• Model airplanes....

    From Cyclonite@VERT to All on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 06:31:59
    Hello everyone. I've recently started thinking about taking up model airplanes as a hobby, and was wondering if anyone can recommend some good starter build kits?

    Also, what is a realistic expenditure that I'm looking at for just getting started in the hobby? Like radio controllers and what not?


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  • From Angus McLeod@VERT/ANJO to Cyclonite on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 12:01:00
    Re: Model airplanes....
    By: Cyclonite to All on Wed Aug 09 2006 06:31:00

    Hello everyone. I've recently started thinking about taking up model airpla as a hobby, and was wondering if anyone can recommend some good starter buil kits?

    I fly R/C and I'd be glad to drop some advice on you.

    The cheapest way to get into R/C flying is with gliders. No, gliders are
    NOT wimpy! And you will learn a lot about aerodynamic flight that will
    reward you later when flying models with engines.

    I'd *strongly* recommend a glider made from EPP (Expanded Poly Propelyne) foam. They are virtually indestructable which is good for a beginner.
    Lots of people would recommend a Zagi flying wing http://tinyurl.com/qgswn
    but if you prefer a more conventional design, you could go with one of the other EPP sailplanes from http://www.californiasailplanes.com/ such as the Aermacchi MB339 or F-20 Tigershark. Note that aeroplanes with more things
    on them have more things to break off, which is why simple models like the Zagi and Skua are so popular (and cheaper, too).

    With any simple glider you'll need at least two-channel radio, but I would
    NOT recommend actually buying one. A 3-channel radio is so cheap you'd be better off getting one, and the third channel will be useful if you ever
    move up to a simple electric-powered model later. You can get something
    like a Futaba 3FR SS 3-Channel (which is an AM radio) quite cheap, but I'd strongly recommend an FM radio like the Hitec Neon SS 3 which isn't too expensive http://tinyurl.com/nto6b and works well.

    Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here. If you don't know if R/C flying
    is for you, I'd go with the Hitec Neon. It's cheap enough that if you
    decide later that you aren't really into R/C flying, your pocket isn't
    hurting too bad. But if you are fairly sure that R/C flying is for you
    and that you won't lose interest, then I recommend buying the most
    advanced radio you can afford. A 4-channel "computer" radio like the
    Futaba 4EXA http://tinyurl.com/8gz6a will fly many sophisticated aircraft
    with aileron, elevator, rudder, and motor. If you can stretch to the
    Futaba 6EXAS http://tinyurl.com/hv7qc better still. I'd strongly
    recommend Futaba as the brand to aim for when buying a transmitter, with
    Hitec a good choice for low-cost rigs. Airtronics? JR? Blechh!

    Ok, now you got a glider and a radio and witht hat you can get into the
    air! Your radio will include a transmitter, plus receiver, and servos
    that go in the aircraft. Just possibly, your glider will require
    different (stronger/heavier, or maybe lighter/weaker) servos than what
    came with your radio. If you have to buy separate servos, I can strongly recommend Hitec servos. They are excellent and cost a bit less than
    Futaba.

    Ok, so you aren't interested in gliding, or there isn't a good 'slope' in
    your area? Then you will have to begin with a powered model of some sort.
    I would advice you to stay away from the tiny electric models. They are
    fun, but they are small and fragile, and fragile is what you will need to avoid for a while. I'd suggest a 45-sized glow-powered high-wing trainer model. And you want to buy an ARF because the less emotional attachment
    you have with your first model, the better!

    Good ARF trainers include the Hobbico Avistar http://tinyurl.com/kuxvc as
    well as the Hobbico NexSTAR http://tinyurl.com/zw6lg or even the TOWER
    Trainer 40 MKII http://tinyurl.com/jv3qe option. The Tower trainer is
    cheaper than the other two, but it is a basic aircraft with a flat-
    bottomed wing-section. This generates good lift, but doesn't work very
    well upside down, so it is an aircraft you will more quickly outgrow, as
    soon as you start wanting to do 'tricks'. The NexSTAR is a good looking aircraft, and the wing is not a flat-bottomed section, but it is a
    NACA-Droop design, built for high stability and not too good for
    aerobatics as your skill advances. Of the three, I like the Avistar,
    which has a semi-symmetrical wing section and is capable of aerobatic manoevers without excess pain. They fly well and are tough.

