This thread is a bit different from other "Self Taught Flying" threads I've encountered. Congratulations to anyone who went out on their own, found a site, and flew their own plane.

I think it's worth mentioning that club folks who are asked find it prudent to recommend the instructor route. I do that, and I'm an instructor. My motivation is twofold :

1. Help the student preserve his investment, and
2. Help the club maintain a safe environment.

As a club member and instructor, I have no interest in helping the student achieve "self taught" status at the club field. That seems reasonable to me, because the student came to me at the club and inquired.

I figure if the student was only interested in achieving "Self-Taught" status, he would not be asking, and it sounds like the originator of this thread followed that route, successfully - at his own site.

Best wishes to all, self-taught or othewise!
Dave Olson

>I figure if the student was only interested in achieving "Self-Taught" status, he would not be asking, and it sounds like >the originator of this thread followed that route, successfully - at his own site.

Yes, he certainly did (G).

However, my point was that for as long as I've been around toy planes, the drumbeat has been "You can't do this by yourself." Obviously, that's not the case, as I, and many others have shown.

I was just reading a older "beginners" RC book last night. A very proud looking young man who had just made his first landing "on only his fourth flight"......

Hummmmmmm, I did that on the first day.

I simply wonder if it might be more advantagous to balance out, a bit, the "Can't do it yourself" dogma with an message that says "You can do it if you prepare properly."

Okay, now this thread is headed in the direction of several others I've seen.

Dave Olson

geoffbeneze,

You have to remember that not everyone rides the bleeding edge of R/C aircraft technology. These planes that allow you to be "self taught" with a minimum of fuss, muss, and/or heartache have only been around for a few short years. You can't expect an overnight turnaround in attitudes and teaching methodology, especially when you're talking about a PROVEN method of teaching people to fly with DECADES of success to point to.

>You have to remember that not everyone rides the bleeding edge of R/C aircraft technology. These planes that allow you >to be "self taught" with a minimum of fuss, muss, and/or heartache have only been around for a few short years. You >can't expect an overnight turnaround in attitudes and teaching methodology, especially when you're talking about a >PROVEN method of teaching people to fly with DECADES of success to point to.


Matt,
I stand duly and appropriately chastised. You are correct, and given my background, I should have realized that.

Evidently, I allowed one of my mutations to stand in the way of logic. I have the genetic twist that takes "You can't do that" as a personal challenge (G) Moreover, much of my career has been teaching in high tech and rapidly changing fields where one MUST adapt quickly. Needless to say, the Darwinian toll is quite high.

I guess what surprised me (or, as you point out, I hadn't taken into account) was the fact that over the 15'ish years since I learned, the technology in electrics has taken a HUGE leap. My faulty thinking was in expecting the attitudes to keep pace, and, as we know, they always lag behind.

If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you some (email) questions of you. You're explanations and theories on "selecting the right motor" resonate with me. I have a largish project I'm working towards and would like to discuss your ideas on what components you would select for such a creature as I'm planning.

Then again, the guys that go out and get these RTF models for under a hundred dollars, most likely aren't looking to make the commitment in time and money to become RC enthusiasts. After they destroy the plane they go back to stamp collecting or whatever they were doing before the RC bug bit.

It's the guy that really wants to become proficient that will seek help and the support of a club, or a mentor in the hobby.

And even those that have taught themselves the rudiments most often gravitate to a club, or some other people to support and assist them. This is not much of a loner type hobby, but more one that is shared by the participants. Nothing like a good attaboy after the perfect 3 point landing to boost your ego. And on the other hand someone that feels as bad as you do when you total your best plane.

After all is said and done, we all seek our own level in hobbies, our work, and life in General. So long as we don't cause trouble for others, I think that whatever method we pursue, so long as it makes the individual happy, is a good thing.