| Learning to fly RC airplanes is the beginning of a life | | | | If you join a club you will have access to a trainer |
| long passion! Avoid the mistakes that discourage many | | | | system called a buddy box. You will hold a "dummy" |
| from this hobby by taking the time to learn the basics | | | | transmitter that is connected to the instructor's |
| before spending your money. Familiarize yourself with | | | | transmitter. He will hold down a switch which will give |
| the key points outlined below to save yourself time | | | | you control of the airplane. If at any time you get in |
| and money by doing things right the first time! | | | | trouble he will simply let off the switch and resume |
| | | | control over your airplane! This is absolutely the best |
| Choosing Your First Airplane | | | | method for learning to fly RC airplanes! The chances |
| Choosing your first airplane is critical for learning to fly | | | | of crashing your airplane with the buddy system is |
| RC airplanes successfully. I know it's tempting, but do | | | | very slim. |
| NOT go out and buy the best looking airplane. Those | | | | Another great reason to join a club is to meet tons of |
| are usually the hardest to fly. Learning to fly RC | | | | people that share your passion for flying. Half the fun |
| airplanes requires a stable, forgiving, and durable | | | | of making a trip to the field is to hang out with fellow |
| airplane. But don't worry, it won't take long at all before | | | | club members. You also get to see all kinds of |
| you are ready to fly that airplane you really want! | | | | awesome RC airplanes fly! |
| Trainers are generally larger airplanes constructed with | | | | Flight Simulators |
| balsa wood. These airplanes require a lot of space to | | | | RC flight simulators will help you learn much quicker |
| fly. Trainers can be powered with either an electric | | | | while greatly minimizing your chances of crashing your |
| motor or nitro-powered engine. These are NOT toys | | | | real airplane. Just like most modern video games, RC |
| and can be very dangerous. It is absolutely crucial that | | | | simulators look and feel like the real thing! Simulators |
| you have assistance from an experienced pilot when | | | | come with a controller that looks and feels identical to |
| learning to fly with a trainer. | | | | a typical RC airplane transmitter. Some packages |
| Park fyers are smaller electric airplanes that can be | | | | allow you to use the same transmitter that you use at |
| flown at most parks or backyards. They are generally | | | | the field! |
| more durable than trainers. Park flyers require less | | | | Learning to move the sticks correctly when the |
| equipment and accessories than trainers. When | | | | airplane is coming towards you is one of the most |
| learning to fly RC airplanes it is always best to get help | | | | challenging aspects of learning to fly RC airplanes. The |
| from an experienced flyer no matter what type of | | | | best part about an RC flight simulator is that when you |
| airplane you have. However, it is possible for a | | | | crash all you have to do is hit the space bar and your |
| beginner to learn to fly with a park flyer without the | | | | airplane is miraculously repaired! Why not use a |
| assistance of an experienced pilot. | | | | simulator until control reversal is second nature before |
| Academy of Model Aeronautics(AMA) | | | | putting your model at risk? |
| If you choose to fly a nitro-powered airplane you | | | | It is important to realize that a simulator is not a |
| should join the AMA. In fact, most every flying club | | | | substitute for an instructor! But an RC flight simulator in |
| requires you to join the AMA. The Acadomy of Model | | | | conjunction with the help of an experienced pilot will |
| Aeronautics is the governing body for radio controlled | | | | definitely shorten the learning curve while increasing the |
| aircraft in the United States. By joining the AMA you | | | | chances of keeping your airplane in one piece! |
| will be insured for up to $2,500,000 for any damage or | | | | |
| harm caused by your airplane as long as you were | | | | Words to live by! |
| following the AMA safety code when the accident | | | | I want to help you experience this hobby to its fullest. |
| occurred. | | | | Most every thing you need to know for learning to fly |
| The cost for joining the AMA is $58. This is money | | | | RC airplanes can be found on these pages. Flying an |
| well spent even if you don't plan to join a club. Nitro | | | | RC airplane takes more than knowledge, it takes |
| powered airplanes are tons of fun, but they are not | | | | experience. These models fly fast. You don’t have |
| toys. Anything could happen, whether it be pilot error or | | | | time to think about what to do. You have to just do it. It |
| equipment malfunction, that could seriously harm | | | | has to be instinct. All it takes is one wrong move to |
| someone. While it would be awful for anyone to be | | | | reduce your airplane into toothpicks. Trust me, this can |
| hurt by one of our airplanes, at least you would be | | | | happen in the blink of an eye. Be wise. Get help from |
| covered financially if such an incident did occur and | | | | an experienced pilot if at all possible! Can't find a club? |
| you were sued. | | | | Go visit your local hobby store. I'm sure it's listed in the |
| Joining a Club | | | | phone book. The owner will be glad to answer any |
| If your first airplane is any thing more powerful than a | | | | questions you might have. He will also give you |
| park flyer(either a glow-powered or large electric | | | | directions to the local club. I haven't met an RC pilot yet |
| powered airplane), then you really have little choice but | | | | that wouldn't go out of their way to help a fellow flyer. |
| to get help from an experienced pilot. If you don't, you | | | | That is what makes this hobby so great! |
| will regret it. Trust me on this one! Whether it be a | | | | I wish you the best with your first flight! Please don't |
| friend or member of the local club, you should let him | | | | hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, as |
| take off and trim the airplane before handing it over to | | | | long as you don't hold me accountable when you |
| you. It may even be a good idea to let him land it for | | | | become addicted beyond belief! |
| the first time. | | | | |