Mattb5m Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 hi all I'm Matt from Swindon 29 recently got back into rc cars but always wanted to try rc flight have been thinking about helicopters or quadcopters but been advised planes are easier ! So thought I join on here to get some advice . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Hello Matt It's probably true that a plane's easier to start with because of the setting up procedure, so what you got your eye on so far. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J D 8 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 HI Matt, Lots of good info on this site.What you start with depends on what type interests you most and finding a club near to you is the best way to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Start with what interests you, not what you've been told is easier, otherwise what's the point! Personally I don't see much difference in difficulty between planse and multirotors; they are very different to fly, but not fundamentally more or less difficult than each other. Helis are probably the toughest from day 1, but if that's what you want to do get yourself a sim, a small coax for indoor practice and some instruction at a club and you should be fine. Edited By MattyB on 05/01/2016 16:55:37 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Hi and welcome. I would agree with Matty - do what interests you. You can learn on fixed wing, helis or MRs its up to you and what you find floats your boat. Regarding relatively easier? Well fixed wing is probably the easiest overall. MRs are a bit tricky to define in terms of how easy they are. You see they can be flown in different modes. In GPS-Hold they are the easiest of all - easier than fixed wing and much, much easier than a heli. But at the other end of the scale, in full manual mode they are about as difficult as a heli. And there are intermediate degrees of difficulty as well with them like stabilised modes. So they have the advantage that you can initially learn in a easy mode and then step things up as you go. Heli's (with the exception of small co-axial helicopters) are harder than fixed wing and similar to MR in full manual and generally don't have easier settings. So, take your pick. Whatever you fancy, the advice to seek out a local club is good and don't forget it really is advisable to have insurance too. If you plump for one track folks on here can give you some specific advice on good starter kit. Enjoy! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Fly what interests you, as long as you do so safely and seek experienced advice and tuition, usually as part of a club or group with insurance then you won't go far wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattb5m Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Thanks guys , there is a rc aeroplane club in Swindon , 10 minute drive from me in fact . Planes and helis catch my eye but I do like the scale model planes of war planes like the spitfire etc but also like the look of a bi plane while doing stunts . What's the best plane to start with ? I would start with electric as got the knowledge from brushless rc cars with lipo battery's which may help ... In fact here a picture Any recomdations? I would like to build or part build as well and I love the building part of the modelling . Cheers Edited By Steve Hargreaves - Moderator on 05/01/2016 22:09:21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 OK, we all love warbirds but you can't learn to fly on one - too tricksy! So, we have a type of model called "a trainer" its designed to learn on. Its quite stable so it won't do anything sudden to catch you unawares, its got an undercarraige like a tank so you can get away with those early "landings" that are bit less than perfect! And they tend to fly a bit slower - giving you a bit more time to think. Lots of them araound. If you're looking for a bit of building (but not too much to start with) something like a Arising Star, a Boomerang or an ePioneer (all made by Seagull) or an Irvine Tutor are all good and can be electric powered. No doubt others can make further recommendations as well. Take a look at some of them BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattb5m Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Thanks beb ! Was looking on YouTube and there are some amazing pilots on there , a good search is a plane called "the beast" some great stunts and the plane is huge ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattb5m Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 There has been one that has caught my eye .. Am I guessing that a plane made from foam , carbon fibre and the like is better as a trainer than a balsa model ? Matt Edited By Steve Hargreaves - Moderator on 05/01/2016 22:10:52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Personally I would not say that is necessarily true. That model is good one - but its a little on the light side for what I would recommend a beginner. Just 1.2Kg. Don't get me wrong, that's OK. But the ones I indicated above are a bit heavier and this has advantages. Heavier models fly more steadily - particular in the rather windy conditions we get here! But its your choice and that model would be OK as a trainer, but you might find that some days you loose flying time because its a bit blowy, whereas the likes of the Tutor etc (which weigh about twice that) would just shrug that off. Others, who don't live on the NW coast of course may have different views! BEB PS Take a look here for how to insert hyperlinks - it makes it quicker for readers to follow what you are pointing at! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 BTW - another point - balsa is easier to repair! