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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is learning to fly easy?
A: That depends on several factors:
1. The aircraft you're learning to fly with.
2. The natural ability of the student.
3. Flying location.
It is highly recommended that you start with a high-winged
trainer aircraft with trycicle landing gear. The wing should have
noticeable dihedral (the wings will appear to angle up from the body
in a 'V' shape), which aids in stability and makes flying easier.
Some students naturally take to the skies without much
difficulty, some even solo on their first week or day! Other students
may take longer, perhaps even weeks or months before they can fly
unassisted. In short, it all depends on you and your natural ability.
(OK, we have to give some credit to the instructor too...)
Some flying fields are more difficult than others to
fly at. Beginners will want to learn at a location which has a generous
runway (both length and width), with long, clear approaches from either
direction. The Propbusters field is ideal for student pilots.
Q: What is the AMA, and why is it important?
A: The AMA or Academy
of Model Aeronautics, is a non-profit organization that premotes
our hobby and provides insurance should your aircraft damage anyone
else's property such as crashing into their house, car, or THEM! As
a chartered AMA club, we require you to have a current AMA license
to fly solo.
AMA membership also entitles you to their monthly magazine
and use of the national flying field, located in Muncie, Indianna.
Membership is currently $58/year. The AMA website is packed with information
on anything from helping you find local clubs and hobby shops to getting
grants for field improvements.
Q: How much will it cost to get started?
A: Most pilots will incur greater expenses when they
first get into the hobby. Their are several items that need to be
purchased (we'll discuss this in more detail later) in addition to
an airplane. If cost is an issue, you may want to look into purchasing
a used trainer from someone that has graduated into their second aircraft.
Several manufacturers sell Ready To Fly (RTF) kits that
come with an engine and radio gear pre-installed and can be ready
to fly in one afternoon. Retailers like Tower
Hobbies also sell combos where you can choose an airplane, engine,
and radio in one package deal.
Home
Getting Started
You may be asking yourself where do I start? What do
I need to buy? We have your answers, so its time to get out your checkbook
and head to the local hobby shop!
Here is an article by Tower Hobbies, explaining everything
you need to know about getting into RC aviation. All of the items
listed in this article may be purchased directly from their site,
or at your local hobby shop.
Getting
started in RC Airplanes (A must read!)
Here are some recommended products that many of us
have had success with.
Aircraft
There are numerous choices of trainers to choose
from, these are a few that you will see most often at the field.
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Tower Hobbies 40
A stable flier, light, and easy to build and land.
Comes in Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) and Ready to Fly (RTF) versions.
Also sold in a larger, 60 size version.
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SIG Kadet LT-40
Features a large wing and body
for a 40 size trainer, making it one of the easiest trainers
to land. A very stable flier that will float to soft landings
almost every time. Sold as a build up kit or ARF
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Hangar 9 Alpha
The Alpha comes complete with radio, fuel tank,
and its Evolution engine w/ three-blade prop, pre-installed. Ready
for flying in one afternoon. |
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Hobbico Super Star / Avistar
The Superstar is a stable trainer,
with a flat-bottomed wing for the inexperienced pilot. While similar
in appearance, the Avistar features more aerobatic cabable semi-symmetrical
wing for the intermediate pilot.
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Hobbico Nexstar
The Hobbico Nexstar has quickly become one of
the most popular trainers available. It's stable, self recovering
tendencies and autopilot make it a favorite with students and
instructors alike. It comes 99% prebuilt with all major construction
prefinished. The engine and radio are even installed for you!
As an added bonus, after you have soloed you can remove the
leading edge extensions and flaps for better aerobatic capability.
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Engines
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OS 40 LA
Power on a budget, provides adequate
power for routine flying.
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OS 46 FX
With power to spare, the reliable
46 FX usually finds its way into the pilot's second and third
aircraft, an excellent choice for a first engine.
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Evolution Power System
Evolution claims that their advanced
engines require no break-in period and run strong. They are
standard with the Hangar 9 Alpha trainer, or can be purchased
serperately.
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Radio Gear
Transmitter
This is a basic 4 channel transmitter.
This one is made by Futaba, however, JR and Hitec also make
good transmitters. This transmitter has 4 functions: Throttle
and Rudder on the left stick, and Elevator and Aileron on the
right; hence the name "4 channel".
This radio is a "non-computer"
radio. Some of the higher end radios come with a small computer
inside that allows you to fine tune your transmitter. We reccomend
that you go with a basic radio like this unless you plan on
being in the hobby for a while.
The club reccomends either Futaba or JR since these are easily
compatible with the club's "Buddy Boxes". Tower Hobbies
and Hitec radios are compatible with most Futaba radios as well.
What ever you choose, be sure to get a radio that is "buddy
box" compatible as not all radios come with a buddy box
port. Also make sure that it is an FM transmitter on 72 Mhz
and NOT and AM transmitter.
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Flight Pack
This is the part of your radio
that flys in the plane. Your flight pack must be compatible
with your transmitter and must also be on the same frequency.
There should be a channel number on the back of your transmitter
that you match up with the flight pack before ordering.
Each flight pack comes with 4 standard
servos, a receiver, battery, and a switch. You can also purchase
a complete radio set that comes with the transmitter, flight
pack, and charger.
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Computer Radio
This radio is made by JR and is
a basic computer radio. JR does not make non-computer radios.
A computer radio has more flexibilty than a non-computer radio
in that it offers ease of programming, and the sensitivity of
the plane can be changed without actually adjusting the plane
mechanically. This is a BIG time saver.
The switches on top that you see
allow for dual rates. This means that by the flip of a swich,
you can make the plane more, or less responsive by limiting
servo travel. Some non-computer radios can do this, however,
the flexibilty is limited. The other switches you see are for
programming the radio.
Although this radio doesn't allow
it, some computer radios offer digital trims. This means that
the mechanical trim levers on the bottom and sides of the sticks
have been replaced with a push-button switch. This keeps you
from accidentally bumping the trims before you turn the radio
on.
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Field Equipment
Here are some items you'll need when flying.
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Field Box
Used to hold all of your stuff. A
good field box will have a compartment to mount your field battery,
an opening to mount your power panel, and a place to hold your
fuel. Some boxes have optional brackets that mount to the box
and hold your plane while you work on it.
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Field Battery
A good, high capacity batter is a
must for running all of your equipment. Be sure to purchase a
battery that includes a charger.
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Fuel Pump
A fuel pump will save you time when
refueling between flights. You can purchase either and electric
pump, which runs off of our you field battery, or a manual pump,
which you crank by hand.
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Starter
While some prefer to hand start their
engines with a 'chicken stick', a safer, and easier way is to
use an electric starter. Some starters can only be used if plugged
into your field battery, while others have an optional battery
back that mounts to the starter.
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Glow driver
You'll need a glow driver to get
your engine started. A driver with a self-contained battery and
current meter is the way to go.
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Power Panel
The power panel is wired to your
field battery and has connections for all of your gear. Some panels
also have a quick charge plug for charging your glow driver at
the field.
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Tools
You'll need some basic hand tools.
Its good to have screwdrivers, wrenches, allen wrenches, pliers,
and a hand prop balancer.
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Here's a completed field box, ready for flying!
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Home
AMA
The Academy of Model Aeronautics
To be a member of an AMA chartered club or to fly solo
with us, you must be a current member of the AMA. You can join via
their website: www.modelaircraft.org.
After filling out their online membership form, you will recieve an
email that you can print, this will serve as a temporary license for
up to 30 days. Now you're ready to fly!
Home
Finding a Club
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