Here's a good tip that NO ONE mentions... Check the availability of the plane your interested in. Not the kit, but replacement parts. Flyzone is NOTORIOUS for not having replacement parts. I have their Sensei and have needed a replacement fuselage for it for well over a month. NO ONE has it in stock.....yet everyone and their mama offers the kit. Great plane......but pointless if I can't replace parts.
+Sahadi420 Hi! can u please help me, what does he say on 6:34 "With a gas plane..." and then what? English is not my native and I can't understand what he's saying
+Yulia Blazhuk He speaks about if you have a gas engine and it stops, you have to fly it with no engine which takes a new skill to do. (Not to say batteries can't die during flight, but electrics are possible to start or stop the motor while in flight)
+JohnWisconsin thanks, but could you please write his words from 'with a gas plane' to 'quite right' for me, I just can't understand few words (I need to translate the sentence exactly). I would be very grateful!!=)
I have almost 40years flying RC models and I'm impress on how good you are telling others all the aspects you need to know about starting flying RC. I watched the whole episode and I enjoyed so much. I think all the Hobby stores should have a screen where people can see this footage. You guys are doing an amazing contribution to the hobby. Thank you!!! and I agree with you guys... .This is the best hobby in the world !!!
My brother’s trainer was a glow-fueled balsa GCF His hobby lasted the 6 month build plus his second flight. That was the hobby in 1980. He only let me touch the plane after he wrecked it. Good to see things have changed.
@@ChrisinOSMS hahahahahahaha ! Poor Fellow. advances in Foam moulding and electronics have made the hobby far cheaper and more accessible to the masses. we dont have to be expert builders now, just stump up with $100 to get a foam plane and cheap radio. BINGO !
It has been 25 years since I was into rc. This amazing group of very talented people made my passion for the hobby reignite. Thank you for all the amazing videos. Merry Christmas in 2019.
Published in 2013! Wow, that's a blast from the past! This is such an excellent video. I rewatched it because I have a guy and his son interested in getting into the hobby. I sent him the link and it still holds up. Great job, Josh, Josh and Chad!
Your team is doing the hobby proud! Regarding beginners, you should also should mention gliders are great for beginners. The are typically slow, easy to see and fairly easy to fly. A shameless plug for your earlier episode of the Parkzone Radian and Radian Pro is well worth viewing and learning from.
I’m wanted to get into the hobby and I got to say gliders are for if you’ve never seen a plane in your life. I’ve been flying glider planes for years and they get boring fast. Then my dad got me this rc plane one year and I wasn’t a big fan of it. It didn’t have any elevators or ways to pitch up and down and the only way to bring it back down was to kill the power. I think he also tried to discourage the hobby for me because he said anything with wheels would have to be big and get registered by the FAA which even today I think of as being big and complicated. Now that he’s into FPV drones and isn’t as discouraging in the field of rc vehicles I’m willing to give it another try and I’m starting to see more confidence in the hobby. Gives me something productive to do besides sitting on my ass all day looking at my phone. I plan on getting a beginner plane by Christmas. Along with a small rc BF-109 which I think won’t be too much more complex than the beginner plane but would be a step up. I have big plans for this hobby and I’m hoping my dreams don’t get crushed or I get burnout and lose interest in the hobby.
Dude you guys freaking rock yo! I'm a beginner and I don't have a clue what to do or hw to do t lol. Your video is awesome and will definitely help me a great deal man! Thanks a million dudes!
i love rewatching this every now and then because these videos, and this channel got me into the hobby when I was 14, it is so nastalgic and I couldn't be more thankful to the flitetest crew
High wing, high dihedral, foam construction, electric, fixed gear, rubber band construction. Top of wing different color from bottom of wing. plan on a minimum of ten hours flight practice before moving to the next plane. typical flight time with electric can be ten to twenty minutes meaning you will log 50 to 100 launches and landings (crashes) building control skills. good luck !
My respect for you guys just went up a LONG ways. I've been in the hobby since 1979 with my first RC plane, a Sig Kadet MK-I balsa kit and a 40 nitro engine. There were no electric motor powered RC planes back then. I learned the hard way over the years and you guys hit on ALL the issues that we used to learn the hard way! That first kit was a box of balsa sticks and sheets. Foam board was not invented yet back then. I learned about the different types of adhesives (glues) and covering materials. When I finally finished building it, the big day arrived to take it up on the maiden flight. I had no instructor but thought I didn't need one because I could fly U-control planes no problem.... WRONG. The first flight lasted about 30 seconds. At the end of the first flight I picked up a Monokote bag fill of broken balsa parts. After the crash I told the guy at the hobby store what happened and he put me in touch with the local RC club where I met my first instructor. Then I built another Sig Kadet kit and the instructor made all the difference in the world. The crashes went from a completely smashed plane on my first flight to a series of repairs with my second plane that were easy to do and were mostly very minor repairs.Fast forward a few years and I had advanced from the high-wing "trainer" kit to my first war bird. It was a P-51, of course LOL. The same instructor helped me ease into flying this war bird which was very fast and had a high wing loading. That means it didn't float, it didn't right itself when you relaxed the controls. It went right where you point it. But, with his help and lots of practice, I learned.All in all, the advice you give in this video is EXCELLENT!!! Take it from me, after 37 years in the hobby, listen to these guys. They know their stuff! You have to learn to crawl before you can walk and learn to walk before you can run. Start with a good trainer plane and if possible find an instructor with a "Buddy-Box" set-up to help you. That way you will save yourself LOADS of money and time. I cannot stress this enough.Josh and company, PLEASE keep up the great work. You guys ROCK! PS: You know what a Cuban-8 maneuver is? Then you can imagine what a Cuban-9 is LOLRegards,Cuban9
Loved this beginners series kick off. I'm really impressed with your productions in general and very happy to see you kept up the quality and love for the beginners. :-D
Alright guys, I know this is old...mainly because I've watched it around 58.642865 times BUT, if anyone from FT is reading...I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU!!! I just finished soldering and plugging my first ESC, receiver and motor and FINALLY worked up the balls to turn on the receiver and test it! It WORKS! ...just waiting on props and have to install a couple servo control rods and I'll be in the sky on wings for the first time with a Tiny Trainer, FT Flyer, Mini Scout or Mini Arrow that your videos helped me SCRATCH build with ZERO RC EXPERIENCE and helped to keep me outt of my own head during this rough time of unemployment and stress. Learning and building these foamies is the only way I've been able to get to sleep on many nights recently. I've spent many nights stress, with my mind racing and had to get up and build bedside until I became more relaxed. Also the credit card bill this caused is enough motivation to keep job searching through the disappointment and discouragement.
