RC flying and building for beginners- from a noob! [Banter Allowed]

So you want to learn to fly. You have played endlessly with your child’s air hog (crashing it into bushes), worn out the joystick for your PC flight simulator and sat gazing, mouth open in awe every time you see an air show display - the noise of the Avro Vulcan and the Eurofighter typhoon has you drooling. Then you meet someone who wants to show you his collection of models, and the words “come up and see my spitfire,” have a whole meaning as you gaze longingly at his TX and think…..when I can have a go!! You know….you are…..hooked and before you know it you have signed your child up for the foreign legion and packed his bags so you can turn his room into a workshop! But where to start…..

Firstly, let’s get the serious business out the way so grab a chair, get yourself a cuppa and pin back your lug holes . This is in NO way a complete, all technical, singing and dancing guide, it’s a newbie’s/noobie’s guide- RC for dummies so to speak so am sure you will find bits in it that for some may be incomplete or not in as much detail as you would like. When I first began looking into this as a hobby I was overwhelmed by the amount of information available on the net, and I had loads of questions, but first I wanted something basic, a sort of springboard from which I could then go in different directions at my own pace to learn more- this is what this guide is meant to be. It is also not for debating techniques and materials- I don’t want to argue which glue is best, whether I./C is better than electric, etc etc.( ask a room of people one question and you will inevitably get a plethora of answers) and its not for advertising any particular products and any products used are purely from personal choice.

This thread will hopefully have enough information about materials, glues, planes, equipment and kits and my very first build that will hopefully help anyone else starting out as brand new to the hobby. If there are things in this guide that you wish to know more about, don’t agree with, want to argue with, or for any of you guests peeking in – come join us and ask!! This is not meant to be condescending to anyone or to be a fountain of all knowledge but a basic guide for newbie’s. There is a separate thread elsewhere on the forum for any comments, any messages, any arguments/ debates, leaving of copious amounts of money in your will, or marriage proposals!!! I would appreciate it if this thread was left with no comments ta muchly.

So let’s begin, firstly my name is Sarah and I am an RC addict - well I am now lol! I have always had a love of planes, the sound of the engine, the acrobatics etc etc I did venture into the hobby 5 years ago then ducked out due to other commitments but recently was reintroduced and am a genuine bona fida newbie or noob!. I had my first RC flight courtesy of my friend Simon, I flew for about 15mins…..then promptly crashed the first of two planes (dunno why no one believed me when I said the trees moved!) when getting the motor power mixed up with elevator. Spent half an hour trying to find said planes (blast that tree!!) getting nettle stings and wading through brambles whilst Simon did an Indiana Jones swing across water to rescue one…and I didn’t care about the pain –I couldn’t stop grinning for a week!!! Second flight and no crashes, grin was a permanent feature for 2 weeks and the budget to buy a plane begin in earnest. That then posed the question, what to buy, what equipment, and what did I really need, cue my fantastic and fabulous forum buddies with a thread “lets chose a plane” which leads me on to lesson number 1- a forum

This hobby is one you can do solo - yes - but to have buddies to share it with, have a laugh with, talk about it and other things with…priceless. So my first advice would be join a good forum. There is nothing better than having others to perk you up when you have crashed, cheer you on when you are feeling depressed over a build, to encourage you when it goes right and to give you that boost of confidence when you need it. and help when you get stuck or don't understand something. I bounced around a few forums, some great, some not so great, some really serious and all RC, some quiet as a church mouse with nothing being discussed and there is, sadly, a lack of females in RC, it is predominantly male, and to be honest there are some that really are not as patient with new people to the hobby and not as welcoming of a female and their questions and lack of RC knowledge as they could be. So if you find you have a bad experience with a forum- don’t give up. Keep going till you find the forum that’s suits you……. I was lucky, I found Model flying forum chat and will always be grateful for finding them (though they may sometimes curse the day I joined hehe). So if you are a guest out there reading this- come in and join, it doesn’t cost, you don’t have to be a prolific chatter or poster but nothing beats having a good support network of like minded people who are keen to help, patient to answer any questions and give you support. You get to meet some fantastic, clever people, read some fantastic builds and get to chat with like-minded people about this wonderful hobby .

