Hello from Ruislip, Northwick Park, NW London

[bav123]

I admit it - its all due to my son that I've caught this SC bug.

My son who has been playing flight sim on his PC for the last 2 years now wants the "real" thing.

So I was planning to get him a small 30 pound rc plane for his birthday later this year but was advised to go for a SC.

The price jump initially shocked me, but I was told it would be the difference between "flying" a plane and just "remote-controlling" a plane ( or as I understood it - playing tennis on a court vs playing tennis on a Nintendo Wii by just sitting on the sofa and flicking your wrist. )

So I'm planning to buy a SC.

But I get the feeling its not as simple as telling my son, "take it to the local park but be sure to come home before it gets dark."

So I was hoping to meet up with a friendly flyer from near Ruislip, Northwick Park or Greater Northwest London area who can show us the ropes (and the fields, and the rules/regs and the nearest pub).

Beers will be on me and the crisps will be on my son

I know it's January and the weather isn't ideal, but I'm planning ahead.

Cheers,
Bav123

[spindeepster]

Welcome aboard. I am too far away to help, but when you do find someone to come to your aid you and your son are going to have a great time. My personal rule of thumb: Fly first, drink beer afterwards. Disorientation and over-reaction are the biggest hurdles to overcome (that and GRAVITY). I do not fly if I have even one beer under my belt.

[iandhunt]

Throw some navigation lights on her and the "come home before it is dark" rule won't apply!

[bav123]

Thanks spindeepster and iandhunt.

Drinks certainly afterwards. My son's has been watching Aircrash Investigation so he's seen bad habits (that hopefully he won't pick up).

Night time flying? Let me and son get a hundred hours daytime flying time first!...or am I being too official lol?

[BlueRam]

One bit of information that will assist anyone thinking about meeting you is how old is your son. The simulator time he has spent has to be a good start, but everyone on this forum will agree that you are on the right track getting someone to initially go with the two of you to get you started or to "BuddyBox" the SC. This may save a few crashes and make the learning more fun than frustration.

Colorado is to far from you for me, but stay on this forum and you will get assistance or a tip for where you can get help such as local hoppy stores, or local flying groups.

Have fun and post often of your son's progress.

[SCC]

Hi Bav.
I would be more than happy to meet up with you and your son.
I live in chalfont St. Peter, but I freelance for a company in Greenford so I'm sure we could arrange a meet at sometime.

Welcome to the forum.

Cheers
Paul

[bav123]

Jan 4, 2013 23:04:22 GMT 1 BlueRam said:

One bit of information that will assist anyone thinking about meeting you is how old is your son. The simulator time he has spent has to be a good start, but everyone on this forum will agree that you are on the right track getting someone to initially go with the two of you to get you started or to "BuddyBox" the SC. This may save a few crashes and make the learning more fun than frustration.

Colorado is to far from you for me, but stay on this forum and you will get assistance or a tip for where you can get help such as local hoppy stores, or local flying groups.

Have fun and post often of your son's progress.

Ages? Oh must I ?

Very well - son is 13 and I am...er.....in my 30's......late 30's.........extremely late 30's and on a point of political correctness, I'll go no further than that

For a teenager he is surprisingly more interested in flying than he is in playing combat games on his Xbox, so I'm thinking this is a good point in time to steer him away from all TV-based nonsense.

[flydiver]

I'm amazed the game addled generation is not flocking to RC. Seems like it should have both the action they seem to crave and actually be REAL. But, maybe that's not the point.

Read this before you fly:
6 Keys to Success by Ed Anderson
www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18

You are WAY ahead by getting some first hand help. Even better if you can get a buddy box system going. For someone going it along a plane generally lasts a matter of seconds before it's too wrecked to fly. Then you get to learn about damage repair.

Don't worry about age. I thought I was getting into a kid's sport. In reality the majority of the RC fliers are significantly older-older than you. Teenagers are uncommon.

[toff]

Hi Bav,
Welcome aboard. Unfortunately I'm way 'oop north', so too far for beer and crisps.
Don't worry about the age thing - I started trying to fly RC at 16, failed repeatedly for 22 years, finally bought an SC, and at 38 learned to fly on my own. 3 years later ( and with a LOT of help from here), I now fly Aerobatics, jets, (not quite)3D, self builds, gliders, and ultra micros.
Whoever advised you to buy this knows what's what, as this plane will teach you, and your son everything you need for succesful flying.
Be warned - being successful, whilst making you very happy, will make both your wallet and wife not so happy with you. I know.
OH..disable the ACT before flying - it will destroy your plane, and you will stand with the control in your hand saying...' I didn't do that!', 'Why did that happen!', and the all time favourite - "That cost me 150 F**KING QUID! AHH! JEESUSS! NOO!"
search the forum for ACT, and how to disable it.

