Learning to Fly
Flying model airplanes is a lot of fun but needs to be taken seriously, at least in the early days (!), and this page will give you some essential advice for learning to fly rc airplanes.
So how do you learn to fly ?
You can of course purchase an rc flight simulator to practice and learn on, while these are very good and highly recommended, the 'proper' ones do require a real RC transmitter to be plugged in.
Another route is to go to your local model shop (or the Internet) and buy a kit and accessories and start building.
At this point you are already spending your hard earned cash - are you sure you got it right ? Before you get this far you should really take advice on which combination to buy for your individual circumstances.
We do recommended that your first task, before any of the above, is to seek out your local rc airplane club, here you will find a wealth of experience, the offer of training that most clubs will supply for free, advice on compatible gear + good set-ups for someone starting out.
Once you have listened to this advice you can still go out and buy your simulator or model but at least you should now have an insight into the decision and an idea of the gear required if you wish to go further.
One point of note - if you are going to fly model aircraft you should join a club as you will be covered by public liability insurance, this is extremely important as you would not be covered under household policy's if you hurt someone or damage property..
So, down the business
If you want to take up the sport (yes it is recognised as a sport) and eventually learn to fly bigger and faster airplanes, you probably do need a hand.
At CAMFC we do have a trainer model and transmitter, this operates on the buddy box system. The buddy box system consists of two transmitters that are joined together by cable. The instructor holds the master transmitter while you, the student, hold the slave.
With the flick of a switch, the instructor can hand over or take away complete control from you, without having to take the transmitter from your hands, this in combination with verbal instruction will soon have you in control of the airplane and doing your first circuits of the field !.
Some basic Questions Answered..
How much does it cost to get started?
The average start-up cost is £200 to £400. This generally includes trainer plane, radio, engine, fuel and building materials. Building materials can include glue, hinges, control rods, epoxy, wheels, screws, nuts, bolts, knives, covering material, etc. Since the completeness of the hardware package in each kit varies, compare the total cost of kit and hardware when evaluating the costs. your local model shop will be able to help.
How much does it cost to join the club?
The current CAMFC Club fee's are noted on the Membership page. Also, a membership in BMFA is mandatory to fly at the CAMFC field. BMFA membership information is also found on the Membership page found on the left hand menu of this page.
What kind of plane should I buy?
A new pilot should always buy a plane that is designated as a primary trainer. It should be low cost, easy to build, easy to repair and have replacement parts available. Trainers usually have a high, flat bottomed wing with 3 or 4 channel controls. Basic control will consist of throttle, rudder and elevator, with ailerons as the 4th channel. To avoid being unhappy with the abilities of your trainer as your skills improve and since turning can be learned just as easily using ailerons, most pilots choose 4 channel operation. The current thinking on plane size is that it is actually easier to learn to fly a larger plane. Most trainers today have a wingspan of around 60-70 inches and are powered by a 40 or 46 size engine (0.40 or 0.46 cubic inch displacement). A number of 60 size trainers are now coming on the market.
In addition to the traditional kit where the modeller assembles the plane from a pile of wood and pre-cut parts, several new kits that are called ARF's (almost Ready to Fly) are available. Most ARF's are approximately 90% pre-built and completely covered. The cost for the kit itself is usually higher for an ARF, but after purchasing covering and necessary hardware for the traditional kit, costs are comparable. ARF's are great way to get started if your hobby time is limited but the feeling you get when a kit that you built from a pile of wood takes flight for the first time should be experienced!
The Irvine Tutor40 and Prangster are popular training planes, both can be seen on the CAMFC flightline.
What kind of radio should I buy?
As discussed in the previous question, your plane will probably require a 4 channel radio. Four channels will satisfy your needs for several years and airplanes. There are 3 types of radio signal transmission available: FM, FM PCM and 2.4ghz Digtal. A FM radio will cost less than a PCM one and at this time, the 2.4ghz digitals are the most expencive. In terms of radio interference (as in, "I don't have control, I'm getting interference"), PCM is better than FM, and 2.4ghz digital is better again.
A trainer cord allows your radio to be connected to another compatible radio with a £15 cable, it's worth investing on a trainer cable of your own but be sure to ask the club which radios they use to make sure you get the right one.
Futaba, Airtronics, JR, Hitec and Spektrum are 5 manufacturers known for reliable radios. If you are considering buying a used radio, make sure It has a 35mhz sticker on the back and that it look to have been cared for, always insist in seeing it working before purchase.
