Part 1 - Getting Started Flying RC Airplanes and Helicopters
In this article (and in Part 2) we talk about working with experienced fliers and computer software flight simulators that can help you develop your skills and avoid crashes. If that's not an option, and you'll be learning on your own, it's best to start with an aircraft that's designed specifically for beginners. Look for one that has 1 or 2 channels (in some cases 3 channels are OK; but never more than 3; and many 3 channel craft are just too complicated for someone who is just getting started, and doesn't have any help). Some models have the option to upgrade later - to add another channel or maybe to switch from beginner to expert mode - as your flying skills improve. If you're like me, the first 10 to 20 times you try to fly your craft, you'll wonder if you'll ever get the hang of even the most simple and basic things. Don't get discouraged. Keep trying. It really will get easier - and easier - and more and more fun! I never played video games much and had never flown a real aircraft. People who have played a lot of video games often pick up the basic RC flying skills more quickly than those who haven't. Flying RC improves hand-to-eye coordination and mental focus.
One good step to take early on, is to locate an RC club in your area, where you'll probably find several members willing to help - most RC pilots love their hobby and are happy to share their knowledge with beginners. Many clubs have a chief instructor who works with those new to the hobby. Training with an experienced flier can really shorten your learning curve; if you’ve already bought an aircraft, working with a seasoned pilot can help you avoid or minimize damage to your RC plane or helicopter; if you've not yet made that purchase, your local club may have trainer airplanes or helicopters you can use and a "buddy box" which will be covered in the next article in this series. For the location of a local RC club near you, and a directory of RC flight instructors, check out the website of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) at www.modelaircraft.org.
Your local club may require that you become an AMA member as a prerequisite to joining and using their field on a regular basis. Even if they don't, we recommend AMA membership -- the organization works to promote RC modeling and the interests of RC enthusiasts, and also provides liability insurance coverage, something you'll need at most flying fields. You can sign up to become an AMA member online or by calling 1-765-287-1256 (press '1' for membership services).
If there's more than one club within easy driving distance and you have the time, why not visit them all? Perhaps you'll just really hit it off with one group, or another has a great instructional program, or one has a more convenient field. Be aware that most clubs charge dues, but the amount can vary - so be sure to ask how much and what levels of membership they offer.
"How to" books and videos are helpful to RC fliers of all skill levels, but particularly those who are new to RC model flight. We offer a number of these instructional tools in our store at RcPlanesandCopters.com, and you’ll also find informative and entertaining videos on various aspects of radio control flight for free on the Internet.Another step we recommend is virtual flying with an RC flight simulator. It’s almost like the real thing, it can be done in any weather, at any time for day or night, and virtual crashes beat real ones every time. Damages to your plane will happen—even the pros make mistakes occasionally—but a flight simulator will give you the experience you need to lessen those and so end up saving you money in the not-too-long run. RC simulators are available for either RC airplanes only or for both planes and RC helicopters, and can be downloaded or purchased as kits. For learning the basics of radio control aviation, simulators are the next best thing to the flying field, and will allow you to continue to sharpen your skills, even past the beginner stage.
The ClearView RC Flight Simulator by SVK systems has a free trial period and costs only $39.95 to purchase. Once you purchase, you will receive instant activation, lifetime support and lifetime free upgrades to any new version. SVK also offers a combo deal: the ClearView RC Flight Simulator and AC3D Personal License Combo ($99.95). With this version, you can create your own plane and helicopter models in ClearView using the 3d modeling program AC3D.
System Requirements:ClearView starts in demo mode, where some of the menu selections are disabled. Free trial time is provided. Once you verify that the simulator works well on your computer, you can unlock the entire program by online purchase. To download and start your free trial, go to http://www.rcflightsim.com/download.html
Click here to see great RC How-to Books like these:
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There is an organized schedule of progress specifically for RC helicopter pilots on the IRCHA's website. It's called the Pilot Proficiency Program (PPP) and you can download the Word documents for Levels 1 through 7 at: http://ircha.org/index.php?pr=PPP_Levels It is strongly recommended that you complete the steps in the order they are listed. Discipline and precision will pay off big-time as your flying skills progress.
