What to suggest to a newbie R/C plane flyer?

[Jim_Marconnet]

If a stranger walked up to you on the street and told you they wanted to learn to fly R/C planes, what would you ask them? Then what would you tell them? What plane would you suggest? What other equipment? How would you suggest they learn to fly, etc.?

[dee-grose]

Here's a good list of questions/suggestions:

- Have you ever driven an RC car? (it does help...)
- Do you have any experience with flight simulators of any kind?
- How much are you willing to spend for your initial investment?
- Is this something you think you might be doing seriously?
- Did you build model planes/cars as a kid?
- How technically-inclined are you (ie, able to understand amps/volts, solder battery connectors, etc.)?

Based on the answers given, I could recommend a few options:

1. Super beginner/non-technical -- go buy a ParkZone Slo-V. The advantages of this plane are that it flies slow enough to allow the beginner to react and it is basically already built for you. It only costs about $129 or so last time I checked. It is close enough in performance to a SlowStick to be good enough.

2. Super beginner/technical person -- go buy a GWS SlowStick kit and a cheap 3-channel radio setup. Build it stock and fly it. You can always upgrade to a better radio in the future...or just bite the bullet and get a better radio (ie, computer radio with model memories and such) now.

3. Not sure they really want to crash a plane person -- go spend about $200 on AeroFly Pro Deluxe. Get the version with the transmitter. Fly it for a couple of months and you will be ready to buy a real setup.

That being said, I've recommended a Slo-V to two people (about a year ago) who wanted to start flying RC. As far as I know, neither of them are flying anything right now and each of their planes only got a few flights before being trashed.

I really don't like to recommend the Aerobird line of planes to folks that have never flown before...mainly because they fly too fast for beginners. However, all the Grose boys cut their RC teeth on Aerobirds, so they do work!

Hope that's what you were looking for...

Andy

[GLIDERGIDER]

Here's a good list of questions/suggestions:

- Have you ever driven an RC car? (it does help...)
- Do you have any experience with flight simulators of any kind?
- How much are you willing to spend for your initial investment?
- Is this something you think you might be doing seriously?
- Did you build model planes/cars as a kid?
- How technically-inclined are you (ie, able to understand amps/volts, solder battery connectors, etc.)?

Based on the answers given, I could recommend a few options:

1. Super beginner/non-technical -- go buy a ParkZone Slo-V. The advantages of this plane are that it flies slow enough to allow the beginner to react and it is basically already built for you. It only costs about $129 or so last time I checked. It is close enough in performance to a SlowStick to be good enough.

2. Super beginner/technical person -- go buy a GWS SlowStick kit and a cheap 3-channel radio setup. Build it stock and fly it. You can always upgrade to a better radio in the future...or just bite the bullet and get a better radio (ie, computer radio with model memories and such) now.

3. Not sure they really want to crash a plane person -- go spend about $200 on AeroFly Pro Deluxe. Get the version with the transmitter. Fly it for a couple of months and you will be ready to buy a real setup.

That being said, I've recommended a Slo-V to two people (about a year ago) who wanted to start flying RC. As far as I know, neither of them are flying anything right now and each of their planes only got a few flights before being trashed.

I really don't like to recommend the Aerobird line of planes to folks that have never flown before...mainly because they fly too fast for beginners. However, all the Grose boys cut their RC teeth on Aerobirds, so they do work!

Hope that's what you were looking for...

Andy

This is a fantastic writeup. It should be added to the "Essentials" file. I concur 100% with your assessment. Its a keeper.
Dave

[nuevo]

I'd recommend a Slow Stick, bar none. Slow, easy to fly, strong enough, stable, cheap, enough power.

I would not recommend the lite-stiks. Too fragile, and only enough power for a slow climb. We had 2 Pico J3 Stick (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHCJ4&P=7)'s. The wings would bend greatly whenever you touched the elevator. No dihedral, wings fold numerous times... on and on.

But have no experience with the others. You and Gary did great learning on those Aerobirds. It takes a little bit of determination for anyone to get beyond the first crash.

I also highly recommend Aerofly Pro Deluxe. That's when I found out both of my sons are better at 3D than I'll ever be. :o

[atjurhs]

Slow Stick, Slow Stick, Slow Stick!

I think the nice advantage of the Aerobirds is that they are cheaper than a SS start-up set, because you get the included radio package. The disadvantage is that you can't transfer their R/C gear to another plane. So if you decide to go on in R/C flyin you end up spending more $$$ in the long run.

In the past, I too have reccommended the Slo-V to a friend, but I won't do it again. One for the same reason as stated on the Aerobirds, and two it was nowhere near as good a flyer as the SS.

So, I'm back to my original recommendation, Slow Stick, Slow Stick, Slow Stick!

