RADIO CONTROL . who here is into flying ?

[bathurst77]

Funny you guys should bring this up. I got a 11 year old son who tells me he wants a RC plane for his birthday soon.

Are there any easy to fly low cost ones, for a beginner with no skills,. It doesnt need to be able to do all sorts of fancy stuff. Just launch easily, fly in circles over the footy field and land without breaking is fine!

I see some electric ones on ebay around the $100 mark. what about the helicopters? Are they OK? Where do I start?

Come on guys, help make me "the best dad!"

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by bathurst77

Funny you guys should bring this up. I got a 11 year old son who tells me he wants a RC plane for his birthday soon.

Are there any easy to fly low cost ones, for a beginner with no skills,. It doesnt need to be able to do all sorts of fancy stuff. Just launch easily, fly in circles over the footy field and land without breaking is fine!

I see some electric ones on ebay around the $100 mark. what about the helicopters? Are they OK? Where do I start?

Come on guys, help make me "the best dad!"

well none of them are easy , you need to be trained , otherwise you'll be buying another after the 1st 5 second flight .
but saying that a trainer is the way to go . you can get kits realativley cheap . that have all you need . then you legally have to join a club , and fly in a designated area. you can buy off e'bay for 3oo to 5oo for the lot . but you'll need a good flying trainer to start off .
then the bug bites . and the credit card comes out . if you get trained you will save 100, if not 1000s in the long run .
i say go for it . your boy is 11 . it will give him an interest , and good to keep him out of trouble / and drugs . he will loove it and so will you . you cant put a price on this it is a great hobby , and fairly cheap compared to others .


mind you staring out . if you buy AN ARF ( almost ready to fly) kit . you need sound skill in building a model and about 20 to 30 hours of building . before you even fly. this could be a nightly venture for a month . before you fly ' you have to be lucky to score a flying plane for sale with all the gear in good condition . but they are out there .
if you build an ARF 1ST you will have more respect for the whoole venture . do it man do it .
myself i dont know where to start . but probably $1000 up front and a weekly contribution . that is with new stuff . and midway flying .

my advice is to buy well because you can always sell . ( radio gear etc ) and you will spend and trade up . best to get midway gear 1st up .

[superpursuit83]

Hey Bathurst77, if you want to get into a beginner plane, then the Aerobird style is fairly indestructible, and parts are cheap and normally off the shelf.

They come with all the gear to just charge and fly, radio included. Nearly all hobbie shops carry something similiar.

Would be perfect for a young fella interested in the hobby and good for you because the price is ok.

Check this out Aerobird Plane choose aeroplanes at top menu's, then click electric. The first one on the list is a good beginner style

John

[superpursuit83]

Anything bigger then what gtfpv says is about right

[superpursuit83]

And stay away from Heli's for a while, once the young bloke gets the coordination and stick movements right, then look at more advanced planes. Or the little twin rotor heli.
If he looks like he will be keen to advance in the hobby then the best investment would be a flight simulator for the pc. Realflight do a great simulator that comes with a full size futaba style controller. And from experience, its much cheaper to press the space bar than pick up the pieces and pull out the credit card again.. Especially with the heli's. Mine average $250.00 per bounce when gravity wins. And they normally bounce more than once. :

Good luck

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by superpursuit83

And stay away from Heli's for a while, once the young bloke gets the coordination and stick movements right, then look at more advanced planes. Or the little twin rotor heli.
If he looks like he will be keen to advance in the hobby then the best investment would be a flight simulator for the pc. Realflight do a great simulator that comes with a full size futaba style controller. And from experience, its much cheaper to press the space bar than pick up the pieces and pull out the credit card again.. Especially with the heli's. Mine average $250.00 per bounce when gravity wins. And they normally bounce more than once. :

Good luck

good advice , and very funny. i used to say a good days flying cost $50 , AND A BAD DAY $500 +

[superpursuit83]

Originally Posted by gtfpv

good advice , and very funny. i used to say a good days flying cost $50 , AND A BAD DAY $500 +

And you could still say that now I reckon....

One more bit of advise, if your in the field flying and have had a good day, DO NOT say to yourself "just one more flight". Gauranteed to need the garbage bag ...lol

[peyote]

Originally Posted by superpursuit83

If he looks like he will be keen to advance in the hobby then the best investment would be a flight simulator for the pc. Realflight do a great simulator that comes with a full size futaba style controller. And from experience, its much cheaper to press the space bar than pick up the pieces and pull out the credit card again.. Especially with the heli's. Mine average $250.00 per bounce when gravity wins. And they normally bounce more than once. :

Good luck

FMS - flight model sim
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html
i use fms it's a great sim its free aswell
extra models&scenerys http://rcp.web.infoseek.co.jp/fms_aircraft_e.html
Aerobird Xtreme and others for fms http://gunnerson.homestead.com/files/fms_models.htm

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by peyote

FMS - flight model sim
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html
i use fms it's a great sim its free aswell
extra models&scenerys http://rcp.web.infoseek.co.jp/fms_aircraft_e.html
Aerobird Xtreme and others for fms http://gunnerson.homestead.com/files/fms_models.htm

FMS is great, but you need to have an interface between the computer and the transmitter. You have to teach your fingers/thumbs to react and move at the right times. It's no good learning with a standard keyboard, using the A,S,W,D and the arrow keys.

