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How far away can you control them?
You'll start to lose site of the model if it gets a quarter of a mile away, but the transmitter's signal goes out as far as 3 miles.
How fast do they go?
Most of the ones you see flying are usually flying between 30-65 mph. Some of the faster models will go 80-125 mph, and the jets with real turbine engines (yes, real turbine engines) can go 180-225 mph! Jets are flown only by very experienced flyers.
How long does it take to learn to fly?
With an instructor and a "buddy box", most people learn in a month or two if they come out a couple of times a week. Kids learn fast because they've played so many video games! A buddy box is a dummy transmitter you use that costs about $35. It sends the signal out through your regular transmitter, which your instructor uses. If you get in trouble, your instructor can immediately take control of your airplane and save it! You rarely crash when learning to fly with a buddy box. Don't try to learn without an instructor!!!
How much does it cost?
About $400 - $500 for all new stuff, and $150+ for good, used stuff ...
Trainer airplanes cost $100 - $135. There are 90% pre-built models to get you flying quicker ... these are called ARF's (Almost Ready to Fly) and can be built in 5-10 hrs.
Radio equipment costs $150 - $200. This includes the transmitter, a receiver that goes in the plane, four servos, a battery to power the receiver & servos, a switch to turn the receiver on/off, and a wall charger for transmitter & receiver batteries. If you're serious about getting into the hobby, consider buying a computer radio.
An engine for the airplane will cost $75 - $125. (We like the OS .46FX for trainers.)
Other miscellaneous items can cost $40 ... fuel, fuel pump, glow plug starter. Later on, you may add an electric starter and it's battery for $60, and a flight box for $25.
Joining the Academy of Model Aeronautics (1-800-I-FLY-AMA) is required so you'll have the insurance membership provides. This is required to fly at parks like Buder Park and at all private clubs. It's about $48/yr, but less for those under 18.
Dues for our private R/C club (www.slrcfa.com) are $125/yr. Some area clubs are lower. Flying at Buder Park requires the AMA insurance and a donation of $10.
How do I get started?
Come out to St. Louis R/C Flying Association (SLRCFA) on weekends and Wednesday evenings to ask questions and to check out the most variety of trainers and the types of radios used. Sundays from 11AM to 4PM tends to have the most flyers. Get directions to our club's field, and find out about our club's events and meeting dates at www.slrcfa.com. Buder Park in Valley Park, MO is also a very popular, public R/C flying site to see R/C planes.
Go to a hobby shop that has a lot of R/C airplanes. Schaefer's Hobby Shop, on Gravois just east of Lindbergh, is one of the best R/C stores in the entire region. You'll see almost a hundred planes for sale and all kinds of motors and radios. In the St. Charles area, visit Mark Twain Hobbies, just west of the water tower. There are others, but these stores have the most stuff.
Pick up a magazine or two at a hobby store to learn the language of R/C airplanes ... R/C Modeler and Model Airplane News have lots of colored ads and articles on popular new models. R/C Reports has lots more how-to information, but less colored pictures and catalog-styled ads.
What kind of plane should I get started with?
You definitely need a trainer to learn on! These are designed to be more docile and forgiving for the new pilot. They're far more easier to learn to takeoff and land with. Save the temptation to buy a really cool model until after you've learned to fly. That cool model won't last long very long as your first airplane.
Most beginners prefer to buy a trainer that is an ARF kit. This stands for Almost Ready to Fly. It comes 90% pre-built ... the wing, fuselage, tail, etc. are already built for you ... you just have to join the big pieces together. In 2-10 hours you're ready to fly, depending on the kit! With an ARF, you don't need any of the special tools, or the skills and patience needed to build a plane from a traditional kit. Kits can take 40 to 70 hours for the inexperienced person to complete.
Popular trainers come in what are referred to as "forty-sized" or "sixty-sized" models. This refers to the size of the engines that are suggested to power them. "Forty-sized" refers to an engine that is .40 to .49 cubic inches, and "sixty-sized" refers to an engine that is .60 to .69 cubic inches. Most people learn on a forty-sized trainer. The OS .46FX is a very popular forty-sized engine for trainers. OS is the brand name, it's .46 cubic inches, and the FX means it has long-lasting bearings instead of the cheaper sleeves. This OS .46FX will also be a dandy motor for the more aerobatic airplane that you'll buy after you've mastered your trainer. Some people skimp when they buy their first motor and then find out later that it has disappointing power for the next plane they want to fly.
Popular ARF trainers are made by brands like Hanger 9, Sig, Thunder Tiger & others. Hanger 9 sells two different packages where the ARF plane, radio, and engine come altogether and 95% assembled ... the radio and engine are already installed for you. There are two models to choose from ... the Xtra Easy ARF trainer, and their brand new, Ready-to-Fly ALPHA trainer. The Xtra Easy sells for $380 complete ... the ALPHA is a tad more. You'll be learning to fly in 2-5 hrs.
Forty-sized trainers tend to have a wingspan of about 4.5 to 5 feet and weigh around 5 pounds. Sixty-sized trainers tend to have a wingspan just over 6 feet and weight 6.5 to 7.0 pounds. The larger trainers are a little bigger and easier to see, and tend to be more stable due to their weight. Take a small boat on a wavy lake ... it will bounce around a little more than a slightly larger one.
The three most popular brands of radios are JR (say the two letters, not "junior"), Futaba, and Airtronics. This is like talking GM, Ford, and Chrysler ... every pilot thinks his brand is the best. Visit some flying sites and see what the good pilots are using. Look at the various models and ask questions. Then buy the brand you like and feels the most comfortable in your hands. Do yourself a favor, don't skimp too much ... buy a radio with "dual rates" on the elevator and ailerons. This feature allows you to "tame down" an airplane while you learn to fly, takeoff, land, or just want to fly some normal aerobatic maneuvers. But, as your experience grows, and you want to learn some advanced maneuvers, flipping the switches to the second (dual) higher rate of control allows your elevator and ailerons to deflect even more air so you can perform these advanced maneuvers. If you think you will be in the hobby for a long time, consider buying a computer radio for even more neat features that will reduce your workload as a pilot.
For more information about this wonderful family hobby and learning to fly, visit our club's website at www.slrcfa.com. Check out the photos of our members' model airplanes.
FAQ by: George Biderman, 2003