FAQ's FOR BEGINNERS OR
GUIDE TO STARTING OUT IN RADIO CONTROL MODEL AIRCRAFT
Model
flying is a fascinating hobby that will absorb many hours and reward you with tremendous
satisfaction and elation. This page will guide you through some of the initial questions
you may have and provide you with some valuable advice that will save you time and money
in the long run. Some of the information below is specific to the UK as I have not had
time yet to research these details in other countries, if you know of relevant info. in
your country and it is not included below please would you consider helping your fellow
beginner modellers by e-mailing the stuff to me and I will do my best to include it.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO GO R/C
MODEL FLYING?
Like all things this can vary
enormously depending on whether you buy mostly ready built models or build them yourself
from kits or plans or buy them second hand. Usually, beginners buy new radios and engines
as these can be regarded as investments that will last many years and outlive several
models. This route will cost in the region of £300 - £400, i.e. radio £100 - £200,
engine £50 - £70, model £50 - £100, club fees and insurance £30 - £80 (these are
typical UK prices, overseas prices are still needed). If you think you will be a dedicated
glider fan then you can save the cost of the engine, although gliders are not always an
easier route to learning to fly as they fly very slowly and control responses are not
easily learnt. By buying second hand you could start for less if you can be around when
its bargain time at the club auction, but we don't recommend this as it can work out the
most expensive through faulty or obsolete equipment!
HOW DO I GET INTO R/C MODEL
FLYING?
The first step is to join a
local club and talk to the senior instructor there. He will be very pleased to talk to you
and will advise you on whether his club has a club trainer model or if you will need to
purchase your own. Besides the free instruction available, most UK clubs will provide you
with the necessary insurance of up to £5,000,000.
HOW DO I FIND A CLUB?
Contact your local model shop
and ask them, they will know. Model shops usually advertise in the directories listed at
the back of the radio control model aircraft magazines. A listing of clubs is also
available in "Model Flight 91" published by Prospect Publications which should
be in your Reference Library. Failing that you can ring the BMFA (British Model Flying
Association) on 0116 2440028, or you can ring me and I will get it for you. Previously the
BMFA was called the SMAE and you are most like to have to join it as most clubs are now
affiliated. Overseas contacts would be appreciated here.
CAN I LEARN AT MY AGE?
There are no age limits young
or old. Youngsters pick up the flying skills much more quickly than older heads and
provided adequate supervision is available even quite young learners under the age of ten
can make good flyers. Teenagers quickly graduate to becoming proficient and make our
future experts, whereas someone between 20 and 50 will take about 3 or 4 ten minute
flights to do a first landing and 20 or so flights to go solo.
CAN I LEARN ON MY OWN?
Not to be recommended this path
leads to tears and a strain on the wallet. Learn from those who did it the hard way and
are only too willing to help you avoid all the pitfalls, and there are many. Most clubs
have experienced instructors who enjoy teaching beginners, make sure you get on well with
him though (it could be a her but unfortunately it's unlikely), you are going to be
together for a while and a personality clash here is just a waste of time. Avoid the
know-alls and seek a recommendation from any club member who has been through the mill as
to which are the best instructors. With a good instructor there is no reason why you
shouldn't keep your prized model in one piece.
WHAT SIZE ENGINE IS BEST FOR A
BEGINNER?
Most beginners presently learn
with a .40 sized glow plug engine as it can then be used in more aerobatic models after
the first trainer. Bigger sizes are definitely not recommended on the grounds of cost and
extreme power outputs whereas if you buy a sports .30 it may not be of much use afterwards
as the average model is designed around a .40.
WHAT IS A GOOD TRAINER?
Gliders are not seriously
recommended if you want to fly power models as the flight time is so short with thermal
type models and slope soaring is another world although both types can be a lot of fun, so
it boils down to a power model designed for the job. The most stable models are the best
and these are the high wing designs preferably light for their size with large wing areas
and large enough to be seen easily.
