OT: RC Airplanes

[crumbletop]

Hi all -- this is off topic, but I know several folks in the club do RC stuff. My son is interested in RC airplanes and I'm looking for information on where to go, who to talk to, etc. Right now we are just researching things. Any pointers will be much appreciated

 

[fishdoc11]

Hopefuly rcmike will chime in. My dad flew planes years ago at the Warner parks (Edwin Warner) field but I don't know if they even fly there anymore. I know they have a nice airfield in LaVergne.

 

[poolkeeper1]

I think Mixer911 has RC planes and may be able to steer you In the right direction.
Hey, Doc all the frags are doing great, Thanks...
Pardon, not trying to Hijack you thread...

 

[rcmike]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15295927#post15295927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishdoc11
Hopefuly rcmike will chime in.

Be glad to. I have mostly been into helicopters and cars lately but still occasionally fly planes. I would recommend a .40 or so size nitro trainer. One I have heard recommended a lot (but haven't flown personally) is this one. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?&I=LG1055&P=1 It has a semi-symmetrical wing so it can do some aerobatics but is forgiving enough a beginner should be able to handle it. You will also need an engine, radio, fuel, glow igniter, starter (or chicken stick if you want to hand start it), and some misc. stuff to get it going.

I would definitely recommend going to a club and have somebody help you out. I learned by myself and I crashed a lot to begin with. Now I fly at Columbia, they have a big 500' paved runway. I know it is a little far but if you wanted to go down there sometime I could show you some basics. Right now the only plane I have is a biplane with a 4 stroke engine so it is a little different but most everything applies. I could show you a heli too if you haven't seen one of those fly.

BTW, that is where the rc in rcmike came from. A lot of people think it has something to do with reef central.

 

[rcmike]

Oh, I would also recommend Danielle's RC There is a link to a map on there site. Or PAC RC in Smyrna off of Lowry st. Both of them have lots of planes and pretty good prices.

 

[fishdoc11]

Is the strip in Columbia on a guys property that is a construction superintendent named Jack?

It's funny, the plane you posted looks very similar to a plane my dad bought my step brother in the 70's as his first plane. I guess some of that stuff doesn't change much.

I'm glad all the frags are doing well poolkeeper1

Chris

 

[rcmike]

It used to be on Monsanto's property but it was sold to a land developer recently. They don't know the fate of the property quite yet. They are renting it on a month by month basis right now.

The basic trainer design hasn't changed much. Some are better than others but this one has been pretty popular the last few years. I have seen several fly and they seem to fly well. I got started with a very similar kit in the early 90s.

 

[ameares8]

PAC in Smyrna is right in front of my job. I had to stop in there for some airbrush stuff the other day. They are really nice and have a good selection of many different things. I think it would be worth checking out. Also, Hobby Town here in Murfreesboro is the same thing. It is in the Carrana's shopping center if you know where that is.

 

[rcmike]

What type of airbrushing do you do? Have you ever done r/c car bodies? I bought a cheap airbrush years ago and did my first car body a few months ago and it turned out okay but not great. They are clear and painted from the inside.

 

[crumbletop]

Thanks for the info. I'll probably check those stores out tomorrow. I found a club called MTRCS - so that looks like a good fit

Also, the plane at that link looks like it is just what I'm looking for. something that requires some effort to put together, but not too much. I'm still in the info gathering stage right now. I can't put in too much time, but I thought I could spend a couple of hours a week with my son building the thing and then maybe try flying in the fall with some expert help and instruction. I may take you up on the offer and it would be cool to see a heli in action.

 

[mamagoose45]

My grandfather has been building and flying RC planes for as long as I can remember. His basement looks like an airport between all of the planes hanging from the ceiling, sitting on the pool table (which we now can't use because it's a storage table), under things, etc. As a little girl, I used to get really angry with him when he would come down and rummage through my Barbie collection to steal dolls to use as "pilots"...

Jack, I know he has a computer flight simulator that he uses to stay sharp on steering/landing/etc. because it uses an actual controller instead of a video game system and is surprisingly realistic. My grandfather bought the computer so that he could buy the program because his buddy had it. Not sure what it's called, but I could find out for you.

One thing I have learned from my grandfather regarding RC planes: If you spend quite a good bit of money building a REALLY nice plane that you've been eyeballing for a few years now, don't forget to pull the antennae up on the controller when you take her out for the first flight. If not, you'll watch her sail right out of range and crash into the field, breaking into a billion pieces. The string of cuss words was probably heard from 10 miles away...

 

[crumbletop]

:lol: LMK what that computer program is. I'll look into it along with the research on the airplanes.

 

[rcmike]

Realflight is probably the most popular simulator. I have Reflex XTR and it is good also. Both of those are pretty expensive but there are cheaper ones that will teach you the basics.

Now they have 2.4 GHz radios that have a short antenna so you don't have to worry about that. The 72 MHz ones with the long antennas are getting less and less popular. The 2.4 GHz ones basically chose their own channel and won't interfere with each other. You can turn it on and fly without worrying about being on someone elses channel. At several fun flies I have been too lately they also don't impound them so you can keep your radio with you.

 

[ameares8]

Mike, to answer your question I mainly do Motorcycles. I can do anything from RC stuff to Fulll blown cars. I prefer bikes because you can get alot of detail into a decent work space without a headache of 8 hours prep work (at least it seems that long when doing cars).

 

[rcmike]

Cool. I bet motorcycles are much easier since you can just take off most of the parts that need painted.

Sorry to hijack your thread. Back the the planes.

 

[crumbletop]

I went by Danielle's today. They recommended an Alpha 40 ready to fly. Looks fairly similar to the one in the link above. I'm not sure if it has the "semi-symmetrical" wing. They said it would be a good trainer. I was tempted, but told them I'm still researching.

 

[ameares8]

Yes, they are easier. I would like to try my hand at some RC stuff again at some point. Google "True Fire Airbrush" and look at some of those images. I can do those all day long in all different colors, but I have not done one on anything small scale like planes or helicopters yet.

Sorry, about the hijack. At least it was somewhat related. Back to your thread.

 

[rcmike]

I don't really know much about that plane but it looks like a good trainer. It has a flat bottom airfoil which is slightly easier to learn on. Flat bottom wings create a lot of lift right side up but you have to put in a lot of down elevator when it is upside down. They don't do aerobatics very well but can do basic loops and rolls okay. Symmetrical wings provide equal amounts of lift right side up and upside down and are the best for aerobatics. Semi-symmetrical is a compromise between the two.

 

[NeveSSL]

All of the .40 size trainers are going to be almost the exact same thing. There are a lot of good ones out, with some of them having been on shelves for 30 years or longer (such as the SIG Kadet) that are great designs.

Keep us updated, Jack! Also, don't keep electrics out of mind. They're very convenient and now (with brushless motors and lithium polymer batteries) as powerful as the nitro planes, believe it or not.

I definitely want to second finding a good club. Most clubs have someone who is the specified club trainer by AMA, which means you get insurance until you learn.

Keep us updated, Jack! RC is another great hobby that I'm waiting until I get a job to start back into.

Have fun!

I can't believe Rick hasn't spoken up yet...

Brandon

 

[ZachB]

Cool thread. I used to fly RC Airplanes about 10 years ago, and actually had the SIG Kadet that Brandon mentioned as my trainer. Good flying airplane. Looking to start back up soon as well, would like to find a good airfield that's over in the columbia / spring hill area.