I followed instructions from the 'net' showing how to get a signal from the transmitter to the computer... and it worked! But after three days, the transmitter died. It seems the Anologue-Digital chip isn't working. I might try replacing it with a standard chip from the local electronics shop when I get a chance, to see if I can get the transmitter working again (Chinese manufacturers have taken the numbers off the top of the chips).

Luckily I didn't use my good transmitter, so I can still play in the real world!

[XCSEDAN]

We Got FMS,
i hate it, it screwed up my aerobatics, its only really good for building up your co-ordination,
like when your hovering and the belly's facing you, or when your just learning to fly.
Real Flight is much better. costs a fair wack of cash though....

[gtfpv]

i have a fully built extra 300 , with a 120 OS 4 STROKE. in it . in good condition lined up, the owner wants $700 , i'm trying to negotiate as . not much at all is selling for $500 2nd hand .

[Jet-Star]

For anyone who is looking at Heli's if your willing to learn to fly "Mode 2" (where the throttle stick and elevator stick are on the opposite to the more commenly used "Mode 1") go rent your self R/C Stunt Chopper on PS1. I spent a good 100+ plus hours on that flying mode 2, thrashin those choppers around before I picked up my real R/C chopper, only had one bingle in it over years of flying and it was due to the wrong pitch set up on the main rotor when I tried inverted flight. If your dead set on mode 1 chopper flying get a real simulator, decent ones are a few hundred, plus the controller..

Oh and to the bloke that said his 11 year old wants to get into it, theres this lead used to link two transmitters/controllers together called a buddy box system, this allows the person teaching to take over control if needed, so if your worried your son may damage it straight away take him to a club and get some help. Most club members are more than willing to help new members.

[superpursuit83]

I had to suffer and learn on my own. I fly real planes too, and in the pilot seat I normally have the joystick (pitch and roll) in my left hand and the throttle in the right, mode 3. So this is how I set up my transmitter, learnt to control it this way and now there is no changing my style. I just can not find any more mode 3 flyers. The point being, go to your club before you start and see what they are using and how they are using it, and if you can get similiar gear and setups. I think the majority of people new to the hobby are going mode 2. (Mode 2 or 3 is best for insane spinning flips etc when you are good enough).
The buddy lead is a good idea too, forgot about that.

[banarcus]

I remember firing up my cox babybee .049 for the very first time on the old Aeroflyte 15% nitro. Got me fingers caught in the spring starter prop all the time and even managed to toast my fingers on that fuel without even seeing a flame!!

Then I bought an Aeroflyte red baron bi-plane control line thing. The very first flying thing I ever built and it lasted ages.

About 10 yrs later I started building a gas turbine(for a Salamander) and in the process bought my self a RC Ford Escort. The jet was put in the backburner. I'm really hanging out for some RC action again.....

[HOON69]

mine is the intermediate model of the flying type

firebird freedom
very basic mid wing craft easily flown,has ACT(anti crash technology) etc
retails around the 400 dollar mark.

[crusher]

Beginner heli: The easiest is probably the "Blade" helis. They have a no interference radio so theres no potential to shoot off like other helis. The Venom Ocean Rescue is also a good beginner heli but the blade is actually slightly easier. Both are electric. From there you can then move to a Night Ranger 2 and then a Night Ranger 3D and do tricks and stuff. There are also the 3d micro helis which are nuts. Would not recomend getting a Night Ranger for a first heli. You WILL break lots of bits.

From there youd be looking at a fair bit of cash to upgrade to a nitro heli or big brushless sucker. The ones I have seen have been around the 1000 mark but one of the guys at work managed to get a second hand never flown one for $400. Bargains are out there!

Planes: For beginners there are always the Park Fighters. Little Electric buggers made out of foam which is pretty much indestructable (but can still be broken if hit hard enough. They just take alot of punishment. Bend the wing in half and itll bounce back!) . Then there are the usual ones like Ego Cessna and things like the Aerobird swift for electric planes.

The P51D mustangs look awesome but I havent had alot to do with flying so most of my help will vanish quickly. Just remember that itll get pretty exxy quickly. Especially nitro planes.

John: Do you ever go into Stanbridges for your gear? If your in there during the week youll probably see my ute out the back. And Ill probably be out in the shed sweating my ring off doing the whole storeman thing. Say Gday if you ever see us mate!

[XCSEDAN]

Originally Posted by gtfpv

i have a fully built extra 300 , with a 120 OS 4 STROKE. in it . in good condition lined up, the owner wants $700 , i'm trying to negotiate as . not much at all is selling for $500 2nd hand .

Mate, your not going to try and learn on that are you!?
also what brand is it?
there are some brands who really CAN'T build or design a plane.
ARF models are cheap these days mate.
try and find out what model OS 120 it is, theres MK1-3 and theres different models in each series.
$700 sounds a bit rich in my mind.