    You will also need a motor for either of these models. All of these are FORTY-sized aircraft (the NexSTAR is a 46) so obviously, you will be
    looking for FIFTY sized motor, right? You want a Glow 2-stroke .40 to .51
    but there is no such thing as too much power!!! Many people swear by
    them, but I would stay away from OS engines, because they are pricy. The
    GMS .47 ABC BB http://tinyurl.com/ebbqv seems to work well, and is not expensive. Note the BB (Ball Bearing). Avoid engines that use bushings because they deliver less power and wear out sooner. Lots of people like
    the SuperTigre GS-45 ABC http://tinyurl.com/q559g while I personally own
    two Thunder Tiger Pro .46 BB ABC http://tinyurl.com/q486h motors. The
    Magnum XLS-46 BB ABC http://tinyurl.com/sx8af also looks good. I have two 4-strokes by Magnum and they're great. The Magnum 2-strokes I've seen all seem to work well. The Tower Hobbies .46 BB ABC http://tinyurl.com/madpn
    is another good choice.

    And of course, you will need a 4-channel (minimum) radio. The Futaba 4EXA mentioned earlier would do the job fine, or the advanced Futaba 6EXAS as
    well.

    You will also need to buy a glow-plug and a prop. I'd suggest a 3-pack of Tower Power plugs and a Master Airscrew 11x6 glass-filled nylon prop for
    any of these engines. You will also need the barest minimum of field equipment. A fuel pump of some sort, like the Hobbico Hand-Crank Fuel
    Pump http://tinyurl.com/f7p77 and a prop/plug tool like the Dubro 4-Way XL wrench http://tinyurl.com/ppkz5 are typical. And you will need a glow
    igniter like http://tinyurl.com/zbyvx as well.

    Also, what is a realistic expenditure that I'm looking at for just getting started in the hobby? Like radio controllers and what not?

    Okay, a Zagi 5C will cost you about $60, and a Hitec Neon SS-3 another
    $60. so for $120 plus tax & s/h you're of the slope. Remember, I wouldn't actually recommend the SS-3 if you can afford a Futaba 4EXA for $140
    instead. It costs a lot more, but it's a much better radio. If you go
    that way, you're looking at $200 to get in the air.

    For powered flight, an Avistar will set you back $100 and a SuperTigre
    GS-45 for $65. You will *require* a 4-channel radio, so the Futaba 4EXA
    for $140 is the obvious choice. A prop and a spare for $5, three plugs
    for $8, a fuel pump for maybe $10, a prop/plug tool and a glow starter for another $10 each and you are ready to fly for about $350-ish. And of
    course, you will need some fuel...

    Okay, I hope this has given you a feel for what is involved, and an idea
    of the basic costs. Whatever you do, your *FIRST* step is to contact the other R/C flyers in your area. You will tap the expertise of experienced flyers and modelers, you will get access to flying sites, and you will be
    able to avoid radio frequency clashes, and so forth. Not to mention that
    you *WILL* destroy your model the first time you try to fly it unless you
    have an instructor to help you! Well, if it's an EPP glider you won't
    destroy it, but you won't *fly* it, either.

    So, you're looking at $350 to get started in the glow-powered world, or
    $120 to get going on the slope. But buy the best radio you can afford
    unless you think you will give up on R/C flying soon. And look for local clubs and flying groups to help get you going, and give you the flight training you will need.

