Russ1974

Hi,   Apologies for posting in two places, I have asked this question in the "beginner" section (because I am one) but have just found this dedicated Spektrum area.   I was just about to order myself a DX7se (Special Edition) but noted this statement in the specifications;   "Note: the trainer function has been removed from the DX7se"   ... can anybody ellaborate on what this means?  Does it mean I cannot "buddy" with another remote / plug in to a simulator?   Thanks, Russ.

My Futaba is going back as it's faulty, so I am going to switch to a Spektrum DX7 which is what most people at the local club appear to be using.  Most places only seem to be stocking the DX7 SE (Special Edition) and are out of stock on the standard DX7.  So, just about to order one when I spot this in the description   "Note: the trainer function has been removed from the DX7se"   Can anybody ellaborate?  Does this mean I cannot "buddy" with another controller, or plug in to a simulator?    Help!

DOH - controller came, charger input socket is faulty, so it's going back.  Got to play with Phoenix briefly but couldn't get any decent charge in to the controller.   However this said, it would appear my local club is non-Futaba, so not perhaps such a bad outcome.  Now looking at Spektrum DX6i, or wondering whether to jump straight in to a DX7 ... hmmmm .... it is my birthday is 10 days ....

I've made arrangements to meet up with a club rep on Sunday morning to have a look round and to talk about aircraft selection, let's hope the weather holds out!   My copy of Phoenix +Futaba cable came today - but no controller yet, booo ...  

Thanks David - not a subscriber yet ... but as I find more links and references to places that currently greet me with a "sorry, you must be a subscriber..." message, I can feel a subscription coming soon!

Can anybody point me towards any reviews/lists of good quality recommended foam trainers?

Thanks everyone!  Glad I found this forum ...   Bruce, I have two sons (12 and 8) and a daughter (9), so we'll see who ends up coming! 

Understood and, once again, thank you.   I have ordered the 6EX kit and am sure it'll serve me well.  I also could not resist buying Phoenix flight sim just for a bit of fun ... !!   This afternoon I took my 8 year old to Toys R Us and we picked up a very cheap little £30 remote control 2 channel foam plane.  Took it to the local park and had lots of fun with it - flew surprisingly well.  Until I decided to show off, got it to about 50 feet, decided it was a bit windy so tried to bring it down ... wind caught it, and it ended up stuck in the top of a fairly high tree.  2 hours later and we got it down.  Loved every minute of the flying, the crashing, the recovery, and the post-recovery flight !

Hi Timbo, if you could ellaborate I'd be very grateful!  Was just about to order the Futaba kit (6EX 2.4Ghz / R606FS / 4 servos) but now your post has cast a little shadow of doubt!   My statement about more expensive = better was a little tongue in cheek, but if you could give a moderator's thumbs up or down to the Futaba 6EX it would be appreciated.  I know that some people say "check out what your local club uses for buddy purposes", but I am happy to buy more than one piece of kit if necessary - one that's "good" for me to use, and one to be compatible with whatever my club uses whilst I learn.  

Thanks   More expensive = better right?

  I have found a Futaba 6EX 2.4Ghz with receiver and 4 servos for £140 brand new inc P&p.  seems like a good deal ... ??

Thanks David ... will go and check out my local club later this week and report back!

Posted by John Cole on 15/09/2009 10:48:48: Then I hope you enjoy mending broken planes!   Absolutely - hence my message earlier in the thread about not buying a ready to fly kit   And, when I post my first photo of my first big crash and ask for advice on repairs/replacement parts, you are very welcome to pop up with "I told you so" !! Edited By Russ1974 on 15/09/2009 10:55:45

Hi John,   Although I very much appreciate you taking the time to reply, the primary reason for me considering this hobby is to spend some quality time with my family in the fresh air doing something that hopefully we can all enjoy.  So I definitely want the plane choice to be a "joint effort".  I managed to convince my son that a fighter jet (with jet engine) was not a suitable first plane ...   For the same reasons as above, e.g. spending fun time together in the open air, I will most probably not go down the simulator route.  I am sure my kids will enjoy my amusing attempts at learning to fly and my first crash as much as I enjoy the challenge.

