New Pilot Information

 Information for new Pilots

If you are starting out fresh and want to stay in the hobby for a while, it pays to

invest in appropriate equipment.

 

Your first plane should be able to take a few bumps without braking apart totally.

Wings located above the canopy will help keep it in stable flight.

The propeller located behind the wing or well above ground helps it to survive

while learning to take off, flying large circuits holding your height while turning,

and then landing safely into the wind.

 

With today’s battery development it is possible to fly quite large models on batteries.

Nitro fuel motors are cheap but the fuel can cost you dollars a flight.

Gas fuel motors are cheaper and more reliable to keep flying, but cost more to buy.

 

Radio controllers come in many flavours from $50.- to $ 3’000.-.

They are mostly on the 2.4Ghz frequency band and are capable of having a hundred

radios controlling a hundred models without interference and a range further than

you can see the model!

 

Radios come in different modes, which denotes on which stick is what control input.

    Mode 1: One of the reasons some pilots might prefer Mode 1 is that it puts the elevator

                  and aileron controls on opposite sticks. Some feel that this is good, especially

                  for beginner pilots, because you won't accidently change one while adjusting the other.

 

    Mode 2: With both the elevator and aileron control on the same stick it acts more like the controls

                  of a real airplane and provides more true-to-life flight control.

 

                      

 

It is a purely personal choice which mode you are going to fly, but I find that when

checking availability on vendors sites, it is mode 2 that is out off stock before mode 1.

 

If you intend to stay with the hobby for a while, then invest in at least a 6 channel radio.

A basic electric plane will need one channel each for Throttle, Elevator, Rudder.

The fourth channel is for basic ailerons with two servos on a Y harness, four channels.

Individual servo control on ailerons is preferred, the fifth channel.

Flaps for landing a war bird or larger planes is separate, the sixth channel.

If your plane has a folding undercarriage that will need another, seven channels.

And if you want to turn lights on and off, or drop a parachute etc, eight channels.

 

For instance, a talking radio with excellent performance, versatility and almost limitless

programmability like the 9 channel FrSky Taranis costs around A$ 290.- with a receiver,

including freight. It does need a bit of extra programming input.

Spektrum, Futaba, JR Propo, Hitec, Multiplex and other brands are all used at the club.

 

A typical initial buying guide would include the aeroplane, 1 or more suitable batteries

with a suitable charger, a Radio Transmitter and a radio Receiver, extra propeller.

 

These items are available separately or in various combinations.

 

ARF – Almost Ready to Fly - means the aeroplane and some hardware necessary

          too build the plane is included in the kit. You will need your own batteries,

          charger and radio and you will have to also purchase a suitable motor, speed controller,

          propeller, servos, extension cables and a couple of kind of glues and basic building tools

          and posses basic building skills. Some items might be with the kit, it varies.

 

PNF – Plug and Fly – means the plane is mostly assembled. You might have to screw the tail on it

          and fit the wings. It will also have the motor, ESC, Propeller and servos fitted. The plane

          then only needs your own suitable battery, charger and radio. Also quoted as BNF.

 

RTF – Ready To Fly – means it has it all: the plane, a battery and charger and a radio.

          The battery charger will not be compatible with other size batteries, and the radio is

           mostly in the $20 - $40.- range. But the RTF package will get you flying out of the box.

 

                         A typical electric plane has the following electric layout:

          

Learning to fly is best achieved with the help of other club members; no contest.

 

Or maybe you want to hone your flying skills before investing in a larger plane.

For that a FOAMY is a great investment. The whole plane of EPP foam is

almost indestructible, almost !

They are extremely agile and fully 3D capable little planes that can survive a lot of abuse,

even at speed, but only fly well in lower wind conditions.

 

Today’s electronics are marvellous, and affordable, with self righting switches that

can get you out of trouble with the flick of a switch, at a price.

The so called ‘Safe Technology’.  ‘Self balancing’  or ‘ASX’ technology will help

keep the plane steady even on a windy day, but only the Safe tech will get your plane

to fly the right way up again, and let’s you set the controls less and less restricted

as your flying skills increase.

 

Bigger vendors are Hobby King, Modelflight, Aussie Aeroworks and many others.

 

Motorised Gliders are a most relaxing style of model aeroplane and can be flown

in a bit of a breeze with ease, and because of their ability to fly real slow they are

easier to land than planes with smaller wings and can last a long time.

A large number of model pilots have, or had, a Radian sailplane in their hanger,

2 meter wingspan, electric motor, throttle, elevator and rudder control,

available in a RTF package, basic fun!

 

Helicopters are fascinating, impressive in flight and in mechanics,

scale helicopters look just great and you can make it all happen real close up.

BUT, when you do a mistake, and you will, you will not only need a new prop

(small plane $6.-) but most likely a few other bits too.

Very quickly you are looking at $100.- plus to get it back in the air.

 

To practice helicopter flying, and to test if you have the skill to control such a beast,

the suggestion is to get an indoor heli, complete with radio, batteries and charger along

the lines of a V911 Model helicopter, or similar, for under A$100.- and find out.

 

To practice your piloting skills without fear of damaging your precious model,

the use of an RC Flight Simulator is a fantastic help.

The two popular Flight Sims are Phoenix and RealFlight.

A number of club members use the Phoenix FS.

 

And the very best place to gather more information on all matters RC:

it's the web site   RC Groups.com

Sign up and search RCGroups for the model you want to buy and read

about it, have a look at some pictures, ask your questions on the forum,

and form your own opinion if it's suitable for what you have in mind.

 

But first of all, come and visit us at our flying field and have a chat.

We are most active on Sundays, Saturdays and Wednesday afternoons.