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by XYSEDAN

Mate, your not going to try and learn on that are you!?
also what brand is it?
there are some brands who really CAN'T build or design a plane.
ARF models are cheap these days mate.
try and find out what model OS 120 it is, theres MK1-3 and theres different models in each series.
$700 sounds a bit rich in my mind.

i think it is a YH EXTRA 300 S 60 SIZE.
THEY SAID THE ENGINE IS NEAR NEW . COST $550 , A JR RECEIVER NEW . COST 250 ( 10CH SCANNING TYPE) 4 X 539 SERVOS FITTED $110 , SPARE WING AND SPARE COWLING .and batteries. $675 is best i can do .as new never crashed they claim they paid $1300 FOR THIS .

HOWEVER I HAVE HAD A QUOTE BRAND NEW WITH 7 CHANNEL HITECH RADIO FOR 1300


ALSO AS FAR AS LEARNING GOES . I WILL BE LOOKING FOR A CLUB 1ST . AND POSSIBLY BUYING A 40 SIZE TRAINER . BUT I WILL HAVE THE 2ND MODEL READY AND WAITING .


the other choice is a U CAN DO by great planes . it has a saito 90 4 stroke engine , a 7 ch reciever and 4 servos fitted. with batteries . same price . 4 fights old as new.

any advice for me these planes do not come with a transmitter , it was sold .

both plANES ARE A ADD TRANSMITTER , START, AND FLY DEAL.

[XCSEDAN]

ok, if theres a 120 in a 60 size model, it will be a pig. way to heavy.
i have never heard of YH?
if your looking for a good trainer, look for something with a semi-fully symmetrical wing.
it will teach you a lot.
now the next thing.
The second model issue. i personally reccomend a Fun Fly, every person i know who has had a DECENT one as a second model have turned out as better modelers because of it.
the reason being, these models are easily recoverable (due to massive wing area)
they also teach you what the controls actually do again. such as if you kick in left rudder on knife edge, the model may twist or screw inwards.

PM me and i'll give you as much help as possible. i started flying when i was 8, i went solo at 10 (wasn't aloud to go solo any earlier as there is an age requirement in my club) and im now 17 going on 18 in August.
i'v probably done a lot more flying then most people and it shows in the Aerobatic comps.
pitty you dont live in VIC i'd give you a hand without a second thought.

Oh yeah also with the transmitter issue, depends what your budget is.
i personally will only stick with Futaba, but they are gettin harder to get in Australia.

[BAturb]

just read this topic and thought I would post up whayt I fly, (when time and money permits)

[superpursuit83]

The bottom line here gtfpv, is that in this hobby we normally get a thrill out of watching our "students" fly on there own. So as XYSEDAN said, we will be happy to help ya if we can.... anytime.

Heres a couple of mine
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[HOON69]

Originally Posted by BAturb

just read this topic and thought I would post up whayt I fly, (when time and money permits)

now thats a pretty little collection you have there.

i had a firefly as a learners plane was plastic quite hard plastic too except the nose bit and copped a flogging
retails around 40-80 depends on store etc

i do have a heli it costs 4-500 new i bought it off a mate *free* except i had to replace a few parts *100bucks* its called the dragon fly,there are cheaper ones out there but as it was free and only cost 1/4 the original price i thought why not ;)

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by BAturb

just read this topic and thought I would post up whayt I fly, (when time and money permits)

hahahahahahahaha absolutely love it .. how's the wife like the furniture ??

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by superpursuit83

The bottom line here gtfpv, is that in this hobby we normally get a thrill out of watching our "students" fly on there own. So as XYSEDAN said, we will be happy to help ya if we can.... anytime.

Heres a couple of mine
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

very serious stuff there mate . any videos ???

[Bens_ELXR6]

I've always liked RC planes/heli's ! would love to get in to the hobby

in the mean time i've been watching RC Plane onboard videos :P
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jFjUa3Y5e2g

edit: kyro_02 posted this !

[XCSEDAN]

I just uploaded a video of Tony Watkins Flying the PA EDGE 540T onto youtube....

just waiting for it to be enabled now....

I also thought i'd share my next (fingers crossed once i get enough cash) model.
http://www.somenzini.com/html/aircraft/yak102.html

we have the 72" version at the moment (no longer in production)
and that flies great.
infact anyone Going to the VMAA trophy this year will probably see me flying it

[Kyl3]

Im big into land rc..

About to purchase an FG monster truck.. $2k later i'll be poor, but having fun

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by Kyl3

Im big into land rc..

About to purchase an FG monster truck.. $2k later i'll be poor, but having fun

The FG's are incredible.

I run a Revo (competeitve racing only) and it looks like a little toy compared to the FG

Have seen 1:5th scale baja running at my local club, wasnt overly impressed with its performance - but they seem to come into their own when they get a chance to stretch their legs!!

[XCSEDAN]

Heres the Vid i uploaded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn_-psqHHp4

Hope you guys dont have 56K....

[Kyl3]

Yep love the revos, I used to run a revo with a TM323 kit and it was awesome!