A Fun Hobby
 

Hey guys, I know this is a hunting and fishing site but we all have some other interests as well. I thought I'd share mine with y'all and see how many of you also like it as well. What I'm talking about is radio control flying! I have some pictures of my plane as well as an aerial shot taken from it. The plane is a Firebird Phantom from Hobbyzone. It's electric, and I bought the plane, transmitter, charger and battery, all in one box for about $60.00. It even came with AA batteries for the transmitter (radio). Everything included to get started. Now the camera I bought separate, but that was cheap too. $23.00 shipped. It didn't 'snap' the picture, but it took video and I paused and took snapshots during playback on the computer. I'd post the video, but it's too shaky. It was very windy that morning, but cold and clear. I think this was in March last year. I'm waiting on a part for the plane and a new, smaller camera that shoots forward. The one pictured could only side-shoot because of how it's made, but the new one I ordered shoots forward and is a 'spy camera' disguised as a car 'clicker'. It's less than half the weight of the one in the picture so I'll be able to get MUCH higher with it than my old cam. For perspective, That's my truck in the bottom right and I'm standing 'above' it in the picture. I estimate that aerial shot to be from at least 250 - 300 feet up. Without the camera it would go at least twice that high, and that was fighting the wind. Anyway, I'll imbed a sample video of the same plane flying with the same camera I ordered. It's not mine, but it's a cool video. Can't wait to shoot some new footage. Anyway, I'm just wondering how many of y'all have been bitten by the RC bug? It isn't hunting or fishing, but in the spirit of outdoor activities I'm sure some of y'all have gotten the fever as well. Let me know what you think. Later guys! Have a great summer.

i have a RC truggy...... very fun....

i want a rc chopper bad to terrorize things at the park

That pic makes me wanna go sky diving again.

Thats awesome. Where did u get it from? I have been looking to get one but didnt wanna spend an arm and leg on it! My daughter would love that.

Plane
 

It's called the Hobbyzone Firebird Phantom. Came with everything to get started for around $60.00. Unfortunately, you may have a hard time finding it because it's been recently discontinued. If you can find it, it sells for about $85.00. Now, Hobbyzone has a new plane called the Champ. It's about $90.00, comes with everything to get started, and is much lighter than this plane, can fly in a small space, even in a gym. It can also get up as high as my plane is in the picture, or even higher if there's no wind. I'll post a video from youtube. Sweet plane, and designed for beginners like mine is.

Hobbyzone Champ
 

Here's Hobbyzone's promo video from Youtube.

That is too cool!

Swamp Critter, how bout you bring that plane over and fly my lease for me? Willing to trade out a jam up duck hunt for aireal photos.

That's awesome. They have a remote control airplane airfield in Maurice. I pass it all the time when Im on my way to Pecan Island. They are always flying those big, high dollar ones though.

x2 :)

Firebird Phantom and Keychain Camera
 

Here's an aerial video of the Firebird Phantom set up with the camera I have ordered. It's not my plane, but it's one like mine. Can't wait until the camera comes in.

I don't have the camera yet. The picture you see from my plane of the ball park and soccer field is from my old camera (strapped to the plane with rubber bands). It worked, but it was HEAVY for that plane. Had a hard, nose-in crash with it from about 75 feet one day. OUCH! It was over 2 ounces with batteries and memory card. The new cam I ordered is 1/2 ounce with micro sd card and built-in rechargeable battery. Light enough to where I probably won't notice it's there. Let's talk later, once I have a few vids and pics under my belt. Also it depends if there's a suitable place to fly at your lease. I's love to do it but I'm not an expert pilot and need lots of room, like an acre field at least.

Rutt Row, no place to land other than marsh but if you practice maybe you could land it in the boat going down the canal????;)

dramatic chipmunk rocks!!

To answer your question, I got my plane at Hobby Town in Baton Rouge. I doubt they carry the Phantom anymore, but they probably carry the Champ, because it's new. I'm sure Big Boy Toys and Hobbies and Cajun RC and Paintball in Lafayette have them too. What ever you do, if you get your daughter an rc plane, Please stay away from 2 channel planes. They only have throttle and steering. To climb, you add throttle, and to descend, you let off throttle. I had one years ago, and i did enjoy it. But I crashed it more times than I flew it. If it stalls, HOPEFFULLY it's high enough to pull out of a dive on its own. If you try to pull it out by adding throttle, and you're not high enough, you just smack it into the ground even harder. Trust me, it's worth the few more bucks to learn on a 3 channel, which has throttle, steering, and elevator. Also, find someone who has flown rc planes to show her. It will be worth it. These planes (mine and the Champ) are EASY to learn on. Most of these 3 ch park flyers have some sort of gentle setting for new flyers, and more aggressive for those with experience. She'll love it and probably you will too.

