Re: Parkzone Spitfire- a new pilot experiment

Morgans wrote:
"Ed Cregger" <ecregger@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote
Any prospective student pilot would be better off obtaining a computer simulator of recent vintage and learn to fly there. What one learns flying the sim will directly apply to flying a model in the real world.

I understand the OP's (original poster's) desire to experience the phenomena raw and there is a good bit of merit in that attitude. It demonstrates a willingness to persist, regardless of the set backs. That is good and will go a long way toward improving the chances of your success. Still, the computer simulator gives you the opportunity to experience the effect of flaps without multiple crashes of a model.

I have no idea how the model he is buying flies, or if it capable of training a pilot.

I do know that unless it is very slow, and super easy to fly, I agree with you. The OP is setting himself up for heartbreak. DAMHIKT.

People, on the whole, have no idea how hard it is to fly a real remote control plane. I tell anyone that asks, if they don't have a teacher on a buddy box, their chances of success are slim to none.

I know teaching one's self has been done, but the odds are against it.

Not really anymore. With modern R/C flight sims it's quite possible to do it. I've done it, and I didn't use a trainer aircraft as my first plane either.

In one point you're right though: People have NO idea how hard it is. A little "fun" story from my recent history: I fly at local parks whenever I fly in the early morning or late in the evening. One Saturday morning a dad walks onto the grass with his kid - and an RTF plane w/out receiver (no trainer) still in the box. Sensing trouble, I brought my plane in and walked over where they did what little assembly was needed. They had charged the provided LiPo and the RX/TX battery. To make a long story short: I noticed them making a few setup errors, too much control throw and so on and so forth, and politely asked if they'd mind some suggestions. Now, for reasons I'm unwilling to provide, people don't generally like to talk to me, so the dad quite rudely declined. I asked if they had any R/C experience... and you'll never guess the answer: "My son knows how to fly, he has plenty of games!"... erm. Oke. So I went to my car and watched. You guessed it, they trashed the plane. Dad was yelling at son, son was screaming at dad (and stomping on a perfectly good TX). Some people only learn the hard way.

However, the OP seems to at least have realistic ideas on how to get airborne with minimal risk.


Jen
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