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ratbastid · 09-12-2007, 11:25 AM

I started one a while back... I've been flying RC since January. I posted about it over here (complete with photos and aerial videos): http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=113306

Here's the plane I recommend starting with, the 3-channel Wing Dragon: http://www.hobby-lobby.com/wingdragon.htm

There's no better value in beginner RC airplanes than that one, right now. I totally loved mine, and it put up with a LOT of beginner abuse from me. I finally killed it when I got too big for my britches and tried something with it I had no right to try with a plane of that type... But even old-timers often keep a little 3-channel trainer around for relaxing flights between barnstorming runs with higher-powered planes.

For $89 plus shipping, the Dragon comes with everything you NEED... You might WANT to pick up a second battery. That's a GREAT price for an RTF ("Ready To Fly") plane of that quality.

There may be municipal ordinances covering RC flight, and certainly some parks have rules about it. Unless you've got one heck of a backyard, you probably don't have room out back for it. Your first flight with the Wing Dragon should be in a space the size of a soccer field, at least.

There's a free RC simulator called FMS. It's okay, but it's not really very much like actual flight. You can build SOME chops on it though. The thing most first-timers have trouble with is the way the controls reverse--when the plane is flying toward you, left-stick causes right-turn. You can get that ingrained somewhat in a simulator. But nothing trains you to fly like FLYING.

The very best RC forum is http://www.rcgroups.com. I go by "ratb" there, because "ratbastid" was deemed "not family friendly"

09-12-2007, 11:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	I started one a while back... I've been flying RC since January. I posted about it over here (complete with photos and aerial videos): http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=113306 Here's the plane I recommend starting with, the 3-channel Wing Dragon: http://www.hobby-lobby.com/wingdragon.htm There's no better value in beginner RC airplanes than that one, right now. I totally loved mine, and it put up with a LOT of beginner abuse from me. I finally killed it when I got too big for my britches and tried something with it I had no right to try with a plane of that type... But even old-timers often keep a little 3-channel trainer around for relaxing flights between barnstorming runs with higher-powered planes. For $89 plus shipping, the Dragon comes with everything you NEED... You might WANT to pick up a second battery. That's a GREAT price for an RTF ("Ready To Fly") plane of that quality. There may be municipal ordinances covering RC flight, and certainly some parks have rules about it. Unless you've got one heck of a backyard, you probably don't have room out back for it. Your first flight with the Wing Dragon should be in a space the size of a soccer field, at least. There's a free RC simulator called FMS. It's okay, but it's not really very much like actual flight. You can build SOME chops on it though. The thing most first-timers have trouble with is the way the controls reverse--when the plane is flying toward you, left-stick causes right-turn. You can get that ingrained somewhat in a simulator. But nothing trains you to fly like FLYING. The very best RC forum is http://www.rcgroups.com. I go by "ratb" there, because "ratbastid" was deemed "not family friendly"