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Sandhills Model Aircraft Club
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Instructor Pilot Roster
IPP indicates registered AMA Introductory Pilot Program Instructors. For more information regarding this program please check the AMA web page or contact one of the Instructor Pilots listed below.
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Suggested Equipment For Getting Started In R/C
Here are some recommendations for a trainer airplane, radio, engine, field equipment and building supplies:
Note: All of the items below can be purchased on the Internet from Tower Hobbies.
1. Airplane - Hobbico NexStar Select. This airplane comes ready to fly (RTF), has a 69 inch wingspan, and includes a factory installed .46 size engine and 4 channel radio.
2. Heat sealing Iron and heat gun - to re-shrink the covering on the airplane.
3. Thin and medium CA adhesive, Epoxy - 5 minute and 30 minute. You may not need these in the short term but they are good to have on hand for repairs.
4. Tools - Needle nose pliers, small Phillips and standard screwdrivers, standard (SAE) hex wrenches with ball ends, Exacto knife with #11 blades, 4-way wrench (used for removing/installing glow plugs)
5. Spare propellers(at least two ) , Spare Glow Plugs - Recommend two or three OS #8 glow plugs. The glow plug provides the heat source for engine combustion and over time they will wear out.
6. Field box - Hobbico Ultra Tote Field Box Complete Combo. This is to hold all of your field equipment such as tools, fuel, starter battery, fuel pump, electric starter, etc. This combo offered by Tower Hobbies includes a field battery, field battery charger, electric starter, fuel can filling station, glow plug driver, and power panel.
7. Fuel- Recommend a fuel with synthetic oil and 15% nitro content. You can purchase fuel from Hayes Hobbies in Fayetteville or order it from Tower Hobbies. If you order it from Tower Hobbies you will have to pay a hazardous cargo surcharge.
8. Wing saddle tape - high density foam tape to put on the wing saddle to prevent abrasion damage to the wing from normal vibrations.
9. Fuel filter - this is installed on the fuel supply line prior to the carburetor . Regardless of whether you fly from a dirt or paved field, a fuel filter is a must to ensure no dirt or sand gets into the engine. Since the SMAC flying field is grass a fuel filter is highly recommended.
This list is offered as a recommended starting point and it can (and should be) modified to suit your personal preference for flying equipment. Additionally, the list does not cover recommended options for an electric airplane, but we have several members who can provide assistance if you wish to use electric equipment.
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Helpful Tips To Ensure A Successful First Flight
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You've finally finished your new trainer and you're ready to go to the flying field to start learning how to fly. Is the radio fully charged? Are the controls properly rigged, set up with proper throws and have you performed a break-in on your engine in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions? As you can see there's a lot to do beyond putting the airplane together as you prepare for the first flight of your new model.
What I have compiled below is a list of "gotchas" that I have found with new airplanes from trainers to intermediate airplanes (some even my own) brought to the field "ready for their first flight". The intent is to provide some insight and save time and possible frustration for you when you bring your new aircraft out to the field for its maiden flight. All of these things can be corrected at the field, but it's far easier to have them addressed before that first trip to the flying field. This list is not all inclusive and is in no way a substitution for the manufacturer's instruction manual. In fact please make sure you bring the instruction manuals for the aircraft, engine and radio equipment to the field in case they are needed for reference.
Ok, now for the list...
1. Make sure you have set up the flight controls (ailerons, elevator and rudder) properly. In other words they move in the correct direction AND are set with the proper amount of throw per the instructions.
2. Receiver and battery packs should be wrapped in foam and secured in the aircraft so they can't move around in flight.
3. A small piece of fuel tubing should be placed on each control clevise to prevent it from coming loose in flight.
4. The engine should be broken-in in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions prior to flight. Some engines require almost no break-in, but make sure you read the manual and follow the recommended procedure or you could void your warranty.
5. Balance the aircraft!! This is probably the singularly most important step. Remember to perform this procedure indoors (so wind won't affect your result) and with an empty fuel tank. Remember the old adage: A nose-heavy airplane flies poorly, a tail-heavy airplane flies once!
6. Balance the propeller. This also has to be done indoors so the wind won't skew your result. An unbalanced prop can generate a lot of vibration causing anything from excessive wear and tear on equipment (i.e radio or engine)to radio interference or failure. There are several good and inexpensive prop balancers available on the market.
7. Ensure you have installed wing saddle tape on your airplane. This prevents friction generated by normal vibration from wearing through the covering and potentially weakening the wing.
8. Make sure you have your field/support equipment with you such as fuel, glow starter, chicken stick or electric starter, etc.
9. Make sure you've fully charged your transmitter and aircraft batteries prior to coming to the field. Follow the manufacturer's charging instructions.
I hope this checklist proves useful and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. See you at the flying field!
Happy Flying,
Steve Borden
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