Anybody got one of these RC planes?

[timbobalob]

Just having a look around as I might get myself something around the £100 mark and came across the below:

RC planes

Has anyone got one of these, and if so are they any good for a relative beginner? I was wondering if the Parkzone stuff is better for the money...

Many thanks

Tim

[Viper_Larry]

My advice for a beginner would be to get one of these, you really can't go wrong - tough, easy to fly and good value.

http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_planes_hobbyzone_super...

[hman]

A guy I taught to fly had a hobbyzone cub, he used it to gain experience of flying for the times when I wasn't available to teach him on his proper RC Trainer c/w buddy lead etc.

He did very well with the cub, but unfortunately it gave him a lot of confidence (of flying what is basically a toy) and decided - against my advice that it was time for him to go solo with his IC rc plane.

Result : A bin bag of bits.



So, yes they are easy to fly and great fun, as long as you realise its a toy and not a "proper" rc plane.

I think they may also be on 27mhz which is about the most uncontrolled frequency wavailable meainng you might get shot down by another rc model eg. a cheap or old car.

If there was a 2.4ghz option then i'd take it as you wont get problems of cross channel interference.

[SlipStream77]

If you are looking for something with which to practise, have a look at PC based RC sims too. It's never going to be as good as real flying but it is valuable experience and you can do it whenever you want.

I use Aerofly Pro, but there are several others such as Pheonix and I believe there are also one or two that are free.

http://www.aerofly.de/

http://www.phoenix-sim.com/welcome.htm

Wiki provide a good list here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RC_flight_simulator

HTH

ETA

Don't forget to join the local club and get insurance.

Edited by SlipStream77 on Thursday 20th August 22:01

[dr_gn]

SlipStream77 said:

If you are looking for something with which to practise, have a look at PC based RC sims too. It's never going to be as good as real flying but it is valuable experience and you can do it whenever you want.

I use Aerofly Pro, but there are several others such as Pheonix and I believe there are also one or two that are free.

http://www.aerofly.de/

http://www.phoenix-sim.com/welcome.htm

Wiki provide a good list here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RC_flight_simulator

HTH

ETA

Don't forget to join the local club and get insurance.

Edited by SlipStream77 on Thursday 20th August 22:01

+1

I've got Realflight:

http://www.realflight.com/

Learned to fly power on it (converting from gliders) and my pal learned to fly both aircraft and coaxial helicopters from zero - very successfully.

Great as long as you take it seriously and don't get into the habit of crashing and thinking 'no problem I'll hit reset'without realising what went wrong!

Cheers

[timbobalob]

Thanks for the advice gents

I've seen the Parkzone stuff set up at Duxford in the shop and they profess being for beginners and RTF - has anyone had a go with one? They're just quite a decent price for what I think I'd be using it for.

Also, it seems like a daft question but the Spitfire/Mustang version don't have wheels and presumably just use the base to skid and land (if not stuffed into a tree...) but if the propeller is vertical wouldn't it snap on the ground?

Cheers

[dr_gn]

timbobalob said:

Thanks for the advice gents

I've seen the Parkzone stuff set up at Duxford in the shop and they profess being for beginners and RTF - has anyone had a go with one? They're just quite a decent price for what I think I'd be using it for.

Also, it seems like a daft question but the Spitfire/Mustang version don't have wheels and presumably just use the base to skid and land (if not stuffed into a tree...) but if the propeller is vertical wouldn't it snap on the ground?

Cheers

Have a read of this:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64...

Particularly this bit:

From the ParkZone manual: “If you are not experienced at flying one of HobbyZone’s 3-channel aircraft or any other 3-channel radio controlled aircraft, we recommend that you do not fly this aircraft."

And I'd suggest taking that advice.

Re the prop - it's only a two bladed one, so chances are it wouldn't stop vertically, even if it did it is a small enough diameter for landing not to be a problem; it would probably either deflect or bend.

Cheers,

Cheers,

Edited by dr_gn on Friday 21st August 09:54

[pokethepope]

timbobalob said:

Thanks for the advice gents

I've seen the Parkzone stuff set up at Duxford in the shop and they profess being for beginners and RTF - has anyone had a go with one? They're just quite a decent price for what I think I'd be using it for.

