RE: Flights per Day
I usually fly in the early afternoon and am at the field for 2 - 3 hours. Depending on how well I am doing with the horizontal landings, I will go through 3 batteries for 40 - 45 minutes flying time. Of course, a vertical landing does reduce the number of flights.[;)]
Posted on: 4/23/2012 9:00 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11054423

RE: What plane do i start with?
+1 on the Apprentice. It is my first plane and I can tell you from experience that it is a tough bird. So far, it has survived a vertical landing, I was trying my first landing and let it get out of control, the instructor on a buddy box took over with full throttle, unfortunately it doesn't make u-turns from 5 feet up and drove straight into the ground. A little gorrila glue for the wings and it was ready to go. Second time was all me, Making a low pass and flew into a picnic table. Wing popped off and a little rubber rashon the trailing edge and back in the air in less than 10 minutes. Gordon Fly well
Posted on: 4/1/2012 4:56 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11024173

RE: Are you a member of a club?
If we would get csome flying weather I would be having more fun. Have only been out twice since joining the club. [quote]ORIGINAL: aeajr Having fun? [/quote]
Posted on: 3/17/2012 11:33 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11005030

RE: Are you a member of a club?
I joined a club back in February when I started flying for the training and to be around others with the bug, so there you have it, two whole months. Club field is located in Hobart, WA.
Posted on: 3/17/2012 5:06 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11004492

RE: Buddy box dx7/dx5
I buddy box Dx7 to Dx5 both ways with no problems. Just remember to not power up the slave.
Posted on: 2/17/2012 3:48 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10963704

RE: First electric plane should be........?
[quote]ORIGINAL: levram1 Apprentice 15 E from Horizon Hobby [/quote] +1 Apprentice is a great trainer and get you into aileron flight without buying a second plane. From what I have ssen here and on other boards, there is a lot of room for upgrading. Nice big plane so orientation is easier, and very forgiving of mistake. Don't think you will go wrong with the Apprentice.
Posted on: 2/5/2012 8:38 AM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10944967

RE: Why Beginners Do Not Want To Join Clubs
[quote]ORIGINAL: thepamster I am glad someone else brought up fees so I would not be the only one. I am not a beginner and have been getting back in the hobby for a couple of years now. Club dues are one thing, BUT, Initiation fees are quite something else all together. These fees, one time fees, are often double or even tripple the price of the annual dues. I can easily see that as keeping a begginer from joining a club. The Pamster AMA 202345 [/quote] I also play golf and Pamster's comment about initiation fees is the very reason I don't join one of the local country clubs. But, I did join AMA and a local club for flying.
Posted on: 1/26/2012 8:40 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10929892

RE: Why Beginners Do Not Want To Join Clubs
[quote]ORIGINAL: ES CONTROL OK, I Have AMA AND A CLUB! Put down the guns. You will scare the non AMA guys . [/quote] Well, I for one joined the AMA the same day I ordered my plane and have contacted the local club about training. Let's see about the econmonics: AMA = $58 per year Club = $35 for family per year Training = No cost and learn to fly right Not ruining a $300 plane = price less So, I am an AMA member, belong to a club and have not flown my own plane, yet. Plane gets its maiden flight this Sunday, weather permitting. For me, it just made sense to have the insurance from the AMA and the help from a local club. And I do have a school yard 10 minutes away that will handle my plane, but the 20 minute drive to the club field is not an inconvenience to get the coaching.
Posted on: 1/26/2012 8:14 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10929861

2.4Ghz Compatibility
I am a noob looking to get my first plane. I have made the decision to get the E-Flite Apprentice 15e based on suggestion of my instructor because of the flight characteristics AND because it comes with a Spektrum 2.4GHz radio. He uses a Spektrum radio, as most flyers in the club, and the radio carried a lot of weight in his recommendation. I might have gone with the Fly Zone Sensei because of the lower price point, but it comes with a Tatic radio. Cost is a big factor for me. While the Apprentice would probably have been my final choice anyway, a big part of the decision was the included radio. Other similar planes were on the list, but all had to be eliminated because of the radio. So, my question I have is; is there a compatibility chart for the 2.4 spread spectrum radios, including buddy box compatibility? I have looked through this forum and didn't find anything. Of particular interest to me are the 5+ ch of the major players, Spektrum, JR, HiTech, Futaba, Tactic, etc. There is a big price spread among these brands and I think it would be beneficial for other noobs. I know everyone has their own brand preference, so I would like to see just a compatibility chart with no reviews, except maybe the current MSRP. Edit: Just found this, but it doesn't really answer my quesiton, http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=72964#post72964
Posted on: 1/14/2012 9:27 AM by Author "holensum" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10908378

RE: Plane sizes
Thanks guys. I am a noob and when I see things like 15 or 40 size plane e.g. the E-Flite Apprentice is referred to as 15 size plane and another that was smaller referred to as 40 size, it was confusing. Have a better idea now of what I am looking at. Has to do with that watts per pound thing. The smaller plane mentioned was balsa and heavier than the foam apprentice. Think I got it now. OBTW - I did read through "EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ELECTRIC POWERED FLIGHT" just didn't make the relation between the W/Lb and the sizing.
Posted on: 1/14/2012 8:30 AM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10908311

Plane sizes
I am confused about plane sizes. Not whether they are big or small, but the numeric rating, like 15 size, 40 size, ect. Just what does the number mean?
Posted on: 1/13/2012 4:51 AM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10906461