Now there is one other plane that I think would make for a great starter and that is an EZ Star. It probably is faster than a SS, but can certainly handle a little wind better than a SS. Some of the other flyers in the Renegades have one, so they could probably comment better on this plane's performance than I.

[ghee-grose]

Andy, I was talking to Flash the other day and he said he might sell me the broken Slo-V for a small price. :D

[dee-grose]

About the Slo-V, I did the initial flights with my friend's plane. No, it isn't as good as a SlowStick, but it seemed just as stable. Not quite as spritely as a stock SS, but flew pretty good in my opinion.

As for SS vs. Aerobird, I'd be willing to bet the costs could be matched with a cheap 3-channel radio setup. I think the Aerobirds go for about $149 or so. I think a SS might could even be flying for a little bit under that depending on radio choice.

One thing the SS can't match is the Aerobird's durability. It will take quite a beating (at least ours have). And since the prop is on the back, a nose-in doesn't do much damage.

One other thing I guess should be added to the list is to get help from an experienced flyer. Makes flying much more enjoyable when somebody can point out simple little things to make it fly better.

Andy

[dleviner]

Here is a pretty good analysis of what could be reccomended as a first plane:

http://plawner.net/3/1st_plane/1welcome.html

and links to some of the best beginner threads:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=357623

[UAGrad2001]

My brother and I both started on Aerobirds. If you perform some of the modifications for making it more durable (i.e. the motor mount mod), then they are very durable. I agree they do fly a little quick for a beginner but then again, they also allow you to dogfight. This little feature has provided countless hours of enjoyment. If someone has a little intuition and common sense concerning how to fly, then the Aerobird wouldn't be a bad choice.

[nuevo]

Rob's Multiplex Easy Star seems like a good durable beginner plane. $180 RTF with Hitec TX at Hobby Horse (http://www.hobbyhorse.com/multiplex.shtml). It seems suitable to a rank beginner.

I've heard guys have fun with the TwinStar, too.

[freddy warbird]

If a stranger walked up to you on the street and told you they wanted to learn to fly R/C planes, what would you ask them?
Do you have the use of your hands, and can you see?

Then what would you tell them?
I would recommend him to buy a flight sim, or have someone aid in flying his first model.

What plane would you suggest?
GWS Slow stick with a speed 400 and a 1320 3S lipo. "Lifesaver" for the speed control.

What other equipment?
lithium charger, and tackle box equipted with enough stuff to do in feild repairs of the slow stick.

How would you suggest they learn to fly, etc.?

refer back to the answer to the second question.

[Mars Flyer]

I think the size of field where the flying will be done is critical in choosing between Slow Stick and Easy Star. I have both and know that the Easy Star is a little faster and needs more space but is extremely stable and very durable. I've cartwheeled mine on pavement and only knocked a little chunk of foam off the stab. It also takes wind very well. It isn't suited for touch and goes since it has no landing gear. It would be great for a beginner.

All inital flights should be done in a larger field then experience will allow flying in a smaller one. The RTF Easy Star version makes it easy to get in the air with only minimal gluing on the tail feathers although the elevator servo is generally reversed out of the box so be sure to check that. It has an AM radio which is fine but not quite as good as the FM rigs.

I am a HUGE believer in flight simulators. I used the free FMS and a cheap USB gamepad and got a ton of useful experience with that. I now have Aerofly Pro Deluxe and agree it is much better but get FMS if you want to save your bucks for a plane. There are good FMS models for Easy Star, Slow Stick, and virtually everything else that flies.

I like Andy's list of questions. To help someone answer such questions I'd get them to field to see some planes fly and get an idea of what they like. I wish I'd had that advantage instead of struggling through it alone.

Rob

[lenniegordo]

I recommend a Slo-V and tell them to buy a 350 GWS motor and a packet of 1180 GWS props. I have a slo-V with this inexpensive mod + a covered under wing and I can fly it upside down! It out preforms my friends Slow stick easily and is much more durable.

The idea behind suggesting this is, when they have broken both PZ props that come with the slo-V they can put on the 1180, which will burn out the stock motor pretty quick. By that time they most likely will be able to handle the extra power that the GWS 350 will give.

Finally when they are getting bored I tell then to cover the under side of the wing and buy an 1800 Lipo. The extra flight times will really start to get them broad and doing silly things like 1/2 inverted loops and roll and inverted flight, well enough to get them onto some thing more advanced, but before they do I tell then that they need to be able to land the Slo-V every time on a cricket pitch with out thinking.

Well that’s what worked for me – I’ll tell you if it works for my mate who just bought a Slo-V for AU$99 US$70 they are now on sale at modleflight.com.au what a bargain for the beginner

[GLIDERGIDER]

Hey Rocket,
How's it going this morning? :)
Our new buddy from Australia has resurrected this "what to buy" thread, and I was wondering what all you do have under the tree? I'll be that you know all the goodies, and are waiting patiently for the 25th.
Dave