I recommend Moonraker as a trainer to go from
absolute basic training right through to advanced aerobatics. If you buy a Moonraker then it will not be long before you are ready for your
first flight (around 10 hours to get it ready to fly). You will also get a lot of
attention from your instructor as it has become an instructors' favourite all over the
country because it is incredibly aerobatic and a delight to fly when the control movements
are increased from those used for training. It has been known to beat specialist models in
'fun fly' competitions. It's also remarkably tough and can take plenty of rough treatment.
SHOULD I BUY A RUDDER/ELEVATOR
MODEL OR AN AILERON TRAINER?
This is still a thorny question
to some people who learnt that way. For many years I used to teach beginners more often
than I ever flew my own models and I could never understand why trainers were such
terrible models to fly compared to aerobatic models. Years later I remembered this when I
came to design Moonraker and thought seriously about what
makes a good trainer. Basically rudder elevator power models fly jerkily as you try to
fight their in-built stability and they also balloon into wind because of their flat
bottom wing sections. These factors may have made for a cheaper first model and I wonder
how many prospective flyers have been lost because of the difficulties of learning on
them? With a trace of dihedral that just allows the model to recover from any position in
250 feet if the throttle is shut, light wing loading, aerodynamically clean giving a wide
speed range, Moonraker will save the cost of having to buy
three models; basic trainer (traditionally a rudder/elevator model), aileron trainer and
advanced trainer.
WHAT ENGINE AND RADIO DO YOU
RECOMMEND?
Personally I use Irvine engines
and JR radio. However I particularly recommend OS engines for beginners in view of their
docile handling and adequate power. As for radios, mine is a personal preference that
stems from years of use but I can see no reason not to use any other make currently in
production. I do recommend against buying dry battery sets though as it is false economy
and reliability is definitely suspect. Soldered-in rechargeable batteries are far superior
and worth every penny. A four channel set should last you for the next five years of your
flying needs and could last ten, look upon it as an investment (as is your engine) that
can outlast your first model by a factor of ten. Buy a set with "rates" if you
can afford to, further complexity should be avoided until you're ready to fly very
advanced models.
COULD I LEARN TO FLY ON SMARTY PANTS?
Smarty
Pants was designed as a pocket sized aerobatic light weight with a vintage flavour and
plenty of modern strength. So initially I used to say no as I thought the model too small,
light and skittish. However we now have several customers who have learnt to fly on it and
their instructors have reported that it makes a good trainer, surprise, surprise. We did a
check on it ourselves and found it easily capable of carrying full-size gear although a
smaller battery is recommended. The glide performance isn't quite so remarkable but it
still flies nice and slowly and steadily, just right for a beginner in fact if you have
the patience to build it, it's simple and straightforward but real aeromodelling stuff.
CAN I LEARN TO FLY WITH PHANTOM OR TORNADO?
No, definitely not. Although
both these models are in fact easy to fly and don't have any vices, the Phantom is too
fast and too small to learn on. You need to see trainers clearly and as the silhouettes of
both are very confusing at certain angles it is impractical to learn on them.
THERE IS A LOT OF PLASTIC IN
HMM MODELS, IS IT STRONG AND CAN IT BE REPAIRED?
Balsa models have many virtues
but they do require building and when they break or get fuel soaked considerable skill has
to go into repairing them. Our fuselages come virtually ready built as they are moulded in
tough ABS plastic which is an impact resistant material (the same material car bumpers are
made from) and provided a minimum of care is given towards it, will last the life of the
model. Although they are extremely tough our fuselages can be broken, but they can also be
repaired easily. Many adhesives can be used on our ABS moulded fuselages and we list them
in the instructions.
WE WILL
ALWAYS DO OUR BEST TO HELP AND YOU CAN PHONE FOR ADVICE DURING CONSTRUCTION OR WHEN ABOUT
TO DECIDE ON ENGINES ETC.
HOWARD