Awesome videos guys, been wanting to get into this hobby for a long time. Bought the Horizon super cub and spent 2-3 hours messing around on the phoenix 4 simulator (has the super cub already loaded on it with its exact specifications) got to the point that it was hard for me to crash it! Took the real thing out, had an awesome flight and is still in one piece with 0 dents. :)
Agree.starting with a sim to me is the way to go . basically once u get the hang of it ,try landing the Piper and controlling it 😂, because if you can land that plane without bouncing,you can land pretty much everything 😂.
I've been interested in rc flying for a while now and just bought an RTF Super Cub and received it yesterday! First plane so thank you for the videos, they've helped a ton!
I have been checking out your channel for a few months now because I have always loved remote controlled crafts but have never really jumped into the hobby. This video is absolutely excellent for a person like me. Episodes like this are very informative with filled with great advice. A lot of people are going to get into this hobby because of this video and I am going to be one of them! Thank you all so much for this and all your other great videos! Keep it up!
I have to admit that I found you guys by accident while looking to back into the hobby. I started out looking for what I remembered from my childhood...a gas powered plane, built from balsa wood, monokote applied, RC airplane working on 72 megahertz transmitter. When I was a kid electric was just coming out and all that was available was a sailplane hybrid electric. I am so glad I found you guys because the hobby has changed so much. Now I'm looking at something completely different to start the hobby. A RTF foam airplane. Thanks Flite Test! I am now addicted to your videos and hope to make it to Flite Fest 2014.
great stuff guys, im 52 year of age, and instead of buying a harley im looking to start flying RC for the first time. i find your training vids easy to follow and very informative. many thanks . .
What a great series of videos! At 62 years I have fond memories of my model airplane days. Things change SO much with time. This series has helped me quickly encompass the major changes in the hobby. The first big shocker for me was finding out the "RC Modeler" magazine was gone. I suppose the next big change is that back in the day there was no internet. I remember, when I was 14, building and flying control line models was a big part of my life. Then came the day I heard about "radio control". I mentally could not grasp it in the beginning. As time passed it also became an integral part of my life. LONG LIVE MODELERS! FORWARD! ps: i still have my "Kraft" 4 channel radio, packed in the original box, in storage. the housing is very thin aluminum, bent at right angles. will get it out one day and take some photos!
I'm 13 and teaching my dad he told me about the hobby got two cool $60 planes (my first plane) an my dad told me basics and by the second batterie I was doing loops and barrel roles then teaching my dad that had little experience. And we learned better from then.
I rarely comment on UA-cam videos, but I've got to say that this video series is fantastic! I've been flying RC planes and helicopters for a little while now and I've already learned a lot of this stuff (usually the hard way...), but this is the most approachable, funny and informative introduction to RC flying I've come across. I'll be recommending it to anyone looking to get into the hobby.
I think this might be your best video. It has the most information, said in the best way, to the right audience, and it's all really really good information. This is why I'm a fan of Flite Test. If every potential RC pilot watched this before their first purchase/build, I think we would have a lot more people in the hobby.
This series is going to help me a lot, I wanted to started this hobby because of peter's channel but had no idea what to do. this series is really going to help me, thanks Flite Test
I've just come here for memories. 9 years ago these videos pushed me into the RC hobby. Now i have full size RC workshop with 20K euro invested in it :D. But than you a lot Flite Test i learned so much! Remember watching these videos 2 Am whikle my wife were aslpee so she woulnd't think i was crazy about RC toys :D
I've been building kits since 1958. I was 10. In 57 my dad bought mea Cox .049 P-40 RTF. Didn't last a year. So I started building. Last one was a Flying Fool $4.00. u-control in 1969. McCoy .35 Engine. $5. Spent 4 weeks putting it together. Beautiful when finished. Enjoyed the building the most. Great hobby.
Where was this video 6 years ago. I thought all thees thoughts when I got my first plane and yes I crashed it and ruined it lol. LISTEN to this video the info is worth a couple of thousand dollars in wrecked planes. Great vid guys!
So cool that the subjects covered and opinions reflected the friends that helped me get started in RC. Everything from type of plane, drive source, and kits types (yes replacement parts are mentioned). Well produced. Not dry and boring.
Nice, this is a must for newbies like me. What I learned, "Start with the ugly rather than with the sleek (warbird) that will only end up in the trash."
I started out with a £35 3 channel, aileron rudder throttle piper cub looking thing from amazon. Honestly, greatest purchase I have ever made. It flies beautifully.
Saysomeone bought you a warbird the A-1 for Christmas without askingyou as a second plane. Could you guys make a video with tips on flying a Warbird.Thanks.
I play videogames full time so I was able to immediately fly my first plane, a balsa wood glow powered P51-Mustang, and do aerobatics and everything. It felt natural.
