Any ideas on a great gift for a new flyer?

[FliersKid]

Hi there! I hope you guys don't mind me posting this here, but you seem like the people who would be in the know. :)

My dad has gotten into flying RC airplanes over the last few months. We live a few states apart, so I know nothing about his plane or how much gear he has/needs. He does seem to be really enjoying himself though, so I thought it would be fun to get him something related to his new hobby for Christmas.

Problem is, I don't know anything about this stuff! A subscription to the Backyard Flyer magazine looks like a good place to start. But I would love to hear any other suggestions. Esp. fun stuff like t-shirts and accessories. Like I said, I don't know enough about his plane to feel comfortable buying him parts.

Thanks in advance!
~Kid

[Leo L]

The magazine subscription certainly is a good idea. If you can find the name of a local hobby shop that is close to his home, you might get him a gift certificate to that shop. If you cann't locate a local hobby shop, get him a Visa or Mastercard gift card and attach it to a photo of a plane. Tell him that he must use the gift card on his hobby, whether in a local hobby shop or on-line.

Let us know what you decide to do.

If you have the chance, go to your local Toys-R-Us, Target, etc. and buy an Airhogs Aeroace (no substitutions) for $30 and try flying it (tape a dime to the nose of the plane to make it fly better). You will have a shared experience with your Dad, whether you actually like flying or not. If you like it, you will have a hobby that you can share and discuss with your Dad. If you don't like it, at least you will understand some of the joy and frustration that your Dad will experience.

[FliersKid]

Great advice Leo, thank you! :)
~Kid

[aeajr]

Do you know if he is flying an electric plane or a glow/gas powerd plane? Backyard flyer is great, but it is for electric pilots.

Next time you talk to him, get the name of the plane and who makes it.

I think Leo makes a great recommendation on the gift certificate to a local hobby store. However you better get the name of the place from him. Not all hobby stores carry RC airplane stuff. You could end up getting him a gift certificate to a store that specializes in trains or doll houses. :(

If you can't get the name of his local hobby store, you can go to www.towerhobbies.com or www.horizonhobby.com or www.hobby-lobby.com for a gift certificate. That would probably be just as good. They all have a broad mix of products that any RC flyer could use.

[FliersKid]

Ok...I told a big fat lie involving a fictional neighbor with a RC plane and got him to spill this:

I gave up on my electric park flyer a long time ago. The nitro powered planes are a lot more fun, and take more space to fly them in. They're also more expensive. I now have a Midwest Aerostar 40 trainer and am in the process of building a Carl Goldberg Skyline 62. Both have .46 Evolution engines in them. Your friend can go to www.carlgoldbergproducts.com to see some of the planes they offer. Tell him to look up the Skyline 62, and also the Tiger 60. I crashed a Tiger 60 earlier this year and will be building another this winter. The Tiger uses an OS .91 engine, so it's a pretty big plane.

I'm on that website. But it's a little like reading a foriegn language.

I hesitate to get him a gift card...just because that seems awkward considering he has a lot more money that I have. And if he wanted something, he could just buy it. But I do really want to get him something plane related.

You guys have been very helpful so far. Thank you!
~Kid

[aeajr]

Glow is not my area, so I will bow out here. ;)

Electrics and gliders and I can help you.

[FliersKid]

So that's glow? I saw a forum for glow.

Would the other magazine, Model Airplane News, be any good?
~Kid

[aeajr]

How is your Dad doing? Have you given flying a try?

[davec-nitro-rs4]

Flite Sim software for the new flyer, if you don't have access to it thru your club....