My First Plane
 

Ok I am Very New to Flying!I just bought my first plane today A steal of a deal I got aTower Trainer 40 MKII with a 4channelFutaba Skysport Remote I belive! I got all of that for 100 dollars the guy who sold it to me flew it 2 times and decided to get a new one but it has never been crashed. Has anyone used this aircraft. I was gonna takeit out tommorw but itlooks like I will not be able to until friday when the weather gets better. So Here is the Main ? Whereis a good place to learn information about flying and what do I need to start learning. Iknow I am gonna learn some stufffrom the members of the R.CClub I joined and from my trainerbut what are themain things i need tostart learning and where can I go for information. Thanks For All who Respond!

Rusty

RE: My First Plane
 

www.gettingairborne.com

This trainer is one of the best bargains in the hobby in my opinion. It's what I learned to fly on 14 years ago, and I still have it today!!!!

Your best source of info and instruction is going to be the instructor at the club you go to. He'll be the one that will move you from a beginner into a pilot with a sucessfull solo flight under your belt. Anything we can tell you here, or that you can read on any sight, it going to be dwarfed by what your instructor will do for you. That doesn't mean RCU isn't a good resource, it just means that your intsructor will be able to do more for you than we can here simply because he is there with you and can give you first hand help.

Ken

RE: My First Plane
 

You can learn everything you need to KNOW right here. Some of the folks here are really expert in all facets of R/C. Youwilllearn what you need toDO at the field, and on a simulator to a lesser degree, but knowledge needed by us newbies can behad right here. Especially in this forum. Search for engine tuning as this something you have to learn to do. You can't really fly without it.

I started with the first post in this forum and read until I couldn't read anymore. That gave me lots to think about. Then you can start asking questions. Ireally think thesee guys love it when you do, so don't be shy. LOL Good luck! Jim

RE: My First Plane
 

You got one heck of a deal for $100. It would be a shame to get too eager and crash it. Like RCKen said, find a local club and instructor. You can locate a nearby club by entering your zip code here: http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx

If you learn it the right way you'll be hooked on a lifelong hobby.

RE: My First Plane
 

do yourself a favor and get some instruction befor attempting to fly in your own. Your wallet will be much happier and your experience getting into radio control airplanes will be much more rewarding. So the next question is "where do I find a club or someone to teach me"? Do a quick search for a local hobby shop in your area. They usually will have some information on the local clubs. A search at the American Modelers Association club finder will help as well: http://www.theparkpilot.org/pages/site_location.html . While you are at the AMA site check out the useful information about the membership services as well. Tower-Hobbies also has some useful information for first time fliers as well: http://www.easyrc.com/.

Mind you I'm not making endorsements just trying to make your first flight experience a positive one for you...

RE: My First Plane
 

Thats what I was going to do is Join our local Rc Club which the people are there around 4 days a week. and I will be joining the AMA as well. I already have a trainer lined up actually a few lined up just incase my actual trainer is not there!

RE: My First Plane
 

Sounds like you are on the right track. This may be your first plane but I bet after a few flights you'll like it so much that you will already be picking out your next one and the one after that.

RE: My First Plane
 

Actually I do have one Picked out that I want but I want to build it who cares if I cant fly it I just want to build it!lol But to the reply I got that I will have to learn how to Engine tune Since I bought this plane used how do I tell if it the engine that came with it or what size it is? And also since it supposedly has only been flown 2 times do i need to brake in the engine or what? Thanks Oh and the one I would love to build is a large P-40 Warbird or a Corsair War Bird!! lol Ilove Old School!

Rusty

RE: My First Plane
 

that engine is a os .46? (may be a 40) LA. it doesnt have much power when compared to other .40's but it will fly your trainer just fine.
if you want a good second plane that you build from a kit get a Great Planes Rapture. they are fun to fly

RE: My First Plane
 

Good call on this plane. I learned on one and would still have it if I hadn't begun using Spektrum radios for a while and then gone back to the Trainer with a 72 Mhz. Funny how important raising that antenna can be.....;)

New from Tower it's the best value out there, but your deal was especially impressive. Good job. Enjoy it and start saving your cash for the planes, radios, field stuff, tools, fuel, etc...

RE: My First Plane
 

Wow that was a great deal! That's a good little trainer. Pretty easy to fly. I taught myself how to fly with that plane and it still survives. My son is learning on it now. Tough plane. Easy to repair. I've crashed it a lot. Gotten it stuck in trees. Broke the wings in half. Knocked the firewall out of it. I just glue it all back together and keep flying it.

