If you want to learn close to home and don't have a huge field, then you
want a slow flyer that will work in your space.
With these you can train in
the space of a little league baseball field, a football field or similar space.
Once you get good you can fly in just the baseball infield or 1/3 of the
football field, in front of your house, or even indoors.
I always suggest that new flyers start in very calm conditions regardless of
what plane they get. This way they can focus on the plane and not fighting
the wind. If you can do this and be strong about avoiding anything above
about 3 mph, then you can train close to home.
Once you have 10-15 solid flights in a row with safe landings, then you can
move up the wind scale a little at a time as you gain confidence. This
could be accomplished in a few 2 hour sessions. Or it could be done in a
single 4-6 hour day if you have 3-4 batteries and have a charger or two you
can use at the field. Of course, this assumes you don't smack up the plane.
Some of these will tolerate 5 mph and some up to about 8:
Best flown in still to under 5 mph breeze. This is good for people who want an
RTF and only have a small space to fly or who have an indoor place to
fly, such as a gym or similar space. The Slo-V can take the X-port combat
module and the bomb/parachute – tons of fun in a small space.
Can charger from a car cigarette lighter – there are cheaper chargers, but this one looks good for this plane and
future
Radios
Starter Radios
I have a very specific position on radios – Don't buy a Standard Radio!!!
Computer radios are now so inexpensive and offer so much more than standard
radios that it doesn't make sense to get anything but a computer radio. Don't
get me wrong – there are many good standard radios but for only a few bucks
more you get a much more capable computer radio that can do more for you than
any standard radio and can save you money by time when you get the second plane.
They can also make it easier to fly your plane, perform aerobatics and more.
Below are five radios – all will fly your typical parkflyer. All but the DX6
can also be purchased with larger servos suitable for larger planes and
gliders. Two are standard radios for the uncommitted or low budget first
time flyer. These will get your plane off the ground with very basic radio
features for a low price. Each package I list include radio, micro servos,
micro receiver.
STANDARD RADIOS
Hitec Neon 3 – 3 channel standard radio $59
2 micro servos, micro receiver, switch, etc HERE.
For $19 you can add a trainer port to this HERE.
This package is such good value for that first 3 channel ARF or kit, if you
can't afford a computer radio. ( more on that later ) If you bought the two
servos and the receiver by themselves, that would come to about $60. So
this is about as cheap as you can get into a hobby grade radio that will fly a
three channel R/E/T or A/E/T parkflyer or 3 channel
glider ARF or kit plane. It also does not include rechargeable batteries
which the others do. You run this one on standard AA batteries.
It includes mixing for flying wings or V-tail 3 channel planes as well as
servo reversing. It does not have ATV/EPA or dual rates, however these can
be added later at extra cost. . You can also add a trainer port for
use with an instructor or to connect to a flight simulator. You can add a
4th channel but it is limited so don't think of this as a 4 channel radio. It
can't fly a 4 channel plane.
Hitec Laser 4 – 4 Channel Standard Radio $100 HERE.
My minimum recommended 4 channel standard radio for A/E/R/Throttle
parkflyer,
glow plane or 4 channel glider. Radio, micro receiver, 2 micro servos,
Switch harness, etc. It will fly a 4 channel aileron plane. Includes V-tail
and Elevon mixing, servo reversing, ATV on ch 1&2 . Also has a trainer port
that can be used with fight simulators or a buddy box.
While the Laser is a good radio, pick the Laser 4 only if you are unsure you
will continue in the hobby and want to spend as little as possible to get a 4
channel plane into the air. Not my recommendation for a committed flyer
who plans to continue in the hobby.
COMPUTER RADIOS – Much Better Choice
In short, computer radios give you things like model memories, exponential,
a variety of surface mixes and more – features not found on standard radios.
Your computer radio can store the profile for many planes and reset itself
for each plane by just selecting the model. Standard radios don't have model
memories or a lot of the other features that computer radios offer.
With a
computer radio, you only need one radio to fly a bunch of planes rather
than dedicating a radio to each plane or resetting the radio each time you
change planes. Computer radios are great! In the end, they are cheaper, more
convenient AND can make it easier for a new flyer to learn to fly.
