RC Flying for an Idiot

[PaulC]

Morning chaps,

I had a 52" balsa hill soarer as a lad, but haven't done anything like that since
What advice would you give to someone looking to get back into RC flying of any kind?

Cheers,

Paul

[DaveB]

Unless you have a shed load of money.. don't do it

I guess one of the most important aspects of RC flying is the radio gear. There are loads of em currently available but 2 that stand out as 'benchmarks'.. Futaba and Spektrum. Spektrum was for a long time the poor relation but these days, that's not so. Each have a range of multi channel tx/rxers enabling you to spend as much as you want. Brand new receivers are not cheap for either brand but there are 'compatibles' available

So.. as well as deciding what type of model you want to fly.. it's equally important to have a plan for which brand of tx/rx you want to go with. This isn't important in the first instance.. many models come RTF (Ready To Fly) and you get everything in the box to do just that.. the model, ready assembled in most cases with all servos fitted and tested, a battery and charger, rxer already installed and a transmitter. Probably the only thing you need to do but for a small amount of assembly is charge the battery and buy a set of AA's for the transmitter. That's it.. you're ready to go

RTF models do come at a price premium though.. because you're getting everything you need to fly. There are alternatives but these generally require you to already have either a transmitter or a transmitter and receiver. These are PNF (Plug N Fly). PNF's rarely come with a flight battery so you'd need one of those too but, if you already have a txer/receiver and flight battery.. PNF's are notably cheaper and generally, they come with everything installed.. motor, servos, ESC so all you have to do is a little assembly, add your rxer and off ya go

There's another variation on the theme called BNF (Bind N Fly). BNF's are notably from Parkzone so they're foamies and they cost too because the only thing you don't get is the txer.. everything else is in the box.. model, all electrics/servos/esc and receiver installed.. you even get a battery and a charger. These are txer specific though.. all are fitted with Spektrum receivers so you'd need a Spektrum txer to get yourself flying. Parkzone do do PNF's too

Much to think of isn't there My advice would be to go for something basic but not too basic because you'll out-live it in no time at all. The easiest way would be to go for a RTF setup.. especially if you don't have any radio gear. Get into flying in your own time again then decide which path you want to go down with regard to transmitters and receivers.

Oh.. and get a good supply of glue in

ATB
DaveB

[PaulC]

Ha! Roger on the glue!

Thanks, I'll look into the tings you've mentioned. There is a shop in a little village near here, but I like some form of general info before I go in so that I'm not completely bamboozled by the science of it all!

[VEGAS]

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the club.

I can only echo what advice Dave has written and has saved me the effort.

For an in depth idea do the following;

1. Grab a nice hot brew

2. Get a biscuit.

3. Get some more biscuits.

4. Have a read of the 'Flying for real' thread at the top of E&S

5. Read from start to finish.

6. Have another biscuit.

The story of Dave/Eddie RC adventures is all in there from start to finish.

Enjoy and well to the house of idiots.

[Hot_Charlie]

There's another variation on the theme called BNF (Bind N Fly). BNF's are notably from Parkzone so they're foamies and they cost too because the only thing you don't get is the txer.. everything else is in the box.. model, all electrics/servos/esc and receiver installed.. you even get a battery and a charger. These are txer specific though.. all are fitted with Spektrum receivers so you'd need a Spektrum txer to get yourself flying. Parkzone do do PNF's too

Much to think of isn't there My advice would be to go for something basic but not too basic because you'll out-live it in no time at all. The easiest way would be to go for a RTF setup.. especially if you don't have any radio gear. Get into flying in your own time again then decide which path you want to go down with regard to transmitters and receivers.

Radio wise (I'm a Multiplex man now, for some odd reason!) Spektrum is probably the logical choice purely for the BNF perspective if you're looking for a reasonably priced entry into the hobby.

[Vc Ten]

Hi Paul Some good replies from Dave and Eddie Take you longer than a cup of tea to read the Flying for Real thread though
Most aeromodeling forums would say to join a club and learn the traditional route Nothing wrong with that but the hobby had become more acccesible to all, and the need for "proper" flying field to enable you to get airbourne are not so important anymore
Most modelers will now start with a foam trainer of some sort It is possible to learn to fly them on you own (most on this forum did just that) If you flew slope soarers you will have more that the basic idea Get one with everything included, as Dave says RTF. If you get the bug you will need a better trannie. but the one that comes with the model will get you going and they are virtually given away with the package
Check out youtube and search out for the models which take your fancy See how they fair in a crash As you will do a lot of that at first. Some foamies are quite resilient, some arent
Please post for more answers to your questions
Dale

[GHD]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is insurance. It can be very expensive if your model hits something (or someone).

When I was flying RC, I had insurance of up to £25 million through the British Model Flying Assoociation.

[Vc Ten]

You are right George, and I would recommend everyone to join the BMFA its only bout £30 a year . However I think there is little risk in the park fliers, even more so if you keep sensible precautions by not flying near anyone ( I think most of us try to avoid an audience)
Dale

[PaulC]

Well, thanks for the advice. Biscuit and "Flying for real" it is!

[DaveB]

I'd forgotten about insurance George and that's a good point. I still fly by the seat of my pants and am as cautious as I can be. After Eddie saw his EZ Hawk fly off on it's own into the distance, he got insurance

It's something to think about for the future Paul but I'd not worry about it yet

ATB
DaveB