Sloping Off - March 2006
Starting Model Flying
by Terry Sullivan
One of the first questions that is asked by a novice flyer is “What model should I buy?”. There is no simple answer to this as model flying is such a diverse hobby, with an enormous variety of models, types of flying, sites, personal taste and instructors.
So the answer I normally give to this question is “Ask your instructor”. With a discussion, an experienced instructor will be able to give sound advice. To give an example from my own (limited) experience from slope soaring, if I were asked to advise someone who intended to fly mainly at Barton cliff top, I would recommend the X-it EPP flying wing. This is a very durable model that performs well in a variety of conditions, is relatively cheap and can survive landings in turbulent conditions that would be fatal to a less rugged model. This means that the instructor can allow a certain leeway in teaching, be a little later in taking control back. The drawback of this type of model is that it encourages a less careful approach, particularly to landings. When one can safely thump a model in, it is tempting to forget to do a proper approach and landing, particularly when you can set things up perfectly and have turbulence ruin it at the last moment! But it does mean that one can safely come off the buddy leads a bit sooner!
In contrast, if the pupil intends to do most of his flying at Win Green or Ibberton, where a more conventional model can safely be flown. In these conditions, I would suggest a model like the High Sierra, a rudder/elevator conventional model that flies very well. It will fly in less lift than the X-it. but is stable and easy to fly. Having flown mine in winds of about 18mph yesterday, I would hesitate to fly it in stronger winds at Barton as landings can be very tricky in these conditions, but an X-it is perfectly manageable in winds of 30mph or more!
Terry actually included rather more than this in his submission, but I have held it over to the next issue (what luxury!). I would like to add this: an instructor is a luxury and may not even be the norm. Lots of people teach themselves to fly RC. What advice should we give them? Thoughts on an A4 sized piece of paper (real or virtual) please by 1 Jun. - Ed