    And don't discount gliders! They are a cheap way to get flying, you
    become a better pilot through gliding, and they are a whole heaping lot of fun! The fastest R/C aircraft in the world is a glider! And full-contact 'combat' flying is very popular on the slopes. An EPP glider can crash
    into the rocks at full speed, bounce off, and fly away. I know -- I've
    done it. And years down the road when your gas-turbine-powered F-104 Starfighter flames out and everyone around you is going "Oh shit!" you'll
    be grinning and saying "Oh yeah, baby! Watch me land this Zagi-style!" (Actually, with an F-104 you'll be saying "Oh shit!" like everyone else,
    but you'll automatically be doing everything that can be done to maximize
    the chances of getting her down safe!)
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  • From Cyclonite@VERT to Angus McLeod on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 20:47:07
    Re: Model airplanes....
    By: Angus McLeod to Cyclonite on Wed Aug 09 2006 12:01 pm

    Re: Model airplanes....

    Ummm.... wow... ok, thanx!!! :)
    No, seriously, I don't think I had an idea of just how intensive this could get, but it sounds fun. I think I will take your advice and start out with the gliders, because as I understand it, they are *MODELS*, so u have to build them, right?

    Anyway, I was at a local park here recently, and was watching some guys fly their planes around, and they seemed to really enjoy it.
    One guy even had a pretty big-sized Helicopter, but his radio had so many switches and what-nots, I think I will try those later.

    I have located a hobby shop in my area, and I'm going to check it out tomorrow afternoon, hopefully they will be reasonably priced.

    Once again, thanx for the advice, and best wishes for all of your flights!

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  • From Angus McLeod@VERT/ANJO to Cyclonite on Thursday, August 10, 2006 10:28:00
    Re: Model airplanes....
    By: Cyclonite to Angus McLeod on Wed Aug 09 2006 20:47:00

    No, seriously, I don't think I had an idea of just how intensive this could get, but it sounds fun.

    It is fun. And it can be very intense, but it doesn't have to be. You
    can have a ball with simple gear.

    I think I will take your advice and start out with gliders,

    Okay, if you want to fly gliders, you need to locate a 'slope'. Ask the
    guys at the hobby shop if they know of any gliding slopes in your area and
    if you find one, pay it a visit.

    ...because as I understand it, they are *MODELS*, so u have to build
    them, right?

    You can get models in various states of completion. An ARF is "Almost
    Ready to Fly". Most of the construction is finished, but you will have a *little* building to do to complete the model. Then you can get a 'kit'
    which contains most of the parts you will need, but it is all completely unassempled. There is a lot of building involved. Then you can build
    from plans. All you get is a blueprint and you have to make each and
    every part yourself before assembling it. And finally there are "scratch built" models. You begin by designing and drawing the plans yourself. Obviously, the ARF is the easiest, and I recommend an ARF for novices
    because if you spend 3 months building a model and getting all emotionally involved with it, you will hesitate to endanger it by flying it.

    Anyway, I was at a local park here recently, and was watching some guys fly their planes around, and they seemed to really enjoy it.

    Go and talk to these guys. You really do need to hook up with the other flyers in your area. You can get plenty of valuable information from
    them. For instance, what radio frequencies are in use and which are free?
    It helps if your transmitter doesn't clash with too many other pilots.

    One guy even had a pretty big-sized Helicopter...

    Bleech! Nasty, noisy things!

    ...but his radio had so many switches and what-nots, I think I will try those later.

    Don't let the switches frighten you. Here is my tranny:

    http://www.anjo.com/rc/radios/t8uafs.jpg

    (gosh, it looks obscenely clean in that shot!) Mostly you will use only
    the two joysticks -- or only the right-hand stick, in the case of a simple glider!

    I have located a hobby shop in my area, and I'm going to check it out tomorr afternoon, hopefully they will be reasonably priced.

    Talk to the people in the shop, and try to get in touch with other R/C
    pilots. Don't be in a ruch to buy any equipment.

    Once again, thanx for the advice, and best wishes for all of your flights!

    Same to you!

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