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If You're New to R/C Flying

The following section is mainly designed for those who are totally new to the hobby. But experienced full-scale pilots must also make a transition into R/C flying, as there are some fairly significant differences (mostly with regard to the mental difficulty of controlling the aircraft "remotely") between models and full scale.

Which model should I get?
There are benefits to getting an RTF (Ready to Fly) or an ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) as opposed to kits. Generally speaking, by the time you buy a kit, the hardware and the covering, you have spent as much as the RTF or ARF. And it will take you at lest twice as long to put the kit together as it will to assemble an ARF... and an RTF is ready in minutes!  It takes a good deal of patience, the right tools, and a bit of careful expertise to build a kit "straight and true" so that the plane flies properly.  If you would really rather fly the plane than to build it, an RTF or ARF is the way to go.  An ARF kit is a good introduction to building, since most of the carpentry and covering has been done for you.  An ARF will require you to mount the engine, servos, electronic wiring, battery, switches, pushrods and control horns, fuel tank and tubing, landing gear and usually attach the tail surfaces, and hinge the control surfaces (ailerons, elevator and rudder).  It is a good deal of work, but far less than a kit.

What about getting equipment for the plane?
If you are just starting out: Don't load up your Visa/Mastercard with all kinds of "fancy"equipment, flight boxes etc. Get just the bare minimum that you need to start and fly the plane, get some fuel and get to the field. After you've worked with an instructor, and met some fellow pilots, read some of the magazines, and thought it over, then you can decide what equipment you want. There is a lot to choose from. And there is a lot of good used equipment available through the club or swap meets. All too often, new hobbyists overspend, don't learn as quickly as they had hoped, and get discouraged. This is especially true if they tear up their first airplane. Keep your investment small until you gain some momentum.  Take it easy as you fly and don't take too many chances.  Be patient and read RC model aircraft magazines.  Do as much research as you can on how to fly models and how to build and maintain them.  You may want to fly more than build, but remember that a poorly configured plane won't fly very well, or very long!

What is the fastest way to learn?
It would be in your best interest to purchase a computer simulation of RC model aircraft flight.  A full-scale aircraft flight simulator is not nearly as helpful as an RC flight simulator.  With an RC simulator, your view of the plane is from the ground, as if you were standing in the field next to the runway.  Also, the plane in an RC sim is small and light, and moves much faster relative to your location, and will have the proper aerodynamic behaviors based on the physics of the model scale weight, lift, power and drag that a real RC model would have (which is much faster and more erratic than that of a full scale aircraft... because of the model's smaller size relative to the same air)  Plus,  the controller that comes with an RC sim works exactly like a real RC transmitter... so you can get used to the controls.  An RC simulator will help you learn faster, enjoy flying more, be able to "fly" at home anytime (rain or shine... day or night!), and MOST IMPORTANTLY... it will save you thousands of dollars on your way to becoming an expert in 1/4 the time.  Every time you crash a plane on the simulator, don't forget to say to yourself "Three hundred dollars" or even "Five hundred dollars" as you press the "Reset" button and take off again..

What if I'm more knowledgeable about flying than other 'beginners'
Unless you've absolutely conquered the sky with an RC plane, don't be so sure of yourself.  Some of the best pilots are extremely cautious about RC flying... even with years of experience.  And don't be too quick to buy that "flashy" or "custom" plane.  Be willing to start with an "easy" plane.  Chances are you may be buying a second plane within a few months, or even days... when you're trainer plane loses the battle with gravity!!   Take your time.  You'll need to be able to maintain positive control of your aircraft in a variety of wind conditions, light and weather conditions, and around other RC traffic.  You should learn all the types of possible flight maneuvers, including some aerobatic maneuvers, until you have no doubt about your ability to safely recover the proper flight attitude, to avoid obstacles, and to insure that you would not inadvertently jeopardize any person or property with your aircraft.  Soon enough, you will be surprised to find that you are ready to advance to a higher performance aircraft.  Get several hours of flight time (50-75 flights) after you've soloed and you'll be confident about making the transition to a better plane.