A common mistake that some people make while starting a new hobby is to take on a mammoth project and then leave it halfway due to technical difficulties. Do not make that mistake. Model airplanes require various small and large parts to be assembled together and the finishing too has to be highly detailed. Start slowly and then proceed to complex designs so as not to abandon any project midway and get disappointed in your choice of your new hobby.
It is always better to start off with a slower model, which is easy to assemble. Be sure to take a model with a Remote Control, which has a minimum of 3 channels, so that you do not have to change the transmitter when you upgrade to other planes.
The main aim for you is to learn assembling first, then flying and then progressively move towards faster and more complicated planes. This will keep your interest alive in your hobby, while also providing you with the expertise to take you to the next level of assembling and flying. Buy some good books available in the market or visit select sites on the Internet to get a wide choice of the models and features available out there. It is always better if you have an expert model plane 'pilot' to help you out before deciding on which model to buy.
Start out with an electric motor plane instead of a gasoline engine plane. Buy an extra battery pack so that you are not stranded on the field with a discharged battery in your plane or remote transmitter.
You also have a choice of creating your plane in plastic or wood. If you have woodworking experience, then try making one using balsa wood. Wooden planes give a more realistic touch to your model plane but are generally heavier than plastic ones and hence require more powerful motors to enable them to fly. If budget is a problem then you could also try your hand in making a SPAD plane, i.e. a Simple Plastic Airplane Design.
This plane is made from readily available plastic components such as PVC pipes, HDPE blocks, and corrugated plastic sheets used in signboards. You can paint your plane once it is completed and tested. You can get most of the advice on designing and constructing model planes, free on the Internet.
There are also some sites offering used airplanes and this could be the fastest way for you to get started in this hobby, if designing and assembling is not your forte. But the joy of designing and creating something using your mind and your own hands and above that, watching your creation take to the skies is a feeling that cannot be explained. You have to feel it to believe it. Just like any other hobby, patience and perseverance will help you solve any problems cropping up on the way to a successful flight.
So, choose a simple design, assemble it and adapt fast in case of any mistakes. This will help you when you progress further towards faster and more complex planes |
