r/c planes

[Crumb]

I am thinking of buying a starter r/c plane. I know there have been folks around the :ff: who fly them. I don't want to blow too much cash on my first venture though. At first I was going to go ultra-cheap and buy a $40 B-29 replica that I read was good for beginners, but it was controlled by differential thrust which I would like to steer clear of. I would prefer something that is controlled more like a real airplane.

:WWIFA:

I think maybe this one would be a good start: Bellanca Decathlon 480 Complete Easy Flyer from Hobby Lobby! (http://www.hobby-lobby.com/bellanca.htm) Does that look like something reasonable to learn on? It doesn't have ailerons for steering but uses only a rudder. Does that mean it doesn't bank like a real plane?

Also is flying one something that I will be able to teach myself? Reading some of the older threads on the subject I was getting mixed messages on this one.

Any tips or info would be appreciated. :yup:

[livius drusus]

All I know about r/c planes is we have a smiley of one. :radioplane:

cep needs to weigh in on this one. :yup:

[viscousmemories]

An old thread with some suggestions. (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6605)

[Crumb]

Ah thanks liv, I should have done some better smiley surfing. :yup:

I read that thread, vm, before I started this one. That's what got me wondering about needing someone to teach me to fly. It never even occurred to me before. I figured it was something that I could teach myself. Now I see they even have r/c simulating software for training. :chuckle: That seems odd to me.

[ceptimus]

The FMS simulator (http://n-old.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html) is free, though you really need to get an r/c transmitter and an interface to link it to your PC. You can fly using an ordinary PC joystick, or even the keyboard, but you won't learn as much that way.

You can learn to fly on your own (I did), but you're much more likely to succeed, and do it for less cash, if you can find a local model flying club where like-minded people will be able to help you out with tricks, tips and probably spare parts, etc, etc.

The model you linked to would be okay. Rudder only models do bank to turn - the dihedral (upward sloping wings) introduces what is called roll-yaw coupling: the rudder yaws the plane, and then the dihedral causes the plane to roll. In fact some rudder only model planes can perform complete 360:degrees: rolls and sustained inverted flight. Some rudder-only models are really nice to fly - you don't see the yaw happening before the roll - from the ground you wouldn't know that the plane didn't have ailerons.

More aerobatic planes need ailerons, as they are designed to be neutrally stable - there is no coupling between yaw and roll, and this makes it possible to execute aerobatics with greater precision.

Put the main steering control (rudder if you are flying rudder only) on the right hand stick, and then, if and when you graduate to an aileron model, you put the aileron controls there and the auxiliary (rudder) control will then move to the left stick.

I've taught quite a few people to fly using twinstars (http://www.hobby-lobby.com/twinstar2.htm) - not as pretty as the decathlon, but a bit more capable. The twinstar has no undercarriage so you have to throw it and land it on its belly - but unless you have a billiard-table-smooth surface to land on, that's better than having undercarriage (for smaller planes anyway).

You'll most likely have to hand launch the decathlon anyway - even if you have a paved runway it's usually safer to throw a model like this (and preferably get someone who knows what they are doing to launch it for you the first few times).

You really want some help for the first few flights if you're going the twinstar route (as it has less dihedral, it is less stable than the decathlon, so you have to actively control it - the decathlon, once trimmed, will fly quite nicely without any control input).

If you have to fly alone, then something like the Pico Cub (http://www.rc-soar.com/hardsoft/mpx_cub.htm) is also a good choice, but you need to wait for very calm conditions, as something this light and slow doesn't behave very well in a breeze.

If there is a club anywhere near you, then I strongly recommend that you go along and see what they're doing and talk to them. You may be able to get a go on someone else's plane (possibly on a buddy box - where the instructor's and pupil's transmitters are linked by a cable, and the instructor can take over and rescue the situation at any time). You'll also find out what the other beginners at that club are flying, and you might be able to buy a pre-owned plane to learn with.

If you do decide to learn by yourself, you need a large (larger than you probably think) open area to fly in. Something like a football field is far too small, you need LOTS of space and no obstructions such as trees when you're learning.

[Crumb]

Thanks cep! :thankee: That is a lot of information. I think I will stick with the decathlon, though maybe I will wait to get it until I have hooked up with some local flying group. Since the weather is turning I bet I will have to wait until spring before I can do much flying.

Buying a used plane is a great idea. I can't believe I didn't think of that. It is certainly the best way to get a feel for things and see what I might want to buy new.

Thanks for all the great info!

[Dingfod]

This 98 pound R/C plane has a 20 foot wingspan and 34 horsepower:

http://flintflyer.com/images/B-29%20in%20Flight.jpg (http://www.hodgeshobbies.com/home.html)

[Dingfod]

Even better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXWg3K6OymU

[Crumb]

That video doesn't seem to be working.

[California Tanker]

That B-29 has an extra trick: It drops an RC X-1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg-aKlRcrQU

Then again, there's always the B-52, with eight turbines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6EE-p4aTzY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVagmBvFLig Airwolf!

Of course, there's always the R/C flying lawnmower.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT60SkXN1UY

Then again, if you want to depress yourself, watch Mr Szabo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSTycbXa8jY

NTM

[Dingfod]

That video doesn't seem to be working.Hmmm? Works for me.

