New to RC
 

<span style="font-size: larger">I just bought my first electric airplane from Nitroplanes.com. An airfield 4 Channel EPO Foam Skyline 182 I might have jump the gun and got something out of my skill level. I haven't flown it yet, I decided to get a RC flight simulator to practice on. I have tried to reach out to the only 2 clubs in my area with no avail, so I gotta go it alone. I have improved on the simulator. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated. I keep practicing on the sim till I fell comfortable the weather is crappy anyway so I am going to take my time.</span>

RE: New to RC
 

Keep trying to contact someone. It will help to a great degree when you hook up. It will save a lot of grief in the long run, and you will probably see some things that you wouldn't by yourself.
The sim is good, but it can't teach a lot of the small things that are really nice to know, and there are quite a few safety issues to learn.
Once you learn to relax, you will start having a lot of fun, until you learn what all to do and take care of, you won't relax. Don't worry, we all went through the learning curve, some with a lot fewer lumps and bumps on the way. All of us here want you to be successful.
Welcome to RCU!

RE: New to RC
 

Did you try to call the club contact phone numbers, or just send email? I ask because some of our club members only check email once a month, but they almost always answer the phone. Also, our club's email address got messed up for a while and we didn't know it until a prospective member called and asked why he wasn't getting replies to emails.

RE: New to RC
 

Thanks for you advice, I will keep trying to hookup with a club. I'm aslo thinking of signing up with the AMA. what do you think?

RE: New to RC
 

That's a roger on AMA and finding a club.

RE: New to RC
 

What do you mean to no avail. look up in AMA website and find out who the person is over that area. They will have and email address. Contact them and tell them what you are experiencing. I'm sure he will contact the club presidents. Let us know what you find out.

RE: New to RC
 

Any AMA Chartered club will require AMA membership.

You can read on the AMA web site about the other things they do but the primary thing we see is the magazine they publish and the liability insurance policy they provide in case we hurt someone or damage their property with our models.

Pretty much any club will have instructors who will teach you how to fly and to operate the models safely.

RE: New to RC
 

I mean I sent a few emails with no answer, no phone# available. It maybe because its winter and the weather has been bad. I will keep trying. Unfortunately there are not a lot of RC clubs in my area. I live in NYC and open space my be an issue, for planes anyway. There are quite a few RCcar clubs and events.

RE: New to RC
 

What is your zip code?

RE: New to RC
 

10469

RE: New to RC
 

The Bronx has more than 25 zip codes so I chose 10451 at random.
Using the AMA club search http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx there are 29 clubs within 25 miles of the post office. Some have web sites and email addresses. All have a phone number; hopefully it is current. Many have a link for flying site details.

I do not know what your transportation situation is so a site that is 20+ miles away may not be an option. I drive 45 miles each way to the flying site.

RE: New to RC
 

32 clubs within 25 miles of 10469

RE: New to RC
 

sent you a pm with club names and phone #s

RE: New to RC
 

Thanks I will try those sites. If not I just will have to travel. You guys are great with a lot of useful info.

RE: New to RC
 

Sometimes it is best just to show up at the club on a weekend when you know someone will be there or find out when the meetings are and go to that. Most club officers are volunteering their time and may not always be available to return e-mails and stuff as much as they might like. Also, I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way, many of them are older retired guys and they may not necessarily be the type who is online checking e-mails regularly. In some cases a good old face to face meeting/introduction is the best bet.

RE: New to RC
 

Chuck, most of the things you wrote are the reason I always suggest making contact by phone if an email is not replied to pretty quickly.

Most of the time, showing up at our flying site on a Saturday afternoon would at least get you an introduction to some people. Unfortunately though, the field has been under water for months and very little flying has happened. Possibly two Saturdays since October; and they had to walk through standing water in the pits to reach the runway.

RE: New to RC
 

Frankofborg if you find anyplace for ep plane let me know.I mean i m looking same to you.I m thinking about buy a ep plane but i can't decide without fly fiel.I dont know anywhere to fly.My zip code is 10522</p>

RE: New to RC
 

Using the AMA club search http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx there are more than 20 clubs within 25 miles of 10522, some only 4 miles or so. Many of the flying sites in NYC only allow electric power.