It is hoped that, time permitting, this section will be filled with many useful tips for the beginner in modelling apertaining to aircraft. If anyone has any useful tips, then please let me know and they will appear here. To start with, it may be useful to inform people of the basics required to get to the field and start flying as soon as possible.

Obviously the first item required is a model aircraft. There are usually three ways to go and get started and the views of the "purists" has changed over the years. The ways to go are mainly :-

NOTE:- these suggestions refer to non I/C models as well as powered models ie. gliders, free flight etc.

1. 1). Buy a model which is already made and ready to go - see Alan Cantwell for this course of action. This has many advantages, but mainly it gets you up and running quickly and flying and it is usually with a model that has been already flown, tested and should be OK. This is the course of action I took first some 7 years ago - a Hi-Boy.
2. 2). Buy an ARTF model - Almost Ready To Fly. These are purchased about 90 to 95% made and all that is really needed is to fit the radio gear and away you go. Sometimes a bit of assembly is needed, but this is usually minimal. The big negative of this action is that you do not learn how a model is made and where the strength is, the points to look out for - C. of G. etc. The main positive is again you can fly almost immediately.
3. 3). Start with a kit or a plan and build your own and learn from scratch the finer points of model making and assembly - the best way to learn as I found out many years ago. This was the second course of action I took some six years ago when I built the WOT4.

Having discussed this with several people, it seems that the opinion is that a newcomer these days, should possible take actions 1 or 2 above to get flying soon, and then take action 3 above and make one from scratch whilst learning to fly - kill two birds with one model, I mean stone - sorry.

The minimum equipment which is needed is as below. Obviously this changes as you progress and spend more money, but some of the items can be borrowed from other fliers at the field until you decide that the hobby is for you - electric starters for example:-

• A powered model with an engine capacity of 0.30 - 0.40 cu. in. (5 - 6.5cc.) or a glider / free flight model / helicopter.
• A four function R/C system (transmitter and reciever) operating three primary controls (rudder, aileron and elevators) plus the engine throttle.
• A bottle of fuel and a pump to fill the model's tank.
• A 2 Volt battery to start the Glow plug or other suitable system for this purpose.
• A BMFA Affiliated Club to join so that you can learn to fly correctly and SAFELY !! At all the Clubs I know, this tuition comes FREE and the time is given willingly by the more experienced fliers - take advantage whilst you can. These people know a lot about the hobby, the sport and modelling / flight in general. Most Clubs, including the Oldham and District Model Aero Club, use the "buddy box" mode of training for learners and is the best way to learn.
The other items can be added later but "borrowed" for the first few times at the field.

If you choose the "starting from scratch" course of action (3 above), then you will need many more tools for making the model such as :-

• modeller's craft knife;
• steel rule;
• sand-paper, wet-and-dry;
• drills;
• various glues and adhesives;
• cutting mat and flat modelling board;
• files, soldering iron, pins and more.

This is not an exhaustive list but gives you an idea of what is needed to make a good and visually attractive model.