I'm a real airplane pilot, so I can
fly a model, right?
Unfortunately, no. The aerodynamic knowledge acquired
by full scale pilots also applies to RC models and is
very helpful. But, flying from the ground with an outside
view of the model requires learning a new set of eye-hand
coordination skills.
Can I buy a used model and equipment
to learn on?
Maybe. Like buying a used car, you may be buying
someone's troubles. Buy used only if you can be sure it
is the right kind of equipment and is in good condition.
How long will it take to learn to
fly?
It is hard to say. It is kind of like asking how long
it takes to learn to play golf. How long it will take to
fly solo varies greatly with each student, the
correctness of their equipment, and how often they get to
fly. A ball park estimate for a person with a good
primary trainer that gets 3 or 4 flights with an
instructor 3 or 4 times a week, might be a month. It also
takes some luck along the way to catch good weather, find
an instructor available each time, and have no problems
with the model and engine, etc. Two or three months is
more likely.
You need "good" equipment to learn. Tinkering
with a poorly running engine takes time and doesn't
contribute to your flying skill. Flying a secondary, or
intermediate trainer instead of a primary trainer will
increase your time to solo, and require that you be
dependent on instructors longer.
FAQ's answered by Ron Lockhart
