| Things to think about: | | | | If you want to build your first plane build a simple kit |
| Where can you fly? You want a nice big field. Insuring | | | | that is inexpensive but proven. I learned on a foam |
| it is mainly free of trees, wires, and people. You don't | | | | delta wing. This is not the best choice but I later found |
| want obstructions. | | | | that I could buy foam from the big Home supply center |
| Plane selection. To select the size of your plane | | | | and make my own delta planes easily. |
| consider these points. The larger your plane is the | | | | Pay attention to the balance point of your plane also |
| larger the area you need to fly in unless it is very light. | | | | known as the "CG". If your nose of the plane is too |
| A good size plane for a baseball field size area is | | | | heavy it will always want to fly into the ground. When |
| about 28" wingspan, a good weight is less than 14 oz | | | | the tail is too heavy it will over steer on up and down |
| flying weight. You want a plane that has enough | | | | control or porpoise. |
| power to loop or at least maneuver without stalling | | | | Foam planes are a nice choice; they will take abuse |
| easily. This is known as a "Tip Stall ". This is when your | | | | and can be repaired with foam safe glue or my |
| airspeed from a turn or climb overcomes the ability of | | | | favorite choice, Hot Glue. |
| the plane. | | | | Brushless Motors give you about 2X the power of the |
| The lighter planes have a lower stall speeds. Light | | | | same weight Brush Type Motor and can be about the |
| weight is good except in wind over 10 mph. Check the | | | | same price. You must use a brushless ESC (electronic |
| weather sites for hourly wind , usually flying in the | | | | speed control) with a brushless motor. |
| morning or evening is better because the winds are | | | | Lithium batteries are also half the weight is NiCad's, but |
| usually lighter. | | | | must be respected in maintenance and recharging as |
| Landing Gear is a nice option, but for beginners I would | | | | they can cause a nasty fire. They are generally safe |
| remove them. You will find when you fly into a tree I | | | | but a mistake can cause you big trouble. |
| will just about guarantee the landing gear will get | | | | Lithium chargers are required for charging lithium |
| caught and will make it very difficult to remove it for | | | | batteries and may cost you a few dollars but is a |
| the tree. | | | | good investment. |