Conference vmszoo::rc

    Hello Ethan,
    
    I realize that it's been a while since you entered your note here.
    But this was the first time I saw it and here it goes.
    
    First, you are looking for a real bargain! The plane for that kind
    of money is no problem IF you can build it from a kit. What I mean
    is that the only way to buy a new plane for that price is in the
    form of a pile of lumber. Most of the parts will be precut and,
    usually, fit well together. However, glueing it all together requires
    the use of techniques which can be tricky at times. And if you don't
    know what you are doing, it may turn out that it doesn't fly. Or
    WORSE, it may take off and crash and hurt someone. SO DON'T BUY
    A KIT UNLESS YOU A SURE YOU CAN EITHER BUILD IT OR CAN GET HELP
    TO PUT IT TOGETHER.
    
    Second, there are some inexpensive motors for the price range you
    mentioned. The best motor I know for low price are the Magnums.
    The K & Bs are also inexpensive but not as hot performers.
    
    Third is your real problem: there are any radios that cheap. Even
    if you could find some 2 or 3 channel car or boat radio for that
    kind of money, IT IS ILLEGAL TO USE THOSE RADIOS IN MODEL AIRCRAFT.
    I could explain to you why in very complicated language but the
    short version is: the radios for cars and boats don't have to be
    as powerful and don't have to reach as far and the radios used for
    airplanes. The frquency designations are also different. The result
    is that the inexpensive car radios don't go very far at all. In
    a car that is not very important but a plane that flies out of control
    becomes a very dangerous device. You may not realize that, but a
    falling model airplane can reach more that one hundred kilomtres
    per hour ( more that 60 miles an hour in the old system ). That
    could do a lot of damage - or even kill someone.
    
    So here are your alternatives, in my opinion.
    
    Go find a hobby store that at least looks like it supplies a lot
    of model airplanes stuff. You can differenciate those from the stores
    in malls ( the ones that carry GI Joe figures, Chemistry sets etc)
    by the number of gadgets related exclusively to aircraft: good
    selection of engines, balsa in bulk, many kinds of different glues,
    control rods, radios for airplanes, etc. Usually those stores carry
    some remote control cars and boats as well.
    
    Talk to somebody who is willing to help, maybe even a customer.
    You have to find where the nearest club is. You must join the club
    and also the AMA (it may be that the club will send the application
    to the AMA for you). The reason why you must join a club is three-fold:
    They will teach you how to fly! It is just not possible to learn
    how to fly by yourself. There is the Insurance part too.If your
    plane hits something or somebody, you must have insurance to cover
    the damages. Finally, clubs always have members with LOTS OF STUFF
    FOR SALES EXACTLY FOR THE PRICES YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!
    
    But you have to be friends with at least one guy in one hobby store.
    In this hobby there are lots of things to buy and your friend store-
    owner will help you find the least expensive ways of fixing your
    little problems which, inevitably, will occur.
    
    Ask Dad's help, too.
    
    Well, I have to go,now. But if you want to talk to me again, just
    ask Dad to add a reply to this note.
    
    See ya
    
    Fern

Hi, 

I know absolutely nothing about RC anything...   That being said...  

My husband has a birthday coming up.   Recently, he had occasion to 
meet someone who builds and flies RC planes from kits.    He mentioned 
that it is something he would like to "get into", "try", (I forget the 
actual word). 


So I thought that I would look into it.    Can someone help out with a 
brief synopsis?   What would one look for in an entry level kit?   
What is the approximate cost of this?     Is a feasible alternative to 
buy used (I assume through this conference)? 

Thank you, 

Karen 

    Karen,
    	First things first, you're looking at between $300 to $500 to "Get
    Into" RC. It ain't a cheap hobby!! Previously owned is nice, but not
    that easy to find.
    
    	I would suggest that your husband hook up with a local club and
    start talking to some of the members. We can point you to a few clubs
    if you'll tell us what town you live in.  By attending a meeting he can
    talk to a lot of people, and possibly arrange a time to meet at a
    flying site and possibly get some stick time. (Yes, some of us do fly
    all year round!) 
    
    If you'd like, have him give me a call, I'll be happy to talk to him
    and see what I can do to get him started.
    
    Dan Snow
    Home (508) 897-2443
    Maynard, MA

    Karen,
    
    You need to find out what sort of R/C flying your husband has in mind.
    There is such a diversity of planes, equipment, prices, ad infinitum,
    that we'd be loading you up with a confusing mass of detail.
    
