Where to start
 

Hello all ,
iam a beginner and i dont know where to start , i just want to make my own RC plane I want to make a simple one pls help me with the steps and stuffs that i need simple steps , cutting , covering , the remote control , engine and types of engines ,

RE: Where to start
 

One could fill a book answering your question. :) Invest a little time in reading through this forum and you will soon be able to make all those decisions with relative ease. If you have a VERY specific question, like engine A versus engine B, folks will be more than happy to tell you their thoughts, but an open ended request for everything there is to know probably won't get you too far.

Just my thoughts.

Erik

RE: Where to start
 

Building from scratch (pile of wood & materials) is tough to do right. Much better to start with a kit or ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) plane. See this list for some ideas along that line: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm If you get too simple it won't fly or keep you happy very long. Simplest would be a glider or powered glider.

RE: Where to start
 

try to visit the local clubs. there is alot of good advice to be had from seasoned flyers. some clubs even have trainers that they will let new people fly, supervised of course. keep it simple for a while. its a great hobby and if you have kids, it can be great family time. plan to spend a few bucks to get started and dont go too cheap.

RE: Where to start
 

draftman1 has the answer go to your local club introduce yourself and ask lots of questions.....I know it maybe hard to do not knowing anyone or anything, but most of us RC'ers are pretyy nice

RE: Where to start
 

For a new flyer, starting with a scratch build is not a good idea. I'm not even sure I'd recommend a kit build for a newbie. My reasoning is as follows.

When you build a plane from a kit or scratch, you fall in love with it. It will probably take months of painstaking work. When you go to fly, the adrenaline/nerve factor can be overwhelming, which interferes with you're ability to learn to fly. Kits and scratch builds tend to be more expensive in the long run than an ARF or RTF as well.

There is a downside to the ARF/RTF market, and thats the poor quality of construction coming out of many of the shops that build them. But for a new flyer that has help from an instructor, a close inspection and a couple hours of work is usually all thats needed to correct any defects.

Once you've learned how to fly, you'll understand far more about what you want in a plane, how they're constructed, and you'll be much readier to build a kit while you're flying you're trainer. And you can probably use the engine and electronics from you're trainer in the next build, which will save you money.

Brad

RE: Where to start
 

If you want to build a plane from a pile of wood, I definitely recommend building a commercially available kit over trying to cut each part from large sheets or sticks.

A first build (using a kit) is a huge learning experience. It usually takes longer than you'd expect and there are times when it can be frustrating. The frustrating times usually start about the time you recognize a mistake and have to figure out how to recover from it.

Cutting each part would add too many recovery opportunities for me and I'd never finish.


I mention the Great Planes kit line-up because they have the manuals for many of their kits available for free download:
http://www.greatplanes.com/parts/index.html#kits
The PT-20 & PT-40 share the same manual. These are fairly typical "Primary Trainer" kits. The biggest majority of trainer kits are very similar and the 'which one is best' question is almost impossible to answer. In reality, if you want to build a trainer from a kit, any of the ones in RCKen's list will be perfectly fine for learning to build and fly.

RE: Where to start
 

Keep in mind, folks, there may not exactly be an abundance of local clubs available in Sudan, assuming the OP's location is accurate.

Reading the posts and stickies in this forum is a good way to start. Reading [link=http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-Radio-Control-Airplanes/dp/0911295429/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198260003&sr=1-1]THIS BOOK[/link] is a good way to educate yourself somewhat offline if no club is available.

RE: Where to start
 

I just noticed that you are not in the US. That might impact the availability of certain brands, and it might make it more difficult to find local modelers.
We have the AMA web site (www.modelaircraft.org) that has a club search feature to help find flying clubs all over the US. If there is a similar organization in your country, you should take advantage of it.

RE: Where to start
 

Good place to start. I not plugging Tower, but there is some good info there :)

http://www.easyrc.com/airplanes/index.html

RE: Where to start
 

Thank you all
Now I can start , first i will search over this forum for all basic information and then start building my rc plane ,


thank you all you are very helpfull

RE: Where to start
 

Weather you decide to build a kit or an ARF, read this thread first. There is a lot of great information and pictures that will help you either way.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3439708/tm.htm

RE: Where to start
 

i am a beginner and i want to know where to start
and what to start with[X(]

RE: Where to start
 

silu44 - I have a question for you. Do you want to build something small and inexpensive just so you can see it fly, or are you focused on just getting out and flying? If it's the first option, start with free flight planes. There is a lot you can learn about building and flight trimming from those that applies directly to RC when you're ready. If it's the latter and you don't have any local flyers to help you, a factory built park flyer will give you the best chance of success. I'll recommend either the Hobby zone Super Cub or the GWS Slow Stick. Both are easy flyers and durable. Once you learn flying from them, it makes sense to graduate to the art project you probably have in mind that you build yourself.

RE: Where to start
 

from 2007

RE: Where to start
 

Prongs95, there are three places you need to go, in this order, as a beginner:
1) The AMA website to find a club that has an instructor to help you
2) The local club flying field to meet with an instructor as well as other members to get recommendations on what to look for at stop number three
3) The local hobby shop or online source to find a trainer, power source, radio gear, preferably a radio that can use a "buddy box". Depending on your power source, your ground support equipment will vary so that is something I will leave to the people at the field to help you with

RE: Where to start
 

Also check:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7316610/tm.htm
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8503667/tm.htm
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm

RE: Where to start
 

Bruce.. how are things at FEDEX?

We're really working on the new ADS-B system. It pays the bills, that's for sure.

CGr.

RE: Where to start
 

Annying! Why do people find these old threads and resurrect them?

RE: Where to start
 

Good grief man - it was his very first post. Give him a few minutes to find his way and to learn our unspoken etiquette. :)

ps: referring to post by prongs95

RE: Where to start
 

Things are good. The new B777's are trickling in and now we have a bunch of new B767 on order as well. I think their delivery starts next year. Cycling out some of our gas hungry 3-holers. Clean airplanes to work on - YAY!!

RE: Where to start
 

Point taken, Bruce.

Prongs95- Two things. First, new question = new thread. Don't post your questions in other people's threads. It causes confusion and makes it harder for people to help you. Second, the stickies at the top of the forum have a wealth of information for the new flyer. Also a user named Minnflyer has a website for beginners called www.gettingairborne.com. Read those first, then if anything still isn't clear ask as many questions as you need to. We're here to help and love to see new flyers get into the hobby.

RE: Where to start
 

I am sorry myself, I skipped right over prongs post.. just missed it completely. I just saw the original post from 2007 and jumped. I will have to slow down my speed reading...[&:]