Looking for a good place to start
 

Hey all. First off, let me start by saying that there are a ton of beginner posts and I have read most. Almost all revert back to the same thing.... Go to your local field. This is where I struggle. Between my wife and I, we have one car and 3 kids, so travel is out of the question and to my knowledge there is only one local club around. I have attempted to seek out their schedules, without success, and show up on random days in hopes of catching someone. I did catch people there on 2 occassions but when I started asking questions, seemed stand-offish and like I was bothering them so I left both times. That community seems very closed to outsiders and the fact that I am a grown man(kinda) 31 I was expecting a little more cooperation and information. Due to this experience, I have chose to go into park flyers. I just ordered my first, Parkzone Tycoon 2, and learned I made a big time mess up. I plan on keeping this plane in the closet as everything I have read about it says its well worth the money, but with as little experience as I have in the air, dont think I should even put it together till I know I can keep flying. This leads me into why I post.... Can I self teach myself how to fly with say a Parkzone J-3 cub or something that is cost effiecent and managable? I have read alot of posts about the Air Hogs Aero Ace and will have that tomorrow to start honing in the skills, but I imagine that will only take me so far. Any advice on what I should be looking at would be helpfull. I want to stay within $200 for a decent RTR trainer if possible. Thanks tons, Jon

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

That's a hard call. Maybe leave a note at that field explaining your desire to learn to fly r/c; maybe someone less standoffish and more willing will get it and contact you. Maybe a computer simulator might help, but I don't think I could learn to fly from one, although they are helpful in some respects; they teach the stick movements, but there's little "feel" of the real thing, to me. Fun to play with, but not like learning on a "real" plane.

As far as what plane to start with, I'd recommend that whatever you choose, get one that uses a standard 2-stick transmitter. Something from ParkZone or ModelFly is cost effective, but the AirHog stuff is too much a "toy" and cheap crap as far as I'm concerned. A Cub model, usually doesn't make a good trainer, but I couldn't say about the small park flyers. Whatever you do, good luck.

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

For my 2 cents I'd suggest you keep trying to meet other club members. Maybe they were stand-offish because they were having a problem and really didn't have time right then for a newcomer; who knows? Find out who the club executives are. Most modellers I have met are eager to help new people. Are there any other clubs close by?
I am not very confident you can learn on those planes. Like most of the suggestions to beginners emphasize; there are a lot of things besides the flying part that you have to learn. I really don't think you can teach yourself to fly. You have to have an instructor in my opinion. Good luck.

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

Go back and find someone different. Ask for phone numbers. Go to the LHS and ask questions.You'll find the help you need. Also ask about used equipment to start with. don't give up because of two people, there's many good people just waiting to help. Dennis

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

TY all for the posts and I think after consideration and your posts that I need to go back to the field and just spend more time. I hope by doing so the members see I am not just another passer-by and want to learn. I will look for anything I can find on who runs the club and so on. Thanks again to all who replied and know I will look into what was said. Jon

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

welcome to RC flying
i think if you try again and get phone numbers you'll find it worth while. don't buy any thing else until you talk with the club instructor(s). its MUCH easier for an instructor to teach if the radio is compatable with his and most clubs have some preferences on what plane to start with. if you really want to start on a plane without checking a Sig LT 40 will make about any teacher smile. get a DEPENDABLE 45 two cycle motor. an OS LA 45 is ok (not the 40 though) and cheap and very "newby " freindly. but don't buy a radio until your instructor says to.

if you absolutely must train yourself look into blue foam housewrap electic trainer designs. search this site and you'll find free plans out he wazzooo!!! a fair place to start is a design called a T1 and it is sloww.. and very cheap. you could destoy a dozen of these planes and never loose any on board eqipment. the thing that will sink a self learner the fastest is not knowing about setting up a plane prior to flying... balance control throws trimming radio set ...up these are where a club and an instructor REALLY PAY OFF.
be persistant and the club members will likely come around. teaching you on the electric plane you have may be putting the club guys off a little because i don't think it will buddy box ( plug into their radios).

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

jon ,if all else fails , you could come down here to Australia , and i will teach you ,{ well we can always dream, can't we?}
So welcome to RCU and the wonderful world of model flying, i hope you have success in your ventures
Bill

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

If you would rather try to teach yourself to fly on a parkflyer electric, you should look closely at the Parkzone Slo-V or the Hobbyzone Super Cub as a first airplane. The Air Hogs Aero Ace is a lot of fun, but it won't exactly prepare you for flying the Typhoon.

Finding a club where you feel comfortable and welcome shouldn't be as much of a chore as it sometimes turns out to be. About 20% of the club members are friendly and outgoing, 20% are crotchety old men, and the other 60% are somewhere in between. You might have simply run into a couple of the crotchety old men.

If you decide to join a club and fly a glow trainer, you can get just about everything you need delivered right to your front door for $259.99:

[link=http://www.thundertiger4u.com/thunder-tiger-tiger-trainer-super-combo-wfree-side-kick-p-7311.html]Tiger Trainer .40 Super Combo w/Side Kick[/link]

The above package includes a high quality glow trainer with engine and radio system pre-installed as well as nearly complete set of field accessories. Simply perform a small amount of final assembly, charge the transmitter and receiver batteries, add a gallon of glow fuel from your local hobby store, and go fly! The above package also comes with glow ignitor with charger, starter stick, fuel pump, fuel cap kit, extra fuel line, and 4-way prop/glow wrench.