How is the radio operated?
The radio system consists of the following components: A transmitter with 2 control sticks. The right hand stick operates the ailerons and elevator. This is the normal set-up due to the fact that most of the control of the aircraft is done using these 2 controls. The left hand stick normally operates the throttle and rudder. The rudder is the least used control surface on the airplane until you progress to aerobatic flying. The throttle is ratcheted and remains in its last position, whereas the other 3 stick movements are spring loaded and return to the neutral position when released. There are trim tabs located around each stick to adjust the neutral location of the control surfaces. These tabs are used to compensate for changes in weight, balance and throttle settings to maintain level flight. The receiver is located in the fuselage of the aircraft. The electronically controlled servo motors plugged into it as well as the battery. The servos have electric motors that are controlled by microchips that get data from the receiver. This data is converted into degrees of rotation of the servo wheel which in turn is connected to a control surface. The airplane is controlled in flight by the movement of the servos.
What kind of engine should I buy?
There are many things to consider when buying an engine. Most plane kits specify a range of engine sizes for use. Since our field is grass, you will need more power for take-off. Purchasing the largest engine specified is recommended. After take-off, the throttle can always be pulled back to slow the plane down. Since an engine on your trainer is going to take a fair amount of abuse as you learn to fly, it makes sense to purchase a lower cost, reliable brand. O.S., Super Tiger, and Irvine are 3 manufacturers known for reliable engines. A 4 stroke engine will also produce less power than the same size in a 2 stroke. Consult with a member experienced with 4 stroke engines before purchasing one.
What kinds of accessories are required?
When starting your engine, you will need a glow plug starter. We recommend purchasing one that has a rechargeable battery built in. This eliminates the need for a separate battery with wires leading to the starter. There is always the potential of catching the wire in the propeller. Other items, such as the fuel (look at the Engine instructions for recommended types) and building materials, can include glue, hinges, control rods, epoxy, wheels, screws, nuts, bolts, knives, covering material, etc.
Where can I purchase the models and supplies?
The two main suppliers are local shops and mail order dealers. There are several hobby shops in the area that stock R/C kits and accessories. It pays to shop around since prices and service can vary widely between shops (CAMFC recommend Avicraft in Chatterton Road, Bromley). A mail order dealer may sometimes have a lower cost but no service is included and no one is available to answer your phone calls when you reach a sticking point during construction, this should be a major consideration when embarking on building your first plane....
Is there an training program at CAMFC ?
From May until September, the first Sunday of the month is reserved for training. Weather permitting, training instructors and new pilots will be the focus of the flying. Outside of this scheduled program, there are also CAMFC Club experienced pilots who are willing to help new members get started. Don't hesitate to ask for help.
Please Do not attempt to fly a big IC plane without an experienced pilot at your side. Flying is not as easy as it looks. A model aircraft can become a lethal weapon if it gets out of control. When you crash, and all pilots have experienced this, try not to become discouraged. Most unplanned encounters with the ground are not usually as bad as they appear and your modelling skills will be improved as you put the pieces back together !
What are the typical learning steps?
The steps outlined below are designed to lead you through stages to make you a competent pilot and get you to your first stage BMFA 'A' certificate.
� The instructor will walk you through Setting up your airplane, Ground Safety and frequency control.
� The instructor will test fly your plane and trim the controls so that it flies straight and level, from there, using a buddy box, you will be shown how to do a circuit while maintaining your height, this is the key to the next stages and may require some time and effort. (Trainers are designed to be stable flying models. You don't need to muscle the sticks to keep the plane flying. You will only need to put very little stick movement to change directions or maintain a flight path, this is a practiced art and one that's can be hard for console players to mater, slow and smooth is the order of the day)
- Straight and level flying, getting used to the controls and then flying the 'box', a square circuit of the field with proper turns at each corner.
- Figure eights. Scribing the same pattern while maintaining altitude.
- Take-offs.
- Landings.
- Your final step will be to solo fly. Your CAMFC Club instructor will be at your side without the trainer cord attached and will not give you any instructions. When you are capable of repeated flights without problem, your CAMFC instructor will put you forward for your 'A' certificate. Once you have this you can fly solo and start to look at the next stages - who knows, with a little time and effort it could be you instructing one day !
I hope this has given you an insight to the sport and that it has inspired you to "give it a go", we look forward to welcoming you at the CAMFC flying sites..
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