hi i just got a corsair RC. i believe it has an LA 40 engine in it... i need help learning how to fly it. i am COMPLETLY new to real RC's.
also i have heard of a simulator that i can use to learn to fly without crashing the crap out of my new plane. i need to know what i need to start the plane, what kind of fuel i need, and most of all if there are instructions for this engine and/or advice on it.
Thanks!

Congrats on your new plane and welcome to the hobby.

Unfortunately, you picked the wrong plane to learn to fly. The Corsair is a "war bird" and is rather difficult to fly, even for some of the more experienced pilots.

You will hear this over and over again in this forum because this is, after all, the beginners forum.

There is a list of trainer aircraft at the top of the first page of the beginners forum that will give you a good idea of what to get to learn to fly with.

As for a sim, well, there are several. Real Flght is one, FMS is another, and there are others yet. They are great to practice on but should not be relied upon to learn to fly RC.

You can go to the OS web page and download an instruction manual for that LA 40 engine.

Find a club in your area and contact them. I am sure that someone in that club offers training for you and will get you both started learning to fly as well as give you a list of items you will need, starting with a radio system, glow driver, fuel (Glow Fuel), and so on. I can't recommend a club because you listed CA as your h ome town... and it's an awful big state. A bit more detail would help.

CGr.

Hey CG,, CA is a suburb of MI

ok, thanks for the input! i live near Fresno, CA. as for the plane, im not really in a position to buy a new one..... =[
i DO however have a radio controller. it is a 6DA Futaba FM , however i won this in a raffle, and as i found out later it was a donation. i have 3 battery packs in the box, 1 for the conroller it self then a green 4 cell pack and a red one that is the same. I also have 2 "Hitech HS-300" boxes with knobs on the top of them.... no idea what all this stuff is for... lastly there is a wall plug that charges the battery packs and a round female plug. if you would like, i will post pics somewhere. just tel me where.

I love it... HS-300 boxes with knobs.. Sorry, but that's the best description of a servo that I've heard in a long time.

Well, I understand that you can't afford a trainer, but if you try to fly the plane you have, well, you will be throwing it away on the first flight. There is a lot more to it than simply putting it in the air and trying to steer it around. Things happen way to fast for anything that simple, especially with a Convair.

If you really want to continue, contact a club and see if they may have a club trainer that you can use, with an instructor. If you work with them, you will learn to fly in no time and you will begin to get ready for that Convair.

CGr.

Hey Irish.. ha.. yeah, a distant suburb.. And, when that big quake hits CA, you never know.. you may have ocean side property!!!

Are there any clubs within a reasonable distance from Fresno,CA ? oh and i need to know what glow ignitor i need to get for my plane.

http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx

There seem to be 3 clubs within 25 miles or so.

To start there is loads of info right here in these forums, do lots of reading and join one of clubs. Otherwise donate what you now have to someone

The items were donated to the raffle? Who wishes to venture how old those Hi Tech 300 servos? Back in 1985 Aristocraft (Polk Hobbies) Came out with the Model 720 (gold) and 610 (silver case) systems their claim to fame were dual conversion FM receivers and HS300 servos I bought 1set and my brother-in-law bought 1 of each. Well they worked as long as they were the only radios on, but as soon as another radio turned on no matter what channel nothing but glitches. My brother-in-law sent his in for repair twice and they were no better than before. The HS300 servos of the 12 two were DOA (dead on Arrival) and within 6 months 6 more would chatter so much they were useless, they ended up even being so unreliable to even use on throttle.

Gorish, Ca is where people who grew up in Mi move to when they see something other than MI. Iescaped and I"m not going back.

Don, In CA

Dude, you are so far over your head it is not funny.

Ok, you want to get in to RC planes. Thats cool. PLEASE put the Corsair up somewhere safe and wait. Save some money, no matter how long it takes. When you have enough saved up to get into the hobby, join a local club and start going every weekend to watch and learn. Get hooked up with an instructor and discuss what equipment your need to buy. Make a shopping list and start buying the stuff your going to need.

You need to learn the basics of not only flying, but safety. What if I told you that if you start messing with that plane, knowing NOTHING about what it is your doing, you were going to cut off at least 1 finger in the first 45 min. Would you run out into the garage and start pumping fuel into it? NO.

Learn from the members and your instructor at the club. You will love this hobby. And most importantly, your will keep all your digits. Scooter Out....

