Rob Hawkins

Thanks for the extra info, I'll take a look at the Flyingwings models later as at the moment it looks like they might have just changes web site as there's no information on the various kits to say what included and give dimensions etc. I've a feeling that the Polecat might me too fast for inside so perhaps best to stick with one of the profile type models that appear to fly slower from what I've learnt so far!

Hi Steve, Good to hear that I'm not alone in France, I'm Rhone Alpes so well and truly snowed in right now. I've been having a look at the following Parkzone Ultra Micro Poll Cat. http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZU1480 The sites say it's good for indoor and intermediate use and good to fly at all speeds. I've put many hours into some of the various indoor models on Phoenix do you think this would be okay for me as a newcomer? I'm trying to make sure that I don't have to buy lots of planes but have something decent for inside that I can fly sensibly to start with but then do some more advanced things once I've got used to the basics. As always all help greatly appreciated!! Cheers Rob

Thanks for the information and glad to hear that they don't self destruct "quite" as badly as Phoenix! I've taken a look at the Robot Birds site and there's a lot of choice to say the least for indoor models. I think I'll visit the club and see what they fly inside prior to making a decsion. Cheers Rob

Hi, I'm tied to indoor flying and my Phoenix sim at this time of year as I'm snow bound in the area of France that I live. I've joined my local club recently who use two large sports halls a couple of times a week during winter until they can get outside in the spring. The club have kindly offered me equipment to use the first couple of times (I have my own Spectrum DX5e) but having used a couple of the indoor planes on Phoenix am wondering where I can get something along the lines of the NewPower Modelism Reflex or Zivko Edge? I've flown a quite a lot with these 2 models and like they way they fly although they are a tough to start with! These 2 models seem to be the flat type foam (sorry for the non techie term!!) and would also like to know how these behave when they take the inevitable knocks in a sportshall. Do they self destruct like on Phoenix or is it not quite as severe? All help greatly appreciated. Regards Rob

Ps - if anyone is laughing at my photo it's aspirational only for the time being

Thanks for clearing that up. I guess i will get used to the range of movement in the sticks and make good use of the rates switch taking things down to 70%. The glossary of terms has been book marked and I'm sure will be put to good use over the coming weeks. Ernie - glad to hear I'm not alone in France, I'm in Savoie and have yet to visit my new club but hope to in the next week or so. My DX5E is a left throttle so I may also be alone but it feels quite natural for me at the moment so I can't see me changing! The unit has a French mode which I've activated to be safe but evidently this is no longer a requirement since last year but ill check with the club soon. Cheers Rob

More great advise thanks and I'll certainly plug those settings into Phoenix to see how the WOT4 flys in that configuration. I'll start to set myself some more stricty landing targets so I've got something to focus on rather than just trying to hit the strip! I've found with the mentor that a head wind of any strength just sends it upwards and even with more throtttle the plane just seems to hover before plumetting, my technique I'm sure There's a mention of Expo above but I'm not sure what it is or what it does? Cheers Rob

Just got around to looking at changing the WOT 4 wing profile as mentioned above. I've gone to edit the plane in Phoenix RC4 and under main wing there are loads of options! Mine is currently set to trainer but would someone best kind as to tell me which one meets the semi-symmetrical type mentioned above to make it more like the Riot? Cheers Rob

Thanks very much for the useful information especially regarding the French regulations foe RC. I'm looking forward to the first flight with my Riot but will first complete at least another 20 hours in Phoenix with the aformentioned WOT 4 wing modification to make it a bit more realistic. I've played around with the wind settings in Phoenix and have found landing very, very difficult as the plane rears up into the air on approach when there's a strong oncoming gust. What's the correct technique on final approach for getting it on the ground before it gets whipped up into the air and then tossed to the ground on it's propeller? I have another question re my Spektrum. It has a high/low rates switch with the low according to the manual providing 70% of the range and thus more time to think about things as they happen which sounds quite important early on!! Do you think that reducing to 70% when I first fly the Riot will make it a forgiving enough experience for a new boy with around 30 hours on the Sim? Exciting times ahead!!!! Cheers Rob

Hi, I'm new to RC flying and having discovered the RCM&E mag thought I'd sign up here after noticing lots of positve comments for new comers. I have some questions but before I get there I'll take a couple of seconds to tell you where I'm at (or not!) with flying so far. I've purchased Phoenix RC4 along with a Spektrum DX5e TX and to date have put in about 10 hours with the Mentor trainer plan. I also have a Max Thrust Riot which is still in the box until I reach at least 30 hours on Phoenix to ensure I don't get tempted and also I live in France. I have also just joined my local club and obtained a licence in France so that I can meet people and progress with my new hobbie hopefully quickly whilst having a lot of fun (this will be a challenge as my French is still below average at best!) I've read a bit of a book on the basics and have been practising (mainly in calm weather) take offs, landings, flying figures eights and also some boxes to help with lining up for landings. So my questions in no particular order are as follows: 1) My DX5e has a French mode which I have enabled as soon as it arrived but I'm not sure what the impact of enabling this is - What does it actually do and why is it needed in France? 2) Is the Mentor the best plane to train on in Phoenix given I have the RIOT waiting in the wings. I see that there is a low wing trainer as well which having had a quick few flights has no or little self correction as a result I guess of no diheidral. Should I learn with this on the simulator of go with 2 planes to get the best of both worlds? 3) I've tested the different wind settings in Phoenix and am not sure what is realistic for a gusty type day and what wind speeds you just would not fly at? Some of the settings seem to just blow the plane over on the airstrip before I even get started!! Is the m/s meteres per second? If you could advise on what you would consider to be a medium type realistic situation that would be great so I can train with it asap. I guess that's it for starters - Look forward to hearing from you. Cheers Rob