This is a very good video to listen to. I haven't flown RC planes yet but I am looking at giving it a shot. I have flown RC Helecopters and drones quite extensively. I have roughly 20 RC Helicopters and drones and I must say the concepts being shown in this video are the same for Helicopters. I started out with a 3 channel and without considering my skill level I bought a much higher end Helecopter because it looked cool. Once I tried to fly the thing it became painfully evident I didnt have the skills to fly it. So it actually sat on my shelf for almost a year. I then went back to mastering a 3 channel. I then bought a copter that was slightly larger and very fast that was outdoor only. Once I mastered the speed I moved up to a 4 channel that was about the same size as the outdoor fast one was. After mastering that I moved up to the bahama mama I bought a year earlier and it was soooooo much easier to fly and just keep control of without that panicky feeling you might get because your reflexes aren't quite good enough yet. I would say doing that saved my big multichannel one from certain doom had I tried to master it when I bought it so yes this video is a great guide to follow in order to have the most fun. Let's face it, if your crashing all the time it can become frustrating and many future RC pilots quit because they tried to bite off too much at the start. You will become a master at repairing your craft. I even became pretty good at soldering motors on tiny drone circuit boards using a helping hands alligator clip setup that has an attached magnifying glass and light. It's the most rewarding thing you will experience. Fixing your own stuff is all part of the fun. So always have spare parts available. That will lessen your down time. With the buddy box you can limit your crashes but it will happen, it's just part of the hobby.
you guys are brilliant. I started with Champ= 3 channel, small maneuverable and responsive, foam cheap, repairable, spare parts available fantastic first plane, then next was Supercub, bigger 3 channel totally slow and docile but foam and repairable. next will be something with ailerons and flaps. I love your 1000 piece vs 10 piece puzzle analogy, plus foam is soooo user friendly and fixable. RTF is best for beginners. LOVE YOU GUYS YOU ARE SOOO RIGHT. Thanks Heaps from Wayne in New Zealand
Ok so a couple things I am worried about. 1. I live in a area with a lot of trees, and the only real open area I have where there isn't people is over water...should I put some floats on it, slap corrosion x on all the electronics and just fly it over there(I have a kayak as well so I can retrieve it if it crashes)? 2. I have spent a really long time on full scale flight sims, and a 4th channel would make me feel more at home and more comfortable, especially if I need to avoid an obstacle, should I start with that as well?.
Hobbyzone Delta Ray RFT is one of best planes for the money to start with. It looks cool, it flys great, with the stabilization it flys great in windy conditions, the SAFE button works as advertised. It also takes damage like it is nothing, I have patched up mine half a dozen times now and it flies great still!
Hey FliteTest, I was wondering if a glider would be a good beginner for example a Sonic 185? The gliding aspect of the rc world really appeals to me and with the motor it could also give the motored aspect. Thanks
Hey guys thanks for the video. I have been out of rc for about 20 years so Im new again so I just bought the Apprentice you just had on the table and got it with everything and I added the landing assist and gps with it and watched alot of vids about it and it seems like one of the best starter planes to get. Thanks again
AMAZING videos and information. I've always been fascinated with RC Aircrafts but totally lost as a beginner and these videos have helped tremendously. Much appreciated 🙏
I disagree with the 3ch thing. I started on 3ch and when I finally got good enough for ailerons I felt like I knew nothing. I had to go right back to the simulator. Just save yourself the headache and buy a cheap rtf 4ch. Or buy a radio and build your own.. which is probably the best choice.
I'm the guy this excellent series is targeting. Great information for the person looking to start RC flying. I appreciate the opportunity to learn before I buy. The two hosts are incredibly knowledgeable and super funny! Looking at a Super Cub S for first plane... Thank You
alexvpaq Well sadly nobody makes a plane that I've seen that is really well thought out for beginners. Are you asking for "properties of a good beginner plane", or are you just asking for a straight up plane recommendation?
I wouldn't mind a few straight up plane recommendations to get started in the RC planes hobby. I got myself a little RC copter a few months ago just out of fun and never even considered RC planes. Thought they were expensives I guess. But I found this video series somehow and that got me looking around... it's not that bad. lol But the champ would definitely be in a nice price range and seems to have everything to learn the basics and eventually step up to something else entirely.
alexvpaq Prices have come down a lot since the bad old days. The Champ is too large to really be a typical indoor flyer, and flies too poorly for most outdoor conditions. Any plane with that planform (cubs/beavers/champs, etc.) flies like shit and crashes worse than it flies. The current general all-around best bets are the EasyStar clones; planes like the EasyStar (II) or Bixler (2). They're a little more expensive, but you get much more for your money, and larger planes are easier to work on. There are some alternatives to these; it depends on where you think you'll be headed with the hobby. I'm partial to low drag planes like flying wings (which if built light will fly just as slowly as trainers while still coping with wind) and gliders, particularly DLG's. In fact, Flite Test totally overlooked the possibility of something like a simple DLG as a beginner plane... You guys hearing me? No power system means no power system to carry your plane away or get damaged in a wreck. Ya hearin' me?
I started with the Hobbyzone Champ. Great, 3-channel, tiny, and light. Don't fly in wind. I'd recommend for first flights. Now I took a step up to the Apprentice, 4-channel, bigger. I love it, its still my current airplane and I am so comfortable with it. It needs flaps though. I want to keep going. Flying is so fun.
Timelessly good information. Should be re-addressed time to time for anyone considering this adventure. Easing into any hobby can greatly reduce frustration and expense. If i could go back 35 years now and mentor myself, "Your first build should NOT be "The Hots" - a four channel, no dihedral, symetrical airfoiled winged gasser, stunt plane! Even if it looked cool and on sale. " Ugh! The non-saving final expenses, stress and frustration to now only have a fading polaroid just minutes prior re-kitting it. Appreciate the Flight Test approach. Love the hobby Take in the fellowship Builds of glue, paper and foam = very do-able Designs built to fly with power package options in mind. Laugh at a crash! Own it - Cause it was spectacular! Now tape it, glue it or grab more foam and go back flying! Keep up the good word, guys!
