RC Aircraft/Helicopter

[roguerower]

I loved building models as a kid and my dad and I decided at one point we were gonna get a gas RC airplane to fly. Well that was about 8 years ago and between work and school it never happened.

I'm looking to start flying one of these and figured a RTF Glow plug trainer would be nice to start out with. Are there any recommendations? Would you recommend going with a airplane or a helicopter?

 

[xchangx]

I would start out with an airplane. I think the names of the trainers are Alpha and Nextstar (?). I had the alpha one. Find a local club and hang out there. They can help train you and get you where you need to be. I't not too hard to fly, took me only a few times before I was landing by myself.

 

[tasmanian]

I would buy a cheap electric helicopter or plane to learn on. My uncle bought a gas helicopter for 300. He flew it but when he landed it, it bounced and the rotors hit the ground and it was destroyed.

 

[trOver]

Get something cheap at first that you don't mind crashing, and then upgrade

 

[randay]

yeah get someone who knows how to fly to train you. it will help a lot.

 

[Mutilator]

You'll also have a lot of people tell you to get a simulator first... Realflight... Aerofly... etc. Sure they'll set you back about $200 but it'll save you a lot of $$$ in the long run.
And yeah, I'd start with electric first. Airplanes are easier to fly if you have a lot of room, if not then you'll probably want an electric heli like the Blade CX2.

 

[funkymatt]

I 2nd the Blade CX2 heli. you can get them at a hobby shop for roughly $200.

 

[roguerower]

I use to own one of the firebird full size rc airplanes but my dad put it in a tree and screwed it up so that ended that. I didn't have a problem landing or flying it. I currently own one of the really small micro rc helicopters that i fly around my dorm room, and I've got that thing down pat.

Only question I have is whether or not I have to be a member of a club? The airport attached to my campus as well as the huge rec fields would make it relatively easy to find someplace to fly, but do you have to be a club member?