So you are interested in taking up the sport of Radio Control Model Flying. Your interest could have developed in many ways. It could be you passed a newsstand and saw one of several fine RC Modeling magazines on the shelf. Ironically, it might have been a newsstand at the airport on your last trip! You bought it and now want to join the fraternity.

Or maybe you were just driving by a model flying field and liked what you saw? Your first exposure to RC modeling could have been while walking through a mall with your family and stumbling upon one of the hundreds of “Mall Shows” local AMA clubs sponsor every year. There were dozens of bright sport airplanes mixed with miniature replicas of full size airplanes (called “scale models”) and a few really big aircraft. There were also lots of friendly people who just enjoyed sharing their love of the sport with you. There are a lot of great people in RC (in all modeling actually).

Maybe one of your children attended an AMA-sponsored school program, or saw a model flying on TV? Finally, maybe, just maybe, you used to do this twenty years ago, or as a youngster, and had to stop for some reason? It could be that your early efforts, with the limited technology then available, were not as successful as you had hoped. But now you want to try again. Great, because the technology is a lot better now.

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Best of all, maybe you are looking for a hobby that you and your children can enjoy together. Or maybe you are looking for something you can enjoy doing with your parents? If so, either of you have definitely chosen the right sport. If a friend already in the sport has influenced you, you are one of the lucky ones.

There is nothing a dedicated RC pilot likes better than to brainwash, uh, excuse me, “provide valuable information to”, a new convert. In this case, listen to your friend and follow whatever guidance is provided. But also try to get additional information from magazines, other flyers, model discussion websites and other information sources as well.

Those going it alone need a bit more assistance. But how to start? There seems to be much to learn and a lot of skill required. How can you learn it all and still keep the fun factor high and the frustration and expense factors low? As a matter of fact, are you able to learn it all? After all, you may wear glasses and you are not all that good at your kids’ video games.

 
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Most new RC pilots can go from this auto-pilot equipped Hobbico NexSTAR trainer to this aerobatic Dave Patrick Extra 330L in just two flying seasons. And both airplanes arrive almost completely pre-built.

While several whole books have been written about getting started, we will try to condense this knowledge into one article. There may be some personal opinions expressed in this article (all identified) but please remember that they have been formed during 34 years of teaching RC to over 500 students. Our main goal is to help every prospective RC pilot to start, progress and succeed in their chosen modeling format with a minimum of frustration and few setbacks.

First of all, forget any special physical requirements. The sport of RC is open to just about anyone. You do need to be able to see at least 20/30 with correction. You do not even need both eyes as I have known two students who flew with only one (each that is). I myself am nearly legally blind without my glasses, yet compete in Precision Aerobatics (called Pattern) and have won several Regional Championships.

I have seen great model pilots in wheelchairs, with hearing or speaking challenges, RC pilots who are in their early 90’s and a few as young as four years old. One four-year old starter is currently the 2004 US Precision Aerobatic Champion and has been selected to head up the US Precision Aerobatic World Team in 2005!

 
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There are almost no physical requirements, especially the fact that you do not have to be male to enjoy RC flying. The Goldberg Tiger II this young lady is holding (left) is a perfect second aircraft. She now flies Intermediate Class Precision Aerobatics (right). Btw -The Hangar 9 Extra Easy trainer pictured in Sport Aviator’s Model Aviation ad belongs to another lady member of our club.

The same hand/eye coordination skills needed to drive a car will make you a super RC pilot. Nor do you need to have special technical knowledge. You do not need to know anything about electronics nor do you need any idea how to build a model engine. In today’s modeling world, you don’t even need to know how to build a model aircraft. The RC industry has done all that work for you.

So now that you know you qualify, lets get started. Our first recommendation is to read through Sport Aviator (no surprise on this one). Since Sport Aviator is dedicated just to new model pilots, there is a lot of information here that can save you hundreds of dollars and hours of frustration. Sport Aviator is provided free as a service of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). The AMA, http://www.modelaircraft.org/, is the largest sport aviation organization in the world with over 180,000 members.

The next thing you need to do is to join the AMA, for several good reasons. One is the information about the world of model aviation and the in-depth technical information contained in Model Aviation magazine. This nearly 200-page color magazine is sent monthly to every AMA member. Another good reason is the $2 million liability insurance coverage provided to AMA members as part of their membership dues. Just about every model airport in this country requires this insurance. To join, just click the membership button on the right side of Sport Aviator’s Home Page.

OK, AMA commercial over. So what is the third step? The next step is NOT to buy a model. Not yet anyway. First, you should find an RC model airfield. If you know where one is, visit it on a Saturday or Sunday. The best time is usually between 11 AM and 2 PM. The most number of pilots will be there during this time, including instructors. And you will need instruction to fly RC the first time.

I can’t stress enough the fact that an inexperienced RC pilot CANNOT FLY a true four-channel RC trainer aircraft ALONE. No matter how good you think you are, how easy the package says the model is to fly, how much RC simulator time you have or how experienced a full-time pilot you may be, it will not happen. Even if autopilot equipped, like the NexSTAR, every new pilot needs an experienced RC pilot to make a successful first flight.

Remember that the aircraft will need flight trimming to fly straight and level. Autopilots also require flight trimming before they can operate. As good as RC simulators are (see Sport Aviator’s Virtual Skies article), things look different in actual flight and seem to happen a whole lot faster. Plus, there is no “reset” button in real flight.

As to flying full-size, those skills just do not transfer. There is no “feel” of what the model aircraft is doing, as there is when flying full-size. Since you are not in the cockpit, all your viewpoints are different. Aileron and rudder controls reverse when the model flies towards you unlike flying full-size. Rudder is controlled with your left hand, not your feet. I could go on, but I think the point is made.

You need to get experienced help for your first RC flights. This is why you need to find an RC flying field.

If you do not know where an RC field is located in your area, look in the yellow pages. Find a retail hobby store near you (there almost always is one). Check each ad and go to the one that specifically mentions RC model AIRCRAFT. Many hobby stores carry lots of train and RC car equipment, but few aircraft supplies. It is usually best to visit the store and ask where a club field is located.