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Conference vmszoo::rc

Title:Welcome To The Radio Control Conference
Notice:dir's in 11, who's who in 4, sales in 6, auctions 19
Moderator:VMSSG::FRIEDRICHS
Created:Tue Jan 13 1987
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1706
Total number of notes:27193

1662.0. "Intro to RC Flying" by TAMARA::ACRO::RACKEMANN (Ford Rackemann - XANADU::RACKEMANN) Tue Apr 18 1995 17:06

Hi Folks,

    Does anyone know if, in the Lexington, Concord Mass. area, there's a 
local gathering place where folks fly on a regular basis?  I have a nephew 
who is 11 years old and interested in R/C Flying. It seems as if some 
observation might be a more efficient way of breaking into the world of 
model aviation.  Any ideas?

    Also, years ago, during my very brief stint in R/C there was a training 
radio that had another "radio" (only a set of joysticks) attached. The 
"instructor" could fly the aircraft and, by holding a button, allow the 
"students" controls to become operational. When the instructor released the 
button, he had the controls back - typically during a time of impending 
doom!!! :)  Does this still exist?  Are there folks who offer "dual 
instruction" or, better yet, demo flights in R/C? 

 Thanks!

     - Ford
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1662.1VMSSPT::FRIEDRICHSI'd rather be flying!Tue Apr 18 1995 17:4015
    Geee, Ford, are you sure this "nephew" isn't you?? :-)
    
    Yes, "buddy boxes" are used quite a bit these days.  A lot of
    instructors swear by them.  I use them, but don't require them.
    
    Yes, you can get an intro flight..  Here in Southern NH, our club has
    a club plane and 3 of us are authorized to take people up for demos.
    Contact me off-line if you want to bring your nephew up to Merrimack.
    
    I will let someone more familiar with the Concord area give you the
    details on flying sites down that way...
    
    cheers,
    jeff
    
1662.2VMSSPT::FRIEDRICHSI'd rather be flying!Tue Apr 18 1995 17:406
    Oh, you might also want to browse/print out the notes with the
    "Beginner" keywords...
    
    cheers,
    jeff
    
1662.3A couple in your areaSNAX::SMITHI FEEL THE NEEDWed Apr 19 1995 08:5031
    Hi Ford,
    
    	There's 2 clubs in your area that I can think of. One in in
    Billerica (don't know the club name). You can contact Glenn Thibeault
    at (603) 881-7345 for more info. The field is across from the
    Billerica house of correction.
    
    	The other is the 495th. They're field is someplace in the Westford
    area (I think). Someone should be able to give you a contact for this
    club.
    
    	As Jeff said, "buddy boxes" are very common. I use one whenever I
    can and prefer to instruct this way. If I have to grab the transmitter
    back from the student, I have to allow a couple of seconds to do that.
    With a buddy  box, I can allow the "unusual attitude" to exist for a
    longer period giving the student more time to correct his/her mistake.
    Training seems quicker this way.
    
    The cost of "dual instruction" (free) is the same "wet or dry". Flying 
    under the hood is discouraged, and NO CROSS COUNTRY'S are allowed. PPL
    is issued upon solo and is good for single engine land/sea, complex
    and multi engine operation. A "check ride" IS required with the student
    needing to demonstrate various maneuvers before solo/PPL is allowed.
    Emergency procedures are usually well learned during training. Also be
    aware that bending airplanes may result in an investigation by the
    DTA....Dumb Thumb Agency or worse yet by the Why It's Freaking
    Expensive....WIFE.
    
    Feel free to ask if you have any other questions. 8^)
    
    STeve