Whichever way you decide to go, RC flying is a terrific hobby that is even more fun than you imagine. Good luck and good shopping.

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

I'll grant that a person "could" teach themselves how to steer an airplane around in the sky and maybe even get it down in one piece. But how are you going to learn to safely fly in the presence of 4, 5 or more other modelers? Or bystanders?

It's just not worth it. Join a club. Learn to fly safely.

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

John why not attend the next meeting? that way you get to meet the club officers...tell them you want to learn

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

These are all good recomendations - I really like the one about going to Austraila to learn to fly :eek: - Can I come too? [8D]

However - I think that folks have missed a key point - Money. One car, three kids and a $200.00 limit ... you should start looking for alternatives.

#1. Join the local club and find someone with some pre-enjoyed equipment for sale.
#2 Consider SPAD aircraft. Very strong and inexpensive. You can make up any style of AC for a fraction of the cost.[X(]
#3 Take your time and grow into the hobby - there is lots to learn.
#4 ENJOY! :D ;) [sm=thumbup.gif]

Good Luck!

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

Clubs have good guys and other guys. Just like life. There are usually guys within a club who like to help beginners. You didn't meet them yet. Call a club officer and ask if there is an instructor in the group.

Multiplex has a RTF training system based on an Elapor foam highwing electric trainer. It is sold in 3 different packages. The RTF option comes with everything for the plane (2 batteries which shows they're thinking) plus a CD "How to Finish and Fly" and a pc Flight simulator program (no idea which one). There is a package that is just the model but with servo, motor and controller installed. Tower sells it for $120. And then for about $65 they sell just the ARF.

It looks to be an option that would fit your needs. Or one of the three might be.

Elapor is hard to mess up. It is repairable. And Multiplex is a fairly smart bunch.

BTW, don't expect to walk onto a club field and find exactly the right person you need to talk to. Most guys who go flying when they can, don't have the time to spend with newbies, and didn't go in hopes of finding someone to spend the day helping. The people who walk up and start asking questions often take lots of time doing just that, asking questions. And the percentage of those walkons who actually show up again is very small.

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

Do a search from the AMA website and you'll find 7 clubs within 22 miles (zip code 14424?), including 2 that support the Introductory Pilot program. Now I realize that with one car, three kids, and a tight budget, this could present a problem. What you have to ask yourself is "Would I rather trash 6 park flyers at $60-100 and possibly learn to fly, or would I rather take the kids and go to a field and have the whole family learn to fly from a qualified instructor?

Make the committment to this as a family activity. We have one club member that started his son flying at age 5 or 6. Nows he's 9 and an excellent pilot. 15-20 miles isn't too bad these days for good instruction, and good fields are very hard to come by.

I strongly discourage the use of public parks to learn to fly, unless the public officials have actually OK'd use of the park. The risks are too high, particularly with a beginner.

Brad

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

Hi jon31072000,

I think I was in a similar situation as you to start learning rc plane at 30's, and also experienced unpleasant matter in a local flying club. By that time, I searched the nearby club and went there on the flying date , after watched for a hour seeing them flown different type of rc planes, burning holes in the sky. I was so admired and hope to be one of them.

I talked to a couple of members who were taking a break after the flight , told them I wanted to learn rc model flying. I was then introduced to their training coordinator who is also the owner of a LHS. He was keen to explain what I need to have , such as what plane, equipment , and to arrange a schedule for training etc. But what an abrupt change to him after he knew I had got my own plane and most of the stuff required which I had bought oversea. He refused to get me a instructor by saying that he just found the trainee quota was full.

I knew it is all an excuse because I didn't buy stuffs from him. I was so angry and disappointed and never go to the club again, anyhow, I didn't give up rc flying but decided to learn on myself by electric.

I tried quite a few electric arfs and unsuccessful and got them all smashed until this one......... GWS DHC2 BEAVER, this is the 1st plane I can fly steady in the air for longer than 5 minutes. From the Beaver, I learned the basic skills to fly and even simple aerobatic. It is so easy and steady to fly and I think everyone can handle and I would like to recommend to you if you really want to learn on your own.:D

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

Jon, there is a very good plane out there called a Hobby Zone Super Cub. It's about $160 ready to fly and it comes with everything you need.

I think it would be right up your alley. You could learn to fly with it and later move on to more advanced airplanes.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ7100

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

I'm going to disagree with just about everyone who's posted, here. You have no spare time, a small budget, and expectations.

If you want to learn on your own, you'll need a bigger budget and time to do repairs.

If you want to find an instructor, you'll need to travel, adjust your expectations, and deal with an instructor's available time.

If you join a club, you'll need most of your budget for dues & and any required (AMA, perhaps) memberships.

