Looking for feedback/input for R/C airplanes

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Back in the Spring I started a new hobby - R/C Rock Crawlers ..... I have now decided to try R/C airplanes (yes, it is late in the season) ..... I have already purchased an "Arrows Trekker" (it has a 4 foot wingspan) so if any Spyderlovers are into this please contact me. ..... I have a lot to learn ..... Thanks ... Mike :thumbup:

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Mike, I also thought RC Planes sounded very enticing. I bought a “starter” type battery operated model, joined the local RC flying club as well as joined M.O.A.C. (Provides RC modelers with liability insurance (a requirement of the RC Flying Club), and proceeded on learning how to fly. I was enjoying getting out to fly. As I gained experience, I also learned about my limitations....while “in the air” I realized that while flying, my depth perception just was not “good enough”. I was not able to tell how close/far from a tree the plane was. My son is now the owner of a “beginner” RC model.

Just a “don’t jump in with both feet” until you discover your own limitations. Bruce

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Mike, I also thought RC Planes sounded very enticing. I bought a “starter” type battery operated model, joined the local RC flying club as well as joined M.O.A.C. (Provides RC modelers with liability insurance (a requirement of the RC Flying Club), and proceeded on learning how to fly. I was enjoying getting out to fly. As I gained experience, I also learned about my limitations....while “in the air” I realized that while flying, my depth perception just was not “good enough”. I was not able to tell how close/far from a tree the plane was. My son is now the owner of a “beginner” RC model.

Just a “don’t jump in with both feet” until you discover your own limitations. Bruce

Bruce thanks for responding :thumbup: ..... :agree: about " don't jump in with both feet " thing ..... So I have put in about 100 hrs. of research for the transition from R/C crawlers to Planes thing, and decided it was worth a try. Without actually having a plane to try this with, how could I make an honest assessment, of whether I would like it or not. Yes the plane I bought ( arrives on Tues. next week ) is a bit large, but in my research I decided bigger was better ( for a few reasons ). It is a learner plane, it can fly Very slow and still actually fly. .... So I'll see how this turns out ..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[pidjones]

I found that I really enjoyed building RC electric helicopters, but was not only poor at flying them (often attempting subterranean flight), I didn't really enjoy it. Sold all of the kit helis, batteries, transmitter and parts in one lot. Still have some micros, but hardly ever fly them.

 

[EdMat]

Mike, bigger is better to a point. Easier to see, smoother reacting, easier to take off and land.

You can always start off with a flight simulator.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Mike, bigger is better to a point. Easier to see, smoother reacting, easier to take off and land.

You can always start off with a flight simulator.

Yes I could have I suppose .... but I didn't :dontknow: .... This plane is my Christmas present to me :roflblack::roflblack:.... Mike :thumbup:

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Yes I could have I suppose .... but I didn't :dontknow: .... This plane is my Christmas present to me :roflblack::roflblack:.... Mike :thumbup:

Merry Christmas Mike. Yeah, you could have started with a simulator.......coulda, woulda, shoulda. You’re going to love the thrill of your first successful talk-off and landing. I know that I did. Just my dam...er...darn depth perception problem....not bad enough to affect my real world driving, but played havoc with my flying. I tried RC cars about 40 years ago and had the same problem.....ran into the concrete curbs trying for my driveway. Little .049 engines and the cars just exploded upon impact.

 

[canamjhb]

A few years ago, I was the recipient of an RC helicopter for Christmas. Battery powered about 20 inches long and 6 inches high. I never did get the hang of flying it. Even had to get it off the neighbors' roof one time. :shemademe_smilie: It just wouldn't do what I tried to make it do. Took it back to the store thinking it was defective. Store clerk flew it around the store and landed it in the palm of his hand. :gaah:
That was the end of my RC adventure. Hoping your experience is better than mine

 

[teninospyder]

Mike, in 2005 when we moved to our current home on 5 acres, in the farm pasture (50-100 acres, depending on your skill :roflblack behind us was
an RC airplane club (small 6-8 Seniors and friends) every weekend. Little planes to big planes, experts and newbees like me. I joined as quickly as possible, and with their help I was "flying "trainers", crashing a few, buying new models every week, crashing less, and building a fleet of 15 planes, with 16" to 48" wingspans ! even had my own logos for the planes. "Flying Tiger Squadron" - with a tiger in the logo too, was on every plane I flew.

Due to my work, and "every week" travel schedule, I could only fly on select weekends with the guys/ladies, but I accumulated a lifetime of memories, in the 11 years I did this. All captured in pictures I still look at when I want to think back in time.
If you stay with this, I know you will enjoy it and learn a few things too.
One important thing to remember is......EVERY plane has an experation date...:shocked:....it just isn't printed on it !! :banghead:
And when this happens to you.......the next plane is waiting for you to decide "which one this time".....That's what hobby stores are for :yes:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Mike, in 2005 when we moved to our current home on 5 acres, in the farm pasture (50-100 acres, depending on your skill :roflblack behind us was
an RC airplane club (small 6-8 Seniors and friends) every weekend. Little planes to big planes, experts and newbees like me. I joined as quickly as possible, and with their help I was "flying "trainers", crashing a few, buying new models every week, crashing less, and building a fleet of 15 planes, with 16" to 48" wingspans ! even had my own logos for the planes. "Flying Tiger Squadron" - with a tiger in the logo too, was on every plane I flew.