Not yet qualified for carrier landings! LOL!

Hey Specktator, I see you're from Lafayette. I'm from New Iberia. If you'd like you and your daughter can come for a demo some day, maybe even a little hands-on stick and rudder time. Right now I fly at the Pepper Plex (in the aerial picture) in New Iberia. Let me know if you're interested.

Oh yeh. My daughter only 4y/o. She would be just as excited to watch me fly it! I found the Champ online for $89. Think I might order one. Thanks for the info!

Thats pretty sweet. I want to get a helicopter. I have one of the little indoor ones but I want one that will just sit and hover and be more responsive and handle better

I definitely might take u up on that. Thanks!

Yeh I bought one of those in Denver. It was sweet, but lasted me all of about 2 weeks!

well this is my second one, my first one lasted all of 2 hours and ended up in the gf's swimming pool

Other than fishing and duck hunting I played paintball for Houston Grudge for one season on the PSP circuit
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Specktator, I think the Champ will be my next plane. I like the fact that it can fly in small spaces, like even a quiet neighborhood street. Mine's a bit too fast for tight areas. Smallest place I flew mine was a baseball field at the park and with the trees and buildings I really had my hands full.

I got one for the 9 yr old a few x-mas's ago..........xmas eve comes, and I can't wait........Brought the plane outside to test it out........DUH....rc planes don't have lights!!! I lost it in the dark........I found it the next day a block and a half away......It had hit a tree and was broken up pretty bad.......I thought I'd be able to at least hear it..........Stupid idea I guess.....

There was something similar to that at Harbor Freight in Lake Charles this past winter.
Not sure if it is still sold there.

Well, believe it or not, now they DO have lights for rc planes!

Here a cool video of the Firebird Phantom. This guy is good. Keep in mind, this is a beginner's type, trainer plane.

I flew RC planes for a few years when I lived in Florida. Flew them a few times here but didn't have a good place and didn't want to pay the membership fees or the insurance. I have a corsair, a scream machine, a 1/5 scale Bretling, a stick, and some other ones I can't remember. I used to love to fly it is really cool and a good challenge. Children seemed to be able to pick it up faster than adults because of all the video games they play. Back when I flew they had some really nice simulation games you could hook your radio right into the computer and practice without losing your plane. Maybe one day I will have to dust the old stuff off and fly around some.

Last year I wanted to order the Flycamone2. It's 1 ounce, takes video with sound, and cost $75.00 plus shipping. The keychain camera I ordered weighs 1/2 ounce, also takes video with sound (with date/time stamp), and cost me about $18.00 shipping included. Now it may take a while longer to get here, but I'm glad I waited.

Add-ons
 

My plane didn't come exactly like in the pictures. It had a set of landing gear, but it was some small hard wheels on thin wire. Bent easily. No tail wheel. I put on a set of main gear and tail wheel from the Hobbyzone Mini Super Cub. Soft wheels and much stronger. Tail wheel keeps the tail from dragging. Replaced wings and tail after a crash. New ones were plain white, so I painted the red and green stripes for visibility and orientation. Red left, green right, like nav lights. Helps alot.

These planes are probably made in China, but they're not like the ones sold at Harbor Freight. Don't get me wrong, I've bought plenty tools there, but for rc planes I'd leave those alone unless you find a 3 channel plane very cheap. Hobbyzone sells good stuff with manuals in actual English.

We are thinking about setting up a competition to fly planes and small heli's indoor for our technology students.

they are wanting to eliminate our control line airplane contest due to lack of participants. Which bites because I spent alot of time the past year teaching kids to build and fly them.

I had a control line "jet" from Cox about 427 years ago back in the mid '70s when I was a child. Never had too much luck flying it. Dad tried but where I lived there wasn't much room. Don't remember if we ever went to a ball park or any place like that (was a LONG time ago..) but I remember liking how that tiny engine sounded. I actually still have that little engine. I've seen other guys flying them and looked like they were having a good time.

