By: Kevin King


So You Wanna Fly?


First off let me say WELCOME!!! Im sure you are excited to be entering this great hobby. Whether its flying giant scale, helicopters, aerobatics or anything else. Every needs to get started. Thats why I made this website.  First off, If you want to start flying helicopters I recommend learning to fly planes first.  Now I know this may take more time but in the long run I really think you will learn more and find helicopters not so overwhelming by learning how to fly a plane first.  This is the way I learned and would recommend everyone to do the same. Seems to have worked so far :)


OK!!!

What Plane, What Radio, What Engine... The list goes on


Getting started in RC can seem very overwhelming but it doesn't have to be.  The very first thing I tell people to do is to set a budget and know how much this hobby costs.  If you plan on spending less then 200 dollars then you don’t really need to be looking at glow powered trainers unless you can find a used one. But remember you still need a radio, fuel and tools!


The BEST way to learn how to fly is to go out and buy a simulator.  Hands down this is the cheapest way to see if you will like the hobby, help you decide what type of plane you will want (or helicopter.)  I personally recommend the Real-Flight G4.5 Simulator for any pilot both new and experienced.  I find that it is very realistic and helps a lot with orientation and aerobatics.  Check out my video below of me flying in the simulator for a glimpse of what this great software is capable of!!!




















Training

The best way to learn to fly after you have used a simulator is to get flight training at a local flying field.  This is included free of charge in any fields in Canada and the United States.  Once you join a club you can use a buddy box to learn with very little risk of crashing your plane!


I have a detailed information section on training and buddy boxes at the bottom of this page.


So You Wanna Do It For REAL?

Great! Now before you rush out and buy a plane take a few things to consider.  I made the mistake of buying stuff way to quick and ended up losing a lot of money on buying junk.  The best way that I feel to get started is to get a glow powered trainer (Kit or ARF.) Glow planes offer a number of advantages.  Their weight makes them better for windy days and easier to fly, you can refill them and keep flying and you will better learn how to tune engines.  On an average training night glow planes get 2-3 flights per night whereas electrics get 1-2.  Over time this adds up!!!


There are a large deal of electric powered “self starting” airplanes that come with radio and plane for what seems like very good money.  I have never liked these planes because they are small and do not cope with weather well.  The also are often times not able to link up to a buddy box (more on this later) and generally are viewed as toys rather then model airplanes.  Another problem with these planes I have found is battery charge time.  Many take hours to charge and you will be frustrated when you spend all your time waiting to fly because of batteries. 


Now that being said electrics do have advantages but i feel that for simple flying to get practice, a glow plane is best.


What is a glow plane and what should I buy?

A glow plane is a plane that uses an internal combustion engine powered

by glow fuel. They are small, very affordable and great propulsion

systems for planes.  There are many good sites listed in my links at the

bottom of this page that go into more detail. 


So a glow engine and plane!


I have probably flown 50 or more trainers over the years and personally find a few that seem to work really well.  The Hobbico Nexstar is a great airplane to start on as you can get it with a motor and radio all ready to go.  You also can fly that airplane in the simulator and it is a solid and well built plane.  Other choices would be the SIG LT-40 or Hangar 9 Alpha.


If you want to build a plane some choices would be a LT-40 or a trainer from AMR-RC


I DO NOT recommend learning on anything that doesn't look like one of these planes.  Some companies claim that their planes are trainers but i do not agree.  I paid 500 dollars for a P-51 trainer and my instructor crashed it on the second flight (see my crash pictures)


I get asked a lot what plane I would buy if i had to do it again. Now, this is totally my opinion, but I would go with the Nexstar.  You pay more up front but will get MUCH more out of it in the long run!


A Brief Warning

This hobby has as many opinions about planes and radios as there are flyers.  All my info here is MY opinion and I feel will work well.  That being said, other members and other clubs have other preferences.


The best thing you can do is go out to your local flying field and watch, ask questions and do research.  BUT, be careful what info you get from people.  Observe those who fly, generally, if they fly well and have nice planes they will steer you in the right direction. Find one or 2 people that others get help from and listen to them.  DO NOT do what i did and get so much info from so many people that you get confused and make dumb purchases.


How much will it REALLY Cost?

Many people getting into the hobby under estimate the costs involved.  If you have been told or think flying will cost less then $500 dollars. You will find it very difficult. Not saying it cannot be done but the best way and fastest way to learn is to join a club with a glow plane and have proper instruction.


Here is a real summary of costs for everything you will need to get started.

  1. BulletTrainer Airplane $350-650

  2. BulletRadio (could be included) $200

  3. BulletField Box $30

  4. BulletBattery for field box $30

  5. BulletStarter $30

  6. BulletGlow Driver $15

  7. BulletPower Panel $25

  8. BulletFuel $30

  9. BulletClub Membership $50-200

  10. BulletScrewdrivers, Wrenches $50

  11. BulletAllen Keys, Pliers $50

  12. BulletGlue and building/repairing Items $50

  13. BulletA Good Attitude $Priceless


Total - $850-1200


Now that may seem like a lot of money but I feel it is important to know the financial commitment that you realistically need to make in order to get involved.  However, when you break it down if you purchase all these items (even tools) it works out to be about $3 a day.  Plus you can reuse most of your equipment for years to come.  This hobby is an upfront cost hobby for sure. Pay now and play for along time!


Ok i have all my gear now WHAT NOW?

My advice is to go out to your local field and become a member. Not just in the financial sense but in full, spend time out at the field talking and asking questions. Learn from others mistakes and it will get you so far ahead.


Oh and one last thing... FLY!!!


Get training and practice as often as you can. In no time you will be flying by yourself and having an absolute blast!!!


Training Info - My Home Field (KW Flying Dutchmen)

Thursday night, starting in April, is training night. Beginning at 6:00PM our qualified instructors are available to help you get your airplane flight ready and fly with anyone beginning to fly or working towards their "wings". In order to get your wings, a pilot must be able to perform a specific set of maneuvers, which are posted in the club house.


While learning to fly you will use the club’s “Buddy Boxes” to help you learn and save your aircraft from disaster caused by inexperience. The instructor will use your transmitter hard wired to the buddy box with similar controls that you will use during the training flight. The instructor will initially do the take-off and climb to a safe altitude for you. He then holds a momentary switch when it is time for you to fly, and releases it to immediately take control back if you put the airplane into an unstable attitude. The instructor will also land your aircraft for you until you are sufficiently skilled to perform the take-offs and landings yourself. When your skills are sufficiently developed it will be time to take your “Wings Test” and become a pilot with open flying privileges.

Until this test has been passed, the student must have a pilot with their wings with them at the flight line while flying. Training is also available at other times if it has been arranged with one of the instructors. There is NO COST for this training for club members.

(taken from www.kwflyingdutchmen.com)