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The Joy of RC Airplane Flying!
02/18/2008 - By Charles J. Di Bartolo
RC Airplanes. Try this hobby and you'll be hooked!
The Joy of Flying RC Airplanes.
For many adults playing golf is their favorite weekend pastime, for me it’s flying radio control airplanes. This hobby includes building (or buying), electronics, engines, eye-hand coordination and some of the best camaraderie any hobby can afford. The people in this hobby will do anything to help you get started. They are some of the friendliest people I have ever met. There is nothing like watching your airplane take off from the runway, gain altitude and start to make its first turn at the command of your own hands. Learning to work with wind resistance, gravity and the laws of flight are challenging and interesting. As you improve your skills in the hobby you can specialize in scale airplanes, aerobatics, 3D stunts and maneuvers, combat, pattern flying, Fun fly competitions, gliders, helicopters and large scale airplanes. Each one of these areas can keep you busy for a lifetime.
There is something about going to the field, setting up your airplane, having a cup of coffee with the guys, and going flying that is more satisfying than most other outings. Maybe it’s just the friends you make or the thrills that RC flying creates. All I can say is that it’s the most enjoyable hobby that I’ve experienced and I’ve done quite a few. I would recommend it to anyone.
Today you can purchase a small electric airplane that is ready to fly after five minutes of assembly. If you’re the type that likes to build you can purchase almost ready to fly models (ARFs) that require a few hours of assembly or you can use a kit which is a little more than strips of wood and plans. If you’re experienced in the hobby you can build planes from scratch. For some of us in RC airplanes the fun is in the building for others it’s the flying. For the most fortunate every aspect is enjoyable. I like to spend my time flying rather than building.
Depending on the type of flying you would like to do an initial investment of anywhere from $200.00 to $600.00 for airplanes and small helicopters is a good range to begin in. I would recommend going to a hobby shop that specializes in RC airplanes. There are plenty of places on the internet but, a beginner should bet the advice of a local experienced hobby enthusiast and a shop like Brownies Hobby Shop in Staten Island, NY or Hobby Hut in Pompton Plains is a great way to start. Safety is an important factor in this hobby and you want as much guidance and safety advice as you can get. These places have been around for generations. Heed their advice. Every state has a few of these places look for one in your area if you aren’t in NY or NJ. It is worth the effort to get started with the right equipment and advice. These shops can guide you to an AMA Chartered field. Unless you want to start with a small Styrofoam electric park flyer, you will want to get AMA membership and insurance. This membership can be your window to the hobby. Your local shop can give you an application. In Staten Island, NY there is two great clubs. They are the Staten Island Radio Control Modelers SIRCM and Richmond Model Flying Club RMFC.
Below I have listed a few links to get you started. You may find some good local links on your own. Make sure follow all the safety rules. You can get them on the AMA site.
Happy Flying!
Charles Di Bartolo
Brownie’s Pro & Sport Hobbies
124 Bennett Street
Staten Island, NY 10314
718-727-2194
Hobby Hut
567 State Rt 23
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
973-835-2077
http://www.brownieshobbies.com
http://www.amadistrictii.org/sircm/
http://www.modelaircraft.org/
http://centralhobbies.com/
http://nsrca.us/
http://www.rcuniverse.com/
http://towerhobbies.com/
http://www.rmfc.us/field/IndexF.html
