Newbie from Oregon Coast

[Ellis]

Just ordered my SC yesterday and joined the forum today.
I've wanted an RC plane since I was a kid - who hasn't - so I must say I'm a bit excited. Any tips or mods for a new in the box plane? Also is there an area for video tips?

[flydiver]

Welcome aboard. A new plane is exciting. ;D
First tip, if you can find one get a mentor. It will save you HUGE amounts of grief and damage.
2nd-if you can't find one, strongly consider a flight sim program. It will shorten the learning curve and save you HUGE amounts of grief and damage.
3rd-Pay attention to the first 2. Did I mention it save you HUGE amounts of grief and damage?
4th: Read this link:
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355208

5th: Every question that you are hot to ask has been asked and answered (at least somewhat) already, including your first one. Do a little reading while you are waiting here, actually, do a lot of reading. There is WAY more to this sport than immediately appears.
Yes, the Cub has weakness for all of it being a great trainer. It would be a good idea to reinforce them before flying; struts suck, battery box is weak, wing should be taped, tail is weak, tires are too small, prop is weak and too expensive, etc. Read about modifications and fix 'em.
The first few minutes (few seconds really) of a new plane's life in the hands of a new flier are the most critical and the hardest.
Did I mention finding a mentor?
Yes, you can learn by yourself but be fully prepared to learn a lot more about glue and tape than you ever expected in your life. ;D

fly

[zeta30]

Hey congrats on joining the Club. I'm just in Portland so we aren't that far from each other. This is an awesome site to get tips and advice.

In all honesty the SC flies great right out of the box.

There are a few things to remember. Altitude is your friend. A lot of newbies are afraid to fly their plane high enough to stay out of trouble. You really want to be high enough where you can correct your mistakes with out crashing. So don't be scared to get it 150-200' minimum up there.

A ground take off is the easiest way to get in the air. When you take off just let the plane gain in altitude, make sure you dan't make any turns right after take off, wait until you're 100' or so high.

One very important thing, especially since you're on the Coast where you get a lot of wind. Don't fly if it's windy when you are starting out. Pick a nice calm day. Once you get get more experienced and start to fly when it's a little windy then always, always fly up wind from you. I have read dozens of posts from fliers who were flying when it was windy, they fly down wind from them and the battery runs out. The plane then gets blown down wind and they never see it again.

[Ellis]

Thanks for the help.
Since I posted, I've been reading and reading and am realizing how much info there is in this forum.

I think a mentor is unlikely since the town I live in has about 750 people and no Hobie shops. I've done a fair amount of flight sims and computer gaming, but I'll check out the RC sim.

Sounds like I'll need some props. A box, a case, a pallet?

zeta30, ever fly at Evergreen by the air museum? I went and saw they had a RC field. No kidding about the wind by the way.

[flydiver]

Read this on props. You don't have to totally understand it yet but it gives you replacement options.
www.ampaviators.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=27

I think I'd start with a half dozen though. I've gone through 3 in less than 30" before I learned about prop savers.

If you are normal and lucky, you'll bust your first prop within 15 seconds. If you are unlucky...well-it gets more interesting.
If you are REALLY lucky and the sim time has done you good then you may just take off and fly. Report back.

fly

[zeta30]

I live in the SE Portland area so Evergreen is a bit of a drive for me.

I agree with flydiver 100% that a simulator will help you improve your skills. A good one is fairly expensive, ($200 for a G4), but when you consider all the parts you will be breaking, repairing and replacing a sim could actually save you money in the long run.

I have a G3.5 and practiced on that before I bought my SC and I didn't have near the problems as some new fliers, especially with orientation when you are flying towards you.

I've only broken about 3 props thanks to the sim too.

[mikejbb]

I agree whole heartedly about a sim. Download FMS, it's free and you can get add'l planes, one like the sc. There's 2, they are called the supercup and lightcub, those are not misspelled, just do a google search to find them. Last year I could fly away just fine, but toward me I was iffy. When toward you move the stick toward the lower wing. Anyway, I did many many hours of fms and another, rcfsim (free to try) and now I fly no problem. Can always use more experience, but the sims are the way to go. Now for about $25 delivered, you can get the esky usb joystick. It looks just like a real controller and is WELL worth it. Just my .02

Mike

[Ellis]

Thanks Mike,
I've just spent 'bout 1 1/2 hrs on the FMS. It's instantly obvious what a helpful tool it can be - especially if you think of that plane as your new Super Cub. Hundreds of dollars already saved!

Ellis

[mikejbb]

Glad to be of help, it really helped me.

Mike

[Ellis]

Do you recommend the over sized tires?
Is there much loss of performance?
I do like the idea and am wondering where a good source would be.

Ellis

[mikejbb]

Yes definitely get larger tires, I can't recommend mine because the spokes already broke, but they still work with hot glue. These wheels are extremely thin and light so no loss in performance. My parts list from my engine thread including the wheels can be found here.

supercubclub.proboards78.com/index.cgi?board=motors&action=display&thread=1314

Lookup the landing gear thread here:

supercubclub.proboards78.com/index.cgi?board=whls

I couldn't ROG in the very rough grass until I put on the 3" wheels.

Mike