[massey1533]

Hi folks,

I'm considering getting back into planes after a long hiatus. I mostly built balsa models and had a control line craft when I was quite young. Never actually had an full-on R/C but toying with the idea now.

My question is.. what is needed to literally fly planes in one's backyard?

I have a 15 acre property that is 1600x500, but not all of it is open. In fact, the one area I would consider to 'fly' in is about 400x100, possibly a bit longer. The other areas have tall trees, buildings, or hydro in the way.

I don't have any background on this stuff so maybe the more experienced would have some ideas. I would assume if you were flying smaller craft, electrics, you might be able to get away with a little less land.

Thanks for any insight

[papa356]

If you are just getting into "full-on RC", then I would for sure suggest that you contact, and join a local club. They will be able to assist you with training and a proper field. Without assistance you will surely crash your plane.

[bbbair]

The first answer is 'NONE" -you need air to fly in not land.

The second answer is about one acre to take off and land in (be sure to allow for a East -West AND a North - South strip for changing winds. A good runway is 100' x 400'. (with a clear approach)

The BIG area is what you FLY OVER - and untimately crash into...

This can be 3-10 acres and if there are no near-by buildings or roads ... so much the better.

Your 15 acres will be fine as long as there are no 100' high trees etc - unless you a REALLY good at climbing...

And - of course - don't try to teach yourself - go to a local club and seek out an instructor. This will save you time, money and lots of frustration.

Happy Landings!

[massey1533]

Thanks. I'm up in Campbellford. I found the Brighton club on the MAAC site. The rep appears to live in Campbellford as well, judging by the info on the site.

[Skidoo55]

For your first plane, a hobbyzone supercub LP would be a great choice. Then when you get proficient at your local club, you can have a blast flying it in your 100x400 area. Last summer I went out for an early morning flight, the fog was so thick that you couldn't see past 100 feet. It was great fun keeping the supercub at under 10' altitude and within that 100 foot radius, and occasionally taking it out a little futher so that you could barely see it.

[massey1533]

Thanks Skidoo. Sounds like a blast.

Price is right. Reviews look legit. I'll assume HobbyZone is a US supplier. Is there anything similar from our side of the border or better yet a site sponsor?

[Max]

Originally Posted by Skidoo55

For your first plane, a hobbyzone supercub LP would be a great choice. Then when you get proficient at your local club, you can have a blast flying it in your 100x400 area. Last summer I went out for an early morning flight, the fog was so thick that you couldn't see past 100 feet. It was great fun keeping the supercub at under 10' altitude and within that 100 foot radius, and occasionally taking it out a little futher so that you could barely see it.

I agree. The Supercub is a great starter plane, and a great first electric. It will fly is schoolyards or flying fields, and they aren't to bad in wind either.

I would make one suggestion- Buy a DX7 radio (or a DX6i, but if you can afford it, buy a DX7, it is much better value for the money)

Then buy the BNF version of the supercub (BNF=Bind And Fly) and bind it with your DX7. This combination will be much better than the ready to fly version, which comes with a crappy 3 channel radio on 27Mhz: I also had some students have some issues with the receiver on the 27mhz version, so that is another reason to go with the BNF version instead.

As you improve and move on to other planes, the radio will have the capacity to grow with you

[Tyler P]

I taught myself to fly on the HZ Super Cub as well. Definitely a great little plane. Definitely get a Spektrum DX7 if you can afford it, too. That was my first radio and it will let you expand as you grow in the hobby. It will take you quite awhile to outgrow it, if you ever do outgrow it. I'd also recommend a computer simulator to get used to the orientation of your plane. There's a very basic one called FMS that you can get for about $30 with dummy transmitter to practice on. If you have more money, pick up Real Flight.

Definitely hook up with your local club if you can! It's way more fun to fly with other people than by yourself! You learn far faster and have more fun doing it!

Have fun!

[canadianf1pilot]

I have heard many local guys say I want to fly at home with no idea what flying r/c is like, I always recomend they come out to the field and see what flying r/c is like and give them a chance to try a trainer to get a feel for the area required to fly.
it is almost always a suprize to new members how much room it takes to fly, and land a trainer, and, how much more fun it is to fly at a club field with like minded people, where the goal is safe, fun flying.

Bill

[massey1533]

I've watched people fly from the road on numerous occasions while cycling west of Mississauga and other parts of S Ontario. Knowing that they typically have the 'best case' conditions in terms of available space, I'm just keen to know what I can get away with.

With a bunch of land at my disposal, why wouldn't one inquire about the feasibility of backyard flying. While I can see the merits of flying with the club, it would be nice to NOT have to pack up the car and drive every single time you want to test something out or just fly for a couple minutes.

What I am gathering so far is that I should be OK to fly a electric trainer like the one mentioned above, anything larger/faster would be better suited at a designated field.

There are also two empty hayfields fields next to mine that have far less obstructions except for sparse treelines and are about 500x1500 long.

There appears to be some sort of event with the Brighton Club this weekend so I might go and check it out