The New guy.

[danloc78]

Hey there, I just went through the process of becoming an AMA member. The club where I'd like to fly requires all members to be AMA members.

http://www.modelaircraft.org/members...lications.aspx

[XF-15DCC]

Just like danloc78 mentioned. Most clubs, if not all that are associated with the AMA require membership with the AMA. One more place to register is with the FAA.

http://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/faqs/

Registering with the FAA is still a touchy subject with some. Our club made it a requirement for the reason we are close to a small airport. Even though we are called "Robertson Field North" and we go to their yearly fly-in and classic car show, our President thought it would be a good idea. The field we are at is owned by the town and we get it yearly at a great price. So it was more of a lets be pro-active and not give anyone ammo to make us move.


Kevin

[saint]

Outstanding... We have a local club and one in Coachella.


Do they offer a flight school of some kind?

[XF-15DCC]

Sorry Saint, who is "they"? Your club? Bet they do.

[saint]

Sorry Saint, who is "they"? Your club? Bet they do.

Sorry about that.... AMA.

[XF-15DCC]

Nope, don't think so. Check the link on post 111 and look around the site. That is not the purpose of the AMA. However your local club is your best bet. Try and find their meeting times. If they have a web site you should be able to get a POC. I bet they have a few folks with buddy boxes that would be more than willing to get you in the air and help with choosing your equipment and aircraft.

Kevin

[danloc78]

I'm sort of in the same boat as you saint. Just picked up the hobby and started scouting local clubs. The club I've zeroed in on has instructors that will train new members for free. I'm sure part of that is to help and part to ensure the new member will not be a safety risk to others when flying at their field.

Before signing up for training at the club I had to sign up with the AMA (I did the three month trial membership for $20). I'm sure your local club would have guys that are willing to provide some instruction. The season hasn't started here just yet because it's still a bit chilly...can't wait to get out there and start flying.

[OV10]

The club I've zeroed in on has instructors that will train new members for free.

If a club is charging members for training.......RUN AWAY. You don't need to support that sort of an organization that has that lame practice.
I am the lead flight instructor at our club and have invested countless hours and expense in training new members as well as refresher training for existing members along with being the go to guy for helping make new bird maidens a success to those too nervous to do it themselves. I can't even begin to imagine our club trying to charge, because if they did then they couldn't afford my back charges :p ;) .

[saint]

Thank you guys. Yea they had said that one of the hobby shops has a guy who teaches but is unsure what his charge is. But will be on the lookout. Just want to be as proficient as possible to teach my man cubs how to fly. I love being a dad.... get to do things I wanted to do as a kid but label it as doing it for my kids....lol. Truth be told.... my kids keep me going thoug.

[PappaBear]

Some instructors charge because they are doing it on a professional basis, it's there living. Normally anyone charging will provide a professional service as well as providing all the equipment from the model, fuel, TXs and ground instruction. A good instructor will be able to tell you why a plane has crashed, but more importantly will be able teach you how to prevent it from happening.

Martin.

[doctormike]

CHARGE?!! There are SO many experienced RC pilots who would be thrilled to teach you, and never even think of charging you!...With the exception of the professionals that Martin is speaking of. Doc

[benjack71]

Alrighty folks.... my name is AL. A little about myself as well as a plan to get into the hobby.

I am 46 and a disabled Veteran of the USMC. I have always wanted an RC Airplane but never could make it happen until now. Have RC cars but love the look on my sons face (5 yo.) when he see's the airplanes and it has renewed that desire to own and fly one. I am a total noob.... never ever flown one before, but put this plan together off the advice of some of the advice given.


The plan:
1. order the RF RC flight simulator 7.5
2. Spend time everyday getting the hang of it.
3. Once I am proficient at the simulator upgrade to the E Flight Apprentice S 15e with SAFE
4. fly the heck out of it
5. upgrade to the FMS 1700mm F4U Corsair
6. Dynam A-10

Love the forum and everyone has been great so far. Hoping to be flying soon. Thank you everyone.

I like your plan. It sounds so close to how I got into this hobby, only I never had a sim until after I started flying. I picked up a hobbyzone mini supercub and started flying it over a soybean field in my back yard. I went from that to the PZ Gunfighter P-51. Yeah, a lot of the members on here know what plane that was. Anyway, I actually went trainer, to warbird then a larger warbird, then a nitro war bird and just kept going like that. There was some definite destruction, especially with my earlier balsa nitro corsairs. I agree that jumping to a warbird that soon is probably not the best way or easiest way. But now that I have started flying more aerobatic planes I find that they are so easy to fly. Sure, I have a lot of 3d and pattern maneuvers to learn but I have so much more confidence because I became so comfortable flying the hardest scale planes to fly. The warbirds. Getting involved with a AMA club will be a great idea. I cant speak for every AMA club, but I think I speak for most when I say that you will find help and encouragement especially if your the type of person who does not mind helping out with some field maintenance occasionally and stuff like that. With that being said, welcome to the addiction my friend

[saint]

Thank you. I can't wait!

[saint]

So far so great.... downloaded a lot of planes to fly that I am interested in with winds in the 5mph range and doing great. Still having a few crashes but that is because I am trying new maneuvers like flying upside down....lol. Love my sim as it has been windy in my area and would not be able to get out anyways. Getting the man cubs on the trainer as well. The boy is getting his take off down.... not bad for a 5yo. My girls are doing ok with decent take offs and rough landings. A lot of family fun as we have it on our large tv in the living room. On track for the mid summer trainer flying.... can't wait.

[XF-15DCC]

Hey Saint, have you decided on your first plane yet?


Kevin

[saint]

I plan on getting the E-flite Apprentice S 15e with SAFE 1500mm (59") Wingspan - RTF as I really like the reviews, video reviews and to me seem like the way to go. Can't wait.


Bumped up the wind to 7mph with turbulence at 105%.... man these planes move around a lot and the extra wind does at times affect my flight pattern when it comes to approach. The small F18 sure moves around lol.... but so far so good and again the only crashes I have been having are when I am pushing the limits by doing a few tricks.


Working with the Mustang, F18, P40 and warthog. Each respond a little different but love how each one has its own personality and performance.

[Grossman56]

Good choice saint!
The E Flite Apprentice would be my first plane if I had to do it over again, followed quickly by the Pandora. Focus on the Apprentice on primary, its like driving a car, just hold the stick over and she'll turn. They really glide so be prepared when shooting a landing to kill the throttle as soon as you come on to approach if not sooner. Aim it towards you and when she's getting close, just bump it out a bit, using aileron. As she approaches the ground, time it so you ease the stick back to flare, about 1-2 feet above ground, she'll settle in nicely. Once the first flight jitters are over, move up to intermediate as this will mimic the way you really use the controls. bank/neutral/pull back on the stick, maintain height by pulling back a bit more and less if gaining altitude. Just make sure to hit that neutral and pull straight back. Neutral is the key.

Grossman56

[saint]

Thank you sir!

[danloc78]

Hey Saint just checking in on your progress. Did you end up getting an Apprentice? And if so, have you flown it yet?

[Grossman56]

Yeah. let us know, there's a few tips that you might be interested in with the Apprentice. For instance, when you install the wing joiners, some people have velcroed them in instead of gluing. That way, when you disassemble it, you can also separate the wing panels.
We're looking at doing a small mod to ours to help hold the wing in place on the fuse. Just a small piece of Velcro on either side.

Grossman56