Plane Building

[M3TRJ]

OK, I am a complete newbie to planes, but I wanna build one. OK, you'll all probably tell me it's a stupid idea, but I don't care, I'm gonna do it.

So, where do I start? I want it to be gas/nitro/whatever it is, not electric.

So how do I build a plane? How much is it gonna cost me? How hard is it gonna be? What the hell do I do?

Thanks! :D

[aeropal]

From The Ground Up (http://modelaircraft.org/mag/FTGU/Part1/index.html)

[Hydro Junkie]

Why would we think of you as stupid for wanting to build a plane? What WOULD BE STUPID is starting out with something like a Mustang, Corsair, or other high performance plane. I would recommend reading the From The Ground Up, posted by Aeropal. I looked it over and found a great deal of info that is beneficial to the new modeller and "want to be" pilot.
Having said that, let me see if I can answer some of your questions. I like the fact you asked "Where do I start" and "What do I do?" These are the most important NOT ASKED questions out there. Actually,you already have started. You chose to go with an engine powered plane, not an electric. Now, you need to look at what you want to use for fuel. When you said gas or nitro, there are both. Gas engines are larger and swing bigger props than most nitro motors. They also burn "pump gas" with two stroke oil. Nitro motors burn fuel made from alcohol, nitrous oxide and a lubricant, either castor or synthetic oil. They have no ignition system per se. Instead, they use a glow plug and run like a diesel.
How much it will cost and how hard to build all depend on what you start with for a plane. You need to start with a trainer, of which there are numerous ones out there. My first trainer was a Sig Kadet Jr. It almost fell together on the table in front of me. Other trainers, like the Kadet Sr, are much more involved when it comes to building. I can't speak for all the trainers, but the Kadet line has excellent directions, and if followed, should give you a plane fairly easy to fly. I would stay away from scratch building your first plane. Plans normally don't have as good of directions as a kit and you have to literally cut and shape all the parts by hand. Die and laser cut kits will give you a list of all the parts they include and what you will need to buy in addition to the kit. One thing that I was told is to install the largest engine the plane is designed for. The reason being is that it's much easier to throttle back than it is to retrofit a larger engine to a completed aircraft. Another little tip is to go with a mid sized plane, with a span of over 50 inches. If you let the plane get a good distance away, a larger plane will be much easier to see than a smaller one. I would also recommend a 6 channel radio. I know some will disagree on this one, but a 6 channel will let you grow into retracting gear and flaps later, without having to buy a new radio. I myself am looking at a Futaba 9C, since you can change frquency between the 72mhz aircraft band and the 75mhz surface band, but I wouldn't recommend that to a person with no R/C experience.
At this point, you need to go look at airplanes. Check out your LHS(local hobby shop for short), as well as some of the mail order houses. Tower Hobbies is one of the better ones and can be reached at www.towerhobbies.com. Hope this helps you with your quest. Good luck

[M3TRJ]

OK thanks for the replies.

I understand that someone'll have to teach me to fly a plane, but once you get the hang of it is it easy, or is it always hard to fly?

Also, how much will it cost me in repears from crashing?

How much fuel do they use, and how long is the run time?

Thanks

[Hydro Junkie]

First off, it's easier to learn to fly with someone helping that is an experienced pilot. having someone teach you isn't manditory. How hard it is to fly depends on the individual, which is different for everyone. How costly are crashes? Depends on the crash. One crash could cost you a broken prop or a totalled plane. This is where a kit plane is so nice. The plans NORMALLY have line drawings of the wooden parts. This means any crash up to a total is repairable. Even if the plane is totalled, with the line drawings, you could build a new complete plane with sheet and stick stock from your LHS. Fuel usage is also a variable. A large engine will burn much more than a small one, while running full throttle will burn more than running at half throttle. To add to the confusion, all planes are designed to have a specific size fuel tank. This is also where putting the largest engine listed into the plane will make a difference. By installing a larger engine, you can fly at lower RPM than with the smaller engine, just because of the size of the prop! If you build a plane and install a .25, the largest prop many will let you run is a 9X6. If you up the ante to a .40, now you can run a 10X7 or an 11X6/7 prop. For equal thrust, the .40 only needs to turn 2/3rds the speed of the .25. By running the larger motor, you reduce wear and fuel use over the .25 running at full throttle. Hope this helps