Starting in Radio Controlled flying

Do you "have" an RC airplane but are afraid to fly it, or you broke it the first time out? Is there a better way to get into this hobby?

Yes, there is. First you need to recognize that you need an airplane that meets several specifications:

• It flies well enough to be interesting once you learn how. This means at least three channels of control (left/right, up/down, and throttle) and enough power to fly at half throttle.
• It is tough enough to survive the learning process.
• It will fly where you have the opportunity, not just at official model fields. And without consideration for interference from CB radios and other RC devices.

To meet these specifications, you'll have to abandon decades of obsolete technology: balsa, glow engines, and 27 or 72 mhz (long antenna) radio gear. Here is the set of technologies you need:

• Electric motor, brushless on any model over 20" wingspan.
• Foam. Forget styrofoam, you need an advanced foam that can take abuse. Manufacturers have names for such materials: Elapor, Z-foam, EPO.
• 2.4 megahertz radio control gear. I've had poor luck with off-brand gear, so I stick with a name brand (in my case Spektrum/Parkzone/JR although Futaba and Multiplex are just as good).

Several manufacturers make airplanes that meet these specifications. My favorite is ParkZone. If you're starting from scratch, here are my recommendations based on my own experience with them*.

1. Begin with the Night Vapor. Fly it until the left/right issue feels natural. This airplane can fly inside large spaces such as a gymnasium. It will not handle more than about 3 MPH of wind. Once airborne, keep the throttle near 50% or it will not control well. This airplane is capable of both inside and outside loops, and I've used it to carry a sign (use cover stock paper, 8-1/2 inches by 4 inches). If you can't find one locally you can get it at http://www.horizonhobby.com/products/night-vapor-rtf-PKZU1100
2. Next, the T-28. This airplane is fully aerobatic - it will do loops and rolls nicely, and can do inverted flight. It is too fast for indoors, however. With this speed comes the ability to handle up to perhaps 10 MPH of wind. If you can't find one locally you can get it at http://www.horizonhobby.com/products/ultra-micro-t-28-trojan-rtf-PKZU1500
3. If you want to do aerial photography, you'll need one of the 40"+-size models. Look for one with a motor just behind the wing and a nose that has plenty of room in the cockpit for gear. The Multiplex Easy Star does well - although the RTF version has obsolete radio and propulsion gear, so you'll need to buy the kit version and build it up. Equip it with a brushless motor/ESC. Remember, you'll need skill to fly your airplane well because you want that camera back! You can get it from http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFRU7&P=FR. Consult the Easy Star conversation at RCGroups for information on proper equipment such as battery, motor, ESC, and radio. I use a Spektrum DX6i from Horizon Hobby and a 2200kv motor from Hobby King.

The conditions you need for early flying are very important. These restrictions relax as your skill improves.

• Plenty of space - at least 200 x 200 with no trees or buildings. You can usually fix an airplane that has crashed, but if you can't get to it the airplane is gone forever. Think of trees as having airplane-attracting magnets. An airplane that weights less than 2 pounds that gets stuck in a tree will probably be a long way from the part that supports your body weight. Light poles are also a problem, and exclude many parking lots and athletic fields - unless you are using a micro flyer.
• No wind, or very little. There is a drect relationship between wind and your skill level. Wind adds uncertainty for which you need to compensate by instinctive movement of the controls. Wind + obstacles = turbulence. Trees upwind of your flying area will turn wind into unpredictable gusts, even if you have plenty of space for flying. A parking lot with cars in it will have turbulence that makes landing a challenge.

* You may notice the absence of fighter planes from my list. As a conscientious objector, I don't fly models of airplanes which have been historically associated with weapons.

Note: In the past I've recommended the Multiplex Easy Star as a first model. I have suspended that recommendation for several reasons:

1. The Easy Star requires more space than most people have, when they begin flying.
2. The Easy Star has fallen way behind the market in terms of RTF technology. A new Easy Star is in the works but as of this writing it is not available in the USA.
3. The Easy Star is from a company whose electronic products are, in my opinion, over-priced.
4. No local hobby store I've seen carries the Easy Star - probably for the above reasons.