Advice for new modelers

If you are reading this because you are new to radio controlled planes and are wondering how to get started then here is the best advice I can give you. Don't go it alone! Follow this simple advice and I'm sure you'll spend the minimum amount of cash for the maximum amount of fun. If you don't want to get disillusioned and waste lots of money on replacement models, black bin liners and personal injury claims I strongly recommend you find a good flying club where you'll find proper advice and experience readily available. Listen to what the experienced members have to say before you start and you won't end up spending your hard earned cash on the wrong model and equipment.

We all like to think that our first radio controlled plane will be a scale Spitfire. Try this and and you'll find it's a long way down (assuming you even got it up there in the first place) and very expensive.

The Phoenix Model Flying Club (Dorset) and most radio controlled model flying clubs will have a training scheme where you can be trained to fly safely. All of us who continue to enjoy flying radio controlled planes started out flying a high winged trainer. Once this has been mastered you can progress to shoulder winged then low winged trainers. Then there are the tail draggers, the highly aerobatic models and then, yes, oh yes, that illusive Spitfire!. It may appear to be a slower route than you anticipated but you'll gain all the skills you need on the way and you'll retain a hanger full of undamaged aircraft.

For more information go to the BMFA web site and you'll find all the information you need including a list of clubs and their achievement scheme which will give you an idea of the standards you will need to attain to fly radio controlled planes. Alternatively, your local model shop should be able to put you in touch with your nearest club.