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattb5m Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Il give a miss to pasting links , can't get to work via my phone ! Yes balsa easy to repair but if had a big crash and end up with a pile of twigs , where would you start ? I get your point about weight and I'm in the SW slightly less windy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 As BEB says Warbirds and "the beast" are for later on, learn to fly on a trainer - BEBs mentioned some good ones, I have flown the Discovery and its a good little plane, stable and mild mannered but does weather cock in the winds we have here in the NW - I've also got and regularly fly an E-Pioneer, heavier and more wind resistant, others to consider are the Trainstar from Hobbyking, The Eflite Apprentice (one of the top 3 or 4 trainers but expensive), or for a very first bash at RC flying there good old Hobbyking Bixler2 or 3, both ideal initial birds for 4 channel cheap as chips and very very repairable (there is one at my club that is more glue and tape than Bixler and still flys nicely but again not in any sort of wind really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 If you are joining a club, have a look and see what they have as a club trainer and what they recommend. Everyone here will do their best to help. Enjoy it, relax and have a bit of a laugh, that's the best reason to do this hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattb5m Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Thanks lads ! The Seagull e pioneer looks a great little one . What's best recomdations on transmitter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Ah, that debate has been going on for decades. Hitec, Spektrum, JR, Futaba, Taranis...your choice is endless. Pilots will recommend what they know, understand how to program it and are comfortable using it. Taranis is doing well ATM. Almost limitless programming possibilities and very good value ( and that's coming from a Futaba user .... Edited By cymaz on 05/01/2016 22:38:06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattb5m Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 As long one of those brands I should be ok then ? I use sky fly for my rc cars but only basic 3 channel and does what it says on the box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Lots of good radios on the market now, and it's mostly the one you like the look/feel of that sways you, buy one with extra channels if you can afford it...ie 7 channel they come in handy as you progress to more complex models..which one ? (well that'll start a war) have a browse at some then ask for feedback. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Oh that is a leading question! Ask 100 R/C flyers what is the best trabsmitter and you'll get 100 different answers! To be honest my view is that all the well known makes (such as cymaz mentions) are all very good and very reliable these days and its a question of personal choice. Remember for flying reliability and a solid radio link is everything to us. If you loose the radio with a car its inconvienient - if you lose it with a plane is probably the end of the model and, worse, potentially very dangerous. A good plan would be to contact the club you are intending to join and see what makes their instructors use. Its not that that makes them particularly good brands - but its helpful in terms of helping you set up and buddy etc. They'll be familiar with what you have. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattb5m Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 What about spectrum dx6 ? What would all channels be for ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Oh - you can't have enough channels! Only joking but you would be surprised! OK at first you just use 4 Aileron elevator throttle rudder. But soon, you'll want undercarriage (5). Then flaps (6). Then you'll realise that both ailerons and flaps are easier to set up accurately if you have them on independent channels (ie each aileron and each flap on its own channel) now you're at 8 channels. Then you'll want to do channel mixes so that more than one control moves in a coordinated manner with another one - and that all takes channels. Then theres cool gadgets - landing lights, cameras, bomb releases,..... you get the idea! If what you can afford is a 6 channel radio then that will do you fine for your first year or two. If you can afford a bit more then an 8 or 9 channel would allow growing room. Take a look at the Taranis mentioned above - its a bit different but very good value - 16 channels for about £150. But it does have to be said Spektrum is probably the most popular radio at present and a good bet for a beginner. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 The extra channels are for retractable undercarriage (gear) flaps, and for dual servos on ailerons or elevators mostly, a way down the road yet, but saves buying another set later on maybe. John or I could have said as above Edited By john stones 1 on 05/01/2016 23:24:01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattb5m Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Thanks lads , all seems a bit daunting at moment what sort of cost am I talking to join a club and I take it there not flying at the moment due to weather ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Varies a lot club to club - depends on how much (if any) rent they have to pay and what facilities they offer (e.g. clubhouse etc). Club fees are usually in two parts: 1. £33 goes straight to BMFA to pay your membership - important because its the easiest way to get insured £30M of cover. 2. The rest is the club fee. I guess about £40 is average - but could be more or less. So total somewhere in the £70 to £100 bracket is typical. Some clubs also have a "joining fee" this is a one off payment, its designed to make a contribution to recent and previous investments the club may have made in facilities that the new member will benefit from. Yes - weather is poor at the moment nearly everywhere in the UK - the rain is a big problem - not just when its falling but it makes the fields waterloged. This is good time to join though - most clubs run their membership Jan to Jan so they are in renewal at the momnent and may have vacancies because some members are not renewing. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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