I gave a seymour-duncan humbucker on my 83 Ibanez Roadstar strat copy. Fits right in the standard cutout. It has stacked coils and really got rid of the annoying hum.
I've owned soooo many RC airplanes I currently own 0 I'm trying to get into it but this is one of the hardest RC hobbies I respect all who are able to fly these things
I am glad it isn't. Everything these days is way too condensed in my opinion, with a lot of valuable information left out for the sake of attention span.
you guys are the best I had kinda lost my way in the hobby you guys really make me want to get back in the air as soon as it stops raining(i live in the uk).
sorry but building your first balsa plane/glider and don't get me started on the smell of the dope and a don't mean the stuff you smoke no! after you have taken your time and pinned your fuselage and wings down ......I could go on and on but trust me you will not get the same satisfaction unless you've built the model yourself. And on that slightly windy sunday morning when everyone is still in bed and you wind or throw/launch YOUR piece of balsa and tissue and it flies, it might be a long flight or it might go straight up and stand on it's tail but thats where the blue- tac or that ball of play dough you nicked off your younger sibling comes into use...trust me there is no better sight than a well built plane made of balsa taking too the heavens.
Hey thanks for making this beginner series guys, the amount of help and knowledge you provide is outstanding. I love planes and am looking to get started into building my own with your Tiny Trainer Get Started Package.
Been wanting to get in to RC flying for a LONG time...So once I found this channel I have been on a viewing binge! I think I have decided I will scratch build a versa-wing for my first plane. I am a tinkerer, so building my own is the way for me! Thanks for the Excellent videos guys!
Indeed the sports cub s by horizon hobby I believe is the best starter plane from price to ease of fly and the panic safe feature. It's a 4 Channel $100 for the PNF or $130 RTF. Good Luck
About to restart my hobby...got a dynam beaver DCH 2 ....taking ur points into consideration! although iv flown before iv been wrong with many models... there was no one to guide me.... spo thanks a tonne ...wish i had seen this years before!
I just bought a champ this weekend after seeing the local rc plane club at my local air show. These videos are going to be a great help! Just finished the first one...now to finish the other 9 haha
learned a lot really and i thank you i am 47 and i wanted to fly helis years ago well i bought them and i have kept them havent flown them , but now i am just beginning to fly kinda late but oh well learning fast and buying very fast and you are helping and leading me thank you and well done.....
"wings are on planes for different reasons..."
"mostly so they fly!"
you guys are awesome!
Here's a good tip that NO ONE mentions...
Check the availability of the plane your interested in. Not the kit, but replacement parts.
Flyzone is NOTORIOUS for not having replacement parts. I have their Sensei and have needed a replacement fuselage for it for well over a month. NO ONE has it in stock.....yet everyone and their mama offers the kit.
Great plane......but pointless if I can't replace parts.
Great tip!
+Sahadi420 Hi! can u please help me, what does he say on 6:34 "With a gas plane..." and then what? English is not my native and I can't understand what he's saying
+Yulia Blazhuk
He speaks about if you have a gas engine and it stops, you have to fly it with no engine which takes a new skill to do. (Not to say batteries can't die during flight, but electrics are possible to start or stop the motor while in flight)
+JohnWisconsin thanks, but could you please write his words from 'with a gas plane' to 'quite right' for me, I just can't understand few words (I need to translate the sentence exactly). I would be very grateful!!=)
+Yulia Blazhuk
With a gas plane, God forbid, it's not "dialed in (adjusted or set up)" quite right, some times they like to stop in mid air.
I have almost 40years flying RC models and I'm impress on how good you are telling others all the aspects you need to know about starting flying RC. I watched the whole episode and I enjoyed so much. I think all the Hobby stores should have a screen where people can see this footage. You guys are doing an amazing contribution to the hobby. Thank you!!! and I agree with you guys... .This is the best hobby in the world !!!
I buy RTC ready to crash
RP lol
My brother’s trainer was a glow-fueled balsa GCF His hobby lasted the 6 month build plus his second flight. That was the hobby in 1980. He only let me touch the plane after he wrecked it. Good to see things have changed.
@@ChrisinOSMS hahahahahahaha ! Poor Fellow. advances in Foam moulding and electronics have made the hobby far cheaper and more accessible to the masses. we dont have to be expert builders now, just stump up with $100 to get a foam plane and cheap radio. BINGO !
Good one
Christopher Fritz a gas plane isn’t a trainer
"It's better to have a black eye than, no eyes" Josh Scott - 2013
It has been 25 years since I was into rc. This amazing group of very talented people made my passion for the hobby reignite. Thank you for all the amazing videos. Merry Christmas in 2019.
Published in 2013! Wow, that's a blast from the past! This is such an excellent video. I rewatched it because I have a guy and his son interested in getting into the hobby. I sent him the link and it still holds up. Great job, Josh, Josh and Chad!
I started this hobby because this show
Guy Sharav same
Same here
Same
Same
Same
Your team is doing the hobby proud! Regarding beginners, you should also should mention gliders are great for beginners. The are typically slow, easy to see and fairly easy to fly. A shameless plug for your earlier episode of the Parkzone Radian and Radian Pro is well worth viewing and learning from.
Thanks Steven, we agree
Or get those slow flyer planes.with 3 channels
I’m wanted to get into the hobby and I got to say gliders are for if you’ve never seen a plane in your life. I’ve been flying glider planes for years and they get boring fast. Then my dad got me this rc plane one year and I wasn’t a big fan of it. It didn’t have any elevators or ways to pitch up and down and the only way to bring it back down was to kill the power. I think he also tried to discourage the hobby for me because he said anything with wheels would have to be big and get registered by the FAA which even today I think of as being big and complicated. Now that he’s into FPV drones and isn’t as discouraging in the field of rc vehicles I’m willing to give it another try and I’m starting to see more confidence in the hobby. Gives me something productive to do besides sitting on my ass all day looking at my phone. I plan on getting a beginner plane by Christmas. Along with a small rc BF-109 which I think won’t be too much more complex than the beginner plane but would be a step up. I have big plans for this hobby and I’m hoping my dreams don’t get crushed or I get burnout and lose interest in the hobby.
