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I've never had or flown one but I've always been interested in RC airplanes, and now am considering buying one. Definitely want electric, prefer one complete and ready to fly, and I am more interested in one that'll fly slow and be suitable for a novice but also one I'll not out grow after (hopefully) mastering flying it. Where I envision flying it is an area on my property which consists of an open area of about 10 acres consisting of lawn, regularly mowed rough lawn, and a pond. Beyond this area is woods. I've not talked with anyone about this but did do a brief search on the internet just too get an idea. One thought is just buy a basic cheap high wing trainer, with wings attached by rubber bands, so tolerant of crashing, then assuming I enjoy it move up to one with a little more performance. Another option is to get one that is suitable for novices yet is capable for doing a bit more as I get the hang of it, such as this one... https://www.hobbyzone.com/rc-a...OIdViMMaAkWDEALw_wcB You're thoughts or other suggestions? No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride. | ||
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Just a suggestion, how about first purchasing a good simulator with the different types of aircrafts to try and also to use for practice ??? God Bless  "Always legally conceal carry. At the right place and time, one person can make a positive difference." | |||
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What's involved in doing a simulator? No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride. | |||
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I have the Carbon Cub and it’s excellent but it’s a better second airplane. You will be surprised how quickly that cub will make 10 acres shrink. Plus you’re out a couple hundred bucks when you crash it. If you have someone to buddy box you then I would say go for it. If you want a plane that size I would recommend the Aero Scout over the CC because it flies slower, it’s a pusher so nose in landings won’t damage the motor or prop and the landing gear is very stout. https://www.hobbyzone.com/rc-a...nes/rtf/HBZ3800.html I think the Champ is a great first airplane and it can be had for $70 for everything you need. https://www.hobbyzone.com/HBZ4900.html I still fly mine around my house but it is quite small so it needs to be pretty calm to fly it. If you start losing control, and you will, you just let go of the controls and it will level out and come gliding down to the ground. It’s so light that it’s impossible to damage unless you run directly into something. That’s some of my planes with the Carbon Cub sitting on the cabinet next to my safe.  | |||
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I have had Real Flight simulator for a long time and I'm sure there are some others. You download the software on your pc and plug in the radio controller that operates just like the real thing. it is a good practice tool. It has a lot of planes to choose from and practice with and best of all....when you crash (and you will) just reset it. | |||
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| Why don’t you fix your little problem and light this candle  |
I agree with the simulator. I had the real flight sim and what is really nice about it, is it comes with an 'authentic' controller. This allows you to get used to controlling the plane properly and the controls become muscle memory before you sacrifice a good plane. While training, and having fun, decide if you want to go "park flyer" "electric" or "gas" Each one has its ups and downs (pardon the pun) but I like the simplicity of the new electrics. This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it. -Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Joshua Painter Played by Senator Fred Thompson | |||
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Seems like sound advice 1s1k, thank you. I'm now leaning toward am Aero Scout. No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride. | |||
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It's been several years since I was into the RC game but at that point in time, trainers were made to be slower to respond to inputs so new pilots could focus on learning to control the various aspects of flight; throttle control, elevation control, maneuvering left and right while the plane is going away or coming towards you, take-off/landing, etc.. If you've done RC cars you have a leg up and the learning curve will not be as steep. Once you've mastered a trainer, getting a more responsive aircraft will allow you more time to fly vs taking time making repairs caused by pilot error. In my opinion, your plan to get a high wing trainer is the prudent way to go. Also, as another member mentioned, using the buddy system with a seasoned flyer to help guide you until you're ready to solo will help you gain skill and confidence. Having a good foundation with a trainer will pay huge dividends when it's time to step up to a performance aircraft; some of them can get away from a pilot faster than you can say "ah shit". ____________________________________________________________ Money may not buy happiness...but it will certainly buy a better brand of misery A man should acknowledge his losses just as gracefully as he celebrates his victories Remember, in politics it's not who you know...it's what you know about who you know | |||
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That’s sound advice. The one thing I will add is that both the Carbon Cub and the Aero Scout have a 3 position switch that when on beginner mode it only allows minor control surface throws so you can’t get into trouble as quickly. As your skill level progresses you can flip the switch to intermediate which will allow more extreme banking and basic loops and rolls. Once you have that you can flip it to experienced where there is no electronic limitation of the control surfaces and you can maximize what the plane is capable of.This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1s1k, | |||
