Learning to fly (r/c that is....)
Discussion
I quite fancy getting into fixed wing r/c aircraft (something my son can enjoy too when he's older), but even at my ripe old age have never dabbled before. So I'm presuming a nice little trainer would be good, probably electric, for some sessions in the local park, or possibly pop along to a local club.
Can anyone recommend any particular models to get me started? I'm guessing most of them will be RTF. What about online retailers - any good ones for a range of models and spares?
Can anyone recommend any particular models to get me started? I'm guessing most of them will be RTF. What about online retailers - any good ones for a range of models and spares?
Chris foss wot 4 elec is a good starter and will be ok for when you can fly. Smaller plane are unstable . Join a club and they will teach you the right way to go. Park flyers are very good now a days but thay can do some damage so get insured and fly in the right areas. Have a look for bmfa they can addvise you . And enjoy.
There are some simulators available.
http://www.aerofly.com/features_en.html
http://www.realflight.com/features.html
http://www.phoenix-simv3.com/features.asp
http://www.aerofly.com/features_en.html
http://www.realflight.com/features.html
http://www.phoenix-simv3.com/features.asp
As posted above, the best way is to join a club and fly a big plane. Our local clubs are almost exclusively nitro, although electrics are gradually gaining acceptance.
If you want to teach yourself in the local park, you'll need to fly something very small, or you could hurt someone. It also gets expensive, as you'll crash a lot. Even so-called park flyers are quite fast, so you need plenty of space for landing.
There is one range of models that works very well for DIY learning - the Kyosho Minium series. Very small and light, so you won't do any damage if you crash into someone. Fly over grass (and shut the throttle before you hit the ground), and it's very difficult to damage the plane. Downside is they don't really like wind. Best flown early in the morning, or as the sun goes down, as that's when the wind is generally lower.
If you want to teach yourself in the local park, you'll need to fly something very small, or you could hurt someone. It also gets expensive, as you'll crash a lot. Even so-called park flyers are quite fast, so you need plenty of space for landing.
There is one range of models that works very well for DIY learning - the Kyosho Minium series. Very small and light, so you won't do any damage if you crash into someone. Fly over grass (and shut the throttle before you hit the ground), and it's very difficult to damage the plane. Downside is they don't really like wind. Best flown early in the morning, or as the sun goes down, as that's when the wind is generally lower.
Get yourself a simulator with a transmitter you can hook up to it - this will save you many times the outlay as you canb crash with impunity.
As far as the planes go, I'd go electric over nitro every time - nitro just too much hassle and offers no benefit these days over electric IMHO, other than being noisy - but most flying fields are under pressure to reduce noise anyway.
Start with a high wing trainer, after that I'd highly recommend a Parkzone Corsair - a very forgiving low wing warbird and looks 'scale'.
It's a great hobby
As far as the planes go, I'd go electric over nitro every time - nitro just too much hassle and offers no benefit these days over electric IMHO, other than being noisy - but most flying fields are under pressure to reduce noise anyway.
Start with a high wing trainer, after that I'd highly recommend a Parkzone Corsair - a very forgiving low wing warbird and looks 'scale'.
It's a great hobby
pstruck said:
I quite fancy getting into fixed wing r/c aircraft (something my son can enjoy too when he's older), but even at my ripe old age have never dabbled before. So I'm presuming a nice little trainer would be good, probably electric, for some sessions in the local park, or possibly pop along to a local club.
Can anyone recommend any particular models to get me started? I'm guessing most of them will be RTF. What about online retailers - any good ones for a range of models and spares?
Get yourself a Phoenix sim and spend say 10 hours learning to fly on that. Can anyone recommend any particular models to get me started? I'm guessing most of them will be RTF. What about online retailers - any good ones for a range of models and spares?
Then get yourself a nice little foamy trainer.
The above will save you lots of money in the long run!
Lots of good advice given here, But I'd ask what do you want to get out of the hobby?
If you are happy flying parkfly foam types, follow the electric route. If you are wanting to progress to I.C. models of larger sizes, go down the club and I.C. path. For a local club the BMFA have a club locator
http://www.bmfa.org/clubs/clist.php
Make contact and go along, a lot of clubs have a trainer set up for trial flights with a qualified instructor. Most clubs will recommend a set up (airframe, engine and radio etc.) which should be able to be see you though the learning process. Flights mostly take place via a buddy box system so it is good see what systems are in use at the club (radio systems need to be compatable to work on buddy link).
Personal expirence as a club instructor tells me that the average adult non-flyer to solo pilot takes about six sessions (say four flights per session and good weather) and if younger less.
For the I.C. route budget on £350 for a complete set up, but you can do it for less!
If you are happy flying parkfly foam types, follow the electric route. If you are wanting to progress to I.C. models of larger sizes, go down the club and I.C. path. For a local club the BMFA have a club locator
http://www.bmfa.org/clubs/clist.php
Make contact and go along, a lot of clubs have a trainer set up for trial flights with a qualified instructor. Most clubs will recommend a set up (airframe, engine and radio etc.) which should be able to be see you though the learning process. Flights mostly take place via a buddy box system so it is good see what systems are in use at the club (radio systems need to be compatable to work on buddy link).
Personal expirence as a club instructor tells me that the average adult non-flyer to solo pilot takes about six sessions (say four flights per session and good weather) and if younger less.
For the I.C. route budget on £350 for a complete set up, but you can do it for less!
However, don't imagine that the I.C route is progress. Unless you want a 3 meter or bigger Extra 300 or Yak 55 it is best to go the electric route.
Brushless motors and Lipo batteries are more powerful, you'll fly lighter (better flying) models, cleaner, less kit to buy and are also more flying field friendly. It is only when you get to the more extreme and much larger ends of RC that you would need a petrol engine, and that is probably at least a couple of years away.
Brushless motors and Lipo batteries are more powerful, you'll fly lighter (better flying) models, cleaner, less kit to buy and are also more flying field friendly. It is only when you get to the more extreme and much larger ends of RC that you would need a petrol engine, and that is probably at least a couple of years away.
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