For those that want to be self taught...
 

For those of you that want to be self taught, or think instructors are a waste of time,check out this post.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_88...tm.htm#8848616

If this doesn't say it all, I don't know what will.

CGr.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I was self taught over 20 years ago and still have never had a plane look like those. I have owned I can't remimber how many planes and have never crashed one yet. I am not saying I never will. Not everyone needs an instructor or a club.............just sayin

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

Then you were the exception, not the rule...the 1 in 100 that was able to do it. The vast majority of self-taught pilots will crash many times and spend too much money trying to learn until they succeed (if they stick around that long). Its not to say that they wont succeed, but when they do, they would have spent so much time, money, and effort when things could have been much simplified with an instructor

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

My thought on the subect is that if your brand spakin new to flying it would be foolish NOT to seek the help of someone who knows what their doing.  If you THINK you can do it alone, at least go up for the first time with an instructor.  You will know pretty quick if you will need help on additional flights.  I think of it as an insurance policy, sure you might not need it, but if you do, you'll be glad someone is there to bail you out.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I self taught myself on my hobby zone phantom and after 3or 4 good flights in that (no crashes) a friend invited me to his field ( bingofield is his username) of course he still buddy boxed me  on his alpha trainer. but had the wind been more cooperative he thinks he woulda had me soloing that day.

To teach your self you have to have an affinty of the material and study it, not just a passion. Im in school for engineering and played combat flight sims on my computer since i was a kid. Both of these i feel give me a much better understanding on whats going on up there with the plane and what reactions will happen when i move the sticks. I bet if some one is dead set on self teaching themselves they could do it right if they took time. Im so use to drawing free body diagrams and pictureing force reactions in my head i can directly apply it to the plane while its in the air. After my friend was comfortable he rarely took control of the plane towards the end of the day becaues he was confident i could recover when i got the plane in trouble.

Im willing to bet that most of these people who "teach them selves" have some money go to the hobby shob buy whatever and just go. If they would take the time to study it, understand some basic flight mechanics, buy an old janes combat flight sim (usaf was my favorite). Sure having an rc sim would be better but its more expensive if money is the problem, and you learn the same basic lessons about flight mechanics you just have to get use to the third person when your flying rc.

So to me the problem isnt people wanting to self teach. they just need to realize if you want to self teach there are alot more steps. you really gotta start at a classroom level and work up. Im sure i probably could have self taught myself im sure there would be a couple crashes but no yardsales like that picture above.

Like everything it depends on the level of the person trying to undertake it. If you understand how everything works in the air you can prob teach yourself, but it will take longer than if you get intstruction but it can be done. if you cant get past an inverted y axis control scheme you should definatly seek help.

Lol i know i kinda rambled, but thats just my 2 cents. I think people can teach them selves they just cant skip any steps just like when getting instruction. Im sure theres stubborn people out there who get one lesson then think they can do it. In every case you have to work from start to finish and there is a self taught path there its just longer depending on your background in the fundementals.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

For those of us that read RC Report the stories Gordon Banks told of himself learning to fly by himself were were priceless. Back in the 60s and 70s Isaw a lot of people learning to fly with and without an instructor, there were no buddy boxes, it was the hand off TX or arms around the student type of instructions. It can be done and without an instructor and today we have the Sims to help out. Today when I have a kid as a student it takes no time at all for them to solo, they were born with a joy stick in there hands and have no fear.
Is it the smart way to do it?? Nope, but it can be done but not often without a few broken planes.
In my old club we gave away a trainer ARC at an EAA fly in. Afull scale pilot won the prize. Ayear later he showed up at the club stating, My grand kids are coming out this week and I figure I will teach them to fly this plane, I figured Ibetter come out and get used to it before Iteach them!! He fly's 7 different warbirds to fly ins for aircraft owners so figured this would be easy for him.
Our club instructor ended up fixing his plane so it would fly!!! Talk about a really bad set up, hooked it up to the buddy box and took it up for him then turned over the controls to him. It was all over the sky stalling and spinning, inverted and diving!! He tried flying several times then gave up stating, it's a lot harder then I thought.
We never saw him at the field again?? That was too bad, he was a nice guy but I think RC planes either scared him or made a fool out of him??
In this day and age there is no reason for new pilots to have to go it alone and do it the hard way. Get an instructor!!! It saves time and money!