That looks like an os 40 or 46 la. It's a good engine. Reliable and easy to tune. I have the 40 size on mine. Flys it fine. Have your instructor tune it good for you and once it's running good just leave it alone. I haven't touched my needle valve all year and it runs great.

RE: My First Plane
 

Ok another Stupid ? to go along with the other ones Ihave asked!When Flying with a trainer usually how many Hrs do you fly until you can go to another plane such as a mid or low wing! Or is it just when ever you get comfortable and feel safe flying with out the buddy box or your trainer!

RE: My First Plane
 

It differs from person to person. You got to ask yourself - have I got the basics down. First you need to solo and get a lot of flights under your belt before going over to a second plane. I went from my Ultra Stick (I used this as my trainer) to my Edge in about 3 months and around 20 flights in total under my belt. Other's will be able to progress quicker and other's slower. First get confident with your trainer and do a lot of things with it. Practise practise and practise.

You will know when you are ready.

RE: My First Plane
 

As Ken said, check out our site. (Just click on the link in my signature) We put together a LOT of really good, very basic info in a format that's easy for a novice to understand. Good luck!

RE: My First Plane
 

Concur with all the comments and advice. Especially the instructor part. This site has been exrtemely useful to me as well. Beware though, once you take that first flight you will be "hooked" No turning back! Extremely addictive hobby. But a what a GREAT, sweet addiction it is! A good instructor will let you know when you're ready to move on to the next level. Im probably more cautious than most. I still get nervous when I fly, but that can be a good thing I think. as I feel it peaks my senses and makes me a little more aware of what I'm doing.

RE: My First Plane
 

WOW! I love that plane.

This was my first plane also some 12 years ago!!! I had the blue and yellow one! I flew the heck out of it. An old friend taught me how to fly in about a month of frequent flying. Anyways enjoy it and take your time learning the right way don't destroy it and you will have many years of fun instead of a bad crash taste in your mouth.

Mark

RE: My First Plane
 

As others have said, this varies. I knew I was ready when I was bored with the Trainer only and wanted something more. You don't have to be able to knife edge the trainer or be able to do patterns inverted to know you're ready. I did focus intensely on touch-n-gos and landings in all sorts of wind conditions to ensure I was as ready as possible for any surprises that might come up while in the air. Dead stick practice is especially helpful, as are learning stall behavior. Be aware that your next plane will very probably come in hotter for landings than your trainer.

A low wing with a little dihedral (sp?) would IMO be ideal for plane #2.

RE: My First Plane
 

Ty all so much for all your replies Be sure to look for me to ask alot more ?'s over a period of Time I will keep yall informed of my first flight with my trainer and things like that!

Rusty

RE: My First Plane
 

Hey Jimmy,

I just built and flew my second plane with an OS 46 FX? I think. The first plane was a Nexstar with an OS 46 FXi (1 year on the motor), I do notice the difference in power (Big difference) when I broke in the new motor. What is the difference, and can I make the 46 FXi perform like the new motor?


How do I know you ask, most would think that you cannot tell bah!! I had a strap from my truck tied to the tail of the Nexstar, the old 46 FXi was just stripped and rebuilt and run again, the strap sagged a bit (the same results when I broke the plane in). Pulled the motor off, put the new motor in to break it in on an old fuselage so I did not get oil on the new plane (super sportster 40 MKII), and the strap went tight [X(] my brother and my mouth dropped to the ground when we noticed this. Same prop btw.

So I SAW the improvement!!!

RE: My First Plane
 

Rusty you will love the plane. It is very nice handing and easy to set up. You got yourself a heck of deal there. Enjoy. The biggest thing now is to do what you are doing by getting a trainer. The next big step is enjoy yourself and let yourself be ope to suggestions and the learning experience. You will be instantly addicted when you take over the gimbles and fly that plane.

As far as when should you go onto the next plane. Like others have said, when you are ready. You will know when you can handle this plane and make it do what you want and have no problems handling it. My instructor ensured that I knew how to fly emilmens (spelling?), rolls, loops, reverse emilmens, split S's, figure 8s, and Cuban 8s before I went on my own. This ensured that I got the full excitement out of flying and not getting bored with flying fast and boring holes in the sky.

As far as questions. You can get your ?s answered here and at the field. There is a wealth of experience here and there. You will get all the info you want and sometimes more than what you want but you don't have to worry about not knowing.

Congrats and welcome to the addiction.

Joe