The Aircraft

The Way Forward
Getting The Gear The Aircraft The Engine The Radio Starting Gear The Cost True Story

The first thing to consider is the model aircraft. If you can't fly, the only choice here is a trainer. This also pretty much dictates the engine size as being a 6.5cc. (0.40cu" or "forty") or an electric motor of similar power.

Smaller models are available but are generally more difficult to fly and don't cope with our windy weather so well.

There are a load of products in this market. Most are four function (or channel) models but there are still a few three function ones around.

A function is a separate control so a four function model will allow you to control aileron, elevator, rudder and throttle.

You may hear that three function models are easier to learn to fly on as they are more stable.

For stooging around in a circle, this is probably correct.

However, you have to learn to get off the ground and back on it and the best models for learning this are definitely the four function ones. Fundamentally this is because a four function model has separate control over the yaw axis.

The complexity of building varies from a full building job right down to the A.R.T.F. kits requiring only a few evenings building.

We would normally recommend that you start with an A.R.T.F. trainer as this will get you flying pretty quickly. It also minimises the the chances of building something incorrectly.

Once you're hooked on the hobby, you can always try something a bit more ambitious to build for your next model.

At D.M.A.C., we have seen a lot of different A.R.T.F. trainers and there are very few bad ones. You can expect to pay around £70.00 for this model.

Since kits don't come supplied with adhesives etc., you will also have to get quick-setting epoxy resin, fuel proofer and various odds and sods. This is likely to add around £20.00 to the cost of this model.

Going off at a bit of a tangent, one thing you might want to consider is a flight simulator for your PC.

You can easily pay over £100 for this. Why not have a look at the FMS Fligh Simulator - it's free and a cable to connect your transmitter to your PC costs £10?