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

Iagree 100%. There is no doubt that it can be done, I don't think most people will put in the grit work beforehand however. For most, some help will come in handy.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I've only been back in the hobby for going on five years now.  I was like a lot of the kids today,  I wanted to start with a cool plane, and I wanted to build it myself.  I built it, and one of the club guys did the maiden on it.  The response was that it was a good flying plane, not take it home and hang it up and get yourself a trainer.  One more false start, I decided that a 60 size J3 cub would be a good trainer.  I got a kit and the first theee pages or so were dedicated to stating "THIS IS NOT A TRAINER"  OK on to plan C.  I ordered out a Lanier Elplorer 40 trainer and I was in business.  Hours and days of trainging.  A couple crashes and  a lot of frustration.  My instructor was about to give up on me and after destroying the "trainer" I salvaged wing and tail and made me a plane that would really fly.  Things greatly improved from there.  I lost that plane and built a 4*60 which I crashed on my first solo attempt, but managedd to get my wings a few days later after repairing it.   About three or four weeks later, I totaled it out.  Got a second one, and also made a clone of the plane I made from slavage parts from the trainer.  Both of those were totaled out over the next year. 

Could I have taught myself to fly. Sure I could have, given an unlimited budget for planes and equipment, and given an even greater unlimited want to fly.  I may have been almost qualified to fly a trainer today, some four years later.  Now, I'm comming up on 68 years now and my reaction time is not what it was in the 60's. 

On the other hand, a couple years back, we had a guy show up who was an Ex Marine jet pilot.  He took to the model flying like he had been doing it for years.  By the end of his first flight on the buddy box he had taken off and landed by himself.  After the second flight that day, he soloed and got his wings.  

Somewhere between this guy and myself is where most people fall when getting into the sport,  Given the younger kids, espically the ones who have played the video games grasp the flying very quickly. The older guys, even those with full scale experience are not a quick to learn.  Being able to fly a plane and being able to have one in flying condition though is another issue.  We had a college kid at the field a couple years back.  He could fly about anything and fly it very well.  That is untl parts dropped off or or some other build/maintance item got him.  I nicknamed him Captn Crunch.   

So, can a person teach himself to fly, sure they can.  Can they do it without ever crashing, not very likely.  Are the the safest person at the field, no way.    

Now I've got to say this,  I've seen almost every flyer at the field crash at least once.  We have one exception.  The guy has the latest and greatest of every thing that comes out.  I've never seen him crash.  I met an old ex club member that was very active in the club some 15 years before.  Were were talking about this guy, Sam, but not his real name, and it turns out that not only has Sam never crashed, no one who was a member in the last 20 years has ever seen him fly. 

Don

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

seems to me that being or attempting self teaching yourself how to fly really takes a beating , I don't think that should be , I self taught myself how to fly but I did allot of reasearch and did it the smart way , I strated with a thermal glider and a high start , then moved to a electric 2 meter thermal glider , progressing to a powered electric high wing trainer , then to glow powered trainer , and finally to warbirds which is were I originally wanted to be in this hobby , as long as one shows some pateinance does there homework maybe even a little simulator time , it can be acomplished quite easily , not saying that an instructor is a bad option on the contrary it is a very good one , but being self taught and done right can be just as good , I don't think the method deserves as much bashing as everyone gives it

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I think I know this guy!! Does his name start with # and end with ^?. He used to the club President of a large bay area club, and I never seen him fly either.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I was too self taught the rc flying, i think it's all about the plane you fly for the first time, mine was easy star (multiplex).

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I am basically self taught, but I didn't start out with two planes like that. My first was a Hobbyzone Super Cub, and from there I went to the Parkzone T-28. By the time I found an instructor, and had him put together my first "real" plane (Tower 60 trainer), I already had it pretty much figured out. We went through the motions anyway for the first flight, and then he gave me the sticks. That was about a year and a half ago, and I've been having a ball ever since http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/biggrin.gif

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I have just returned to the hobby for the third time, I am now 48 years old. First as a lad where after freeflightand line control I moved to RC (a single channel McGregor non proportianal). The move to RC was a failure because I always choose the wrong planes. I picked it up again in my early 20's this time with sailplanes had some limited sucess but again I always picked the wrong planes.

