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Newbie Here
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My wife and kids got me a plane for Christmas, pictures are on my profile. Since the plane was already bought by my beloved family, please don't tell me it's the wrong one.
I already put it together and have been playing around with the simulator. My neighbor and I are going to start flying together, he is pretty new too, I believe. I believe there is a flying club in Tyngsboro, MA. If anybody here belongs or knows about it, shoot me an email. Thanks for your help and advice!!!!! This looks like a lot of fun. Matt |
RE: Newbie Here
Welcome to the fourms & this wonderful hobby (addiction)
Seek out an experienced modeler that can help make sure you get the most out of your trainer your wife's choice was a good one, next thing you know you will want most everything that comes down the pike(I did) good luck let us know if we can help lots of knowledgeable people on these fourms |
RE: Newbie Here
Welcome to RCU, and the greatest hobby in the world!!!!
There is nothing at all with that plane. Great choice for a trainer. And with you're looking for a club to learn to fly at you have covered all the basics to ensure successfully learning to fly. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have here in this forum. And by all means keep us posted on your progress!!!! Ken |
RE: Newbie Here
You will find all the information you need on these forums and more!! Trainers are the best plane to learn on hence the name so you'll be fine mate. Goodluck and happy flying
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RE: Newbie Here
Great choice of airplane.
Welcome to your new addiciton. |
RE: Newbie Here
What a wonderful family you have!!!
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RE: Newbie Here
You have either an Alpha 40. I've instructed several students with these planes and it will do you well.
Clubs within 25 miles of Tyngsboro: SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE FLYING EAGLES 5.62 miles DAVID SURWELL 24 NORWICH RD NASHUA NH 03062-2005 Phone: 603-888-3633 Url: www.snhflyingeagles.org GRANITE STATE QUIET FLYERS 6.57 miles MAURICE THERIAULT 8 BELLE AIRE AVE NASHUA NH 03060-3602 Phone: 603/882-6351 495TH RC SQUADRON INC* 11.03 miles JOHN MORLEY PO BOX 426 TEWKSBURY MA 01876 Phone: 978-851-8895 Email: Email Url: www.495thsquadron.org SOUTHERN NH RC CLUB 12.42 miles JOHN HAYES 17 MIKE LN LITCHFIELD NH 03052-1066 Phone: 603.424.7125 Url: www.snhrcc.org MERRIMACK VALLEY AIR-ISTOCRATS 12.73 miles JAMES FIORELLO 4 DUSTON DR METHUEN MA 01844-4606 Phone: 978/687-0024 MASSACHUSETTS MODEL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION 13.26 miles THOMAS BOUTUREIRA 78 LOVEJOY RD ANDOVER MA 01810 Phone: 978.470.1733 NEW HAMPSHIRE FLYING MISFITS 14.25 miles MERCHON COTTRELL 56 JESSICA DRIVE MERIMAC NH 03054 Phone: 603-424.2835 Url: www.nhflyingmisfits.org HIDDEN BROOK RADIO CONTROL 15.05 miles JAMES GILLIATT 533 LEXINGTON RD CONCORD MA 01742-3714 Phone: 978.369.9796 THE NH FLYING TIGERS RC CLUB 16.06 miles STEVE BLACK PO BOX 