swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
|
Post by swimmer on Nov 21, 2008 17:52:31 GMT 1
As a Super Cub pilot I have a suggestion for first time RC pilots. I read many posts from individuals that get interested in RC flying, ask for advice on which plane to buy and the Super Cub is almost always the answer, and it is a great choice. We read of budding pilots crashing and crashing only to get discouraged and quit. It doesn't happen to all but there have to be a lot because they are never post here or on other forums again.
To be able to fly indoors, Kansas winters you know, and get a quick flight in whenever I can outdoors in the park behind the house I bought a Parkzone Vapor. After flying the Vapor for a while, it has to be the perfect first flyer, even before a Super Cub in my opinion. For first flyers it will teach 3 channel flying and orientation. It is lightweight and survives crashes with virtually no damage. With Tx, 2.4 Ghz by the way and not any glitching as with the SC 27 Mhz, RTF is $134.99 and with your 2.4 Ghz Tx, $99. Some will say their budget is limited and buying the Vapor before the Super Cub would cost too much. I can see where learning to fly the Vapor first then moving up to the SC could save money in the long run especially if they really catch the RC bug.
So, I love my SC and did buy it as my first plane, have had no major crashes and it has taught me to fly. It has been heavily modded with 2.4 Ghz electronics, brushless motor, removed dihedral, ailerons and it is great to fly. I have learned from repairing it and it still flies perfectly but I can see the real value in the Vapor as a very first experience in RC flying.
Just my .02 cents worth.
swimmer
|
|
|
|
Post by duck9191 on Nov 21, 2008 23:08:11 GMT 1
i have a PZ citabria and its surprisingly easy to fly like the vapor. they would be great for first timers, i have flown in to walls (blade 400 makes wickid prop wash lol) hit the floor and ran in to a basketball net and have only broke one prop shaft. as long as you don't cook the esc/rx/servo combo its very cheap to repair. heck i even got hit by a blade cx2 and it didnt really do anything, just a nick.
isnt flying inside great, no wind, bugs, sun or people. we have a school gym to fly in and its a blast. my citabria and a slow stick are the only two planes, but there is two blade cx2's, a blade 400 and my lama v4 and belt cp.
|
|
|
|
Post by flydiver on Nov 22, 2008 1:22:57 GMT 1
May or may not be a good first plane depending on your 'attitude' and your geography/circumstance. If you live in a windy area-not suitable. Even a mildly breezy area may be a bit much for these things in the hands of a newbie. And it certainly does not look robust to anyone. It's saving grace is lack of weight makes for lack of a hard crash.
A LOT of people want a 'real' plane to fly starting out. Those appear to be a too much like toys. I know the first time I saw a Slow Stick and then a flat foamy I couldn't believe why anyone would want one. Of course I have both now.
Personally I think for most people the Easy Star is a better starter plane than the Cub (I know, sacrilege) but many cannot deal with the look and lack of landing gear. How many people do you know that bought their first plane based on looks alone that was a horrible trainer? Pretty common problem.
I have 2 buddies that got the micro cessna 210. They are kind of in the same category. Occasionally they fly them but after the first enthusiasm they mostly stay in storage. I fly with them all the time and have not seen either plane in months. Neither are broken, just not used.
fly
|
|
|
|
Post by duck9191 on Nov 22, 2008 3:37:26 GMT 1
^^ they just need something to chase with the 210 lol. im still hunting for a stronger motor for better no dive loops.
the easystart is a great flyer, but its ugly. and like you said it turns someone new in rc away. my friend Dave fly's his on a 4400mah s2, that thing is in the air for ever, he gets his lawn chair out and relaxes as it slowly moves around the sky. most of his kids have learned on it and moved on to simple sticks.
|
|
swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
|
Post by swimmer on Nov 24, 2008 2:37:49 GMT 1
Sorry, fly, but I don't agree with you. Your argument against the Vapor sound like a lot like advice given to newbies who are considering a SC for their first plane. I also cringe at the label "toy" considering the skill needed to even become a little bit proficient at flying any RC airplane. The SC can be a handful for a newbie, can be quickly destroyed in the hands of a new flyer, we've seen pictures on this forum, and someone looking for a real plane can become discouraged quickly with it no matter how much we thrill at flying ours. So, I for one will become very careful in what I recommend for a very first plane.
swimmer
|
|
|
|
Post by flydiver on Nov 24, 2008 4:22:56 GMT 1
I don't consider it a toy. I'm pointing out that newbies looking for a first plane may very well do so and thus disqualify it.
Personally I don't recommend the Cub as a first plane. My first choice is an Easy Star and a buddy box. 2nd choice is the same with a mentor. Last choice is same on your own if you have to. I'm also a fan of Sim work before or during the learning process.