Cmon, Scooter,
An LA 40 would only hurt you half that bad...[8D]

Most clubs have a training day set aside for new flyers, and many own trainer planes for you to fly. If you really want to get into the hobby and become a proficient pilot, then find out which club has a training time that fits your schedule. Once a few of the experienced pilots get to know you, you might be surprised how cheaply trainer planes can be bought. Someone might even make a good trade to you for your Corsair that will get you started in the hobby right.

Is there any way that you could take some pics of what you have? I'd be curious to see what exactly you won.

By the way, I totally love and respect your honesty. Follow the advice given and you'll be flying soon enough. RC can be $$$ so don't throw money away by rushing into it.

First off: <div>Welcome to the hobby! </div><div>
</div><div>Second:</div><div>I agree with the above posters, even if you manage to get the engine running, the radio working, etc, you will crash. This is not "probably" or "likely" but will. </div><div>
</div><div>Luckily, it seems that you now own a radio and an engine, which is a good place to start. I would remove the electronics and engine from the Corsair and transfer them to an inexpensive trainer. </div><div>
</div><div>You can buy an Almost Ready To Fly model (ARTF) for very little, and it will be all assembled. The wings, fuselage, tail, etc, will be made and you will only have to do the final assembly. A good trainer will also include instructions on setting up the radio correctly, installing the engine, fuel tank, servos - essentially all you need to know to have a working model. It will not, however, teach you how to fly. This is why you will have to find a local club to learn at. When you go, bring your radio and engine, or completed trainer, and have someone inspect it for you. Chances are, they will find things to improve, and will show you some tips on setting it up even better. Someone will probably offer to teach you to fly as well!  </div><div>
</div><div>When you learn to fly, you can then transfer all of the equipment back into the Corsair with your knowledge gained on your trainer. </div><div>
</div><div>This is a good place to start for a complete beginner: </div><div>
</div><div>http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&amp;I=LXCAS2&amp;P=ML</div><div>
</div><div>It includes all you need to assemble it, minus the engine and radio, which you already have. There is no "building" either: It comes out of the box looking like the image, you just do the final assembly. It will also fly much slower and be far more docile than your Corsair, but will still be able to loops and rolls when you are ready. </div><div>
</div><div>I wish you the best of luck, and happy flying!</div>

IF the OP gets with a club, someone may have an old trainer frame laying around that his equipment will work in and seel it cheap.

Money is only as expensive as you make it. Go on craig's list in many cases you can buy a used trainer with everything you need for pennies on the dollar. Check the local hobby shops they will know of the local clubs some LHS even take stuff on consignment,

The smartest thing is to get with a local club. They will teach you to fly and you will have a wealth of experience to draw on.

Your corsair will last less than ten seconds if you try to fly it on your own. Get help learn the right way and enjoy this hobby for a lifetime.

I though CA was a suburb of Mexico.

Dave

Here is a link to the Fresno Club: [link=http://www.frcm.org/]Fresno Radio Modelers[/link]

They meet once a month on Thursday at Denny's on Herndon and Blackstone Avenue. The next meeting is this Thuraday (June 9). Their flying field is located on Avenue 12, just east of Madera Ranchos.

Take a look at the web page - good information. Then, go visit!!!

They will be glad to take a look at your stuff, may even be able to test it and see if it is safe to fly. Then they will give you good advice on how to learn and what plane will be a good trainer.

Good Luck... Have Fun

thank you guys (and / or girls) for all of your help. I just found out that a friend of mine is an expert at flying R.C. aircraft. im going to talk to them and learn. I WILL put my corsair up for now, and try to get a trainer. <div>again, Thanks</div><div> </div><div>
</div><div>   oh btw, i DO have pics, just tell me where to send em via email or text message.</div>

Finaly, a Newwbee, that took GOOD advice.

Not an, not an ego maniac who think he knows all!

Congrats!

Chris923

You can attach them right to this thread... Do a reply and look at the bottom of the box for the "Click here to upload images and files" link.

its a shame that nobody steered you to a trainer type airplane.these days there are so many.try tower hobbies they have some inexpensive trainers well under a 100 bucks.transfer your gear and motor.we are all nicely trying to tell you that if go ahead and try the corsair either you wont get off the ground or sadly you will and totally wipe it out and in disgust curse the hobby and quit.a simulator works I guess but your best bet is get a trainer and work with someone that uses a buddy box. good luck.

Uh,many did tell him to get a trainer and GraemeEllis even linked to the Tower Trainer.

Campgems.............I was born in MI escaped to CA and then escaped again to OR.........