99 DERRY NH 03038 Phone: 603.661.5537 Url: www.newhampshireflyingtigers.org CROWE ISLAND RADIO CONTROL 16.60 miles DONALD WEAVER 6 DEWEY ST MAYNARD MA 01754-2711 Phone: 978-897-9591 BURLINGTON RC FLIERS 18.16 miles JOHN HATFIELD 1 POTTER POND LEXINGTON MA 02421 Phone: 781-862-6349 Url: www.burlington-rc.com QUINAPOXIT MODEL FLYING CLUB 20.12 miles ROBERT PERREAULT 65 WACHUSETT ST LEOMINSTER MA 01453 Phone: 978-537-0850 Url: www.qmfc.org MIDDLESEX COUNTY R-C FLIERS* 21.07 miles ERASMO CAPOBIANCO 28 GRIFFEN DR WAKEFIELD MA 01880-1443 Phone: 781-944-6056 Url: www.mcrcf.org CHARLES RIVER RCERS 22.63 miles JOHN NILSSON 511B RIDGEFIELD CIR CLINTON MA 01510-1444 Phone: 978-368-7136 Url: www.charlesriverrc.org NORTHEAST R/C MODEL CLUB 23.66 miles GEORGE DENAULT PO BOX 12 MERRIMAC MA 01860 Phone: 978-346-9611 Additional clubs within 25 miles of Westford: HIDDEN BROOK RADIO CONTROL 9.44 miles JAMES GILLIATT 533 LEXINGTON RD CONCORD MA 01742-3714 Phone: 978.369.9796 SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE FLYING EAGLES 10.32 miles DAVID SURWELL 24 NORWICH RD NASHUA NH 03062-2005 Phone: 603-888-3633 Url: www.snhflyingeagles.org CROWE ISLAND RADIO CONTROL 10.42 miles DONALD WEAVER 6 DEWEY ST MAYNARD MA 01754-2711 Phone: 978-897-9591 495TH RC SQUADRON INC* 11.23 miles JOHN MORLEY PO BOX 426 TEWKSBURY MA 01876 Phone: 978-851-8895 Url: www.495thsquadron.org GRANITE STATE QUIET FLYERS 12.16 miles MAURICE THERIAULT 8 BELLE AIRE AVE NASHUA NH 03060-3602 Phone: 603/882-6351 BURLINGTON RC FLIERS 14.24 miles JOHN HATFIELD 1 POTTER POND LEXINGTON MA 02421 Phone: 781-862-6349 Url: www.burlington-rc.com MASSACHUSETTS MODEL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION 15.15 miles THOMAS BOUTUREIRA 78 LOVEJOY RD ANDOVER MA 01810 Phone: 978.470.1733 QUINAPOXIT MODEL FLYING CLUB 16.69 miles ROBERT PERREAULT 65 WACHUSETT ST LEOMINSTER MA 01453 Phone: 978-537-0850 Url: www.qmfc.org MERRIMACK VALLEY AIR-ISTOCRATS 16.70 miles JAMES FIORELLO 4 DUSTON DR METHUEN MA 01844-4606 Phone: 978/687-0024 CHARLES RIVER RCERS 17.31 miles JOHN NILSSON 511B RIDGEFIELD CIR CLINTON MA 01510-1444 Phone: 978-368-7136 Url: www.charlesriverrc.org SOUTHERN NH RC CLUB 18.16 miles JOHN HAYES 17 MIKE LN LITCHFIELD NH 03052-1066 Phone: 603.424.7125 Url: www.snhrcc.org MIDDLESEX COUNTY R-C FLIERS* 19.60 miles ERASMO CAPOBIANCO 28 GRIFFEN DR WAKEFIELD MA 01880-1443 Phone: 781-944-6056 Url: www.mcrcf.org NEW HAMPSHIRE FLYING MISFITS 19.75 miles MERCHON COTTRELL 56 JESSICA DRIVE MERIMAC NH 03054 Phone: 603-424.2835 Url: www.nhflyingmisfits.org THE NH FLYING TIGERS RC CLUB 22.23 miles STEVE BLACK PO BOX 99 DERRY NH 03038 Phone: 603.661.5537 Url: www.newhampshireflyingtigers.org NEW ENGLAND WAKEFIELD GROUP 23.07 miles STANLEY COLSON 47 SAMMET ST EVERETT MA 02149-3139 Phone: 617/389-3313 Url: www.newg.info CENTRAL MA R/C MODELERS INC* 24.09 miles DAVID WILSON 28 W HILL DR WESTMINSTER MA 01473-1142 Phone: 978-874-7943 Url: www.cmrcm.org 107TH R/C FLYERS INC 24.92 miles GEORGE BELLOFATTO 26 GENEVA ST REVERE MA 02151 Phone: 781.286.6884 There will be some repetition.:D |
RE: Newbie Here
Welcome Aboard!!!