I've been in the hobby for over 50 years and this is one of the best tutorials on getting started I've ever seen..good job gentlemen.!
Dude you guys freaking rock yo! I'm a beginner and I don't have a clue what to do or hw to do t lol. Your video is awesome and will definitely help me a great deal man! Thanks a million dudes!
i love rewatching this every now and then because these videos, and this channel got me into the hobby when I was 14, it is so nastalgic and I couldn't be more thankful to the flitetest crew
High wing, high dihedral, foam construction, electric, fixed gear, rubber band construction. Top of wing different color from bottom of wing. plan on a minimum of ten hours flight practice before moving to the next plane. typical flight time with electric can be ten to twenty minutes meaning you will log 50 to 100 launches and landings (crashes) building control skills. good luck !
I'd also make each side of wing a different color like blue on left white on right so you can see which way it's going.
Don’t forget to put some humbuckers in that sucker.
@@jacksonlynch5125 and hopefully not a first act.
This is actually quite a good video for beginners like me who gave zero knowledge about how to build RC planes and where to get tons of stuff.
Brilliant! Learnt more here than I could've imagined. Fantastic info and well presented. Well done!
I remember watching this 9 years ago and I was hooked. I feel like this was the video that changed the hobby.
"Would it look cool smashing into the ground?"
"No"
"Wrong Answer!"
Andriy Yatsykiv It only looks cool smashing into the ground if someone is recording it on a camera 👍
@@TheAndyMaan what a lame answer. do it for yourself not for the attencion, u sad
@@dankhalifa6937 I don’t think he’s doing it for attention, I think he just means he likes watching a replay of it crashing
@@dankhalifa6937 it is cool imagine a plane smashing in to the ground its cool
CUT! Remember cool fast planes are better
My respect for you guys just went up a LONG ways. I've been in the hobby since 1979 with my first RC plane, a Sig Kadet MK-I balsa kit and a 40 nitro engine. There were no electric motor powered RC planes back then. I learned the hard way over the years and you guys hit on ALL the issues that we used to learn the hard way! That first kit was a box of balsa sticks and sheets. Foam board was not invented yet back then. I learned about the different types of adhesives (glues) and covering materials. When I finally finished building it, the big day arrived to take it up on the maiden flight. I had no instructor but thought I didn't need one because I could fly U-control planes no problem.... WRONG. The first flight lasted about 30 seconds. At the end of the first flight I picked up a Monokote bag fill of broken balsa parts. After the crash I told the guy at the hobby store what happened and he put me in touch with the local RC club where I met my first instructor. Then I built another Sig Kadet kit and the instructor made all the difference in the world. The crashes went from a completely smashed plane on my first flight to a series of repairs with my second plane that were easy to do and were mostly very minor repairs.Fast forward a few years and I had advanced from the high-wing "trainer" kit to my first war bird. It was a P-51, of course LOL. The same instructor helped me ease into flying this war bird which was very fast and had a high wing loading. That means it didn't float, it didn't right itself when you relaxed the controls. It went right where you point it. But, with his help and lots of practice, I learned.All in all, the advice you give in this video is EXCELLENT!!! Take it from me, after 37 years in the hobby, listen to these guys. They know their stuff! You have to learn to crawl before you can walk and learn to walk before you can run. Start with a good trainer plane and if possible find an instructor with a "Buddy-Box" set-up to help you. That way you will save yourself LOADS of money and time. I cannot stress this enough.Josh and company, PLEASE keep up the great work. You guys ROCK! PS: You know what a Cuban-8 maneuver is? Then you can imagine what a Cuban-9 is LOLRegards,Cuban9
Loved this beginners series kick off. I'm really impressed with your productions in general and very happy to see you kept up the quality and love for the beginners. :-D
Alright guys, I know this is old...mainly because I've watched it around 58.642865 times BUT, if anyone from FT is reading...I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU!!! I just finished soldering and plugging my first ESC, receiver and motor and FINALLY worked up the balls to turn on the receiver and test it! It WORKS! ...just waiting on props and have to install a couple servo control rods and I'll be in the sky on wings for the first time with a Tiny Trainer, FT Flyer, Mini Scout or Mini Arrow that your videos helped me SCRATCH build with ZERO RC EXPERIENCE and helped to keep me outt of my own head during this rough time of unemployment and stress. Learning and building these foamies is the only way I've been able to get to sleep on many nights recently. I've spent many nights stress, with my mind racing and had to get up and build bedside until I became more relaxed. Also the credit card bill this caused is enough motivation to keep job searching through the disappointment and discouragement.
Awesome videos guys, been wanting to get into this hobby for a long time. Bought the Horizon super cub and spent 2-3 hours messing around on the phoenix 4 simulator (has the super cub already loaded on it with its exact specifications) got to the point that it was hard for me to crash it! Took the real thing out, had an awesome flight and is still in one piece with 0 dents. :)
Agree.starting with a sim to me is the way to go . basically once u get the hang of it ,try landing the Piper and controlling it 😂, because if you can land that plane without bouncing,you can land pretty much everything 😂.
I've been interested in rc flying for a while now and just bought an RTF Super Cub and received it yesterday! First plane so thank you for the videos, they've helped a ton!
Hah! I ignored all your suggestions! We'll see who's laughing n...
*plane hits tree*
Dammit
idjit ! FOAM WINS PLUS CHEEEEP CHINESE RADIO !!!!
