Scale Models - View Single Post - Wonwings Diary-a blog with a difference.

**Bunkerbarge** · 26-12-2005

Barry,

An excellent piece and one very close to my heart. I have always wanted to learn to fly a model and have been through the training ground of rubber band powered planes as a teen flying round a field with the wings off-set through to very simple small r/c gliders that spent more time being repaired than flown.

About three years ago I decided to go down the path of a full blown electric r/c almost RTF model which was more of a sport than a training model (Jamara 330L Extra). All I had to do was fly slow right?

Anyway I joined a local club in the knowledge that they had a trainer and were willing to teach newcomers. After weeks of hanging around at the flying site I eventually happened to be there at the same time as the trainer with the training plane and I did a few circuits to be told that I should try a model with airlerons. After a few more visits trying to get together with someone who was prepared to test fly my model I eventually got so cheesed off with watching the big boys showing off with thier helicopters I gave up.

Understandably I went up one day with a friend who threw the plane in the air for me. It lasted about two-three seconds before nose diving into the ground and wrecking the front end. That was over two years ago now and I still haven't got around to repairing it. I knew what I did wrong but 200.00 pounds per mistake is going to make it a very costly experience.

It did convince me though that too many of the people at these clubs have neither the time nor the patience to give to newcomers and they should be a lot more open and honest about this before taking subscriptions off people.

I will hopefully repair the plane one day and have another go but to be honest I enjoy the boat club so much now and I havent got the time for everything I want to do as it is. I have to say it left me bitter about the flying club though and the members who I found generally to be very selfish and self motivated.

I have since also purchased a flight simulator which uses my own radio set which I have spent a few hours on and an all in package polystyrene Cessna which should be considerably more forgiving in those first few hours in the air.

As with so many things nowadays take all the advice that you can get, and forums are fast becoming one of the best sources of that, and with a sensible approach, do it yourself!

It did make me realise though just how important it is to pass things on to newcomers to our hobby of modelling. I always actually enjoy sharing thoughts and ideas at the pond side with people who want to ask questions. I take it as a compliment that they want to know how something has been done on one of my boats and how they can use the idea themselves.

Once again Barry a very usefull comment which I can wholeheartedly endorse and only goes to emphasise what a great asset you are to this forum.

26-12-2005	#11 (permalink)
Bunkerbarge Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Halifax, Yorks: Nassau, Bahama's:Port Canaveral, USA: and all points in between. Real Name: Richard My Models: Robbe U-47, Deans Marine Cossack, Steam Coaster, Revell U-Boat, Motorcycles. Visit Bunkerbarge's Gallery Posts: 3,671 Images: 230	Barry, An excellent piece and one very close to my heart. I have always wanted to learn to fly a model and have been through the training ground of rubber band powered planes as a teen flying round a field with the wings off-set through to very simple small r/c gliders that spent more time being repaired than flown. About three years ago I decided to go down the path of a full blown electric r/c almost RTF model which was more of a sport than a training model (Jamara 330L Extra). All I had to do was fly slow right? Anyway I joined a local club in the knowledge that they had a trainer and were willing to teach newcomers. After weeks of hanging around at the flying site I eventually happened to be there at the same time as the trainer with the training plane and I did a few circuits to be told that I should try a model with airlerons. After a few more visits trying to get together with someone who was prepared to test fly my model I eventually got so cheesed off with watching the big boys showing off with thier helicopters I gave up. Understandably I went up one day with a friend who threw the plane in the air for me. It lasted about two-three seconds before nose diving into the ground and wrecking the front end. That was over two years ago now and I still haven't got around to repairing it. I knew what I did wrong but 200.00 pounds per mistake is going to make it a very costly experience. It did convince me though that too many of the people at these clubs have neither the time nor the patience to give to newcomers and they should be a lot more open and honest about this before taking subscriptions off people. I will hopefully repair the plane one day and have another go but to be honest I enjoy the boat club so much now and I havent got the time for everything I want to do as it is. I have to say it left me bitter about the flying club though and the members who I found generally to be very selfish and self motivated. I have since also purchased a flight simulator which uses my own radio set which I have spent a few hours on and an all in package polystyrene Cessna which should be considerably more forgiving in those first few hours in the air. As with so many things nowadays take all the advice that you can get, and forums are fast becoming one of the best sources of that, and with a sensible approach, do it yourself! It did make me realise though just how important it is to pass things on to newcomers to our hobby of modelling. I always actually enjoy sharing thoughts and ideas at the pond side with people who want to ask questions. I take it as a compliment that they want to know how something has been done on one of my boats and how they can use the idea themselves. Once again Barry a very usefull comment which I can wholeheartedly endorse and only goes to emphasise what a great asset you are to this forum.