My suggestion is to get an RC Flight Simulator. They are very instructive, you can't destroy the planes, and they're there waiting for you, on your schedule. Most are within your budget. I believe I saw a Sig ad where they're selling a controller for about 40 bucks, bundled with an inexpensive simulator.

Using a simulator does not prevent you from having a plane on the building board. And, a flight sim does not prevent you from making contact with clubs, when you have time, and making contact with officers and instructors.

Dropping in at the field when the two people present are preoccupied is not uncommon. No one goes to the field with a new plane, hoping that a new prospective student will show up and need an hour of attention, immediately. Most people show up with a limited amount of time to spend. They want to get a plane in the air and enjoy it (perhaps you know the feeling) before they have to go home or to that church meeting, or get to the home improvement store before it closes. The proper time to make contact is at a scheduled club meeting or a prearranged visit.

Best wishes with whatever path you choose,
Dave Olson

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

An awful lot of replies but to a degree think some are missing the point, whilst it would be better to join a club think he's saying that's pointless because the Mrs will have the car that he'd use to get there and if he's off flying she won't neccassarily want to be sitting at home with no transport and the kids, easier to take then to the pool or some thing. Also whilst I can nip round the corner to a field do 3 batterines and be back within hour which is acceptable outage at a weekend if I started taking whole afternoons / days out of family time it'd probably cost me loads in the bedroom !!!!!! Most clubs as well don't want someone rushing my, jumping the queque to fly next doing 3 batterines in a row then pack everything in the car and leave, don't get me wrong when I retired and the kids have left home I'll probably happily spend 3/4 of my time at a club, chatting with the guys about their planes / experiences and would love to watch / learn from other people flying but simply don't have the time at the moment
Get yourself FMS Simulator at th same time as you get either a HobbyZone Super Cub (which I learnt on) or have a look at some of the Multiplex Trainers, I haven't flown their trainers but have had the MiniMag which I'd look at as a second plane and as one other person said Elapor is relatively strong and their products do seem good / quality.
Don't try to fly on your own until you can EASILY take off and land having flown several circuits almost without thinking about it on the simulator and it will still be different when you fly rthe real thing and there's wind etc my first couple of attempts just went skyward and then realised it was the trim and even having corrrecte that lost the plane behind me in the wind to the extent just though head down or planes gone and managed to land it in a tree (no real damage) !!!!!!
Good luck, if I can do it no reason why you can't but it is a lot more testing of your patience alone and if you can join a club would still recommend it !!!!

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

I put zip code 14424 in he AMA club search and it found 7 clubs within 25 miles.
http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx

For the Canadaigua Sky Chiefs there is a phone number for a club contact. There is an email address but I recommend picking up the phone. People change email addresses all the time; they tend to keep a phone number. There's also a web site that tells when/where they hold their meetings.

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

The big differences from a simulator to the real things is fear. In a simulator you can crash an airplane and not care because the space bar will fix everything. In real life a crash cam cause you multiple hours of repair or the need for a new airframe entirely. Also landings are hardere because on the computer you do not have a cusinart flying in your general direction trying to land when you are unsure about the controls and are hesitating and secong guessing yourself. The fear is worse when you have no one to help you and the more trouble you get into the more you self doubt yourself and think something is wrong with the plane.

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

I'd say if you can't go train at a club then this isn't the right hobby for you. I'm pretty new to RC and thought I would be good at it. Then I got on the buddy box and found out just how hard it would be. I'd probably be 3-4 planes poorer just this summer without an instructor to take off and land for me.
If you're going to do it yourself, pick a plane that can take crashes well.

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

Maybe thsi has already been said, I too am a beginner to this hobby.

See if your local club has a website and contact the President or someome else oin the commitee about your interest in this hobby.
I asked the secretary on which plane, controller, field kit and flight sim to purchase.

I did just that and come this Sunday, will soon be of on my first flight with an instructor.

Hope all goes well.

Smo0

RE: Looking for a good place to start
 

Thank you to all who posted as I have read them all and taken them to heart. I have bought a HZ Super Cub, but ripped the nose off while trying to teach myself to fly, but then learned that the ACT technology actually hurts first time pilots by guessing what the pilot is doing. I was flying laps around an open field up high when I lost alot of altitude and hit a baseball backstop. It all of a sudden dropped about 30-50 feet and then I was to low and inexperienced to avoid the collision. Then next day I went out and got a HZ Firebird Phantom and love it. I have had a ton of successful flights and enjoy the stability of this plane in the air with engine on or off, very easy to fly in my oppinion.
However, after reading the posts here, I went out and got my AMA License and joined my local club(Finally found the field and some great ppl) and they were very eager to help, but all were not impressed with my foamies... lol. I just ordered a Hobbico Avistar off Tower and am currently waiting for it to arrive. I already have the instructor lined up and am looking forward to getting much better at keeping my planes in one piece.

In closing I just want to thank you all again because if it werent for you guys urging me to go to a club, I would still be ripping up foamies in the park wondering why Im not getting any better at flying. After my first flight it became apparent that I am not a natural and definately need training... lol. So again, I just want to thank each and every one of you for the info as I believe this will keep me in the sport rather than getting discouraged and giving up. I love flying. Jon