Anyone here fly model planes?

[ecain63]

I've always had a thing for flying and have always been good on simulators and flying lessons. Now, its not something I want to take too seriously but I'm thinking of getting an rc plane to test my aptitude with smaller craft. I don't want a 'diy' balsa kit as they are pricey and are very time consuming. I have however seen some ready to fly, fan powered planes for very little money and are made from bouncy polystirene so it should be cheap to run. The one that's got my attention is a Eurofighter model made by Art Tech. I've also seen a red arrow by Top Flite. Anyone got any advice? As I said, it won't be a hobby, more a bit of weekend fun.

Eddie

[ecain63]

Thanks for the advice guys. I hear what you are saying ref the learning part of the game. Trouble is I don't want to fork out for a trainer plane and then pay for a proper one later on. Its only going to be a bit of fun. I do have experience in the rc world already, I used to race 1/12 scale cars and am also well practiced on a friends rc plane simulator. I'll phone around some model types today to get some more opinions and take it from there.

Eddie

[ecain63]

Well i bit the bullet this morning. I had a chat with some RC Modelers and they told me pretty much the same thing you guys did. So i went and ordered an Art Tech EF2000 EDF Jet anyway - what the hell! LOl. All was going well until the supplier told me that they were on a 6 week wait. The dissappointment was enough to see me straight again and i came away from the whole 'need / lust' session with an indoor helicopter. Went to Maplins at lunch and bought a Ninco Air Alupro 180. Haha! sts and giggles galore. Great fun and only £40 so no worries about breaking pricey parts. You even get spare blades to keep the dream alive a little longer.

The jet / plane thing will have to wait for now as im busy tearing up the house with my micro heli. The dogs love it too!!!

Eddie

[ecain63]

Actually quite fun. Getting better with every flight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SLLzA4oiPk

[ecain63]

Yeah they do say that if you can fly a proper rc heli then you can probably fly the real thing.

[ecain63]

Roop said:

For the OP, here's a couple of videos of my FA/18 on it's maiden flight and landing. Both are available in HD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4NOExFj4Fw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V2QAddh9GQ

Thanks mate, I'll have a look tomorrow. I'm in my 'fart sack' at the mo and the Blackberry doesn't do video. Bloody heli broke today too. One of the motors burnt out so its back to the shop with that one. Might get Leesas V2.

Edited by ecain63 on Wednesday 30th March 22:02

[ecain63]

iiyama said:

If were posting vids, Ash flying an Outrage 50:-

http://www.helituning.com/index.php/video/flights/...

Falmin' Nora!! Thats some serious flying. Im chuffed when i achieve a good steady hover. Ordered an E Flite Blade MSR today to see how that goes. The Alupro went back to the shop this avo as it burnt out the left / right tilt servo. I think i'll stick to indoor Mini Choppers for a bit and then go for something a bit bigger when ive mastered the Blade. The good thing with the Blade is that its not a twin coaxial so i wont look like a child. For a fixed pitch heli it looks like a good starting point.

Eddie

[ecain63]

Had the Blade MSR a few days now and am really enjoying it. Ive managed to progress from crashing every 10 seconds to flying the full 5m 30s of the battery without disaster. Most of that is hover to be fair but i am enjoying learning to maintain steady control before i move on to the more adventurous stuff.

I did venture out of the house with it yesterday and took it down to the local park. The short range was the first thing to catch me out (loss of control followed by me running after it) but it was the light breaze that really suprised me. The slightest whiff of wind or warm thermal air sent the little mite flying all over the place. In my opinion this was a good thing as i quickly learned how quick to react the Blade can be and it wasnt more than afew movements of the controls before it was back under control.

All in its a great little heli. Hopefully it'll be the start of a good flying career.

Eddie