Platteville Area R/C Modelers
1531 Airport Rd.
Platteville, Wisconsin 53818
Frequently Asked Questions
R/C model clubs.
R/C model clubs can be a great help to the newcomer. Go to their flying field and talk with the club members. Don’t be shy! Ask for advice and learn from their experience! Model airplane magazines are also excellent sources of information. R/C has its own language of terms and nicknames, and reading model magazines will help you learn the terminology.
How does a person join the Platteville Area Modelers? All you have to do is to come to a meeting or meet with the treasurer of the club and pay your dues.(Please check Calendar & Events & Meeting Dates ) Platteville Area Modelers Application How much does it cost to join? Annual dues are $35 And a AMA card
Do I have to join the AMA? YES The club is a AMA charter club. With AMA membership you receive an umbrella liability/property damage insurance. (CHECK THE AMA OUT ) How much does it cost?
Like any leisure time activity, R/C has some one time costs. The initial investment might seem high to the newcomer, but once you are established with a model, engine, and radio, the cost stabilizes and can be as much or as little as you want to spend.
How far do they fly?
Modern radio control systems have a range of 1 or 2 miles. However, it is very rare that a model airplane is flown that far away. A model with a 5 or 6 feet wingspan will become a small speck in the sky at ½ mile out.
Do you have a club Instructor? Yes we have some of the finest instructors in southwest Wisconsin.They can make your first flights very successful.
How fast can they fly?
A typical trainer usually flies in the neighborhood of 30 to 60 mph. More advanced stunt models will fly a little faster, about 80 to 100 mph. And for the real expert R/C racing models, over 200 mph can be reached.
What happens when the engine stops?
A common misconception among the general public is that control of the model is lost. This is not true! The radio system will still function normally since it is powered by its own on-board battery. You simply glide the model in for a landing.(THIS IS CALLED A DEAD STICK)
Can I buy an airplane that is ready to fly?
Yes. (RTF) - Ready-to-Fly. Some newer airplanes are now available as RTF models. These planes usually come with everything needed for flight--plane, radio system, engine and all hardware. The really nice thing about an RTF is that it will almost always be completely pre-built with only a few minor construction steps left for the modeler. If you want to fly and want to fly now, RTF is the way to go.There are many fine ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) aircraft on the market. These can get you flying with only a few hours of simple assembly.
Do I need a license to fly R/C aircraft?
No. However, there is a governing body for all model aviation activities in this country called the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). The AMA works closely with the Federal Communication Commission to see that certain frequencies are set aside for the exclusive use of modelers.
Why do I need an instructor?An instructor serves two purposes. First, he will check and fly your model the first time to make sure it is performing properly before you try to fly with it. The second reason for an instructor is to correct any mistakes you might make when you take over the controls for the first time. A radio with a trainer cord option is recommended, DON'T TRY IT ALONE!
Do I have to be intimidated by other club members being a first time flyer? Should I get a flight simulator? Are they worth it? Radio controlled model airplane flight simulators (like RealFlight G3.5 )make learning less expensive or stressful. The flight simulators are realistic in some ways, but not in others. Where they really shine is in helping you learn stick movements, and quick responses--without the expense of a crash. A lot of the guys who learned to do tricky maneuvers, like rolling circles and hovering, started out by practicing on a flight simulator. Some of our club members have simulators, so if you would like to try one before you buy one, they will be happy to have you start your training on their simulator.
Should I start with an ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) or a kit trainer plane?
For your first radio control model airplane, We suggest that you start with an ARF, The reason we suggest an ARF is simple...with a kit, you have a lot of blood, sweat and tears that go into building, especially if it's your first model airplane. If you really want to build a kit, we suggest you start with the ARF trainer, and as soon as you get it ready to take to the field, then buy your second plane in kit form. That way you get the best of both worlds--flying while building Do I have to attend all the meetings?NO you don't.But we have a great time and its a great place to get members' input and advice.
Can You put lipo batterys in the trash?
** DISPOSAL OF LIPO BATTERIES **
Unlike NiCd batteries, lithium-polymer batteries are environmentally
friendly.
For safety reasons, it's best that LiPo cells be fully discharged before
disposal (however, if physically damaged it is NOT recommended to
discharge LiPo cells before disposal - see below for details). The
batteries must also be cool before proceeding with disposal
instructions. To dispose of LiPo cells and packs:
1. If any LiPo cell in the pack has been physically damaged, resulting
in a swollen cell or a split or tear in a cell's foil covering, do NOT
discharge the battery.
Jump to step 5.
2. Place the LiPo battery in a fireproof container or bucket of sand.
3. Connect the battery to a LiPo discharger. Set the discharge cutoff
voltage to the lowest possible value. Set the discharge current to a
C/10 value, with "C" being the capacity rating of the pack. For example,
the "1C" rating for a 1200mAh battery is 1.2A, and that battery's C/10
current value is (1.2A / 10) can be used, such as a power resistor or
set of light bulbs as long as the discharge current doesn't exceed the
C/10 value and cause an overheating condition.
For LiPo packs rated at 7.4V and 11.1V , connect a 150 ohm resistor with
a power rating of 2 watts (commonly found at Radio Shack)to the pack's
positive and negative terminals to safely discharge connecting it to an
ESC/ motor system and allowing the motor to run indefinitely until no
power remains to further cause the system to function.
4. Discharge the battery until its voltage reaches 1.0V per cell or
lower. For resistive load type discharges, discharge the battery for up
to 24 hours.
5. Submerse the battery into bucket or tub of salt water. This container
should have a lid, but it should not need to be air-tight. Prepare a
plastic container (do not use metal) of cold water. And mix in 1/2 cup
of salt per gallon of water. Drop the battery into the salt water.
Allow the battery to remain in the tub of salt water for at least 2
weeks.
6. Remove the LiPo battery from the salt water, wrap it in newspaper or
paper towels and place it in the normal trash. They are landfill safe.
2007 CLUB BUILD
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| 2007 Calendar & Events & Meeting Dates
