Pattern Newbie

[Foamy Love]

Well after years of F3C training a certian member (cough scott cough) who will remain nameless sold me on a foamie. I have to say planes are a lot more fun and less frustrating.

Anyway, I want to fly at least one pattern contest this year but I have no idea as to plane, engine, prop, etc. I don't even know where to find what the program would be.

I'm on a budget but I take any advice you guys can throw out. I can fly most of the basic 3d moves but seeing a pattern plane in flight is just sweet.

[Biff]

Foam Love, well dude hate to say it but pattern and cheap are two words that don't often colide in one sentence. Pattern can be as costly as a gasser. The good thing is pattern planes just like every other aspect of the hobby sometimes have a short "cool" life. What's hot one year isn't so hot the next. You can find some pretty good deals out there on planes that fly great. Just might not be the coolest thing this year. Not banging pattern, same's true with gassers.

Check around and see what you can get your hands on. Then there's the $20 a gallon fuel,,,,
Biggest thing to remeber is practicing with a decent airframe will get you higher on the old podium than pollishing the latest plane out there! Too many folks spend too much money on equipment and not enough on fuel. A decent plane can be trimmed to fly well. Starting out you will be FAR better seved learning how to trim an airplane and working with it's flaws.


Competition flying is as much about enjoying the learning curve as it is just putting wood on the wall. If your approach is to enjoy the journey you will have a hobby for years to come. If it's all about wood on the wall it will suck. Winning is great don't get me wrong. But relaxing and improving you skills as an all around modeler is where the real successful guys shine. I didn't teach Animal Jesky all the skills he had in one day. It took a week!! Animal is somebody I respect a bunch because he enjoys competition. He certainly takes it seriously and practices as often as he can, but look at the guy! He's ALWAYS got a smile on his face and never misses the chance to help others.


Hope all the advice I gave you without being asked helps!! Bottom line dude is get something used that's in good shape and have fun. I'm sure you'll do well.


Future E-TOC spectator,,that's me!!

[Foamy Love]

I wouldn' tbe intrested if it wasn't for fun. I raced r/c cars for 13 years and could care less about the trophys. Should I turn out to be a competitive pilot then maybe I'll think about considering starting to get serious. The day r/c is no longer fun, I'm 6' under.

I knew it wouldn't be cheap. I'm used to heli fuel at 25-30 a gallon. And have you ever crashed a Raptor 90. eks! I guess budget means different things to everyone. I should have stated less than $750 for plane and engine would be ideal.

I really wanted to get started with a used plane anyway, I just don't know what to look for. I have seen some 3 and 4 year old planes for real cheap. I just don't know if they are worth the cash or not.

[F3AFlyer7]

Adam,

Probably the best site to check out for newbie pattern fliers is right here:

http://www.rcaerobats.net/

Take a look at the Aresti III - Awesome flying airplane!

Even better is the Ultra R/C Icepoint.

These are, however, both full 2 meter planes. That's definitely not the wrong way to start or anything, but it will be a little more expensive.

A couple other good planes to start with: Goldberg Matrix(if you can find one), SHOWTIME 4D!!!!! (without the SFG's).

Engine, prop, etc......anything thatll work. If you are looking at somthing smaller than 2m, then worrying about weight isn't an issue. If you are considering going 2m, well then we gotta talk weight. Other than that, you have a great TX so no worries about having to buy one for mixing and whatnot.

Hope that helps.

[Foamy Love]

Thanx Scott. Call me tomorrow if your free Saturday morning.

I don't know if I want to go 2m or not.

[Animal Jesky]

I feel that pattern flying is the my most enjoyable part of flying. I have been at it for a long time and there is no such thing as a perfect flight so you can always practice. Anyways if you are ever looking for help Im here.

Andrew Jesky

[Foamy Love]

Thanks Andrew,

Are there multi clases (other than pilot skill) or should I just spend the $ now and get a 2m plane.

[bodywerks]

I haven't really gotten into pattern, but I do have an Excelleron 90. Every time I fly it, it's like it's telling me what to do - I mean, it won't let me just slam the sticks. It commands me to fly every maneuver through as smoothly as possible...definitely helps with all my other flying. I love it!!

[F3AFlyer7]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Foamy Love
	Thanks Andrew, Are there multi clases (other than pilot skill) or should I just spend the $ now and get a 2m plane.

Yep,

There's Sportsman which is the normal starting class, its the best for beginning pattern. Then there's Intermediate, Advanced, Masters, and FAI.

It's up to you wether you get a full 2m plane or not. Its probably best to start with somthing smaller, that way if you decide to not continue, you dont have a 2m pattern plane on your hands that will only do pattern. Also, if you go straight to 2m, you will end up putting some big $$$ into it. Engines are a little higher in price at that size, header and pipe, digital servos, a good reliable battery system. When you get a 2m plane, usually you would want to put the good stuff in it right away so that it will last and be competitive without changing the plane as you progress through the classes. That is, unless you have some relatively good equipment laying around, the you could wait until later to spend the money on the really good stuff. This is just my opinion so hopefully someone will agree.

[Boulder]

Adam,

I have to agree with Scott. There are plenty of good 90 sized planes around that won't require a ton of money to set up for the first year or two in Pattern.

The Aresti III, Excelleron 90, the Showtime and the Quest just to name a few.

Good luck and please keep us informed, we're here to help if we can.

[Foamy Love]

Well I think I found my plane. This is the one I was telling you about Scott. I haven't made any final decisions yet though.


http://www.kyosho.co.jp/web/products...xalys50-e.html

[F3AFlyer7]

Adam,

After you told me about that airplane I had to take a look. That plane looks awesome! The full size Oxalys is supposed to be an amazing flying aircraft and I can only imagine the same for this one. It looks very very nice.