Could Someone Give me Advice on Choosing My First RC Plane?

[domsalvator]

Hello there,

 

I am new to the world of RC planes and am looking for some guidance on choosing my first model. I have always been fascinated by model flying, but I have never taken the plunge into actually flying one myself. Now that I have some free time and a bit of a budget, I am excited to get started.

 

I am a complete beginner. I have never flown an RC plane before; though I have some basic knowledge from reading and watching videos.

 

I live in a rural area with plenty of open space; so finding a place to fly should not be an issue. The weather here is generally calm; with mild winds.

 

I am particularly interested in scale models of real aircraft, especially WWII fighters. Although; I understand that these might not be the best choice for beginners.

 

My budget is around £200-£300 for the entire setup; including the plane; transmitter; and any necessary accessories.

 

Given these factors; could you recommend a beginner friendly RC plane that is relatively easy to fly and doesn't require a steep learning curve? I am looking for something durable that can withstand a few beginner mistakes.

 

Also, I have gone through this post; https://forums.modelflying.co.uk/index.php?/topic/51796-help-and-advice-for-a-complete-blue-prism-to-rc-glider-building-and-flying/page/4/

 

Lastly; if there are any specific beginner mistakes I should avoid or tips on setting up my first plane.

 

Thanks in advance for your help and assistance.

[Futura57]

As a beginner it's usually best to find a local club and see what trainer aircraft they use or recommend. Likewise with the brand of radio equipment. Your best chance of success is to join a club because you will need help learning to fly safely and operating your radio gear.

 

These days going electric is popular, but requires investment in batteries and a suitable charger. Some like the prospect of a little 2 or 4 stroke glow motor. Starting and operating these internal combustion engines is a whole topic in itself. It depends on how sensitive your intended flying site is to noise.

 

The biggest mistake I see with beginners is trying to run before they can walk. Generally avoid spitfires and elaborate scale models and go for a rugged high wing trainer. Learn the skill of flying, because there will be bumps and bangs along the way. Going it alone is possible, but not easy.

 

Edited July 25 by Futura57

[Simon Burch 1]

That's good advice from Futura57.  I'd add that an RC simulator is a wise investment for any beginner.  This is a whole topic in itself, but it need not be expensive or difficult.  For example, Picasim is a free download.

 

These are best used with a proper RC transmitter, but a joystick or games controller will suffice until you have one.  Simulators work fine with many obsolete (ie cheap or free) 35MHz transmitters.  

[GrumpyGnome]

Hi dom

 

Welcome!

 

The vast majority of folks here (including me)will advise you to join a club, for many reasons.  Even if you have access to local, suitable fields, being taught how to fly is easier, and generally cheaper, than trying to teach yourself..... you may also be less limited on the type of aircraft you eventually fly, as the clubs will almost certainly have better facilities.

 

Are you UK based? 

[Dale Bradly]

FMS SuperEZ has my vote. Stupid easy to fly with stablisation turned on. Can be purchased with transmitter & batt, i.e. ready to fly. No idea how its priced in your currency though.

[Keith Billinge]

I also advocate the FMS superEZ it's been my companion now for 7 years and I still fly it . Mine didn't come with a stabilisor but it was still an excellent beginners model. Strong, tough, stable, and forgiving.
You do need to join a club first and take heed of the advice available, but the SuperEZ is ace!
 

 

Happy Landings

 

 

KB

Edited July 25 by Keith Billinge

[Engine Doctor]

Hi domsalvator and welcome to the addiction , sorry hobby of rc model flying . Recent price hikes might be an issue with your budget if thinking about a new model and radio gear.

As already suggested look for a local club , go along and have a chat before buying anything. They may even have a club trainer you could have a go on and this often gives your instructor an insight into what model will be best for you and he can advise whats available. Club location and contact details can be found on the BMFA  club finder site. A club will also advise what radio is most popular and this will help when it comes to set up or buddying 

Whatever you do dont take advice from a model shop sales assistant unless you know them personally. Many will sell you an inappropriate model. 

Look for a high wing type model but even these vary a lot in speed and performance . Advice from a experienced club instructor is worth a lot . 

Avoid cheap and cheaful set ups , often sold on line , at all cost as they are generally rubbish and a waste of money . 

Just my opinion but avoid these computer aided models with "Safe" etc as in my experience they become a hinderance rather than a help. 

A good secondhand trainer elec or IC is often a good choice and can often be picked up at bargain prices at club sales.. 

Good luck 

 

[Learner]

The fact he says the weather is generally calm with mild winds would suggest he's not from the UK. Perhaps he could let us know. Before we go down the bmfa, legal, insurance side etc

Edited July 25 by Learner

[Ernie]

Hi Domsalvator, Now your going to wish you never asked. All the bits about a club, an instructor etc. are off course spot on.

