MexicanOnABike

Hi! I just recently got a RC-flyer magazine out of pure boredom but I does look cool to try out as a hobby. So I'd like to start a thread to discuss anything RC or if anyone is a pro at it that can answer some questions maybe?!

My 1st questions are: how are the laws on RC planes? could I just take it out in my backyard and fly around?

Are there any plans online where i can easily make a plane that's solid enough and not too expensive?

the softwares to play on your computer to simulate RC flying: are they accurate, not too expensive?


If you prefer to just direct me to an RC forum, go for it but I figured we could have a TFP thread about it.

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ratbastid

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"

Jinn

Great Planes (RealFlight) is an excellent simulator if you steal it. If not, it'll cost more than your plane itself. I've used it for both RC helicopter and RC plane practice, and it's very realistic ( to the point you almost cringe when your fake RC takes a nosedive )

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BadNick

I remember ratbastid's thread about this, I loved his onboard video ...after showing it to my 11yo boy back then we had to get him an RC plane, or actually someone else gave it to him for a present. Unfortunately, it wasn't the Wing Dragon so it barely got off the ground a couple times before it started breaking and we abandoned it. Thanks, this reminds me to get him the Wing Dragon this week.

We have a few parks around Phila that have specific areas where RC flying is allowed, and there are usually people or even large groups there doing it on nice days, all sorts of great looking planes. Our favorite is on Valley Forge Rd. on the edge of Valley Forge Park ....we went by there last week late in the day and stumbled on a "star party" with a field full of telescopes!

MexicanOnABike

everyone: thanks for the input. I'll check out the rc forum and I did see ratbastid's thread 6months ago. I thought i'd start a generic one since i didn't want to kill his thread with random questions.

Rat: how is the remote that comes with the plane? easy enough to use? I'm tempted to try it out.

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ratbastid

It's a very basic 3-channel remote. The rudder and elevator are controlled by the vertical and horizontal axis (respectively) of the right stick. The throttle (technically, the power output of the electronic speed controller) is controlled by a slider on the left. Very standard.

Here's the only thing: the 3-channel version of the Wing Dragon has a stock radio that's on 27mHz. That's the frequency shared by RC toys, and flying on that frequency in any sort of populated area comes with a risk of interference. The 4-channel version comes with a 72mHz radio, which is a piece of spectrum reserved for hobby RC aviation, and--provided you're talking with anyone flying around you and can make sure you're not sharing one of the 32 channels inside the 72mHz band--should be much less prone to trouble. Also, with the 72mHz radio, you can buy a second receiver that will work with the same transmitter, so you can fly your next plane from the same Tx. All the "real" (as opposed to 27mHz "toy") radio equipment is standardized and interoperable.

Here's what I did. I bought a Wing Dragon 4, and a spare wing kit from a Wing Dragon 3. The wings are interchangeable, and with a WD3 wing kit on it, it IS a 3-channel Wing Dragon, but with a much better radio. I flew that for a while until I was ready for the next challenge, then put the 4-channel wing on.

That way I basically got my first AND second planes for only a bit more than I might spend for a first plane. Well, actually, a whole lot LESS than I might spend for a first plane... There are MUCH more expensive ways to go.

Craven Morehead

Interesting that you should ask that question. I have two friends that are involved with RC planes; one as a hobby and the other as a professional, who is presently in Iraq supporting an Aussie group using his employer's UAV.

The level of sophistication in today's hobbyist RC planes is very high. So much that the government is somewhat concerned about where this technology is heading. Its something I never thought about, but a hobbyist RC plane and an UAV aren't all that far apart.

bobby

when you are ready for some thing a little bigger.....

http://www.kladblog.com/content/html...9/speeltje.asp

xoxoxoo..........wow

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Datalife2

I like an rc plane but i know it wouldnt last long.
Hmm.. i wonder if ther is such thing as an rc hang glider

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MSD

I'm probably getting a Blade CX2 helicopter; I know I can rig up a wireless camera, and I'm probably going to wire up a mechanism to drop something small.

JStrider

When I was in highschool my dad bought me a remote control plane kit to build and learn... we built everything and then it was time to cover it... and we just lost our momentum and she sat uncovered till half way thru college, and now I've got her mostly covered. need to finish it up and learn how to fly her... maybe I should get one of those wingdragons to start learning on and hopefully be inspiration

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ratbastid

That'd be smart. My maiden flight lasted four seconds. It'd be a shame to bust up a pretty balsa kit on your first time out.

JStrider

It was supposed to come with free training from the folks at the hobby shop we bought everything at... but I dont know if that would still be honored 8+ years later... not to mention I'm not living there anymore.

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silent_jay

Never flown an rc plane, although they look cool, been flying an Air Hog Havoc around my apartment for the past few weeks. These things are so cool,my buddy bought the laser ones and ended up cutting the body on the one I have, I glued it back together, got the wings fitted properly again and she flies like new, great little toy to screw around with when you're bored.

This is it here:

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ratbastid

Yeah, those are fun. Cheapest helicopter you can get, and it flies harmlessly indoors. Of course, the control you have over it is...

MSD

I ordered the Blade CX2 on Thursday. I'll let you all know how it flies later this week.

MexicanOnABike

I'm still looking for something fun to fly. right now, i'm gonna keep looking for winter and see if i can get something by next spring/summer. that way i can do all the research possible and try a few flight sim as well.

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