newbe with new SC - Stock or modified for strength

[BlueRam]

I have been reading this forum for months. I have a list of strengthening modifications from the site for my SC. My question is do I start out stock to learn to fly after the simulator or do I do all the strenthening modifications I have found on this site? I can go stock and then repair it after a crash and strengthen it then as most do.
I could go ahead and add the carbon rods in the rudder, elevator, the wing with no ailerons for strength and the tape or something on the leading edge of wing and elevators before I even fly it.
I would appreciate any discussion on this concept by some of you who have been doing this for a while.
Thank you,
Ron

[blue320]

I say enjoy the SC as it stands and don't get caught up with mods. Learn to fly first but do some strengthening. Before I flew...

=yanked the ACT
=taped the leading edge
=taped the inside of the cowling
=added popsicle stick padding to the wing's saddle
=tied/wired the landing gear wire to the landing gear plastic
=prayed to the SC gods

[gagallagher04401]

All I would do is put some clear packing tape on the length of the leading edge of the wing, this will protect it alot. Also some clear packing tape on the cowl, the cowls crack/break very easy. Tape will make everything last. Also do away with the "ACT" won't help,better chance of it making you crash. Also add the popsicle stick padding to the wing's saddle.
This is all you need to do. Cub is strong and forgiving.
Fly on a calm day! No wind.

Have fun!

George

[BlueRam]

Thanks Blue320 and Gagallagher. Those are good easy tips before I fly it. I will research the forum for the taping of the inside cockpit.
I hope to fly in June after some more simulator time. I have FMS, but it is not very realistic as it was built for older pcs I guess. I have it running in my Win 7 PC, but I don't seem to get much out of it even after downloading the SC variations.
What simulator do others use that do not cost as much as the SC?
Thanks again, Ron

[flydiver]

People get a 'thing' about how realistic SIMS are. It's not much use to do that at first.
1. They are not much like real flying anyway.
2. If you can't fly at all it doesn't much matter. Pick the SLOWEST, EASIEST plane and work with it until you sort your thumbs out. The reverse direction on the plane coming at you + the newbie over correction issue are the major ones to figure out. You can't think and fly, you just have to fly.
3. Now try a slightly harder plane. If you can't fly and land a SIM, you probably can't do it on a real plane.
4. Once you CAN fly for REAL, then the realistic aspects of a SIM start to be more important. The freebies become far more limited then.

I used FMS to start and my USB TX now has dust on it. I rarely use it at all and when I do it's 3D in FMS or slope/soaring practice in CRRC. My buddy has Real Flight and it's pretty with LOTS of planes and scenery. I play on his once in awhile but I'm not willing to spend almost $200 on it. You can pick up used copies in RCGroups occasionally.

Try RC Desk Pilot - another freebie.
rcdeskpilot.com/

Try before you buy: ClearView
rcflightsim.com/

After that they get more expensive but nicer. That choice is up to you .

[toff]

Most sims are touted as training aids, to help with those all important first flights, with lots of pretty graphics and advanced physics.......and are NOTHING like real life flying.
I've flown on realflight G4 and phoenix - pretty to look at, and good for a short 'play around', but no way would I suggest them for training.

For a pointer as to realism - have a go on a roller coaster simulator ( usually found in amusement arcades) - then go on a roller coaster.
Wooohoooo!

I have no idea what point I was making, but it's great fun!

[BlueRam]

Thanks guys for convincing me to start flying it sooner. I have two grass fields near the house and will start after a bit of tape as above.

[flydiver]

MY big suggestion that actually works, if you can do it, is get a buddy that flies and buddy box your TX. If you can't buddy box, at least let them help you get it airborne HIGH UP before you try controls. Be prepared to give it up fast if you lose it. The amount of wear and tear and $$ saved in crashed parts is significant. The learning curve is MUCH better also.

The worst way to learn is on your own. Sure, entirely possible but the tape and reinforcement really aren't going to help a whole lot.

[gagallagher04401]

Fly is right, an experienced friend helps alot. I did it on my own but I have been into surface RC, and helis for years, so I knew what I was getting into.

[flydiver]

Learning on your own has become the 'norm' it seems. It is possible but it's VERY difficult. Newbies think they are going to learn to fly. Eventually they will if they are persistent but mostly what you learn to start is repair, lots of repair and replacement. It's an important part of the sport, absolutely, and you've got to pick it up sometime, but it's not the most effective way to learn by a long shot.

Here's a relatively short read on going it alone. There are literally hundreds like this. This one has a sense of humor.
Super Cub first flights and lessons learned, the bedtime story
www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34746

[blue320]

of course, having a buddy box is the best scenario. if you can find a buddy with a buddy box please take advantage of it. BUT on the realistic sense, find an open field, make sure the wind is calm, not too many people around (better if no people), and hand toss the SC.

from one newbie to another, just make sure to check your trims before you fly and gain a lot of altitude before you make turns. all you need to do is watch youtube vids of noobs making turns after two seconds of the toss and you'll see what I mean. hehhehe

Good landing? That's a whole different story. I'm still working on mine.

[flydiver]

BTW, anyone that can fly with a Spektrum TX or a JR, even (72MHz JR) can buddy box you. The Master TX is the one bound to the plane, the other one is 'along for the ride'. This makes the 72MHz one the slave for the 'student' but you are only twiddling the sticks anyway.
I think even the lowly DX4e has a buddy port? The little 'toy units' like come with the micros do not.

Don't even bother to try mixing other brands of TX to form buddy boxes. You need to be a master electrician and masochist.

[BlueRam]

I will be training first at the LHS where I purchased my SC. I have free lessons there until I am competent to fly by myself and then I'll take my SC up by myself.
My Spectrum DX4e has the buddy port and the LHS suggests the local RC flying club can test and assist me free of charge at their flying field to be sure I am ready. Those benefits are what I gained by purchasing locally rather than over the Internet.
Calm wind does seem to be an issue here in Colorado.
The club site can help in that regard.
Thanks

[flydiver]

Sounds like you have it made. Good deal. Training alone is worth the price of a plane, since you are now less likely to wreck this one. Very few ever take that into account.