RE: Pre Noob first plane
[quote]ORIGINAL: Edwin I would definately recommend going 4 channel from the beginning. The Apprentice 15e is a good trainer for electric. Many of my students use them. They are good up to about 10 mph wind. Beyond that, students tend to stand down because its too much trouble concentrating on learning to fly. After you've soloed and are competent, the plane can handle up to 15mph winds. But its not much fun to fly in that kind of wind. My recommendations generally follow: Electric - Alpha 450 and Apprentice 15e Ewdin [/quote] Thanks Edwin. I have decided to go with the Apprentice, it was already on my list and is what the instructor recommended.
Posted on: 1/12/2012 4:55 AM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10904744

RE: Pre Noob first plane
[quote]ORIGINAL: levram1 Please post your comments after flying, as the Appremtice is what I have. My instructor though, is letting me use and train on the club plane. Hobbico Nexstar. [/quote] Promoted to Noob Saturday. Cap'n I am certian you will like the Apprentice! My instructor suggested either the Apprentice or the NextStar. In his opinion they are on par with each other. My first attempt at flying, I really struggled with keeping control of the plane. Then another member came over to fly the plane and let me "feel" the control stick movements.After about 15 seconds with him controlling, he said it was no wonder I was having so much trouble, the trims where all wacko. He flew a couple of circuits and got the trims set and handed back a completely different plane. I had a sembalence of control! Well, at least I wasn't yawing and pitching all over the place. And it was fun! A bit of advice for any other noob, fly your plane at something less that half throttle when your beginning. Half throttle on the Apprentice is about 20MPH and I was fly there and a bit more and frequently simply did not have time to process what was going on and what needed to be done. At a slowerr speed, I don't think the instructor would have had to taken over as often as he did. Put the ego aside, and learn how to move the sticks for different situations. I struggled with the turns, because I didn't input enough, then would over compensate trying to tighten the turn. Especially those coming toward me. But you know what? I didn't play lawn dart with the plane, and I am happy about that. Now I have the fever for real and can't wait to get my plane, AMA membership and join the club and learn to fly.
Posted on: 1/10/2012 9:40 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10902900

RE: Pre Noob first plane
I guess, after reading another post, I should let you know the kind of flying I am planning to do. Seems to be pretty important on the kind of first plane to get. First of all, I want to learn how to fly, but I don't want to just go round-n-round. So after gaining a little competence at controlling takeoff, level flight and landing, I want to get into some mild aerobatics, loops, rolls, barrel rolls, chandelles, etc. Now from what i have read, and remember I have only flown control line and my little Viper (throttle and differential thrust) I think I should go with a four channel set up from the get go. Does that make sense? Or am I missing something?
Posted on: 1/5/2012 5:16 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10893785

RE: Pre Noob first plane
[quote]ORIGINAL: Gray Beard Everything John said. Plus at this stage you have to decide what type of power source you would like. Today we have so many options to choose from. I have one friend that started out with glow power then moved up to gas. Today he has gone 100% Electric, even in his giant scale warbirds. [/quote] Thanks for the input. I had a CL gas F4U a million years ago and remember the mess and the noise and the cut fingers and frustration getting the thing started, especially on cool days. Had a blast with it, but have pretty much settled on EP for me for now and the future.Spare and higher mAh rating batteries should give the flying time I am after for each session. EP will also let me fly at the local middle and high school fields, with the right size plane, without incurring the wrath of the locals because of the noise.
Posted on: 1/5/2012 3:53 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10893620

RE: Pre Noob first plane
[quote]ORIGINAL: JohnBuckner You need to give some thought to who you are going to listen to and that should be in every case the person who is to be your mentor/instructor. That is going to be the person who is most responsible for your succeess a realization of your dream. To leave him out of this critical decision is the biggest mistake so many make. John [/quote] Thanks for the advise. I will be flying buddy with a guy from the local club on Saturday, E-Flight Apprentice 15e, and will get his advise and council after he sees how well or poorly I can handle that plane.
Posted on: 1/5/2012 6:20 AM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10892656

RE: Pre Noob first plane
[quote]ORIGINAL: ES CONTROL Find a Hobby shop that has a simulator and test drive . Its Free! [/quote] Didn't know that. I will have to check with the local shop and see if they have the sim. Thanks!
Posted on: 1/4/2012 7:35 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10892203

Pre Noob first plane
Hello All, I am a pre-noob that has been thinking about getting into this hobby for about 30 years. Yeah, I know, that is a lot of thinking, but I am career and family oriented, so really didn't have the time. Now that the family is grown and has kids of their own, I am getting serious on this. The grandkids got me an Estes Viper for Christmas and I have really had a blast learning how to fly it and have now made an appointment with a loccal club to fly a "real" plane this weekend. Been reading in this and other forums about good trainer planes, and have asked at my local RC shop. And I will be discussing the first plane with the guy this weekend. Information overload! The guy at the hobby shop recommended the RTF Champ. It is what he started with 6 months ago. It's inexpensive, $80, and pretty durable I guess. And it can be flown about anywhere there is more than closest size room. Question is, can it handle more than a light breeze. I know the Viper can't and the Champ doesn't have much more mass, 1.3 oz v 1 oz. I'm thinking something like the Super Cub might be a better choice. It's still a trainer, but is much larger, and the RTF comes with the same Spektrum DX4 radio. Should be able to handle a bit more wind than the Champ. I also found a site with plans for adding ailerons, when the time comes, which will make it a 4 channel. Another thought I have is buying the DX5e and getting the BNF version of whatever plane I get. Any thoughts on the larger trainer and going with an upgraded Tx?
Posted on: 1/4/2012 6:20 PM by Author "holensum" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10892090