I was up in my attic a few weeks ago and saw my Graupner DG100 sailplane again, miraculously this one is still updamaged and intact. I felt the bug start to bite again. This time round times have changed. To start with we have the internet and a veritable mountain of information. I spent many days browsing the forums and gleening valuable information. There I discovered that the RC world has also changed. Electrics were now feasable (no more cut fingers and problems getting motors started), the electronics have come on in leaps and bounds and relatively speaking everthing is much cheaper. I think that McGregor single channel set cost me about 100 pounds!

So this time I was armed with information. Via the forums I discoved that flight sims are now available. I went for FMS because its free and seems to do the job. I still have and old 35Mhz Multiplex Europa Sprint TX so a made the cable and set it up with FMS. The choice of my first model was simple, an EasyStar, downloaded the sim for the EasyStar and started flying. Up till now zero investment and in one way I am already flying. Next choice was to continue with my old 35Mhz gear or invest in something new. I live in a small country, some of you with have larger back yard than Netherland so where ever you are there is a chance some will have a car, boat or plane somewhere close by. Also since I am a Wildflyer (the Dutch name for people not affiliated with a club) I felt that the responsible thing to do was go for 2.4Ghz.

So I purchased the Easystar in Radio Ready version, got myself a Dx6i and a couple of batteries and waited for a very calm day. I found a good flying field that is safe, big and with few tree's. Then I followed the instructions that i had obtained from the forum. First flights no power, trim her out, next flights a little power straight ahead, cut power then land etc. I have now been flying the Easystar for 2 weeks with no damage but many satisfying flights and landings. The only mod's I have done is a different prop and Ihave just order lipo's.

The most important tips for me were:
1. Choose the right model
2. Fly the SIM
3. Choose the right field to fly in. If there is a tree you will end up in it.
4. Never fly when it is too windy for you ability
5. Always keep the model upwind of yourself
6. Practice landings

I guess my point is things have changed. 30 years ago it was more difficult to teach yourself. We didn't have the information, planes were not durable and the technology was often unreliable. I don't think people should be put down for going it alone as long as they are responsible.</p>

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

As for myself, I live in a rural area. At one time there was a non formal club here, but that had disolved many years berfore I decided to get into r/c. I really had a passion to get into r/c aviation so I bought a Kadet senior kit. With lots of reasearch I got it built with a modified wing with ailerons. Bought a sim, spent some time on it and had a successful first and maiden flight. Not going to down play anything here, It was the most rewarding, scariest, hand shaking and knee knocking 9 minutes of my life. But man was I hooked after that!! I still have the senior today with countless fights on it. I'm sure that even if it went the other way I would have rebuilt and tried again and again if that's what it took. If there had been a club and instruction available, I would have absolutely went that route without a doubt. I'm sure there are many thousands of people that are in the hobby that are self taught for one reason or the other. I think if you have the passion for it, you shouldn't let anything hold you back from pursuing your passion. There are more than one road to a destination, some bumpier than others, but if your determined you'll get there.

flynte

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

As many (most) have said, thepath of leastresistance is via a trainer with an instructor on a buddy box. That's the way most have found their way into successful RC flying.

We've heard, on several occasions, of the poor person that went forward and tried it on his own, did not make it, and destroyed his plane and his/her desires - passion for flying RC. It's a shame, but it happens.

Then there are those that have successfully made it and are flying today. We applaud all that stick it out and make it through the difficult route of both instructor training or have managed to do it on their own.

The benefits of the instructor far outweigh the self taught route for many obvious reasons, least of which is the cost.

We try to discourage it, but then again, there are certain circumstances that overcome events and the person has to go it alone. My only recommendation is to stick with it and try to get help whenever you can, however you can. Many have attributed RCU for helping them by the suggestions of the many interested and dedicated people here.

And then again, unfortunately,there are those that allow their ego's to get in the way. We usually find out about these by visiting the crash forum once in a while. Some make it, most do not.

Best of luck to everyone that is trying to break into this hobby, and do what you must, but always remember that it's best with an instructor and there is always help here on RCU.

CGr.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I went almost exactly the same route in becoming self taught, but added in a RealFlight 3.5 Sim that really helped. I joined my Club right before Thanksgiving and had a really hard time getting an Instructor out between Thanksgiving and New Years. I took the foamies to a cleared idle subdivision and kept at it with the Cub and then the Trojan until I got it right. It did cost me some CA glue and a new fuselage for the Trojan but by the time I went back to the Club fieldin March I was good to go after one check flight. I now also fly an Xtra Easy nitro, an Escapade and aFuntanaX50.

