Newcomers
Box 40, St. Peters, MO 63376
As a newcomer, you will eventually solo, then soon find the trainer-type model uninspiring. Where do you go then? This month I'll pass along a few thoughts relative to that question.
Simulators
First, however, my last column hadn't hit the street at the time of writing this one, but in rereading it at a much later date I fear some newcomers may reach the conclusion that I feel flight simulators are not helpful. Such is not the case.
Used as a tool rather than a game, much insight can be gained during the learning process. Some professional Radio Control (RC) instructors use simulators very effectively in their programs. The point I was attempting to make is that there is no substitute for "real-time" flying.
Enough of that! I'll see if I can get in trouble another way this month!
The second model — common pitfalls
So you soloed! On to more exciting things. Many newcomers get into trouble with that second model. While the general knowledge and basic skills are present, overall reflexes may lag behind. This is especially true if the instructor never allowed newcomers to work their way out of "problems."
Another situation that can develop is that the second step taken is too big. It's kind of like those patches used to stop smoking. If that second step is a classy scale model or some high-powered bomber, you may find yourself regressing, or at the very least feeling uncomfortable and repairing often.
Does that model you're eyeing use a midwing, no dihedral, a symmetrical airfoil, copious ailerons, elevator and rudder, and a big engine? Chances are it's designed to be a so-called fun-fly model that rolls at the speed of light and does loops the diameter of a hat box. That is, as Professor Harold Hill from the musical Music Man would put it, "Trouble—right here in River City!"
Characteristics of models that can be troublesome for newcomers:
- Midwing, no dihedral, and symmetrical airfoil
- Lots of control surface area (large ailerons, elevator, rudder)
- High power-to-weight ratio (big engine)
- Designed for rapid rolls and tight aerobatics
Alternatives and second-stage choices
There are fairly simple-to-fly scale models. If you learned on a tricycle-gear trainer, you may want to try a taildragger, such as a Cub. Many of those are on the market in every size, and they're good-flying models: lots of wing area — slow and graceful — and they look like an airplane.
While you learn on that trainer, why not work on a second model? The majority of first models utilize an engine size that can be matched with a more responsive and challenging second-stage model.
Yes, the second model adds expense beyond your initial investment, but there are also pluses. For instance, you won't have as much lag time of less-inspired flying. You would also have a backup in the event that a Charlie Brown tree jumps up and grabs model number one.
Build or buy? ARF vs. kit
Now out on the limb I go: I suggest that the second model be a built-up kit rather than an Almost Ready-to-Fly (ARF). No, I'm not opposed to ARFs. For several decades they have helped bring many newcomers into the hobby/sport, and there are challenging and fun second-stage ARFs available.
I suggest you build a kit because if the hobby/sport "takes" with you, ultimately you're going to wish you had the building skills to produce "the" model you've always wanted. Developing building skills gives you better insight into many aspects of flying, and it makes it easier to fix what you break.
Newcomers often learn on ARFs. Once bitten by the bug, the seemingly logical choice is another ARF. And so it continues. The newcomer becomes a flier of models rather than a modeler. Granted, that may be your goal, and that's not bad, but if you look at what's out there you're locked in by what's available. While the ARF lines have expanded, certain wonderful kits cannot be in your repertoire.
If your primary goal is to fly, a logical question to ask yourself is, "What's the big deal about building?" As your flying skill develops and you feel more comfortable, you will find scores of others whose skill surpasses yours. It's a matter of ego; you can't really be original, and you can't stand out in the crowd. On the other hand, if you build the machine with your own hands (even if it's a kit), you personalize the activity.
When asked why I am willing to spend 1,000 hours working on a scale model, I have a ready answer: as a school teacher, I was never able to see my product. The kids filed out in June and I was left with an empty room, wondering what effect—positive or negative—I had on the lives of my students. There was never closure. I envied bricklayers or carpenters who could step back, view their work, and state, "That's a product of my hands."
Practical advice and safety
One of the biggest concerns when you move on to the second model, the non-trainer, is overconfidence about your skill level, which is tied to carelessness. Each new model tends to require a slightly different routine; it may be the location of the needle valve, or perhaps where to hold it while starting the engine. Think these things through before blindly launching into flight.
Most importantly, don't head for the field alone. Most flying sites are remote, and it only takes a nanosecond to have an accident that inflicts serious injury. To be without help in such a situation is dangerous.
Next month, I'll look at field etiquette and propellers.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