Now that you have a plane, pick a club and find an instructor! :D Both are very important!;) The Club is where and the instructor is how. For everyone's sake don't try to learn on your own... although it is possible, it is hard, demoralizing and expensive. [:'(] A good instructor can save you time, money and lots of frustration! :D Welcome to the world's finest addiction! :eek:;) |
RE: Newbie Here
And, Pleeease put more rubber bands on that wing before you fly. At least 4 on each side, front to back and at least 3 diagonally on both sides. Good luck, great plane you got there. Nice wife and kids.
I got socks. |
RE: Newbie Here
You got yourself and excellent trainer! The only problem I see (and it's not really a problem) is the prop. Take the 3 blade prop and chuck it. Switch to a 11x5 or 10x6 (the 11x5 would be a better choice in my opinion). Otherwise good luck & enjoy!
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RE: Newbie Here
Thanks for all the advice and kind words, everyone. I definitely do not intend on flying this thing on my own. Joining a club and finding an instructor are #1 on my list.
I just put on a couple of rubber bands for the photo, I knew I needed more. I can't get it out of my basement with the wing on, so no chance of flying it as-is.:D We have been very lucky with weather her in New England this year, but I doubt it will last. Most likely, I won't really get flying until spring, but I'll start going to club meetings and I'll definitely start frequenting this message board. The crash videos have already scared the crap out of me:(. Thank you all, Matt |
RE: Newbie Here
The 3-blade is fine for the first flights. It will keep the plane from going too fast and will also help to slow it down for landing. It does break fairly easy so you need to get a spare. Do not use wood props while learning as they also break very easy. When you switch to 2-blade use Master Air Screw (MAS) initially as they are tough props too. eventually many change over to APC props for their efficiency and stiffness but they bugger up easily too so not advisable in the beginning IMO. I've been doing this 30 years off/on and still use MAS because I just like their appearance better.:)
BTW - when you change to 2-blade you will need to change spinners and most likely remove the flywheel for most brands of spinners to fit properly. Flywheel just pulls right off. |
RE: Newbie Here
If you're up for the drive, I'm a member of the Burlington RC Flyers. Great field, great bunch of guys. Not many restrictions for flying distance as we're in the middle of nowhere. Give us a look if you are interested, or shoot me a PM for my email addy.
Good luck! |
RE: Newbie Here
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ORIGINAL: RCKen Welcome to RCU, and the greatest hobby in the world!!!! Yes, the Alpha is a great plane to start off with. As Bruce said, when the time comes you may want to (or need it) remove the flywheel on the front of the engine. It won't just "pull" off, but it can easily be tapped off with a socket, hammer and a vise. Also, if you DO remove the flywheel, be sure to re-balance the plane (Removing that heavy flywheel will make the plane tail-heavy which will make it VERY hairy if not completely uncontrollable) Welcome to RCU! |
RE: Newbie Here
It pulls off if you pull it with a "claw hammer".:D OK, so I made it sound easier than it is, sue me.:)
BTW - I was kidding about the hammer. Sheeez, got to put in a disclaimer everywhere now. |
RE: Newbie Here
I learnt on an Alpha this year and I still fly it today, it is a great plane and I really enjoy flying it, and I am sure you will too. One question have you got the surport equipment, you will need a glow plug starter, an engine starter, some fuel, and a way to get the fuel to the plane, you will also find in the future you will need spare glow plugs, and more, but this will be quite well into the future.
ORIGINAL: bruce88123 when you change to 2-blade you will need to change spinners and most likely remove the flywheel for most brands of spinners to fit properly. Flywheel just pulls right off. just my 2 penith worth. James |
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