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Ammoholic |
I have one you can have for really cheap. $50-100, or whatever is fair, I don't know. A customer gave it to me and I planned on buying a controller for it but never did. It needs a six channel controller and a battery charger. Has two batteries, but they've been sitting unused for a year or two, so I'd work off the assumption they may be dead. Could work for a trainer for you. I'd be willing to meet you in the middle, Leesburg or Rt 9 & Rt 7. Reason I never bought a controller was I figured crap then I'd have to buy a cheaper plane for my trainer, probably extra batteries, etc. Just Couldn't afford anything extra to be spending money on at the time. With COVID no hobby money for foreseeable future. http://www.modelaviation.com/visionaire Jesse Sic Semper Tyrannis | |||
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Well, there ya go; this option was not around 20 years ago when I was flying. I would still urge you to do the “buddy system” until you solo, it will save you repairs. ____________________________________________________________ Money may not buy happiness...but it will certainly buy a better brand of misery A man should acknowledge his losses just as gracefully as he celebrates his victories Remember, in politics it's not who you know...it's what you know about who you know | |||
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I've always wanted to get into RC flight, but never had the $$ or space to be able to do it. When I lived in Austin, there was an RC 'airport' that we happened upon one day, tons of nice people. Did a tiny bit of sim work when in college as a member of a Design/Build/Fly (DBF) engineering team. Was a freshman, so I was assembly & manual work, JRs & SRs were the pilot(s). I had about 20 hours PIC time in a Cessna 150, at the time, and the sin work was illustrative of how disorienting it can be when the RC isn't moving directly away from you (remembering L/R when it's perpendicular or coming toward you). The Enemy's gate is down. | |||
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Yeah, that M14 video guy... |
As a beginner, I recommend starting out with a glider. It's cheap and you can transfer your radio to another plane when you're ready. This one has an electric motor to get you to gliding altitude, then you cut off the motor. The propeller folds back to reduce drag when gliding. There's no landing gear, so it is, in essence, a motor powered glider and not an airplane. The slow gliding speed should allow you to get used to flying before stepping up to a plane which you have to land. Flying is the easy part. Landing is the hard part. https://www.towerhobbies.com/c...i0001p?&I=LXENWS&P=7    Back in the 80's we used a really long surgical band to launch the glider and catch a thermal. Looks like those days are gone. Tony. Owner, TonyBen, LLC, Type-07 FFL www.tonybenm14.com (Site under construction). e-mail: tonyben@tonybenm14.com | |||
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Skins thanks for your generous offer but with a low wing and rated for an "intermediateI" flyer I imagine I'd crash that plane on the first flight. 
Actually I toyed with the idea of a glider but just thought if I could get a slow easy to fly plane it might be not much more difficult to fly. And what happens when the wind blows the thing over the woods? I guess you have to learn not to let that happen, head it away from the trees in a dive if necessary. Or maybe the motor can be temporally turned back on? No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride. | |||
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You can turn the motor on at anytime with those gliders and the centrifugal force reopens the propellers. I have a glider and to be honest they are very low profile which makes them very efficient which means you need a large area to bring them down in because, like the name implies, they glide forever. | |||
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30 years ago I started with powered and unpowered gliders or sailplanes. Crashed a few. I wish I had a simulator back then like we have now today. It has been 20+ years since I last flew one. I would probably need to practice on a simulator to get used to it again. God Bless "Always legally conceal carry. At the right place and time, one person can make a positive difference." | |||
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| Yeah, that M14 video guy... |
Had to come back to this thread and post some inspiration... (Yes, the flames on that Warthog are real!) My side hurts from laughing so hard... Enjoy! Tony. Owner, TonyBen, LLC, Type-07 FFL www.tonybenm14.com (Site under construction). e-mail: tonyben@tonybenm14.com | |||
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| Ammoholic |
Sent you an email. I want the thing gone before I go out and buy a controller and go down the path of expensive hobby. Free if you come get it or give me some gas money if I meet you somewhere and it's yours. Jesse Sic Semper Tyrannis | |||
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by mas4363: I was at a BMW Motorcycle Rally several years ago and there was a guy flying a discus glider. It is hand launched and very impressive to watch. I found this YouTube video. https://youtu.be/E2lJSR61xZw Sgt. USMC 1970 - 1973 | |||
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| Savor the limelight |
I finally put an SSD in my dad's laptop and got him on Windows 10. I returned his computer to him this morning. While I was getting it set up, he pulls out an article he cut out of the local paper and says he wants to know what I think. It's about RC airplanes. Naturally, having read this thread and now being an expert on these things, I recommend he gets the simulator to practice on before he get the real deal. He argues that he knows how to fly a real plane, how is it any different? Anyway, he called me in the afternoon to let me know he bought the simulator and I have to install it on his computer for him. | |||
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