I've yet to find a single person that did not do significant carnage with ANY plane if starting out on their own. People claim otherwise but they don't live in my neighborhood. If you think the Vapor is immune to this maybe you would care to experiment with a newbie with yours?
I had the nose of my Slow Stick driven 4 inches into (soft) ground by a newbie before I could even react. Got a buddy box after that little incident-cost less in the long run and has turned out to be a lot of fun. This was a licensed pilot. I think they may be harder to teach as has been suggested.
|
|
|
|
Post by cjg on Nov 24, 2008 4:29:54 GMT 1
I had only flown a Blade CX helicopter before taking out a Super Cub on my own. Flew it fine first time, had a few bad landings, went through a few props, but no damage that required more than a bit of epoxy to repair.
If you understand flight dynamics (lift, drag, thrust, etc), flight controls (purpose of elevators, ailerons, rudder, etc), and have a bit of experience with the controls of R/C you can learn on your own without causing significant damage.
|
|
|
|
Post by flydiver on Nov 24, 2008 5:02:57 GMT 1
Yes, but I wouldn't consider someone with heli experience a newbie. Them things are HARD to fly.
I haven't flown a 'real' heli but in Sims I can get one around to a crude degree and even occasionally land successfully. I couldn't even get near that on a plane when I was just starting out.
|
|
|
|
Post by duck9191 on Nov 24, 2008 8:04:37 GMT 1
^^ bah cx are easy lol cp, now thats a differnt story.
we have been using simple sticks for trainers lately. its only a $30 airframe so if some one lawn darts it big deal. only running 100 watts super low rates with a bit of expo and its very easy to learn. if some one is having problems with the ailerons we stick them on the easy star to get some stick time first.
|
|
swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
|
Post by swimmer on Nov 24, 2008 18:46:18 GMT 1
I don't consider it a toy. I'm pointing out that newbies looking for a first plane may very well do so and thus disqualify it. Personally I don't recommend the Cub as a first plane. My first choice is an Easy Star and a buddy box. 2nd choice is the same with a mentor. Last choice is same on your own if you have to. I'm also a fan of Sim work before or during the learning process. I've yet to find a single person that did not do significant carnage with ANY plane if starting out on their own. People claim otherwise but they don't live in my neighborhood. If you think the Vapor is immune to this maybe you would care to experiment with a newbie with yours? I had the nose of my Slow Stick driven 4 inches into (soft) ground by a newbie before I could even react. Got a buddy box after that little incident-cost less in the long run and has turned out to be a lot of fun. This was a licensed pilot. I think they may be harder to teach as has been suggested. Actually, I am going to put the Vapor in the hands of two newbies, my 11 and 15 year old grandsons. Both of them have spent significant time on my FS One simulator, it is amazing how quickly kids catch on, and they should not have much problem with the Vapor but I am aware that sim flying is not reality flying. I'll gladly accept the risk and buy new or repair as needed. The practice with the Vapor, especially at the inside venue we have access to, should provide them training in basic flying that will translate to the SC once we move outside. Thanks, fly, for your observations. |
|
|
|
Post by flydiver on Nov 24, 2008 22:16:48 GMT 1
Hey, good for you! Great to bring along some young folks. Be VERY interested how that works out.
Helping out new fliers is one of my favorite aspects to the sport.
|
|
swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
|
Post by swimmer on Nov 25, 2008 1:41:22 GMT 1
Hopefully we can fly in the gym or if it is as calm as tonight, outside, over the holiday. I'll keep you informed, fly.
swimmer
|
|
|
|
Post by admiralev on Nov 25, 2008 4:31:45 GMT 1
it'd sure be nice if i had a grandpa around to save me from so much frustration....  |
|
swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
|
Post by swimmer on Dec 9, 2008 1:10:28 GMT 1
I wanted to post an update on my 15 year old grandson's first RC flight with the Vapor following several months on the FS One:
The Friday after Thanksgiving he came with me to the gym for me to "teach" him to fly the Vapor. I launched it, flew it around a while to impress him (yeah, right), then slyly asked it if he would like to give it a try. I handed him the DX6i and the rest, as they say, is history. He flew it perfectly and even looped it several times. We flew out four batteries and he never once came close to crashing. I suspect he will have little difficulty flying my Super Cub. Kids are great, aren't they !!!!
swimmer
|
|
|
|
Post by admiralev on Dec 9, 2008 2:57:50 GMT 1
glad to hear all went well! its all those videogames they play these days. they've got much more experience thumb-twiddling than the rest of us.
admiral
|
|
