OK, time for a discussion here. I would love to hear what everyone has to say about what constitutes an intermediate, or intermediate/advanced, or advanced R/C pilot. I love watching all the video reviews and reading about the planes and then looking at the recommended user skill levels. I can certainly understand a beginner, I guess that would be a total novice with very little flight time under his/her belt and maybe only used to flying a 3 channel plane. Now the hard part. What constitutes an intermediate pilot and when does that blend into an intermediate/advanced one.
I would guess that an intermediate pilot could handle a basic 4 channel plane relatively easily. Does it mean that he/she should be able to handle all different gear configurations, flaps or no flaps, retracts/no retracts? I don't know, just asking. Maybe that is a relatively loose term that is up to the end user to determine.
Now how about advanced? Does this mean that you are excellent at everything and can handle any type of plane thrown at you and can recover from any situation with ease? Does this mean you can just grab a radio and fly any plane, do 3D if applicable, side slip landings in cross winds, perfect landings, perform immelmans, Cuban 8's, fly inverted?
I know I'm being too simplistic and your flying skills get honed every time you go out. Every plane handles differently and you might feel like an expert if you only fly 3 channel planes exclusively, or you are now able to take off and land a 4 channel plane successfully 95% of the time.
I have been flying 2 years now, I can handle a 4 channel plane. I have several warbirds, a couple of 3D EPP foamies, a few trainers, and a couple of biplanes. I can usually fly them all without mishap. I have a great time just flying the circuit around the field. I have not figured how to do inverted flight successfully (don't really desire too), nor can I do any 3D stuff successfully (not that I really want too) but I still love my Katana and Ultimate Biplane that I can throw into a loop, or do a few crazy maneuvers to see how it looks. I still get WAY nervous on the maiden flight of ANYTHING I get new. I have a new FMS Zero and Freewing P-51 that I won't get to try until spring, and I will be VERY NERVOUS. I'm afraid that I will rip off the gear on my first attempt at landing. WHEW!
I would like to try an EDF sometime, and I was looking at the Freewing F-86 Sabre, or the ME-262, but they said ADVANCED pilots. OK, what does that mean, should I never attempt those at all until I get years of experience under my belt. I understand that jets would require a whole different set of rules as far as twitchiness, speed control and responsiveness, but as an intermediate (I guess I am) pilot, are these WAY too uncontrollable for someone like me? Would I be totally miserable trying to keep it in the air? CAn I just fly them at half throttle and enjoy the sight and sound of the, without getting out of control?
Just wanted to know what people thought about what intermediate/advanced meant as a guideline. Looking forward to anyone thoughts. THANKS.
I would guess that an intermediate pilot could handle a basic 4 channel plane relatively easily. Does it mean that he/she should be able to handle all different gear configurations, flaps or no flaps, retracts/no retracts? I don't know, just asking. Maybe that is a relatively loose term that is up to the end user to determine.
Now how about advanced? Does this mean that you are excellent at everything and can handle any type of plane thrown at you and can recover from any situation with ease? Does this mean you can just grab a radio and fly any plane, do 3D if applicable, side slip landings in cross winds, perfect landings, perform immelmans, Cuban 8's, fly inverted?
I know I'm being too simplistic and your flying skills get honed every time you go out. Every plane handles differently and you might feel like an expert if you only fly 3 channel planes exclusively, or you are now able to take off and land a 4 channel plane successfully 95% of the time.
I have been flying 2 years now, I can handle a 4 channel plane. I have several warbirds, a couple of 3D EPP foamies, a few trainers, and a couple of biplanes. I can usually fly them all without mishap. I have a great time just flying the circuit around the field. I have not figured how to do inverted flight successfully (don't really desire too), nor can I do any 3D stuff successfully (not that I really want too) but I still love my Katana and Ultimate Biplane that I can throw into a loop, or do a few crazy maneuvers to see how it looks. I still get WAY nervous on the maiden flight of ANYTHING I get new. I have a new FMS Zero and Freewing P-51 that I won't get to try until spring, and I will be VERY NERVOUS. I'm afraid that I will rip off the gear on my first attempt at landing. WHEW!
I would like to try an EDF sometime, and I was looking at the Freewing F-86 Sabre, or the ME-262, but they said ADVANCED pilots. OK, what does that mean, should I never attempt those at all until I get years of experience under my belt. I understand that jets would require a whole different set of rules as far as twitchiness, speed control and responsiveness, but as an intermediate (I guess I am) pilot, are these WAY too uncontrollable for someone like me? Would I be totally miserable trying to keep it in the air? CAn I just fly them at half throttle and enjoy the sight and sound of the, without getting out of control?
Just wanted to know what people thought about what intermediate/advanced meant as a guideline. Looking forward to anyone thoughts. THANKS.
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