Due to my work, and "every week" travel schedule, I could only fly on select weekends with the guys/ladies, but I accumulated a lifetime of memories, in the 11 years I did this. All captured in pictures I still look at when I want to think back in time.
If you stay with this, I know you will enjoy it and learn a few things too.
One important thing to remember is......EVERY plane has an experation date...:shocked:....it just isn't printed on it !! :banghead:
And when this happens to you.......the next plane is waiting for you to decide "which one this time".....That's what hobby stores are for :yes:

Thanks for your reply ..... I have been searching the Net ( ie. U-Tube ) for instructional vids on " How to operate the Controllers " and How to actually Fly using an R/C plane ..... So far I've learned a lot more than I expected to. The Plane I bought actually has a " learners / beginners " setting, that prevents any fancy flying. It will even adjust itself to counter-act any wind gusts. It sounds like this should be easier then, now that they have " electronic assist " controls .... sort like our Spyders. ..... I keep you posted on this adventure. ...... Later - Mike :thumbup:

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Thanks for your reply ..... I have been searching the Net ( ie. U-Tube ) for instructional vids on " How to operate the Controllers " and How to actually Fly using an R/C plane ..... So far I've learned a lot more than I expected to. The Plane I bought actually has a " learners / beginners " setting, that prevents any fancy flying. It will even adjust itself to counter-act any wind gusts. It sounds like this should be easier them now that they have " electronic assist " controls .... sort like our Spyders. ..... I keep you posted on this adventure. ...... Later - Mike :thumbup:

Mike, if I remember correctly they may have an option “to land themselves” if needed. Mine did NOT have this feature. It was pretty simple to land as a beginner....just decrease the throttle a bit and the plane would start to come down...increase the throttle an it would slowly rise.

Bruce

 

[canamjhb]

HMmmmmm There are 2 R/C flying clubs within 5 miles of my home. I marvel at the flying skills of some of those pilots. I, for one, will be watching for updates about your experience...... Jim

 

[RapidSpyder]

Still have a couple hanging up in my shop, but haven’t flown in 20 years or so. It’s come a long way since I stopped flying. Engines either were glo (alcohol and nitro-methane) or gas. Flew 1/2A to quarter scale.

 

[DGoebel]

Mike, since before this pic was taken in '84 when I was stationed in Germany.
What do you want to know, I think i still have about 20 Electric or Glider's, handlaunch, aerotow, highstart or towline launched and a half dozen radio's up to 8 channel and multi memory controllers.
Then 20 years later I'm flying a slope glider in the US somewhere.
Then about 2014 or so I was out with my Ka-8
and here's one of my favorite little handlaunch gliders for close in flying,

AND there are some RC computer based controller simulators that help me "fly" indoors in inclement weather....

 

[Joe T.]

R/C Airplane

I would strongly suggest a flight simulator. I use 'RealFlight 7.5' for R/C models and 'X-Plane' for real airplanes. It's a hoot to try and fly these digital airplanes.

RealFlight is up to version 12:

Webpage:

https://www.realflight.com/

Horizon Hobby for RealFlight:

https://www.horizonhobby.com/search...oMezacvOUA9c9nINS_Ey2odgUt4JK8nRoCJ-oQAvD_BwE



X-Plane is now version 12:

Demo:

https://www.x-plane.com/desktop/try-it/

Webpage:

https://www.x-plane.com/



Good luck!

Joe T.

Here's one I built many moons ago and some small electric LongEZs and a couple of electric kits planes. The guy in the suspenders is me (last pic). John, in the first and last pic, is my pilot. Dennis, also in the first pic, is the Airport Manager.

 

[Joel The Biker]

I used to be very into rc airplanes, including my 12 foot wingspan plane I built from scratch. I should be able to answer any questions you have

 

[trikermutha]

Wonder if flying a drone is a better starting toy?

 

[RapidSpyder]

Wonder if flying a drone is a better starting toy?

The thing with drones is they are very useful for videos and pictures that you otherwise couldn’t get. This led my son and I into another hobby, making videos!

https://youtube.com/channel/UCGcHMon1cXoWakyGUpADnJQ

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I used to be very into rc airplanes, including my 12 foot wingspan plane I built from scratch. I should be able to answer any questions you have
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WOW !!!!....... quite a collection ... I'm impressed .... you also like LARGE planes ..... I see two Bi-wingers ????? .... were / are they easier to fly ???? .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thanks for all the positive feedback :clap::clap::clap: ..... PS the plane is supposed to be delivered tomorrow _ I found a vid showing how to assemble from a sealed box ..... with tips from a long time R/C'er ..... I'll keep you posted ..... Mike :thumbup: ............Well I just received a delivery up-date ..... by the end of today ( Mon. )