Also, it seems like a daft question but the Spitfire/Mustang version don't have wheels and presumably just use the base to skid and land (if not stuffed into a tree...) but if the propeller is vertical wouldn't it snap on the ground?

Cheers

Look at one of the pics - you can see the two 'wheels' and the wire to attach them to the plance.

Top row, second from right pic:

http://www.hobbyplanet.co.uk/product.php/9/radio-c...

[Quick silver]

dr_gn said:

SlipStream77 said:

If you are looking for something with which to practise, have a look at PC based RC sims too. It's never going to be as good as real flying but it is valuable experience and you can do it whenever you want.

I use Aerofly Pro, but there are several others such as Pheonix and I believe there are also one or two that are free.

http://www.aerofly.de/

http://www.phoenix-sim.com/welcome.htm

Wiki provide a good list here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RC_flight_simulator

HTH

ETA

Don't forget to join the local club and get insurance.

Edited by SlipStream77 on Thursday 20th August 22:01

+1

I've got Realflight:

http://www.realflight.com/

+2

I have Realflight & Aerofly pro.......but started off learning the hard way by firstly destroying a Twin Jet & a Combat 50 before learning to fly properly on the PC.


ETA:

I wouldn't join a club before getting some serious simulation time under your belt first. Club/BMFA rules state that unless you are a competant flyer & have achieved at the very least an 'A' certificate in basic flying, you will not be allowed to fly unsupervised.

This means that unless there is someone there that is willing to buddy up with you (connect their TX to your's) you will not be able to fly. There will no doubt be someone at the club that is willing to instruct but it's always better to have learned the basics first.......The club has to abide by the rules to maintain insurance coverage by the BMFA.

You can still get insurance from the BMFA, it is part & parcel of membership & the booklet you will receive fully outlines all tests, enabling you to practice them on your PC.

Look under 'Test Standards & Guidance' http://www.bmfa.org/achievement/index.html

Edited by Quick silver on Friday 21st August 10:45

[hman]

+1 for phoenix

its only £70ish

[timbobalob]

dr_gn said:

Have a read of this:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64...

Particularly this bit:

From the ParkZone manual: “If you are not experienced at flying one of HobbyZone’s 3-channel aircraft or any other 3-channel radio controlled aircraft, we recommend that you do not fly this aircraft."

And I'd suggest taking that advice.

Re the prop - it's only a two bladed one, so chances are it wouldn't stop vertically, even if it did it is a small enough diameter for landing not to be a problem; it would probably either deflect or bend.

Cheers,

Edited by dr_gn on Friday 21st August 09:54

Some good advice there! Seems that the shop assistant might have been thinking about something else when giving advice...

[timbobalob]

pokethepope said:

Look at one of the pics - you can see the two 'wheels' and the wire to attach them to the plance.

Top row, second from right pic:

http://www.hobbyplanet.co.uk/product.php/9/radio-c...

Apologies - I meant the Parkzone stuff (should have written it clearer!)

I guess if they are just using the base to land on, it wouldn't be too forgiving on concrete!

[dr_gn]

timbobalob said:

dr_gn said:

Have a read of this:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64...

Particularly this bit:

From the ParkZone manual: “If you are not experienced at flying one of HobbyZone’s 3-channel aircraft or any other 3-channel radio controlled aircraft, we recommend that you do not fly this aircraft."

And I'd suggest taking that advice.

Re the prop - it's only a two bladed one, so chances are it wouldn't stop vertically, even if it did it is a small enough diameter for landing not to be a problem; it would probably either deflect or bend.

Cheers,

Edited by dr_gn on Friday 21st August 09:54

Some good advice there! Seems that the shop assistant might have been thinking about something else when giving advice...

To be fair, the reviewer summarises with this:

"Quite often when I am flying, observers will ask me that question that we all hear from time to time: "What do I have to do to get started in RC planes?" With all of the equipment and decisions and costs that a beginner faces when stepping into this hobby, ParkZone has greatly simplified the process. I’ve begun answering with one word: ParkZone."

Although I'd hesitate to reccommend a low wing aircraft to a beginner.

[hman]

I'd have hoped his advice would have been "join a club".

BUt that might not sell any models huh?