Hi, I'm Kim Newton and I've been involved in remote controlled activities since 1984 in one form or another. My interest in Remote Controlled cars, airplanes etc…has always been with me even though I didn't realize to what extent until I was much older. The first time that I remember seeing anything Remote Controlled other than the ordinary R/C toy car or truck you may see in toy catalogs, wasn't until I was a teenager. But now it's almost impossible to not see an airplane, car or something that's remote controlled wherever you may be.
There are also Flight Schools located throughout the U.S., you can locate these by searching the Internet. The Flight Schools charge to teach you how to fly! Most flight schools use their own planes, so should you happen to crash and burn, it wouldn't cost you a perfectly good airplane! I personally would choose the help of club members, but I haven't been to a Flight School. So I can't be very objective when speaking about flying schools, but I've heard from individuals who have written me and they've had positive experiences with them. The route I chose was purely for my convenience, since I couldn't afford to travel to the nearest Flight School. I had several terrific teachers from the local flying club and they were extremely patient and willing to help in anyway possible. I fell that you will have the same type of pleasant experience, whichever way you decide to learn.
Flight Schools
1ST U.S. R/C Flight School
Hobbies Aloft R/C Flight School
Other Flight Schools and Email Links
My first real endeavor into the R/C World happened after reading a newspaper article about ¼ scale racecars, which were just being introduced into the Arkansas area. You might say that curiosity started getting the best of me, as I became more fascinated by the dream of owning one myself. It wasn't much later until I contacted the persons mentioned in the newspaper article and started racing the cars myself. Although it wouldn't have been possible without the help of the area racers and WCM Mfg., which helped greatly in my acquiring a discount on a racecar that was used for demonstration proposes only. This made getting started much cheaper and easier, since I'm limited by my fixed income.
After seven or eight years of racing cars, I started thinking about other activities like flying airplanes. There were fellow racecar members that did both, flying and racing cars. It was one of these members that suggested flying airplanes for a change, as it was much less expensive. That's unless you crash one! So after visiting the local Flying Field and speaking with the Club members and watching them fly, I decided to give it a try and with the encouragement of everyone I made the transition from racecars to airplanes. The rest is history, as some might say.
Being a Quadriplegic without the use of my arms, due to a motorcycle accident in November of 1981, I'm unable to operate the R/C transmitter controls normally. But I do however manage to drive R/C cars and/or airplanes by using my chin or mouth to operate the joysticks, with the use of a stand that sits on my wheelchair to hold the transmitter. With the use of the control stand, I'm able to fly or drive just about anything I wish to, although my field of view is limited somewhat.
You might even be able to acquire certain products from manufacturers or hobby shops. That would enable you to get started in R/C sports at a greatly reduced price. Some companies have a certain amount of money and products designated for the aid in getting people interested in flying etc. so that later, when you learn to fly, you will be more inclined to purchase products from that specific company. I personally acquired a motor from Fox Mfg. and an airplane kit from Dynaflite Mfg. This was after writing several letters, which included pictures, to insure them that I was sincere and not just trying to obtain something for nothing!
I wouldn't purchase all the R/C accessories in the beginning, since your instructor and/or fellow club members will have the necessary equipment and will help you decide exactly what's needed. I didn't purchase all the accessories needed until I'd been flying for about 6 months, and then I gradually purchased the accessories over a 1 1/2-year period. I suggest that you just get the airplane, preferably a High Wing model, such as a PT-40 or something similar, with Tri-cycle landing gear preferably, Radio/Transmitter Airtronics, Futaba, Tower Hobbies etc... The only other things you'll need at 1st, would be gas and glow plugs. Basically for the courtesy of the flyers/pilots helping you learn, to keep them from feeling used or taken advantage of.
Hopefully, this will help you in your endeavor to become Air Bound. However, if you should need any further assistance don't hesitate to ask! Just give it a try and you'll be surprised how much fun you will have!
Good Luck and Happy Flying!
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