    If we knew what areas of R/C he's looking at we could narrow down the
    advice to the relevant stuff.
    
    Terry

Cough, wheeze...    (sticker shock)

Yipes !   I had no idea that starting out was that expensive.   Well, 
this is certainly not a suprise gift.    Go to Plan B.  

Dan, thank you for your help.  Actually, we live in Maynard also.   
After his birthday (next month) I'll tell him I looked into it and 
show him your note.  If he decides to pursue it seriously he will give 
you a call.  

Thank you !!  

Karen 

    
    Karen,
    
    	I'm pretty sure most people will stear you towards a 40 sized
    kit.  What that means is that the engine used on the plane is
    40/100 of a cubic inch.  It's enough to say it's a 40 sized plane.
    
    Why 40 sized?  Well, it's a very popular size of engine and hundreds
    of kits and plans are available.  It also is a good sized plane in that
    they are typically 54- 60" in wing span.  Wingspan is how long the wing 
    is from one wing tip to the other wing tip.  Size is important because
    larger planes are less effected by the wing.  OK things to look for,
    
    1,  Four channel control,  Ailerons, elevator, rudder and throttle.
    
    2,  Wing on top.
    
    3,  NOT SCALE, meaning not being modeled after a real plane.
    
    4,  Good strong, light construction.
    
    
    I'd suggest a;  Great Planes PT40
                    Goldberg Eaglet 50
    		    Midwest Aerostar 40
    		    Dynaflite Cessna .40 
    
     to name a few.  Also purchase some glue Try  UFO Thick or Superjet
    Thick and some brand of 5 minute epoxy.
    
    
    A nice way to go ( I got this for christmas:-)) would be to get him a
    little plastic plane from the toy setion ( mine was Lego blocks) and
    enclose with it some money or an IOU for the plane items.  That way
    he can make the decisions what is purchased.  I quess that for 75.00
    to 100.00 dollars a kit and everything to get it built except for the
    engine and radio could be purchased.
    
    My self, I like the IOU idea.  Let's me get what I want.
    
    
    Tom 

Thank you for the information, it sounds like a basic start.  

Yes, within two responses I realized this is not something you buy for 
someone.   Especially when their statement of interest was so vague. 

This is going to sound like a really stupid question...   I'm relating 
this to kit flying...  

Ok, so you build it and get an engine and all, and it goes up, and it 
promptly comes down.     Do they just get totalled and all that money 
is wasted?   Or are they easier to fly than that? or are they more 
durable than that?  

thanks, 

Karen 

    check out the beginner topics (they're keyworded) and you'll see
    answers to most of these questions. Depending on the crash, some or all
    of the stuff is reusable. You can learn with the minimum of crashes by
    joining a local club and getting the help of an instructor. 

    DW2 mentioned that he met that guy in RC Buyers last night who was
    hot-to-trot to get into RC.  Yeah!  he has a problem all right.  Wants
    to fly something exciting right up front, like a Sportaire 40 with
    tuned pipe like the one Bob Broeder flys.
    
    Jeff worked with him for quite a while.  Irv Searl spent a lot of time
    offering advice.  I chimed in a bit as well.  But this guy wasn't
    listening to reason.  Seemed like he only makes glandular decisions.
    He acted like a _verry_ impatient type who has NO patience for
    anything.  He kept saying he didn't have the patience to build a kit,
    and even frowned at the thought of glueing together the wings of the
    ARF.  He'll be a handful at the field.
    
    It sounds like he finally listened to reason and bought the high-wing
    ARF.  That's a relief.
    
    Jeff said he could be my student.  Gee, Jeff,  how come you're being so
    nice.... ?
    
    -Joe, who's-bracing-himself
                               
    

    The first time he stuffs $500.00 into the ground his impatient attitude
    will chill a bit.  Whats the possibility of getting him to the field on
    a buddy box so he can get a feel for how difficult even a trainer is 
    for a first timer?
    
    Will
      

    We don't mind if he stuffs it into the ground but we do mind if it is
    us that he hits!
    
    E.

    Joe and I realized after the fact that taking him up before he 
    bought probably would have been the best move..  (Not so sure 
    RC Buyers would have been happy with that suggestion though...)
    
    He claims he is going to join our club...  But I would not be
    real surprised if he decides he can do it on his own..  This is 
    *serious* type A personality that we are talking about here..
    
    Oh well, we will wait and see what he does next..  He has our club
    handout...
    
    cheers,
    jeff