Mad River Flying Association Introduction to Airplanes

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Introduction:

  Welcome to the Mad River Flying Association student pilot training program!

  The members of “MRFA” wish to welcome you, your family and friends to the Urbana Model AirPark and support your desire to learn and undergo the wonderful experience of Radio Controlled Model Aviation Flight. Upon completion of some “introductory” flights with use of MRFA supplied airplane and equipment, you will decide if R/C Model Aviation is for you, and enter into our formal training program. 

Since learning to fly several years ago I have been asked on numerous occasions about the hobby and what it takes to fly airplanes, the cost and all about the learning process. These questions have come from the total novice to commercial airline pilots with many thousands of hours of flight time to R/C fixed wing pilots.  All R/C heli pilots start on the same common ground and go through the same learning curves as anybody else. Each and every new student has to go through the process of learning eye to hand coordination that can only come with time. The commercial pilot has no advantage over a beginner, it is going to take him just as long as everyone else.

VIDEO'S , BOOKS & SIMULATORS

The following items are very worthwhile buying. If you have a computer the purchase of an R/C simulator is about the best investment you can make. A $200 investment will pay for itself in a VERY short period of time. It seems that the most popular brand out there right now is a new one from Horizon Hobbies and the "Real Flight" G5.   Other brands are the Reflex simulator,  the  "CSM simulator", the "Dave Brown" simulator, Tru-Flight and there are others right now I can not name that provide more than adequate response. The Microsoft flight simulator is not a radio control simulation!

 RC Pilot, Model Airplane News, Model Aviation, Park Pilot are a few of the Magazine publications out there. (links to these publications can be found on google search)   Some of these books are monthly and some are bi monthly or quarterly. All have a lot of information for the beginner.

Videos are another great tool.  There are plenty of videos out there and you will need to google search some titles.  Once you have found some, consult your club contact to determine which may be best for you. 

Instruction 

The do-it-yourself instruction is by far the most expensive in terms of replacement parts, time and the inevitable frustration that will lead to many to giving up. Try to find an experienced R/C pilot anywhere within driving distance. Without his input you can find yourself way over your head in no time! One of the links I will provide has an R/C pilot locator. Use it to find someone in your area to help you!  There is no replacement for the help from an experienced pilot. There are 2 or 3 R/C pilot schools in the country.  They can provide a years worth of learning in a week.  Some of these can be prohibitive to the beginner as cost can approach $1000. ( that includes lodging and food at most) If you can not find anyone in your area willing to help, spend your time on a simulator.  Before investing in a heli use the sim to get the feel, then follow the instruction videos and books advice.

What Do I need To Buy ?

Getting into any new hobby is a significant investment. There are many brands to choose from.  The best advice is to see what is being flown in your area by the people that are willing to help you.  If you walk in with a bird they know little of, you may be getting bad advice from them unknowingly. Currently many pilots seem to be flying ARF tranier kits from Tower Hobbies or Horizon Hobby.     There are many more to choose from, having access to replacement parts is a must and needs close consideration.  There are so many that I could go on for many pages, but will stop to save space.  If you have a question please email us from the contact page of this site.