The instructorsand officers at the Club have been incredibly helpful in getting planes set up correctly and taking them up for shakeout flights for trim before I've put them in the air since getting checked out.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

All you need is a Flight simulator.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I haven't seen the reset button out at the field.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

By the time I became interested in flying, most everyone else in town had gotten out of it. There was one guy in town that has been flying since the early 60's, and has many awards in pattern contests. He's theone that I contactedto help me. It's a real shame, several years ago there were quite a few "pilots" close by. Now there are only 3 of us,and our "field" is nothingmore than a small portion of a farmer's field that he was kind enough to let us use. I sort of envy you guys that are in a "real" club....althoughwe never have to compete with anyone for stick time.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I really hate people that preach "you must use an instructor" and discourage people to try it on their own.  If someone feels like they want to do it on their own instead of using an instructor and asks for peoples input, instead of saying "DON'T DO IT ON YOUR OWN YOU WILL FAIL, YOU MUST USE AN INSTRUCTOR", why don't you try this route instead:  Simply tell them the pro's and con's of doing it themselves vs. using an instructor and let them make their own decision instead of trying to force them to YOUR opinion.

Many of us are self taught and have a greater satisfaction from doing it ourselves than we would have if we had learned with an instructor.  Today, with all of the training simulators like Real Flight and all of the many flight sim programs it's even easier to do it yourself today than it was in the past.  As long as people follow the proper steps, starting with a high wing trainer, and not jumping ahead like buying a warbird for their second plane, there is a greater chance of success.

So instead of saying "I told you that you would fail if you tried to do it on your own", why do you try and be a little more positive and offer them NON-BIASED advise on what they can do to succeed which ever path they decide to take.

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I really agree with you Connery.
Im self taught myself. Mostly becuase here in norway, we don't have such big offers like instructors and very big clubs with their own field a.s.o.

I started off with a little electric Cessna trainer, and crashed and learnt. I never had to fix much else than a broken propeller. And after a while of flying that, I got a .40-sized trainer, not having trouble flying it at all.
And now im looking forward to get a new plane!

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

Whether someone wants to be self taught or chooses to be self taught is usually more of a circumstance as much as simply a choice. If I were a beginner now I would have to travel 42 miles to get to the closest active club! Many beginners don't have the option of an instructor, so if they can access forums such as this and get good guidance and possibly pick up a Sim to use more power and encouragement to them!If a club or instructor is available I know the success rate is better, but from this and other forums it is evident that there are a lot of pilots out there that have been self taught! My father and I started on our own with a motor glider and gradually moved up, that first glider was repaired many times, epoxy was a must in the flight box ( CA's weren't available yet). We were determined and successfully learned how to fly. I strongly recommend a beginner seek an instructor, but if one isn't readily available, I'm sure not going to discourage him from learning on his own.Whitewolf

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

Ithink this thread is really intended as advice to the new folks that have access to a club and instructor but don't want to spend the money. Then they proceed to crash their EDGE 540on themaiden flight and blow $500-$1000 bucks. It wasn't really directed to folks that don't have an option of using an instructor with Buddy Box.

I started flying in 1989 and took a 10 year hiatus until this year. When I got back into it, I started off with a NexStar and instructor w/ buddybox because I knew I'd be rusty. I'm still flying this model today shooting touch andgoes and practicing high cross wind landings. I'm just now looking into a second Model. Can't wait to pickup a STICK!

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

I think DenverJayhawk summed up the intent of what this thread was getting at. I'm also one who highly recommends getting with an instructor if you can, and don't consider a 20 - 30 mile drive too far for initial flight trainer (I drive 19 miles to one of our club fields, and another club I belonged to I drove 26 miles to the field). I've had students travel as far as 60 miles for some flight instruction before they started to fly from their farm fields.

Like DrRishi and whitewolf45 did starting off with a glider, I've recommend several times that beginners who did not have access to an instructor start with a 2-ch rudder/elevator 2-meter glider or powered glider. Having flown gliders for years I feel they are the best way to get started if you don't have an instructor to help you out. They do almost everything in slow motion and when the do hit the ground the inertia is low enough they generally don't get damaged or sustain very little damage. Then again I've been chastised for recommending gliders since they don't have ailerons. [X(]

Hogflyer

RE: For those that want to be self taught...
 

Hogflier,

I got my 3 training flights in Wichitaat the old Beech field on 13th st. It was 300 miles one way.