[ceptimus]

Works for me too. :yup:

Crumb - don't forget the free FMS model flying simulator I mentioned at the start of that long post. You'll learn something from it, even if you only use the PC keyboard or a PC joystick. And it's fun too, in an arcade sort of way...

[Crumb]

That video doesn't seem to be working.Hmmm? Works for me.
Yeah it is working for me now, too. :dunno:

Works for me too. :yup:

Crumb - don't forget the free FMS model flying simulator I mentioned at the start of that long post. You'll learn something from it, even if you only use the PC keyboard or a PC joystick. And it's fun too, in an arcade sort of way...
I will check that out, thanks! Too bad it is Windows only. :(

[ceptimus]

:bump:

Any news, Crumb? Waiting for spring? Traditionally, us model flyers do our building in the winter months so that we have a stock of new models waiting when the fine weather returns. :yup:

[livius drusus]

Crumbles is buying his already built, though, isn't he?

[Crumb]

If I went with a used one it should be mostly built. If I bought one of the ones linked above they are mostly built, but they do require some effort.

I am in the mulling over stage, cep. I haven't looked at too many used ones yet. Though I did look around Craigslist a bit. I will post an update here when I make a move. :wink: I'm a loner so I think that I will probably just buy one and try it myself. Then if I fail I can seek out some guidance. :)

[ceptimus]

If you're going the lone route, then I recommend you to get a transmitter with a 'buddy box connector' which you can then connect to an r/c simulator on your PC for risk-free practice.

The free sim is okay, but if you enjoy computer sims, then it's worth investing in something like the Phoenix simulator (http://www.phoenix-sim.com/) which is much more realistic, and a much better training aid.

[Crumb]

That seems a tad expensive. :shudder:

[ceptimus]

Well yes it is...

...but it's cheaper than repeatedly crashing real models!

The free sim is almost as good at teaching you the basics though. :phew:

To use any r/c sim properly, you'll need a slightly more expensive transmitter - the most basic ones don't have buddy-box connectors; but that will be money well spent (IMO).

[Godwhacker]

Crumb

I started flying electric R/C planes about 3 years ago. Here's my take for starting out:

The absolute best thing you can do is find an instructor and/or join an R/C club. Someone who can help teach you the basics. Sorry, there just really isn't much substitute. I was totally lost until I joined a local R/C airplane club and found someone who was willing to teach me. The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is the U.S. organization for R/C aircraft and that has a helpful website:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/

I think they have a listing of R/C plane clubs listed by state. Another way to find a good club is to go to a local hobby store that has R/C planes. The good ones will usually know the local R/C clubs and the really good ones may even know the name of an instructor or two.

As for planes, if you are going to seek out an instructor, wait and find out what plane he/she recommends. Every instructor I know likes a different trainer. Mine liked electrics, and electrics have some advantages, but most instructors prefer gas powered planes (more powerful thrust in gas motors helps get you out of trouble more easily than most electrics).

That all being said, there are those who have tought themselves. Its not easy, but it has been done. If you do go at it alone, and you want to get into electrically powered R/C planes, I would recommend one of the planes from Hobbyzone:



They come with everything you need, basically ready to fly (you may have to attach a wing or tail). I have flown the Super Cub recently, and its a doll of a plane.

Again, however, it takes time to learn to fly. In fact, I am a licensed pilot of full size aircraft, and it took me a good 3 months to really learn how to fly R/C. In fact, it took me longer to learn to fly R/C than it did a regular full size plane!!!

If you want some more feedback, I would go to RC Hangout:

RC Hangout - Powered by vBulletin (http://www.rchangout.com/forums/index.php)

I go by Kilgore Trout on that forum. Lots of good people on there willing to help a beginner out with good advice. Also feel free to send me a PM or whatnot.

Good Luck!

[Godwhacker]

OOOPsss...for some reason the Hobbyzone link didn't show:

Horizon Hobby: Product Search (http://www.horizonhobby.com/Stores/Products.aspx?StoreCatId=A&CatId=AR&BrandId=HBZ)

And just to get you going, here are some pictures of a few of my flying friends:

http://www.rchangout.com/gallery/data/500/FW-190.jpg


http://www.rchangout.com/gallery/data/500/medium/airplanes11-06_001.jpg

[Crumb]

Thanks Godwhacker. I guess I will be checking into local groups.

[ceptimus]

:bump:

While I was staying in the USA last week, I almost bought one of these engines

http://www.julton.net/ys63ssm.jpe

But I didn't as I was concerned that it might not ship to the motel I was staying in before I had to leave.

Now I tried to order it on-line but found that in the UK you have to buy it from the UK dealer.

USA price: $239.87 UK price: $438.00

I could (partly) understand the price difference if the engine were made in the USA, but it's a Japanese engine. :fuming:

If anyone in the USA with a Paypal account that can receive funds is prepared to buy it and then ship it to me, please PM.

[ceptimus]

My newest toy arrived today :pleased:

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3796&d=1213731821

Mobile phone gives an idea of the scale - BIG!

Hope to have it flying within a couple of months.

[Crumb]

:stunned: Holy :shit:! That's amazing!

cep: I'd be willing to help you with the engine, but I can't receive paypal payments.

[ceptimus]

Thank you very much Crumb. :thankee:

The engine arrived safely this morning. :pleased:

:thankyou:

[Crumb]

:snoopy: