From: sbixby@cup.portal.com (Steven W Bixby)
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc
Subject: Re: Beginner
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 09:58:07 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)

>I am an aspiring beginner wishing to get into this hobby. I have a few
>questions. Sorry if these are faq's. I just found this net this afternoon.

>	1.  Where do I start? Fix wing or helicopter? (I like Helicopters!!!)

This is your choice.  Many flyers say that either one will be a good choice.
My personal belief, mainly because I flew fixed wing for years before helis,
is that the instincts and the sense of feel obtained by flying the fixed
wings really helps when it comes to flying a heli.  But there are many heli
pilots that have never flown fixed wing, too.  

Fixed:  Generally easier to learn, relatively cheap compared to helis, may
be less exciting over time (which is why I took up heli's too, for the
challenge).

Heli:   Hair-raising to learn, but the challenge may be your cup of tea...
It's generally very expensive - startup costs are typically twice as much
as a good fixed-wing trainer, and repair costs can really soar, also.  

Again, it's your choice....  If fixed wing doesn't interest you that much,
I'd say.. find a heli club and immerse yourself!  You won't (shouldn't?)
regret it!

>	2.  How much does flight instruction cost? 

If someone out there is unscrupulous enough to try to charge you, find someone
else.  Most or all clubs will have either instructional programs, or just
some flyers that enjoy helping others.  You can find some pay-for programs,
and they might even do the trick, but you should also be able to find a few
people to fly with who will help you out.
	
>	3.  I am instrument rated (plane). Does that make any difference?
	    I have never flown anything RC before.

I've never flown full scale before - but some pilots say that flying a full
sized plane is little help for flying R/C, because the only feedback you get
with R/C is visual.  But I also believe that understanding the principles
of flight as well as you must by now, will aid in your correct responses to
situations - ie, not stalling, etc.  Just be prepared to assume your full-scale
experience means very little in terms of twiddlin' your thumbs on a 
transmitter.  :)

>	4.  How long does it take for a beginner to progress beyond a trainer
	    to a more aerobatic plane(on average)?

Varies, a couple of weeks, to years.  It all depends on how quickly you learn
eye-hand coordination.  Are you good at video games?  You'll probably learn
pretty quickly.  Do you have trouble pushing the ATM buttons before it spits
your card back out?  You might want to try something else.  :-) 
I would say, on average, a pilot might solo a trainer within 5-8 weekends,
and be flying an aerobatic plane a few weeks or months after that.
A heli typically takes a lot longer.  Some people will be doing hovering
practice for 6 months before they progress to moving around (intentionally).
Personally, I started forward flight preparations after 4 weekends of flying.
Unfortunately, I crashed and burned, decided to hold off on re-building and
haven't flown since...  But that's something that will happen, like it or
not.

>	5.  How much does it cost to join a club?

Most clubs require either AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) membership,
at $40 per year, or SFA (Sport Flyers Association) at $25 per year.  And then
the club membership fee itself.  Be prepared to pay a one-time field fee to
start up.  My local club charges $50 field fee (one time only) and $50
per year.  But they have a nice facility, though...  It varies, call a
hobby shop in your area and find some clubs; show up at a meeting or
two and ask around.  


GOOD LUCK!  
 
  -swb- (Steve Bixby, sbixby@cup.portal.com)