Posted by Timbo - Moderator on 15/09/2009 09:25:10: The arising star is a good IC powered trainer, and I actually still think IC is better for an absolute beginner who has facilities of a proper club flying site, I have explained why, in times gone by PS forget the DX5 Transmitter....you will outgrow it  VERY quickly. Thanks ... will take a look at that. For the transmitter, I quite like the look of the Futaba 6EX - good/bad choice?

Posted by Tbone on 15/09/2009 08:24:30: Hi Russ I am Hon Sec of a club based near Chipping Norton, I realise that is a fair way from you but we have a few members from your area.   Thanks - but that's a good 35 / 40 minutes away from me, and I'd like to find somewhere a bit closer .

Thanks Andy / Ross.   Weston on the Green - been to their website and sent an email using the "click here and email us if youre interested in coming to visit".  No response   I used the BMFA directory and found all other websites for clubs in the area to be pretty useless or many years out of date.   Shame ... will have to resort to old fashioned telephone, or just drive over on random days/times until I spot something in the air!   Alpha 40 looks good, but I note that kit is completely ready to fly with a 5 channel kit.  I'd prefer one of the almost-ready kits so I can finish the building with my kids and feel like I've at least done a bit of the construction.  Would also prefer a 6+ channel radio.  But that's definitely the kind of thing I'm after ... nearly there

Thanks Timbo!  I am reading away as I type ...   One of the main criteria of my first plane, as well as obviously getting something in the "trainer" bracket, is that my 8 year old son approves on the looks.  Unfortunately, as much as I can see the benefits of the V-Trainer brushless kit, it does not pass the "yes, get that one dad!" test.   I only plan on flying at a proper club, not a park, so am happy to get something slightly more advanced.  I would prefer a petrol engine too.  Something like this kit would seem to suit, although I'd prefer a 2.4Ghz radio;   http://www.thegoodiesmartrc.co.uk/seagull-arising-star-nitro-rc-trainer-plane-kit-planeengineradio-pack-5867-p.asp   If not that plane exactly, that's the kind of thing I think I'm looking for.  Maybe something a little smaller though ... I presume the wings can easily be removed so they'll fit in a car??

Hi,   Having attended an RC model exhibition in Oxford yesterday, I've decided that flying planes looks like good fun and would like to give it a try.  I'm hoping to find some members of local flying clubs (I'm in Bicester, Oxfordshire) who can point me in the direction of a friendly local model shop and then arrange for some lessons or introductions at a local club.   As requested, here are my answers to the questions in the "start here" thread.  How much money are you able to spend? No real budget constraints, within reason! Where will you fly - Is it grass or another surface? I expect grass but depends on which club I end up at. How big an area is it compared to say.... a full size football pitch? I'd be joining a proper club so assume it would be "big enough". Do you have permission to fly there - are you sure?? Not yet!! What do you know about radio control systems? Lots (ok, a little)! Started learning to fly RC Helis many years ago but had to give it up. Coming back, going to give planes a try.  Quite fancy the look of the new 2.4Ghz systems. Is there a model shop nearby? I have found a few on Google, would appreciated some recommendations in the Oxfordshire area (Bicester) but willing to travel for face to face advice and assistance. Who will be teaching you – are they experienced? Unsure yet - looking for a club in/near Bicester. Is it something you are serious about…. or just a passing whim? It depends how it goes.  Hoping it's something the family will enjoy watching me do, if they get bored of it then chances are I will pack it in and find something else to do (as much as I'd hate to!). I've always been interested in RC models and owned a heli for around 12 months (going back about 8 years or so), but only managed around 15 flights and then had to sell it. Been itching to get back in to it ever since. Is there a model flying club nearby I have found a few on Google, but again would like to find a local one with some forum members. I am in Bicester, Oxfordshire.