Swamp critter..........you been to Cajun RC in laffy? Nice place andnthe dudes a fisherman to boot......

Hey Reel Bender, sounds like you're a teacher. Maybe you could pass around a petition. Who knows? Worth a try.

Yes. bought several spare parts for my plane there. Nice store and very nice people. I just wish they still carried the parts. Maybe my next plane will come from there.

I got a plane and 2 cars from Cox. I had to save sprite bottle caps to get them. I hit all the coke machines in town every evening and made the owners give me all the bottle tops.

I was thinking about Big Boy Toys, but yes I've been to Cajun RC also. That guy actually used to sell the plane I have. Had I known that at the time I'd have bought It there. Bought my replacement wing and tail from there. That guy knows his stuff. Both rc stores in Lafayette have some cool stuff.

Just wondering, since you're a sky diver, from the picture, about how high does it look? I know sky divers carry altimeters. Just curious.

Yep.

They are going to keep control line airplanes in 1 more year to see if we can increase the participants.

We will also try toi do an indoor RC demonstration to see what type of interest it generates.

Well, still waiting on the camera I ordered. I think It'll be 2 weeks on Friday, but I understand that it can take a while in the mail. Anyhoo, I've had lots of practice, got chased by a small bird, and a crash. Ran out of battery the other day in too much wind. Almost managed to put it down in some long grass, but it hit someone's wooden fence. Minor damage, and after I repaired it, you'd never know it crashed. Still flies just fine. I just wish my camera would get here so I can get some new videos.

Even though I crashed it reinforced something I already knew. Watch the time, easy on the throttle, and as soon as the motor starts to slow just a bit, LAND! ASAP! Better to lose a little flight time than crash. I figured I had enough "juice" for one more lap. I was circling to land when it quit. It saves power to steer, and the motor can be restarted from the transmitter but only for brief taps of throttle to line up and land. BUT, if it's too low or windy, not enough. Well, lesson learned!

Looks low, like 50-75 feet.

Altitude
 

If you're talking about the aerial shot, the altitude of the plane is much higher than that. Those are baseball fields on the left and the light poles at the fence are probably around 50 - 75 feet high, about the height of mature trees. My truck at the bottom right is a GMC Sierra king cab, which is around 17 - 18 feet long, and that's me standing in the parking lot, and I'm 6' 3". This is at LEAST 150 - 200 feet up, if not more. The roof peak of my house is 27 feet tall and even at twice that height I wouldn't be looking down on baseball field lights, even at a distance. I circled the field at maybe 300 feet out from where I was standing.

i used to race the RC buggies, we would go to houston every weekend and run with the big boys. i still have my car. i heard they have a track somewhere around here but it is a very expensive sport. i'd like to get into RC airplanes. i've seen a cheap one at harbor freight. they have one in lafayette also. Check it out if your just wanting something to learn on.

Alrighty.

Harbor Freight Planes
 

Hey Cricket, I was a bit suspicious of Harbor Freight planes, but after looking into them online I found out that they sell what seems to be some fairly decent ones. There's the 3 channel (throttle, steering, and elevator) Wild Hawk and the 2 channel (throttle/climb, and steering) Yellow Bee. Both are beginner planes with proportional control (important) and with the exception of maybe AA's for the transmitter, come with everything in the box to get started. The Wild Hawk is the bigger of the two and goes for around $99.00 and the Yellow Bee around $40.00. Now, that being said, Harbor Freight always has some kind of sale and/or coupons available, so sometimes they might go for around $75.00 and $30.00, maybe less. I read some reviews where the Yellow Bee was $25.00. At those prices, you really can't go wrong. I started with a 2 channel plane similar to the yellow bee. I enjoyed it but crashed it ALOT. So, if you opt for the Yellow Bee (or any 2ch plane), just fly it in a huge area, preferably with some grass about knee-high to protect it on landings, and maybe take off the landing gear at first. Same goes for the Wild Hawk, but you'll get less crashes and more control with 3 channels. The 3rd channel (elevator) is not any more complicated to learn and might save some repairs. Look into it and weigh the pros and cons. I say if you fine either of these on sale, go for it!