RC Planes

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JB1842

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So I know a few people in this board also fly RC planes. I'm looking to purchase one and would like some input. I don't need or want anything too expensive, I'm sure I'll probably crash it at the beginning. I also don't want to buy something that will be easy for me to learn than leave me wanting to step up to something more advanced within a short period of time. I also don't mind something that is going to take a little bit of building on my end, I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands for the next few months. Anybody? Thanks.
 
momalley said:
Save your money for avgas then :)
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I have money for that. But I'm grounded for the next few months. Fighting a case of shingles the past few weeks and the pain meds won't let me fly. And in 3 weeks I'm getting shoulder surgery, so I'll be down a while for that. I would rather spend some money to fly from the ground than sit around and do nothing. I post enough on this board, I want to do something aviation related outside if I can.
 
I've tried RC planes, RC helicopters...totalled every one. The control inputs just don't get the reaction you'd expect. I started out w/ the cheap, huge Cox plane; it lasted one flight. The ones that followed lasted 2 or 3 flights maybe. Then RC helicopters became appealing so I thought I'd start with a cheap one. The first few didn't last long. Once I got to where I thought I was alright I upgraded to a nice one...just under $1K. Damn finicky controls; crashed on the maiden flight. Made me so mad I quit.
 
Gerhardt said:
I've tried RC planes, RC helicopters...totalled every one. The control inputs just don't get the reaction you'd expect. I started out w/ the cheap, huge Cox plane; it lasted one flight. The ones that followed lasted 2 or 3 flights maybe. Then RC helicopters became appealing so I thought I'd start with a cheap one. The first few didn't last long. Once I got to where I thought I was alright I upgraded to a nice one...just under $1K. Damn finicky controls; crashed on the maiden flight. Made me so mad I quit.
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Ouch. I used to have the $30 helicopter from the toy store. I loved chasing the dog around the house with it. Then my brother crashed it and broke it. I'm trying to avoid replacing an RC plane after every flight, if possible.
 
I fly the foamy EDFs. They can range anywhere from $130-$500 for total packages (RTF). They can from 50 mph to over 100 mph depending on setup. I'd suggest to buy a little cheap one and then move up. They really aren't all that hard to fly but you will crash eventually. You want to get into more and more expensive ones with flaps, retracts, air brakes etc. Warning, it can become addictive.
 

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dell30rb said:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...ue_Angels_EDF_Fighter_Jet_EPO_Plug_n_Fly.html


Get something like this. The Radio below would be a good fit.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._Module_8ch_Receiver_Mode_2_v2_Firmware_.html


Once you learn to fly a bit, you can go more complex with the airplanes.

I have a Glider too, like the one in this video. Its a motor glider with a folding prop. Climbs at a 45 degree angle at full power. You can thermal with it and fly an hour or two on a charge.

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So I'm going to assume the transmitter could be a one time purchase for use with multiple planes?
 
Get a high wing w/ a flat bottom airfoil.
Have an instructor teach you how to fly it.

There is a cable that plugs from your transmitter to theirs so they can take over when you get in trouble.

I have been flying RC for probably 25 years. I still love them.
I prefer balsa / gas but nowadays they are just stamping them out of foam and throwing electric engines on them. They don't sound or look right but I expect they survive crashes better.

This would be a good one to start with (If you are going to get someone to teach you to fly it)

http://secure.hobbyzone.com/catalog/HZ/rcplanes/rcair_rtf/GPMA1605.html


If you are going to go out in a field yourself and try and figure it out on your own, just pick up one of these:
http://www.nitroplanes.com/60a-dy8925-hawksky-rtf-24g.html

you can crash it and tape it over and over
 
Try an r/c simulator first to get the knack. I have the same five I bought 9 yrs ago.
 
Get help. Find an instructor at a local club.

Use a buddy box.

GWS Slow Sticks can be an inexpensive way to start.
 
JB1842 said:
So I'm going to assume the transmitter could be a one time purchase for use with multiple planes?
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Yes.

I'd buy it as-is and use it with your first plane. For about $50 you can upgrade it to an FrSky modules which open up a much better range, telemetry (gives you signal warnings if you are going out of range, you can also set up to monitor things on board the plane like battery voltage)

At least, when I was looking at stuff about a year ago, this was the best option. Add $25 for each receiver, you can use them with many aircraft. Mode 2 (the link I sent) is what I like best for flying airplanes. it has to do with how the controls are set up. Pretty intuitive to make coordinated turns with it.

A buddy box is not a bad idea. I had a pilot friend fly one of my airplanes and got "spatially disoriented" he augered in that foam glider from about 100 feet up, completely destroyed it. However, if you have flown SOME R/C before you'll probably be fine. Just get a cheap foamy and a hot glue gun. I hit about every tree in my yard at some point with the glider, it was always easily and inexpensively repaired.

Some people have trouble orienting themselves with the airplane and can't figure out whats left and what's right. I think these are the same people who prefer track up to north up :rofl::rofl:
 
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The local hobby shop that sells them also has a bulletin board where people can sell their used equipment. Is it worth it to buy used?
 
jonnyjetprop said:
Get help. Find an instructor at a local club.

Use a buddy box.

GWS Slow Sticks can be an inexpensive way to start.
Click to expand...

We've got some folks who fly RC at work during lunch (when the weather is better). One took his Slow Stick and added LEDs all around. Really looked impressive when flying at night. They are a good trainer, they're slow and still responsive. They've let me take the controls twice, and I crashed both times. I'm convinced that flying RC planes is more difficult than the full scale stuff we fly. I haven't crashed any full scale plane. :D
 
JB1842 said:
The local hobby shop that sells them also has a bulletin board where people can sell their used equipment. Is it worth it to buy used?
Click to expand...

I'd only be looking hard at used if I wanted some high end stuff and could find something that was well cared for by an experienced R/C... enthusiast?

If you happen to be interested in a Motor Glider I have a new in the box Phoenix 2000 motor glider i'll sell. I bought it to replace a glider I got stuck in a tree. I had given up hope on it, when a storm blew it down. Miraculously after being stuck up there for three weeks and getting rained on, all of the electronics survived and it works like a champ.
 
I dabbled in it a few years ago. Got an ARF (almost ready to fly) trainer high wing kit. Took a few hours to build, but it was fun. I taught myself to fly it (yes I flew real airplanes at the time) but I thought it was fairly easy to fly.

First one met its demise in a collision with a street light, in an undeveloped commercial complex. Got a few flights out of it. The second one lasted two or three dozen flights before it was stolen out of my garage. It did clip a power line on its last flight on an overly low approach to a rural ag landing strip, otherwise no incidents or damage. I haven't bothered to get another.
 
I found an R/C club that's only about 10 minutes from my house. I might drive by their field this weekend and see if anybody is flying and see if I can ask some questions and get more info.
 
Gerhardt said:
I've tried RC planes, RC helicopters...totalled every one. The control inputs just don't get the reaction you'd expect. I started out w/ the cheap, huge Cox plane; it lasted one flight. The ones that followed lasted 2 or 3 flights maybe. Then RC helicopters became appealing so I thought I'd start with a cheap one. The first few didn't last long. Once I got to where I thought I was alright I upgraded to a nice one...just under $1K. Damn finicky controls; crashed on the maiden flight. Made me so mad I quit.
Click to expand...

Much the same for me.

These are fun though. Fly them inside, durable, cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Syma-S107G-Ch...qid=1396040605&sr=1-7&keywords=rc+helicopters
 
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