Starting from scratch

[Ben B]

Whether you go IC or electric really makes little difference. Both have their own little idiosyncracies that you will need to learn about whether it's balancing lipos or tuning IC engines. IMHO the main advantage of electric is that you don't run the risk of dead-stick landings- the engine in my old IC trainer used to guarantee every landing was a dead stick.

 

The main thing (IMHO) is to get some stick time on a simulator! Before I used a simulator I had to have pretty constant instruction from the club instructor. After six months flying the simulator (I moved and couldn't find a club locally) I was flying solo from day one- I just pitched up at the new club (when I eventually found one) and flew without any assistance. And I'd even been practising dead stick landings on the sim so the inevitable deadstick didn't turn into a long walk or a bin-bag job. Thankfully the problem with the engine is now sorted so I get to land under power. The luxury

 

If at all possible join a club and get some supervision for the first few flights. If that's not possible it's worth buying the plane from a local model shop and asking if (as part of the package) they'll give it the once over after you've built it to make sure everything is secured well, the control surfaces go in the right direction, the CoG is okay etc etc. I know too many people who built a plane not knowing what they were doing, immediately crashed it and promptly gave up and took up fishing

 

Edited By Ben B on 06/05/2011 15:29:15

[Michael Stanley 1]

Again thanks for your many responses and great advice.

 

I have been looking at electric aircraft online, particularly the Multiplex Mentor and ST Discovery just to get an idea on specs. I have also seen the Cessna 182 500 Class (Working LED lights model). Would this also make a good trainer or is it for the more experienced flyer. It looks a very nice aircraft.

 

Any reccomendations for other aircraft and good model shops both online and in Warwickshire would be very welcome.

 

Thanks,

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

I'm not familiar with the exact model Cessna you are refering to but in general although a trainer might have a resemblance to a Cessna (both high wing, cabin style etc) the reality is trainers have some particular features built in to make them learner friendly.

 

First the wings slope upwards quite noticably - this is called dihedral - it makes the plane very stable in the air in the roll direction.

 

They have long tails and bigger tailplanes - this makes them more pitch stable and makes the elevator effective without being "twitchy".

 

They have super strong undercarriages - or they should have! - essential for those early "landings"!

 

There often isn't a cowl - so the engine sits upright out of the model making it easy to get at. I know you are looking at electric but I'm just being comprehensive in my list!

 

Now as I say, I don't know this particular model, but I do know the Cessna 182 and if its a scale accurate model it wont have much dihedral, its tail isn't really long enough and its tailplane isn't big enough for it to be as docile as a real specialist trainer. Its undercarraiage almost certainly won't be up to a lot of abuse, and it will have a close fitting cowl.

 

Could you use it as trainer? Probably yes.

 

Would it be a good idea? Maybe - but you will be making things a little more difficult for yourself than you need to.

 

Now as a second model - for after a trainer, ah, then its ideal.

 

Its your choice!

 

BEB

Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 08/05/2011 00:08:20

[Michael Stanley 1]

Just a quick note to everybody who gave me advice on the subject topic.

I managed to pass my A Test yesterday and just love RC flying. A great hobby and the learning and fun never ends.

Thanks again,

Michael

[Steve T]

Congratulations! Ever upwards from here on and as quoted recently "may all your landings be like a butterfly with sore feet".

[Dave Hopkin]

The other huge advantage of joining a club is access to a "test pilot" who is experienced enough to take an unflown model into the air and trim it out so it flies straight and level - before the novice pilot gets his hands on the controls - allows you to learnt to fly a stable aircraft - in the early stages you have enough to think about while airbourne add the need to wrestle an unstable airframe round the sky has a good chance of tipping you off the edge and entering and loosing a battle with gravity.....

[Don Fry]

Also remember that if you ask about at a club, it can be surprising how much stuff can be obtained second hand, especially I/C engines and bits to start then. Saves lots of cash, and in this game believe me even handbags and shoes look bargains.

[Dave Hopkin]

Posted by Donald Fry on 23/03/2015 15:32:24:

Also remember that if you ask about at a club, it can be surprising how much stuff can be obtained second hand, especially I/C engines and bits to start then. Saves lots of cash, and in this game believe me even handbags and shoes look bargains.

For gods sake edit that last bit out..... for years I have been telling her that everything I buy is FAR cheaper than her shoes...... you'll blow the whole gaff wide open