be grim.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Its best to get an instructor. Don't fly alone. I wish I can learn to fly RC by myself. That would be cool.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

I hate to see students turning their backs to orient themselves when the plane is coming toward themselves You need to learn to orient automaticaly and when you do this you just learn a habit that has to be unlearned later. When I started I just made my self do it right from the start and it very quickly became second nature. All you need to do is when the aircraft is coming at you you need to correct in the direction of the low wing.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

I had no choice but to learn to fly alone as there was no club and no other RC flyers in the area. I could do this safely because the flying site was an old mine tailings in the middle of the bush. This is like a salt flats. At the time there was no flight line rule and we learned to fly by flying all over. Once the pit area was established for the evening, for the sake of safety, we would only need to avoid flying over the pits. The parking lot was 500 feet away and sheltered by a line of trees. Three of us learned to fly this way but we sure got a surprise when we went to our first fun fly. That was when we learned about a flite line and coping with the plane flying toward you. We had a lot of difficulty and soon realized that we had some bad habits to break. So I agree with rctrax that it's best to learn the right way the first time. However, in the absence of an instructor, it's all too easy to get confused when in a moment of panic,, was that correct to the low wing? or a high wing?

The over the shoulder tactic was suggested by a well known modeler of the time (30 years ago) but I don't recall the name. All three of us had trouble unlearning our bad habits. Only after we adopted the over the shoulder technique to help us in panic situations, (particularly when landing when your margin for error is very small) did we make progress. We've taught a great many modelers in our club over the thirty years and, generally, folks who learn over the shoulder, gradually loose their need for it as they practice and their proficiency increases.

That's not to say that it can't be used as a crutch and we always emphasize that that's what it is and should be treated as such. Best to rely on over the shoulder and help prevent disasters particularly when learning alone and at unregulated fields. At least you get to go home in one piece.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

I taught myself to fly with a Top Flite Schoolmaster powered by a Cox .049. I used a cheap throttle control and rudder; added elevator later. The plane was light and flew quite well all by itself. I used the over the shoulder method to overcome orientation at first and gradually got over it. To handle wind I would do upwind s turns like glider pilots on the slopes. Don't let it get downwind until you have the orientation problem licked! I joined a club later and that improved my flying, but I wouldn't have missed the fun of learning on my own for anything--gave me some of my best memories. Key is a light plane with a small engine. I would spiral into the ground when I got into trouble. Never had serious damage because there was so little momentum. On calm days I would hand the Tx over to total strangers. I had no problem transitioning to bigger, faster aileron types later, also without instruction, because I'd been flying for years by the time I did.

I don't understand how those big fast .40, now .46, powered "trainers" became the norm. I've seen some near disasters at our club with people flying those things, either because the instructor on the buddy box didn't take over soon enough or because a newly soloed pilot got confused. Not much fun when it's a five pound bomb with a fiberglass buzz saw on the nose coming straight into the pits! It's completely unnecessary.

It's not hard to design a plane that most people can solo in a single afternoon. Many such planes were flown back in the early RC days when all you had was a pushbutton. They are wonderful trainers with modern radios and small modern engines. I think an "Esquire" with an OS .10 would be very hard to beat as a first plane. I had a Livewire Champ, 56 in. span. I had a ball with it for many years. Most people would put a .40 on a plane that size now, but it would do rolling circles, loop from level flight, and do beautiful touch and goes with an OS .15 FP. That's because it weighed less than three pounds. A new pilot can have so much fun with a plane like that right away. I just don't understand being chained to an instructor with a high powered plane. Jim

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

I was in the no club situation. So i bought a Firebird XL and taught myself to fly. Yeah it wasn't pretty the first day but these planes are tough. real tough. Once you can easily land the plane while its flying toward you (opposite controls) in the wind then go get a trainer. My easy 2 was almost easier to fly than the firebird. Just be calm if you get into trouble pull the power off and in almost every case with a trainer just pull up and things will get better.

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Id also recommend a Firebird or something electric if your not going to get help.
If your going to try a glow engine plane, find a 100 acres and take a sac. :D

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Yetti, you have an interesting problem.

Let me ask you, who was there to instruct Orville and Wilbur? You got it - nobody! They learned. Mind you, it was not easy.

If you is the pioneer, you is on your own. Then you wind up teaching the followers. However, RC has gone way beyond that. It really is best and a lot easier when someone experienced shows you how. No need to crash everything in sight just to prove you can.

As far as your plane goes, IMHO, haveing flown RC since about 1969 and full size since about 1974, I'd suggest that very many people don't really know how a plane flys. And most of the trainers are built for advanced training. So you really should get some help.

If you insist on going it alone, you need to figure out how a plane flies first. And a very forgiving, easy to control model, built to fly, not crash, like a Sig Kadet Senior will last until it's worn out. Mine never need one repair over several yeas and countless flights and a variety of engines. That could be way better than having a heavy plane that survives a few crashes and is replaced for a few bucks, each time. It all adds up. And while you're making all those replacements, you're not flying.

The only way you'll learn to fly is by pushing that plane around the sky, not fixing, not replacing, not anything but fliny the real thing.

Did I mention that I've tried my friend's simulator? Well, I've also tried full size 747 and Dash 7 simulators too. The only ones I liked were the full size.

As far as the crowds at the club go, why not make arrangements to get out there with sopmeone before the gang shows up? I well remember the summer I had my plane in the air by the time the sun peaked over the horizon. When the Hot Shots arrived by 10:00 am, I was already packed up after about half a dozen loooooooong flights and ready for some socialoizing before heading home. Sure learned to fly fast.

Good luck!

Learning To Fly Without Instructor
 

Don't worry, i have two clubs withing 10 miles of me. I sure as hell plan on going to get my plane in the air. Too much money to waste in seconds