Planes-Intro

Intro to Fixed Wing Flying.

The purpose of a "Trainer" type first model is to teach the newcomers to our sport the art of successful take-off, fly around and landing. The model must be attractive, well priced and most importantly easy to fly.

Whilst the models we recommend may not look like any particular "full size" aircraft there is a very good reason why this is so. A training aircraft must be as easy to fly as possible, be configured for ease of take-off and landing (hence 3 wheels), be large enough so that it is easy to see in the air, but small enough to transport in a family sedan type car. The aircraft must also be strong enough to survive the rigours of "heavy arrivals" but be constructed in such a way and of such materials that allow quick and easy repair if necessary.

Hence we arrive at a model such as the Boomerang. The high wing and generous dihedral in the wing make for a stable flying machine, and the aircraft size is such that it is easy to see and colourful which assists the pilot, who, when learning tends to fly at much higher altitude. The construction is from traditional materials such as balsa and ply which is fast and strong to repair (and Light), and quite importantly comes pre-finished straight out of the box…………So the ARF (Almost Ready to Fly, also referred to as ARTF by some) is a good way to start and we say this for a very good reason.

When a decision is made to become involved in our hobby there is much initial learning to be done. New terminology, hand skills etc are possibly all being undertaken for the first time and the added complication of getting the aircraft built correctly and in the air are of prime importance. Also time is a factor and whilst many derive great pleasure from a building project it is only to familiar in this day and age the lack of "free" time available to carry this out.
The ARF or Almost Ready to Fly type aircraft takes a lot of these pressures away and leaves the new flier free to concentrate on the flying aspects, leaving the building for later. Having not spent dozens of hours labouring over this first model (that due to it's very nature will probably at some stage have a mishap!) the new flier achieves instant success in a very short period and encourages their progression deeper into the modelling art.
This is then the time for the modeller having achieved flying success (and enjoyment) to look to future projects that may involve a favourite scale aircraft that can be built from a plan or kit and in doing so develop the building aspects of the hobby.
If however the flier is really only interested in the get out and fly aspect there are a myriad of ARF kits in all shapes and sizes to meet the desire……….