I have been checking out your channel for a few months now because I have always loved remote controlled crafts but have never really jumped into the hobby. This video is absolutely excellent for a person like me. Episodes like this are very informative with filled with great advice. A lot of people are going to get into this hobby because of this video and I am going to be one of them! Thank you all so much for this and all your other great videos! Keep it up!
"got sum humbuckers on that sucker"
"I have no idea what that means"
As a musician and audio engineer, I appreciate this
I have to admit that I found you guys by accident while looking to back into the hobby. I started out looking for what I remembered from my childhood...a gas powered plane, built from balsa wood, monokote applied, RC airplane working on 72 megahertz transmitter. When I was a kid electric was just coming out and all that was available was a sailplane hybrid electric. I am so glad I found you guys because the hobby has changed so much. Now I'm looking at something completely different to start the hobby. A RTF foam airplane. Thanks Flite Test! I am now addicted to your videos and hope to make it to Flite Fest 2014.
I love it when he says "if you build it-" and the other guy cuts him off "they will come"
great stuff guys, im 52 year of age, and instead of buying a harley im looking to start flying RC for the first time. i find your training vids easy to follow and very informative. many thanks . .
I can imagine some kid skipping every 5 seconds and only hearing the sarcastic parts😂
🤣
@Leonel Ignasiak shut up bot
@Zain Lucca shut up bot
@abdul bari shut up bot
Fr.
What a great series of videos! At 62 years I have fond memories of my model airplane days. Things change SO much with time. This series has helped me quickly encompass the major changes in the hobby. The first big shocker for me was finding out the "RC Modeler" magazine was gone. I suppose the next big change is that back in the day there was no internet. I remember, when I was 14, building and flying control line models was a big part of my life. Then came the day I heard about "radio control". I mentally could not grasp it in the beginning. As time passed it also became an integral part of my life. LONG LIVE MODELERS! FORWARD! ps: i still have my "Kraft" 4 channel radio, packed in the original box, in storage. the housing is very thin aluminum, bent at right angles. will get it out one day and take some photos!
I'm 13 and teaching my dad he told me about the hobby got two cool $60 planes (my first plane) an my dad told me basics and by the second batterie I was doing loops and barrel roles then teaching my dad that had little experience. And we learned better from then.
That is pretty cooool
I rarely comment on UA-cam videos, but I've got to say that this video series is fantastic! I've been flying RC planes and helicopters for a little while now and I've already learned a lot of this stuff (usually the hard way...), but this is the most approachable, funny and informative introduction to RC flying I've come across. I'll be recommending it to anyone looking to get into the hobby.
My favorite part is when he says "when you get there"
I think this might be your best video. It has the most information, said in the best way, to the right audience, and it's all really really good information. This is why I'm a fan of Flite Test. If every potential RC pilot watched this before their first purchase/build, I think we would have a lot more people in the hobby.
"mostly so they fly" laughed my ass off
Rafael Adamy same
Skipping through the video, I just clicked on this moment XD
Same
17:29 for those who can't find it
That guys laugh off set😂😂
This series is going to help me a lot, I wanted to started this hobby because of peter's channel but had no idea what to do. this series is really going to help me, thanks Flite Test
Good job guys
I've just come here for memories. 9 years ago these videos pushed me into the RC hobby. Now i have full size RC workshop with 20K euro invested in it :D. But than you a lot Flite Test i learned so much! Remember watching these videos 2 Am whikle my wife were aslpee so she woulnd't think i was crazy about RC toys :D
The guy who acted like he knew nothing was annoying at first, but grew on me really quick with "I'm a newbie pilot!"
I think it’s funny
I've been building kits since 1958. I was 10. In 57 my dad bought mea Cox .049 P-40 RTF. Didn't last a year. So I started building. Last one was a Flying Fool $4.00. u-control in 1969. McCoy .35 Engine. $5. Spent 4 weeks putting it together. Beautiful when finished. Enjoyed the building the most. Great hobby.
Where was this video 6 years ago. I thought all thees thoughts when I got my first plane and yes I crashed it and ruined it lol. LISTEN to this video the info is worth a couple of thousand dollars in wrecked planes. Great vid guys!
Lol that was 12 years ago from now in 2020, 6 years ago you made this comment
Great stuff! 68 year old noob is very impressed with your info and teaching skills.
UMX Radian is a great lightweight beginners plane.
So cool that the subjects covered and opinions reflected the friends that helped me get started in RC. Everything from type of plane, drive source, and kits types (yes replacement parts are mentioned). Well produced. Not dry and boring.
17:30
Josh finally loses it! 🤣🤣🤣
Nice, this is a must for newbies like me. What I learned, "Start with the ugly rather than with the sleek (warbird) that will only end up in the trash."
That moment when you see this video after ordering an EDF as your first 😆😆😢😢
yup i feel yah Im definitely ordering the simpler plane to fly before flying EDF plane.
Lol even worse I'm almost done making my 3d printed spitfire lol rip my plane after 5 seconds
i bought a balsa wood pdf as my first plane and i am starting to realize that was a bad idea
buy a £70 3 channel gilder and fly that before you crash your spit.. probably too late?
How did that work out?
I started out with a £35 3 channel, aileron rudder throttle piper cub looking thing from amazon.
Honestly, greatest purchase I have ever made.
It flies beautifully.
Saysomeone bought you a warbird the A-1 for Christmas without askingyou as a second plane. Could you guys make a video with tips on flying a Warbird.Thanks.
ah nostalgia. this was the first flite test video i ever saw. it was brand new, had to wait for the rest of the series to come out.
I play videogames full time so I was able to immediately fly my first plane, a balsa wood glow powered P51-Mustang, and do aerobatics and everything. It felt natural.
that's totally tubular bro
@@lulin2546 ?
@@Snecho he means it’s so cool bro
Thanks for uploading. As someone who knows nothing about RC Planes, Josh's explanations were very helpful..