[bav123]

Jan 6, 2013 22:45:10 GMT 1 SCC said:

Hi Bav.
I would be more than happy to meet up with you and your son.
I live in chalfont St. Peter, but I freelance for a company in Greenford so I'm sure we could arrange a meet at sometime.

Welcome to the forum.

Cheers
Paul

Hi Paul,

Sorry for the late reply.

Your a star!

How do you want to arrange the meet? Shall I pm you/will you pm me?

Cheers,
Bav

[bav123]

Jan 7, 2013 17:39:46 GMT 1 flydiver said:

I'm amazed the game addled generation is not flocking to RC. Seems like it should have both the action they seem to crave and actually be REAL. But, maybe that's not the point.

Read this before you fly:
6 Keys to Success by Ed Anderson
www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18

You are WAY ahead by getting some first hand help. Even better if you can get a buddy box system going. For someone going it along a plane generally lasts a matter of seconds before it's too wrecked to fly. Then you get to learn about damage repair.

Don't worry about age. I thought I was getting into a kid's sport. In reality the majority of the RC fliers are significantly older-older than you. Teenagers are uncommon.

That is an excellent read! Thank you.

"wrecked" - that was my first fear. "£150 gone in under 5 mins" is not my idea of a hobby

So am really glad you guys are on here and come to think about it further, a hundred blessings to the creator of this site - John

"game addled generation...flocking to rc" - I agree. Its probably too much of a mental investment required of them - easier to press a button while sitting on the sofa and letting the sound effects make them feel like they're out in the big wide world.

Thanks for the link.

[bav123]

Jan 7, 2013 22:17:53 GMT 1 toff said:

Hi Bav,
Welcome aboard. Unfortunately I'm way 'oop north', so too far for beer and crisps.
Don't worry about the age thing - I started trying to fly RC at 16, failed repeatedly for 22 years, finally bought an SC, and at 38 learned to fly on my own. 3 years later ( and with a LOT of help from here), I now fly Aerobatics, jets, (not quite)3D, self builds, gliders, and ultra micros.
Whoever advised you to buy this knows what's what, as this plane will teach you, and your son everything you need for succesful flying.
Be warned - being successful, whilst making you very happy, will make both your wallet and wife not so happy with you. I know.
OH..disable the ACT before flying - it will destroy your plane, and you will stand with the control in your hand saying...' I didn't do that!', 'Why did that happen!', and the all time favourite - "That cost me 150 F**KING QUID! AHH! JEESUSS! NOO!"
search the forum for ACT, and how to disable it.

Hi Toff,

22 years! Glad you had the perseverance as it has paid off!

Age thing? Yep, Think I'll decide to stop at "late 30's" and er....wait for son to catchup wiht me ;D

Yes, I read about the ACT thing on the SC box and it was one of the things that made me think that will keep my £150 safe(r).
(What you laughing for? ;D)

Thanks for the tip.

[flydiver]

ACT - great marketing ploy
In real life > garbage.

[SCC]

Hi Bav.
Sent you my home number in PM. I find it easier to talk than write. ;D

[bpj1980]

Hey bav, sorry mate i am well and truly a long ways away, but seriously great decision on the SuperCub, you will see, i only started just over 2 months ago, taught myself everything i know today, spent a short time on the flight sim beforehand but dived in and loved it, agree with Toff 100% ACT can be a hazard, my first flight was in a little wind, not heaps but enough, and the ACT was causing some real problems, cutting out when i didnt want it too, etc etc, so after my first couple of flights it was disconnected, dont just turn it off because it can come on by accident and when you least expect it, turn around and bite you, HARD!
Once you guys feel more confident have a look at the Aileron Mods on here, i just did mine and love it,
Start slow and getting advise before you fly is an excellent start, yeah i know i said i did it all alone, which hey touch wood i havent had any major crashes, only a few touches, broke my first prop the other day, embarrassing yes. because i was taxing along the ground, hit a hole and nose went straight in.. worst was the tree incident, very minimal damage but bruised the ego on that one, 2 hrs to get it down from the tree, about 16-20m up..
I would recommend the Cub to any new flyer, young or old, it has been an absolute blast and i will continue to love it more and more,
Good luck with all your flying and i hope your son gets into it,
p.s never too late to start, i am in my 30's too, early side but still, got a 10yr old daughter to look after.. no she cant fly... YET!