Petrol R/C Planes
Discussion
I want to get a radio controlled plane and have seen some relatively cheap ready built jobs. I dont want to spend ages building a nice model and then crash it straight away. So I assume I really need to join a club so I can learn how to fly them (and then get a spitfire 
). So a couple of questions for any enthusiasts:
How difficult are they to learn to fly. I am used to R/C cars and the like and I'm reasonably co-ordinated?
What kind of outlay is it to join a club and keep them going (assuming I dont crash everytime)?
I have seen trainning computer games for R/C helicopters, do they do the same for planes (ones where you actually use the radio control handset)?
Also does anyone know of any clubs near Macclesfield?
). So a couple of questions for any enthusiasts:How difficult are they to learn to fly. I am used to R/C cars and the like and I'm reasonably co-ordinated?
What kind of outlay is it to join a club and keep them going (assuming I dont crash everytime)?
I have seen trainning computer games for R/C helicopters, do they do the same for planes (ones where you actually use the radio control handset)?
Also does anyone know of any clubs near Macclesfield?
Doobs said:
smilerbaker said:
Lessons are a must, my rc plane lasted about 20 minutes tops, longest flight was about 15 seconds 
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
I'll stick with getting a cheap one then.smilerbaker said:
Doobs said:
smilerbaker said:
Lessons are a must, my rc plane lasted about 20 minutes tops, longest flight was about 15 seconds
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
I'll stick with getting a cheap one then.LeeME3 said:
smilerbaker said:
Doobs said:
smilerbaker said:
Lessons are a must, my rc plane lasted about 20 minutes tops, longest flight was about 15 seconds
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
I'll stick with getting a cheap one then.
At least he can just hold his breath for 15 seconds, so it doesn't matter if it works or not!LeeME3 said:
smilerbaker said:
Doobs said:
smilerbaker said:
Lessons are a must, my rc plane lasted about 20 minutes tops, longest flight was about 15 seconds
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
I'll stick with getting a cheap one then.Ok, it went like this,
1. spend ages getting the engine running, check wind direction take off, try to make a small correction, crash.
Fix plane, go back to step 1, repeat until plane is no longer repairable.
now replace plane with helicopter, except reduce flight lenght to a couple of seconds. and increase repair costs by 10
Flying a real helicopter is a hell of a lot easier then a rc one.
smilerbaker said:
LeeME3 said:
smilerbaker said:
Doobs said:
smilerbaker said:
Lessons are a must, my rc plane lasted about 20 minutes tops, longest flight was about 15 seconds
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
I'll stick with getting a cheap one then.Ok, it went like this,
1. spend ages getting the engine running, check wind direction take off, try to make a small correction, crash.
Fix plane, go back to step 1, repeat until plane is no longer repairable.
now replace plane with helicopter, except reduce flight lenght to a couple of seconds. and increase repair costs by 10
Flying a real helicopter is a hell of a lot easier then a rc one.
My confidence is soaring.Doobs said:
smilerbaker said:
LeeME3 said:
smilerbaker said:
Doobs said:
smilerbaker said:
Lessons are a must, my rc plane lasted about 20 minutes tops, longest flight was about 15 seconds
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
which was about 14 seconds more then my rc helicopter lasted
I'll stick with getting a cheap one then.Ok, it went like this,
1. spend ages getting the engine running, check wind direction take off, try to make a small correction, crash.
Fix plane, go back to step 1, repeat until plane is no longer repairable.
now replace plane with helicopter, except reduce flight lenght to a couple of seconds. and increase repair costs by 10
Flying a real helicopter is a hell of a lot easier then a rc one.
My confidence is soaring.If you are used to RC cars then the co-ordination should be at least part way there, which is half the battle. You don't HAVE to join a club, but don't fly anything above a £20 park fly electric thing without insurance - which you can get from the BMFA
http://www.bmfa.org/
The larger the plane, and the less "aerobatic" theoretically the easier it is to learn - the only problem with that is the larger the plane the harder it goes in... I started with a large trainer model, went to a proper club and rapidly got disheartened with the lack of flight time - training is voluntary so sometimes I'd get 5 minutes once a week. Getting a reasonable small electric plane made of foam (not a kids one, a "proper" rc plane still) and then look up the local by-laws for where you can fly it can mean more time in the air - the downside is that wind conditions dictated when you can fly, so if you are in a windy area this is not so good, however on the plus side you might get hours of practice in most nights of the week
The other (very good) option is to get a simulator for the computer. I still use one for a brief blat after a long period of down time, or if I want to practice a stunt.
Clubs can be total arse holes, most of them are in fact. I'm lucky with the one I belong - they don't require you to take the official licenses to fly solo unlike most, just a quick assessment to make sure you are competent but they are rare!
http://www.bmfa.org/
The larger the plane, and the less "aerobatic" theoretically the easier it is to learn - the only problem with that is the larger the plane the harder it goes in... I started with a large trainer model, went to a proper club and rapidly got disheartened with the lack of flight time - training is voluntary so sometimes I'd get 5 minutes once a week. Getting a reasonable small electric plane made of foam (not a kids one, a "proper" rc plane still) and then look up the local by-laws for where you can fly it can mean more time in the air - the downside is that wind conditions dictated when you can fly, so if you are in a windy area this is not so good, however on the plus side you might get hours of practice in most nights of the week
The other (very good) option is to get a simulator for the computer. I still use one for a brief blat after a long period of down time, or if I want to practice a stunt.
Clubs can be total arse holes, most of them are in fact. I'm lucky with the one I belong - they don't require you to take the official licenses to fly solo unlike most, just a quick assessment to make sure you are competent but they are rare!