"Put some humbuckers" LMAO :)
This is a very good video to listen to. I haven't flown RC planes yet but I am looking at giving it a shot. I have flown RC Helecopters and drones quite extensively. I have roughly 20 RC Helicopters and drones and I must say the concepts being shown in this video are the same for Helicopters. I started out with a 3 channel and without considering my skill level I bought a much higher end Helecopter because it looked cool. Once I tried to fly the thing it became painfully evident I didnt have the skills to fly it. So it actually sat on my shelf for almost a year. I then went back to mastering a 3 channel. I then bought a copter that was slightly larger and very fast that was outdoor only. Once I mastered the speed I moved up to a 4 channel that was about the same size as the outdoor fast one was. After mastering that I moved up to the bahama mama I bought a year earlier and it was soooooo much easier to fly and just keep control of without that panicky feeling you might get because your reflexes aren't quite good enough yet. I would say doing that saved my big multichannel one from certain doom had I tried to master it when I bought it so yes this video is a great guide to follow in order to have the most fun. Let's face it, if your crashing all the time it can become frustrating and many future RC pilots quit because they tried to bite off too much at the start. You will become a master at repairing your craft. I even became pretty good at soldering motors on tiny drone circuit boards using a helping hands alligator clip setup that has an attached magnifying glass and light. It's the most rewarding thing you will experience. Fixing your own stuff is all part of the fun. So always have spare parts available. That will lessen your down time. With the buddy box you can limit your crashes but it will happen, it's just part of the hobby.
12:35 omg the fingers bend so much😱
you guys are brilliant. I started with Champ= 3 channel, small maneuverable and responsive, foam cheap, repairable, spare parts available fantastic first plane, then next was Supercub, bigger 3 channel totally slow and docile but foam and repairable. next will be something with ailerons and flaps. I love your 1000 piece vs 10 piece puzzle analogy, plus foam is soooo user friendly and fixable. RTF is best for beginners. LOVE YOU GUYS YOU ARE SOOO RIGHT. Thanks Heaps from Wayne in New Zealand
Ok so a couple things I am worried about. 1. I live in a area with a lot of trees, and the only real open area I have where there isn't people is over water...should I put some floats on it, slap corrosion x on all the electronics and just fly it over there(I have a kayak as well so I can retrieve it if it crashes)? 2. I have spent a really long time on full scale flight sims, and a 4th channel would make me feel more at home and more comfortable, especially if I need to avoid an obstacle, should I start with that as well?.
Hobbyzone Delta Ray RFT is one of best planes for the money to start with. It looks cool, it flys great, with the stabilization it flys great in windy conditions, the SAFE button works as advertised. It also takes damage like it is nothing, I have patched up mine half a dozen times now and it flies great still!
Hey FliteTest, I was wondering if a glider would be a good beginner for example a Sonic 185? The gliding aspect of the rc world really appeals to me and with the motor it could also give the motored aspect. Thanks
Hey guys thanks for the video. I have been out of rc for about 20 years so Im new again so I just bought the Apprentice you just had on the table and got it with everything and I added the landing assist and gps with it and watched alot of vids about it and it seems like one of the best starter planes to get. Thanks again
Why doesn't FT make an FT Trainer?
Great video! Smaller and cheeper is better when you are starting! Lighter means when you crash less weight equals less damage!
Wait what about biplanes
I bought my first bi plane havent flown it yet, this video has me second guessing my purchase choice as a beginner
I had a Fokker now it's a biplane
AMAZING videos and information. I've always been fascinated with RC Aircrafts but totally lost as a beginner and these videos have helped tremendously. Much appreciated 🙏
I just bought a BF 109 for my first plane wish me luck
Nice
Really part of the classics! Great job guys!
I disagree with the 3ch thing. I started on 3ch and when I finally got good enough for ailerons I felt like I knew nothing. I had to go right back to the simulator. Just save yourself the headache and buy a cheap rtf 4ch. Or buy a radio and build your own.. which is probably the best choice.
I'm the guy this excellent series is targeting. Great information for the person looking to start RC flying. I appreciate the opportunity to learn before I buy. The two hosts are incredibly knowledgeable and super funny! Looking at a Super Cub S for first plane...
Thank You
Glad you guys gave flying wings a fair shake.
Now if only you could stop recommending the Champ.
What would you consider a nice first RCplane and why?
alexvpaq Well sadly nobody makes a plane that I've seen that is really well thought out for beginners.
Are you asking for "properties of a good beginner plane", or are you just asking for a straight up plane recommendation?
I wouldn't mind a few straight up plane recommendations to get started in the RC planes hobby. I got myself a little RC copter a few months ago just out of fun and never even considered RC planes. Thought they were expensives I guess. But I found this video series somehow and that got me looking around... it's not that bad. lol But the champ would definitely be in a nice price range and seems to have everything to learn the basics and eventually step up to something else entirely.
alexvpaq Prices have come down a lot since the bad old days.
The Champ is too large to really be a typical indoor flyer, and flies too poorly for most outdoor conditions. Any plane with that planform (cubs/beavers/champs, etc.) flies like shit and crashes worse than it flies.
The current general all-around best bets are the EasyStar clones; planes like the EasyStar (II) or Bixler (2). They're a little more expensive, but you get much more for your money, and larger planes are easier to work on.
There are some alternatives to these; it depends on where you think you'll be headed with the hobby. I'm partial to low drag planes like flying wings (which if built light will fly just as slowly as trainers while still coping with wind) and gliders, particularly DLG's.
In fact, Flite Test totally overlooked the possibility of something like a simple DLG as a beginner plane... You guys hearing me? No power system means no power system to carry your plane away or get damaged in a wreck. Ya hearin' me?
alexvpaq Hobbyzone Duet. Better response and *In my opinion* easier rudder. Plus if you get some bigger props, it can go so fast =3
I am not a newbie RC pilot anymore
but I am coming back to this video series for the 4th or 5th times
I always crashed all my simple r/c Cessna :(
I started with the Hobbyzone Champ. Great, 3-channel, tiny, and light. Don't fly in wind. I'd recommend for first flights.
