Future RC Pilot,
Thanks for your interest in the Denver RC Eagles and our hobby. The following letter has been written to cover most information requested by those interested in, but unfamiliar with RC flight. Since this letter is written to respond in general, please bear with me if items you already possess the answers to are discussed.
To start with, club membership is not required to fly at our field. Cherry Creek State Park owns the property on which Suhaka Field rests. The Denver RC Eagles built and we maintain the flying facilities, runways, and the working / pit areas. These achievements are the result of both membership dues and volunteer spirit alone. We are not funded or supported by any other groups.
We do not charge by the hour or lesson for training. We provide training to our club members at no charge. (There are people in the Denver area charging as much as $30/hr for instruction.) A Denver RC Eagles membership costs $60/yr for an adult and $30/yr for those under 18. There is a one-time fee of $50 for the Runway Fund. Contact information may be found at the end of this letter.
The Denver RC Eagles is an AMA (
Academy of Model Aeronautics) Chartered Club. (Charter # 1293) Membership in the AMA is required for active membership in the Denver RC Eagles and to receive training. The AMA acts a regulatory agency for the radio control community providing its members with internationally recognized rules, event regulations, a monthly magazine and organized events as well as $2.5 million in liability insurance to its members. Membership in the AMA may be obtained via phone, fax, mail or online methods. Fax and online methods are fastest as the AMA will send proof of membership immediately and you may begin flying immediately. If joined by mail, it may be several weeks before proof may be obtained and your ability to receive training may be delayed. Contact information may be found at the end of this letter.
Whenever Possible, Denver RC Eagles instructors employ a "Buddy-Box" system. This system uses two transmitters connected together with a cable. The instructor holds the main transmitter and as long as he holds a button or switch down, the student is in control of the aircraft. Should the student get into "trouble", the instructor need only let go of the switch or button to take over the control of the aircraft.
We have "Buddy-Boxes" compatible with Futaba, HiTec, JR and Airtronics manufactured systems. These were donated to the club by Action Hobbies and are the most popular systems on the market. If you already own a transmitter that is not listed here we will try to find an instructor to assist you. However, we cannot guarantee locating an instructor with suitable equipment, in which case you will need to find a compatible "Buddy-Box" and cord for your system. While we would like to train on any brand of equipment, logistics as well as cost prohibit our being able to train on all brands. Further, some brands, such a Polk, are not buddy cord compatible at all. While these are good systems that have their own advantages, their use should be held off until after training is complete.
If you do not already own an airplane, radio and engine, please speak with one of our instructors before you purchase a training package. Our instructors are familiar with the available training packages as well as the unusual requirements of flying at high altitude in the Denver area. Contact information is available at the end of this letter.
Your budget, what type of planes you wish to fly, (fuel or electric, fixed wing or helicopter, new or used), what features and performance you expect, your commitment level, and degree of preparation for future involvement in the hobby all help to determine the cost of your starter package. The cost for new, but basic equipment will be about $300.00 for the plane, radio and engine, though some of these systems are inadequate at this altitude. Used equipment may be had for significantly less money, however, you should take along an experienced RC pilot to help you decide before purchasing used equipment.
Resist the urge to purchase "the whole enchilada" at one time. Your instructor will have all but the very basics (plane, radio, engine, fuel and pump) to get you started. As you get closer to becoming a solo pilot, you will gain knowledge about what equipment best suits your needs. Further, you may be exposed to used equipment at the field. In this way you may make knowledgeable purchases as you go, instead of a large uninformed purchase which may be a disappointment later. I further recommend that if you purchase new starting equipment, you do so from a local hobby shop, as they will provide customer support and service that the mail order houses can't.
Purchasing an annual park pass will save you money immediately. They are good for a calendar year and usable in every State Park in Colorado. The cost is $53 per year. Without an annual park pass, the cost is $5 per day entry fee.
Warning! Do not turn your transmitter on at any field without learning how frequency use is controlled! If you cause another pilot to crash his plane, he will hold you financially responsible! This is unsafe, expensive, and a bad way to introduce yourself to the hobby and other pilots! Especially those you would like help from and to fly with for a long time to come!
If you already own an airplane, radio and engine, you will need only a gallon of 15% Nitro fuel, a fuel pump, AMA and club memberships and a park pass. Your instructor will have everything needed but these items to get you airborne.
The average student will solo after between 15 and 25 flights. The average lesson is between one hour and one-and-one-half hours long and you can generally expect three flights per lesson. (The 1st session usually allows for only one flight as many basics need to be discussed and checked-out.) My fastest first-flight-to-solo student soloed on his 5th flight; my slowest was just over 40.
Each of the instructors handles things differently. However, I do not train on a walk-up basis. I do not bring training equipment with me unless an appointment has been made for me to do so. There is too much wear and tear on the equipment to carry it around unnecessarily, not to mention being unfair to me as an instructor. If you wish any instructor to devote his time, energy and expertise to assist you in your learning endeavors, it is only fair to schedule that time with him instead of "busting in" on his relaxation.
If a student is going to be late or unable to make an appointment, it is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor as soon as possible. I recommend calling the instructor on the day of the appointment to confirm. We understand things happen and plans go awry, however, your instructor deserves to be notified. I for one do not readily forgive or forget being "stood-up". Occasionally an instructor may go to the field solely because he is to meet a student. To have an instructor make the trip to the field, set-up and prepare for instruction only to have the student fail to show up is both frustrating and insulting. I have only been stood-up twice by one student. He either found another instructor or got out of the hobby; I do not know which.
Please provide your instructor with sufficient contact information so that he may contact you, should he be unable to meet you at the scheduled time. We want to respect your time and efforts as well.
RC flight can be enjoyed by the very young to the very old. (We've had students from 7 years of age to over 80) All that's required is good (or correctable) eyesight, moderate eye-hand coordination, and a positive, safety conscious attitude. With a reasoned approach, your learning experience may be enjoyable, quick and inexpensive.
Relax, listen, learn, have fun and Welcome Aboard!
Sincerely,
Dick Hamilton, Head Instructor