Edited by Davi on Wednesday 6th June 15:31
Davi said:
If you are used to RC cars then the co-ordination should be at least part way there, which is half the battle. You don't HAVE to join a club, but don't fly anything above a £20 park fly electric thing without insurance - which you can get from the BMFA
http://www.bmfa.org/
The larger the plane, and the less "aerobatic" theoretically the easier it is to learn - the only problem with that is the larger the plane the harder it goes in... I started with a large trainer model, went to a proper club and rapidly got disheartened with the lack of flight time - training is voluntary so sometimes I'd get 5 minutes once a week. Getting a reasonable small electric plane made of foam (not a kids one, a "proper" rc plane still) and then look up the local by-laws for where you can fly it can mean more time in the air - the downside is that wind conditions dictated when you can fly, so if you are in a windy area this is not so good, however on the plus side you might get hours of practice in most nights of the week
The other (very good) option is to get a simulator for the computer. I still use one for a brief blat after a long period of down time, or if I want to practice a stunt.
Clubs can be total arse holes, most of them are in fact. I'm lucky with the one I belong - they don't require you to take the official licenses to fly solo, just a quick assessment to make sure you are competent but they are rare!
Cheers for the info. I found a simulator so I will look at getting that.http://www.bmfa.org/
The larger the plane, and the less "aerobatic" theoretically the easier it is to learn - the only problem with that is the larger the plane the harder it goes in... I started with a large trainer model, went to a proper club and rapidly got disheartened with the lack of flight time - training is voluntary so sometimes I'd get 5 minutes once a week. Getting a reasonable small electric plane made of foam (not a kids one, a "proper" rc plane still) and then look up the local by-laws for where you can fly it can mean more time in the air - the downside is that wind conditions dictated when you can fly, so if you are in a windy area this is not so good, however on the plus side you might get hours of practice in most nights of the week
The other (very good) option is to get a simulator for the computer. I still use one for a brief blat after a long period of down time, or if I want to practice a stunt.
Clubs can be total arse holes, most of them are in fact. I'm lucky with the one I belong - they don't require you to take the official licenses to fly solo, just a quick assessment to make sure you are competent but they are rare!
Edited by Davi on Wednesday 6th June 15:25
I really want a petrol one, so I will give the local club a go. I found one in Macclesfield and one in Buxton which are both close so I'll look into these.
The model I am looking at is this Kyosho one
Seems like a good option for a newbie. Just not sure if the handset will work on the simulators.
Doobs said:
The model I am looking at is this Kyosho one
Seems like a good option for a newbie. Just not sure if the handset will work on the simulators.
tis indeed a good option for a newbie - sensible to! so many people try and get a spitfire type as their first model, only to wonder why they spent £500 to get 40 ft of dubious uncoordinated wobbling before totalling it Seems like a good option for a newbie. Just not sure if the handset will work on the simulators.
Definitely look into the clubs with that model though, go along and have a chat with each, a lot of clubs have a trainer model they will let you have a go on before you spend the cash - I used to have one I'd let anybody have a go on to give them the bug.
The tx... if it has a buddy output then it will most likely workable with some of the sims - what sim are you looking at? Reflex XT is excellent if you don't mind spending a few bob.
Joining a club it is then
Regarding trainning games, I've seen one called real flight that looks good. Not seen anywhere that sells it so no idea how much it will cost.
I also noticed this from the same place as the kit ... and this comes with a controller which might make life easier.
I'll have a look at Reflex.
As a matter of interest, which side is the throttle normally on - left stick or right stick?
Regarding trainning games, I've seen one called real flight that looks good. Not seen anywhere that sells it so no idea how much it will cost.
I also noticed this from the same place as the kit ... and this comes with a controller which might make life easier.
I'll have a look at Reflex.
As a matter of interest, which side is the throttle normally on - left stick or right stick?
Doobs said:
Joining a club it is then
Regarding trainning games, I've seen one called real flight that looks good. Not seen anywhere that sells it so no idea how much it will cost.
I also noticed this from the same place as the kit ... and this comes with a controller which might make life easier.
I'll have a look at Reflex.
As a matter of interest, which side is the throttle normally on - left stick or right stick?
Real Flight is good - though personally I find the flight physics are not as good as Reflex (I've managed to intentionally knock the wing off a plane in Real Flight, fly a circuit and land....) The esky one is, erm, a bit toy like for "proper" training - having said that though, as an introduction and to get used to the controls, anything is better than nothing, and it's about 1/4 the price of Reflex / Real Flight. My first introduction to rc heli's was with a playstation 2 game and it taught me a surprising amount!Regarding trainning games, I've seen one called real flight that looks good. Not seen anywhere that sells it so no idea how much it will cost.
I also noticed this from the same place as the kit ... and this comes with a controller which might make life easier.
I'll have a look at Reflex.
As a matter of interest, which side is the throttle normally on - left stick or right stick?
The layout of the controls is not standardised, mode 2 is the most common in the UK (throttle on left with rudder, the ailerons and elevator on the right) but I would suggest finding the club first - if they all fly mode 1 (wierdo's) then you'll find it a lot easier to learn if you match in with them!
Edited by Davi on Wednesday 6th June 16:53
The esky one does look a LOT more basic.I just found the same model here but without engine and radio set. Just wondering if it's worth getting this and get a proper (say Futaba) radio set so I can use it on Reflex style simulator games (that mentioned futaba as compatible); and also transfer it to later kits (assuming I eventually I am any good).
I had a look at a reflex video and it looks amazing. (and yes, not cheap)
I will try and aim for mode 2 - I dont want to be classed a weirdo lol
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