These are all 6 channel radios so they will let you fly more advanced planes
then either of the standard radios above:
Spektrum DX 6 – $199 – For the committed Parkflyer pilot
If your plans are to fly small to medium sized electrics, often called
parkflyers, hand launched gliders with wing spans under 60 inches, then this
might
be your best choice. The DX6 is suitable for flying within 2,000 feet
out, about 5-7 football fields away. This is more than enough for
these planes and further than most people will fly them.
It has a nice mix of features, 10 model memories and is backed by Horizon
Hobby, so you can be confident of good service. You will never worry about
channel conflict again. This promises to be the RC technology of the
future. Key features: Digital DSMT Spread Spectrum Modulation,
10 model memories, dual rates, exponential, 6 channels, 8 standard mixes and
three programmable mixes. No crystals needed and no channel conflict
control needed.
(Note: Micro receiver, 3 micro servos, switch – the
receiver in this package is not appropriate for sailplanes or glow planes, but is
OK for parkflyers/low speed electrics)
The Futaba 6EXAS is an entry level computer radio for the committed flyer
who
also plans to fly glow planes, thermal duration gliders or electrics over
60" wing
span. Six channels, 6 model memories, a good mix of features and
convenience
that will carry you a long way. The link is to a package that is good for
parkflyers, but there are other packages if you need larger/stronger
components for larger planes. For about $30 more than the Laser 4 radio, you
are miles ahead in capability!
This particular package
is very attractive for small electrics – comes with
two
small servos AND a 20 amp ESC, 6 channels, 4 model memories, a good mix of
features to carry you forward. The VG 6000 is also available with larger
components so it can also fly glow planes and TD gliders that need greater
range than the DX6 offers.
There are lots of other good choices in computer radios that have more
channels, more features and a higher price; however, these would be
excellent
choices for the first time radio buyer or someone stepping up from RTFs who
knows they will continue in the hobby.
Clear Skies and Safe Flying
Ed Anderson – 4 27 2007
Note: This article is a reprint by author's permission.
What You Need To Get Started In Radio Control Flying
If you want to learn close to home and don't have a huge field, then you
want a slow flyer that will work in your space.
With these you can train in
the space of a little league baseball field, a football field or similar space.
Once you get good you can fly in just the baseball infield or 1/3 of the
football field, in front of your house, or even indoors.
I always suggest that new flyers start in very calm conditions regardless of
what plane they get. This way they can focus on the plane and not fighting
the wind. If you can do this and be strong about avoiding anything above
about 3 mph, then you can train close to home.
Once you have 10-15 solid flights in a row with safe landings, then you can
move up the wind scale a little at a time as you gain confidence. This
could be accomplished in a few 2 hour sessions. Or it could be done in a
single 4-6 hour day if you have 3-4 batteries and have a charger or two you
can use at the field. Of course, this assumes you don't smack up the plane.
Some of these will tolerate 5 mph and some up to about 8:
Best flown in still to under 5 mph breeze. This is good for people who want an
RTF and only have a small space to fly or who have an indoor place to
fly, such as a gym or similar space. The Slo-V can take the X-port combat
module and the bomb/parachute – tons of fun in a small space.
T-IFO Review
Complete package with radio – $275
T-IFO Combination Deals
Can also be flown indoors in a gym or similar space.
Slow stick Complete Package including radio – $150 (need battery charger)
Slo-Stick Information
Discussion Thread
GWS Slow Stick ARF Park Flyer
Slo-Stick Video
Souped up Slow sticks go vertical
Backyard Flier Review
If you have the money I would recommend a computer radio such as the Spektrum
DX6 or the Futaba 6EXAS as entry level computer radios.
GWS 12V Peak Charger MC2002 – $42
Can charger from a car cigarette lighter – there are cheaper chargers, but this one looks good for this plane and
future
I have a very specific position on radios – Don't buy a Standard Radio!!!
Computer radios are now so inexpensive and offer so much more than standard
radios that it doesn't make sense to get anything but a computer radio. Don't
get me wrong – there are many good standard radios but for only a few bucks
more you get a much more capable computer radio that can do more for you than
any standard radio and can save you money by time when you get the second plane.
They can also make it easier to fly your plane, perform aerobatics and more.
Below are five radios – all will fly your typical parkflyer. All but the DX6
can also be purchased with larger servos suitable for larger planes and
gliders. Two are standard radios for the uncommitted or low budget first
time flyer. These will get your plane off the ground with very basic radio
features for a low price. Each package I list include radio, micro servos,
micro receiver.
