Attention all RC Pilots...I've joined the sport.

[mikeschn]

I tried teaching myself how to fly on one of those computer rc flight trainers...



I crashed everytime. I figured I wasn't meant to fly.

Mike...

[Kurt (Indiana)]

I had no idea (don't know why) there are so many R/C people . This shouldn't surprise me but I guess I never thought about it.

When I was a youngster, I flew Control Line (a lot) because I didn't have the money to do R/C.

About 15 years ago, I got into the R/C world with my 10 year old (at the time). What a thrill. We started with a 40 ARF, bought a 6 channel radio with servos (still in the box) for $150 and away we went.
The second season we bought a previously built 1/4 J3 Cub with a 4 stroke 70.

Eventually we sold it all to a neighbor and never experience the inevitable "big crash".

I credit a lot of the flying sucess to MS flight simulator. From the "tower mode" the simulator was excellent practice.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

I haven't seen the planes in the air lately but it was enjoyable to watch some one else get into the hobby.

[Sam I am]

I've been an R/C flyer since 1972. It's a great hobby! You do have to approach it just like learning to fly a real plane. Get someone experienced to take it off and get it trimmed out at a safe altitude, then you can take over. The trainer cord system which connects two transmitters works well for learning. The instructor can take over anytime by just releasing a switch on his transmitter. The computer simulators are a big help too. A beginner joined our R/C club after using a simulator for weeks and soloed his trainer after only two flights with an instructor!
Dale, the seaplane is really nice! It looked good on the maiden flight video. Good job!

[Arne]

I bought a cheap simulator, FMS I think (it is free, but you have to buy the cord, like 30 bucks to attach it to your radio)....

I was doing okay, but the simulator helped to learn to fly inverted, and is good in the winter to keep a bit sharp.

[dovaka]

this link follows my favorite moto "go big or go home" haha
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1IXQVh5IbHc
i would love to see some of these in action

[Nitetimes]

this link follows my favorite moto "go big or go home" haha
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1IXQVh5IbHc
i would love to see some of these in action

That thing has an afterburner, excellent!!!! That's just too cool!
Wonder if I can pick one of those up at Wally World??
That guy is certainly good with it tho, outstanding take off and landings!

[asianflava]

this link follows my favorite moto "go big or go home" haha
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1IXQVh5IbHc
i would love to see some of these in action

Went to a fun fly that had a turbine powered F-18. That thing was so cool! It not only looked like the real thing but it sounded and smelled like it too.

I have Real Flight 2.5, I was practicing for the electric heli I got but I never got the batteries for it. I have everything except for the batteries. They are probably the most expensive thing behind the radio (you have to get at least 2 packs).

[toypusher]

It's not always a good day when flying RCs!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZL7upK2kUqQ

[SkipperSue]

Here's a cool vid of 3 Constellations flying together, nice looking old planes!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/775680/more_risk_more_fun/

[cracker39]

I thought a post about my RC flying would bring a few RC pilots out of the woor work.

I tried teaching myself how to fly on one of those computer rc flight trainers... I crashed everytime. I figured I wasn't meant to fly.

Mike...

Mike, don’t give up. Those simulators are good for practicing, but to learn, you need an instructor to teach the basics of controlling the plane. And, on a simulator, the plane could be out of trim. If you are using a regular RC transmitter controller, you can correct that. Using a keyboard or PC joystick, you won’t get it to fly very well.

I bought a cheap simulator, FMS I think (it is free, but you have to buy the cord, like 30 bucks to attach it to your radio)..I was doing okay, but the simulator helped to learn to fly inverted, and is good in the winter to keep a bit sharp.

Arne, I use the free FMS sim as well. The $300 sims have better detail and may work better, but I can fly most of the models in my FMS. I also added more models to the sim, including my Alpha 40. Actually, the real plane flies easier than the one on the sim. I didn’t get my sim program until after I had flown a few times with my instructor on the buddy box and it has helped me to learn

this link follows my favorite moto "go big or go home" haha
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1IXQVh5IbHc
i would love to see some of these in action

That’s the biggest jet model I’ve seen yet. I’ve seen smaller single engine jets that sold for $5000 and this one is probably in the $7000-$1000 range. I’m lucky in that I live about 20 miles from the field where the yearly Top Gun (fly by invitation only) competition and demo flying is held. You see every type of RC plane and heli there.

It's not always a good day when flying RCs!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZL7upK2kUqQ

OUCH!!!. I witnessed a spectacular crash of an expensive balsa model of an ME109 at Top Gun a couple of years ago during a dogfight between 8-10 warbirds and a 12’ 4-engine model B-29. They brought the ME109 back in a clear plastic bag…just sticks and wires. Another few thousand bucks down the drain.

[Lesbest]

Check out Airshowbuzz.com and join the forum, Scrool down and they have anR/C segment that may be helpfull.

Les

[mikeschn]

Watching all these rc planes crash.... make me think these guys should be flying coroplast... like this

http://www.spadtothebone.com/

Mike...

[ALAN GEDDES]

I started RC in '69 and flew until about ten years ago. Prefer building over flying. Make a few flights and then sell so I could build another. Rule no 1: Get an instructor no 2: Get a good trainer airplane no 3: Accept the idea of crashing and carry a trash bag to pick up the pieces. I have spent a dozen years working in Hobby shops and the biggest problem was the people buying Ready to fly planes and they had no building experience to make repairs. Almost any crash is repairable. I liked to go arround at the end of the day and collect all the wrecked planes and then during the dark of winter build one plane out of them. The wings off one, the tail off another, etc. I found that if it looked pleasing to the eye it would fly. I have had them last years and some, mere seconds. Was cleaning out a closet the other day and found two kits I forgot about years ago. May just have to get back into it. Now where is that old radio I had laying in the shed ?

[Arne]

Mike, there are a small number of coroplast r/c homebuilts.. the fuselage is made from plastic 2x2 pvc drain pipe, the wings and rear sections from coroplast.. pretty much indestructible...