Now I took a step up to the Apprentice, 4-channel, bigger. I love it, its still my current airplane and I am so comfortable with it. It needs flaps though. I want to keep going. Flying is so fun.
Why are there little children flying above the small park
Timelessly good information.
Should be re-addressed time to time for anyone considering this adventure.
Easing into any hobby can greatly reduce frustration and expense.
If i could go back 35 years now and mentor myself,
"Your first build should NOT be "The Hots" - a four channel, no dihedral, symetrical airfoiled winged gasser, stunt plane! Even if it looked cool and on sale. "
Ugh! The non-saving final expenses, stress and frustration to now only have a fading polaroid just minutes prior re-kitting it.
Appreciate the Flight Test approach.
Love the hobby
Take in the fellowship
Builds of glue, paper and foam = very do-able
Designs built to fly with power package options in mind.
Laugh at a crash! Own it - Cause it was spectacular!
Now tape it, glue it or grab more foam and go back flying!
Keep up the good word, guys!
I started with a 4 channel plane. I think starting out with a 3 channel is less preferable
+trubblman same. if you you start with a 3 ch you will then have to buy a 4 ch which is stupid.
My first plane was a flyzone select super cub. It was a great airplane to learn on and I still fly it 6 years later.
Humbuckers in a '72 Tele? No. single coils only bro.
He was probably referencing to the deluxe, which had two of fenders wide range humbuckers
Logan Mott
I still prefer the sound of singles or hot rods on a tele
Id do deluxe compounders (single/double switchers) or single/classic soap bar/single, but humbuckers sound great on fenders
you can get Humbuckers in a tele
I gave a seymour-duncan humbucker on my 83 Ibanez Roadstar strat copy. Fits right in the standard cutout. It has stacked coils and really got rid of the annoying hum.
best beginners guide any category ever
You won me with 1972 telecaster. You lost me with putting in humbuckers. Lol
Same lol my first reaction was confusion. I'd leave the tele like it was made lol. If I want humbuckers I'll get an LTE or a Gibson or Epiphone
I've owned soooo many RC airplanes I currently own 0 I'm trying to get into it but this is one of the hardest RC hobbies I respect all who are able to fly these things
i feel like this could have been a two minute video.
I am glad it isn't. Everything these days is way too condensed in my opinion, with a lot of valuable information left out for the sake of attention span.
Superb intro, into RC plane models.
The two guys interact well with with their sensible/ silly guy approach.
Very good.
"wings are put on planes for many different reasons... Mostly so they fly" i died
Great video I have been flying quadcopters but I am a big aviation guy and want to start flying aircraft. This video has definitely helped me.
"love diminishes" lmao
you guys are the best I had kinda lost my way in the hobby you guys really make me want to get back in the air as soon as it stops raining(i live in the uk).
I love how they're acting but yet when Josh says no to other Josh, other Joshs face looks so Sad and Disappointed
12:01
26/1/22
I remember watching all these Videos Literally 5 years back!!!
Around 2016-17 when i was about to buy the Tech for the hobby
Great Days!!!
sorry but building your first balsa plane/glider and don't get me started on the smell of the dope and a don't mean the stuff you smoke no! after you have taken your time and pinned your fuselage and wings down ......I could go on and on but trust me you will not get the same satisfaction unless you've built the model yourself. And on that slightly windy sunday morning when everyone is still in bed and you wind or throw/launch YOUR piece of balsa and tissue and it flies, it might be a long flight or it might go straight up and stand on it's tail but thats where the blue- tac or that ball of play dough you nicked off your younger sibling comes into use...trust me there is no better sight than a well built plane made of balsa taking too the heavens.
I was really proud of the Fokker triplane I built from scratch using a magazine photo of the plane and balsa/paper. And it flew well!
Hey thanks for making this beginner series guys, the amount of help and knowledge you provide is outstanding. I love planes and am looking to get started into building my own with your Tiny Trainer Get Started Package.
Just got a rc plane and I can't fly it today winds bad 😂
Been wanting to get in to RC flying for a LONG time...So once I found this channel I have been on a viewing binge! I think I have decided I will scratch build a versa-wing for my first plane. I am a tinkerer, so building my own is the way for me! Thanks for the Excellent videos guys!
Nice but im still getting a 4 channel, with a three channel you take wide turns and cant control altitude
Exactly
then iw ould reccomend the apprentice S e15
sport cub s
Indeed the sports cub s by horizon hobby I believe is the best starter plane from price to ease of fly and the panic safe feature. It's a 4 Channel $100 for the PNF or $130 RTF. Good Luck
***** What exactly do you mean? You take wide turns and can't control altitude? Please explain
About to restart my hobby...got a dynam beaver DCH 2 ....taking ur points into consideration! although iv flown before iv been wrong with many models... there was no one to guide me.... spo thanks a tonne ...wish i had seen this years before!
Today I brought a warbird then I saw this video
I just bought a champ this weekend after seeing the local rc plane club at my local air show. These videos are going to be a great help! Just finished the first one...now to finish the other 9 haha
Josh Scott playing the “dumb guy” makes these videos sooooo tedious to watch.
Jason Thomas I hate the “dumb guy” routine. Also, Bixler should get the dip out of his lip while on camera.
Love you Josh. For teaching all of us.
what 3?! that's less than 4! lol
i loled there
+Xectromorph
It's nearly differential calculus!
learned a lot really and i thank you i am 47 and i wanted to fly helis years ago well i bought them and i have kept them havent flown them , but now i am just beginning to fly kinda late but oh well learning fast and buying very fast and you are helping and leading me thank you and well done.....