This forum is a great place to start, and you'll get top notch help

Why not let us know a wee bit more about your aspirations so that our advice can be honed to porfection;   

Like

1 would you like to spend time building your plane from a kit of balsa and ply? or maybe just assemble it in 10 minutes from moulded foam

2 does your field have short grass, so you can take off and land

3 you might wish to start off with a big glider, with a small engine just to get it up there

4 are you considering an electric motor, or an internal combustion engine

5 are you intending to be a lone flyer, or is there some experienced help available

Theres so much to it, it can be difficult, but oh so rewarding.  and best of luck

ernie

[Cuban8]

First thing is to find out where Domsalvator is based - and if not in the UK (light winds and mild??) then how well, or otherwise, his access to clubs to might be.

I'm certain we can get him going successfully  no matter what his circumstances are.

[J D 8 - Moderator]

  Good questions in the posts above, recon we should wait and see @domsalvator's return.

  Speaking as one who learned to fly RC solo in the 70's, it is a hard road that takes determination and it was a motor glider that I had eventual success. [ DB Rooky] 

[Cuban8]

21 minutes ago, J D 8 - Moderator said:

  Good questions in the posts above, recon we should wait and see @domsalvator's return.

  Speaking as one who learned to fly RC solo in the 70's, it is a hard road that takes determination and it was a motor glider that I had eventual success. [ DB Rooky] 

Yes, ditto with me in the mid 1970s except my powered glider was a Graupner Dandy and then on to a Bowman's Simple Simon, bungee launched......happy days.

Have a photo somewhere of yours truly fettling the Dandy whilst dressed in flared high waisted trousers, tank top and with long hair - very 1970s

Edited July 25 by Cuban8

[kc]

My advice is never buy secondhand radio gear - you need 100 percent reliable radio for enjoyable troublefree flying and more importantly safety.

Never buy 35Mhz radio gear as people often give that away free as it's not used much now .  2.4 Ghz is the radio everyone prefers now.

 

Buying a secondhand plane can be OK but may be fuel soaked and heavy, so that could be a problem.   Get an experienced modellers opinion first.  Secondhand engines can be OK if you know about engines or have a club member who can sort the engine for you.

Visit a nearby club and see what the members are using and whether electric or glow takes your interest or maybe gliders.

[Nigel Sharp]

I also learnt solo. Brian Miller Excelcus Aeromodeller May 1980.

 

Veron impala

 

Svenson Senior powered glider.

 

I know this book is old but all the principles and good advice is there. Old school understanding about control links, direction etc Transmitter  modes.

 

Routes to succeed, installation, types of aircraft,Engine management. Etc

 

it's an absorbing technical hobby full of jargon.

 

Modern transmitters are basically computers. Making installation much easier, with a programming learning curve.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radio-Control-Guide-Norman-Butcher/dp/0903676125

[Robin Colbourne]

If you really don't have the option of joining a club, when they are back in stock, the Bixler 2 is a good beginner's model.  It is hand launched and landed on its belly (which has a plastic protector for this).  The pusher propeller keeps the motor and prop out of harm's way.

If you start off with unpowered glides and work your way from there gradually increasing the power on each flight you might just teach yourself.

 

 

[GrumpyGnome]

If you are really set on 'going it alone', the route to success is easier these days as you can get fully stabilised models that come out of a box with everything you need, ready to fly. No need to do anything other than insert batteries and fly..... 

 

E.g. Ranger600 RC Plane 2.4GHz 3CH Remote Control Airplane 6-Axis Gyro Stabilizer One Key U-Turn RTF 76102 RC Aircraft Toys Gifts from AliExpress

 

Small so limited to light winds. Light so it will bounce. Foam so easy to fix. Cheap, so a small investment. Get a free sim like Picasim to learn the basics whilst waiting for it to arrive.

 

You can start in fully stabilised mode and just close the throttle if you get into difficulties. Then move on to the intermediate mode for more control. If you master this, move up to a more traditional high wing (bigger) trainer and your own radio, batteries etc.. Then a low wing sport model. Then scale.

 

You can get small rtf scale models that are similarly ready to fly on opening the box, but they are faster and a bit more challenging... VERY challenging with all the stabilization off.

 

Joining a club is still the best advice......

[leccyflyer]

As JD8 suggests, it might be prudent to wait for some feedback from the OP before getting too deeply into this. There are certain clarifications that are needed before it's possible to advise fully on the original questions asked.

[Eric Robson]

A budget of £200 - £300 could be a clue.

[Outrunner]

I think you guys might be talking to a bot that posted at 04:45 BST yesterday morning and has not responded to your help and advice. Hopefully I'm wrong.....

[leccyflyer]

That also crossed my mind, which is another reason for waiting to hear back from the OP.

[David Ashby]

Another to consider. It might stretch your budget a tad but the Arrows Bigfoot is a rugged thing that flies well. We’ve been using them at the RC Bootcamp all summer and they’ve come through very well despite lots of hard use and hundreds of flights per airframe. 
 

 

[Robin Colbourne]

1 hour ago, Outrunner said:

I think you guys might be talking to a bot that posted at 04:45 BST yesterday morning and has not responded to your help and advice. Hopefully I'm wrong.....

Possible; however Domsalvator is a very eloquent bot if he is one.  For now, my money is that he simply lives in a different time zone to the majority of us on here.  Time will tell.

[Futura57]

If only there was some way to get an IP address