Hitec Neon 3 – 3 channel standard radio $59
2 micro servos, micro receiver, switch, etc
HERE.
For $19 you can add a trainer port to this
HERE.
This package is such good value for that first 3 channel ARF or kit, if you
can't afford a computer radio. ( more on that later ) If you bought the two
servos and the receiver by themselves, that would come to about $60. So
this is about as cheap as you can get into a hobby grade radio that will fly a
three channel R/E/T or A/E/T parkflyer or 3 channel
glider ARF or kit plane. It also does not include rechargeable batteries
which the others do. You run this one on standard AA batteries.
It includes mixing for flying wings or V-tail 3 channel planes as well as
servo reversing. It does not have ATV/EPA or dual rates, however these can
be added later at extra cost. . You can also add a trainer port for
use with an instructor or to connect to a flight simulator. You can add a
4th channel but it is limited so don't think of this as a 4 channel radio. It
can't fly a 4 channel plane.
Hitec Laser 4 – 4 Channel Standard Radio $100
HERE.
My minimum recommended 4 channel standard radio for A/E/R/Throttle
parkflyer,
glow plane or 4 channel glider. Radio, micro receiver, 2 micro servos,
Switch harness, etc. It will fly a 4 channel aileron plane. Includes V-tail
and Elevon mixing, servo reversing, ATV on ch 1&2 . Also has a trainer port
that can be used with fight simulators or a buddy box.
While the Laser is a good radio, pick the Laser 4 only if you are unsure you
will continue in the hobby and want to spend as little as possible to get a 4
channel plane into the air. Not my recommendation for a committed flyer
who plans to continue in the hobby.
In short, computer radios give you things like model memories, exponential,
a variety of surface mixes and more – features not found on standard radios.
Your computer radio can store the profile for many planes and reset itself
for each plane by just selecting the model. Standard radios don't have model
memories or a lot of the other features that computer radios offer.
With a
computer radio, you only need one radio to fly a bunch of planes rather
than dedicating a radio to each plane or resetting the radio each time you
change planes. Computer radios are great! In the end, they are cheaper, more
convenient AND can make it easier for a new flyer to learn to fly.
These are all 6 channel radios so they will let you fly more advanced planes
then either of the standard radios above:
Spektrum DX 6 – $199 – For the committed Parkflyer pilot
Review
If your plans are to fly small to medium sized electrics, often called
parkflyers, hand launched gliders with wing spans under 60 inches, then this
might
be your best choice. The DX6 is suitable for flying within 2,000 feet
out, about 5-7 football fields away. This is more than enough for
these planes and further than most people will fly them.
It has a nice mix of features, 10 model memories and is backed by Horizon
Hobby, so you can be confident of good service. You will never worry about
channel conflict again. This promises to be the RC technology of the
future. Key features: Digital DSMT Spread Spectrum Modulation,
10 model memories, dual rates, exponential, 6 channels, 8 standard mixes and
three programmable mixes. No crystals needed and no channel conflict
control needed.
DX6 Flight experience thread
More information on DX6 from Spektrum
AMA on 2.4 GHz SS
(Note: Micro receiver, 3 micro servos, switch – the
receiver in this package is not appropriate for sailplanes or glow planes, but is
OK for parkflyers/low speed electrics)
The Futaba 6EXAS is an entry level computer radio for the committed flyer
who
also plans to fly glow planes, thermal duration gliders or electrics over
60" wing
span. Six channels, 6 model memories, a good mix of features and
convenience
that will carry you a long way. The link is to a package that is good for
parkflyers, but there are other packages if you need larger/stronger
components for larger planes. For about $30 more than the Laser 4 radio, you
are miles ahead in capability!
This particular package
is very attractive for small electrics – comes with
two
small servos AND a 20 amp ESC, 6 channels, 4 model memories, a good mix of
features to carry you forward. The VG 6000 is also available with larger
components so it can also fly glow planes and TD gliders that need greater
range than the DX6 offers.
There are lots of other good choices in computer radios that have more
channels, more features and a higher price; however, these would be
excellent
choices for the first time radio buyer or someone stepping up from RTFs who
knows they will continue in the hobby.
Clear Skies and Safe Flying
Ed Anderson – 4 27 2007
Note: This article is a reprint by author's permission.