Next installment- what is the best plane for a beginner and my choice of first plane

Very interesting opening post Sarah,well done,I will be refurbing my similar model at the same time so we can compare builds if a problem arises which I dont foresee.Your opening post reminds me of Mr Perseverance,but thats another story.

Very well done Sarah - I like your comments and your opening observations - at the risk of getting black banded by the darkside I am even attempting to convince a Lady friend of mine to come onto the forum - this post will be some aid in my quest - the fact that said Lady friend has a small collection of IC engines should be enough to send the Dark Lord into convulsions.

Grumpy42 wrote: Very well done Sarah - I like your comments and your opening observations - at the risk of getting black banded by the darkside I am even attempting to convince a Lady friend of mine to come onto the forum - this post will be some aid in my quest - the fact that said Lady friend has a small collection of IC engines should be enough to send the Dark Lord into convulsions.

But the light is so preeeeetttyyyy over here grumps!!! (writing a piece of I/c v electric now for next installment - bought plane ticket for quick get away once cat thrown amongst pigeons hehee, this is a debate am NOT getting involved in, so you guys can do 10 pieces with your light sabers without me )

bring your lady friend in!!! Think KK's mum has joined/is joining us too

For me for a beginner it has to be electric,Its so much easier and cleaner and the outlay is less also.The prepararion at the field is negligable and the prep time is virtually zero.The concentration needed is for flight only so plugging a battery in is something we do everyday with something or other.Once your in the swing of flying I believe the 2 can go hand in hand and you benefit the enjoyment of both disciplines.

willowlea wrote: (writing a piece of I/c v electric now for next installment - bought plane ticket for quick get away once cat thrown amongst pigeons hehee, this is a debate am NOT getting involved in, so you guys can do 10 pieces with your light sabers without me )

This could be interesting Sarah. Most modellers who get involved in the electric / I.C. debate have already formed opinions & are stuck in their views. You have it from a newcomers perspective & may be able to give an un-biased view as to how the two compare from the viewpoint of a newcomer.

Pol.

Sarah and I have been comparing parts this evening ensuring she recognises which parts are which.O think there have been a couple of changes made to parts supplied which dont show on the instructions.Didnt take to long,about 2 hours !!!I just couldnt get it,but she talked me through ok.

The following photos are the items we discussed today Servo,fitted in fuselage with nose to left

Tail wheel

Motor mount The 4 in the corners are the ones replaced by the longer grub screws.They sre used to adjust the down thrust and side thrust,although it seems I only adjusted for down thrust

You can see Ive changed the bottom 2 because the thread went.O swopped motors a lot trying to cure the vibration.

Sangoma just informed mr I have the motor mount the wrong way round,thats why it always flies backwards.Its been like this from new over 2 years ago and Ive always fitted then this way.Better not listen to me any more.

Every time I do something on my rebuild.and find any kind of issue,I tell Sarah and the reply comes back,Ive done that.I cant catch her up.The parts that differ from the one to the other Im having to remove from the old fuselage so thats taking a little longer

Polyphilla wrote:

willowlea wrote: (writing a piece of I/c v electric now for next installment - bought plane ticket for quick get away once cat thrown amongst pigeons hehee, this is a debate am NOT getting involved in, so you guys can do 10 pieces with your light sabers without me )

This could be interesting Sarah. Most modellers who get involved in the electric / I.C. debate have already formed opinions & are stuck in their views. You have it from a newcomers perspective & may be able to give an un-biased view as to how the two compare from the viewpoint of a newcomer.

Pol.

Not having had experience of flying I/C it wont be a complete comparison nor do I intend to change any opinions lol- I think those of us playing with our light sabres over on the dark side are happy taking the mick out of those flying their guzzling lawn mowers However when I do get a chance this week just want to outline the differences and the reason why have chosen, myself, to opt for electric. Just got to catch up with some uni work ready for starting back then will be back on here to finish it.

In the meantime, fun cub is nearly built got a ton of pics will put on here and ermmm only manged to glue self to it a couple of times as well as learning a very very valuable lesson.............. do not suck thumb after having ripped it off glued bit...... cos then you end up gluing thumb to teeth, I kid you not rofl. I have to hold my hands up to that cos Eric witnessed it and will snitch on me, I know he will!

Beardie, i was right- they have replaced the cross head screws with grub ones- you didn't believe me you stubborn mule lol!! i did some research online so ner.

Will add next bit on here soon