First series of classes posted! Please sign up for all 3 if you’re interested, and let me know if you have any questions.
Description:
Learn to build and fly your own powered radio-controlled airplane! No prior experience in aviation, electronics, or anything else is required. Your fee will cover everything - tools, materials, instruction, and reusable electronics for one airplane, so feel free to bring yourself and up to three other people; family, friends, partner, kids, whomever you’d like to share the building and flying experience. By the end of the class, you will leave with your own ready to fly RC plane, additional parts for upgrades, and your first flight under your belt so you’ll be ready to continue experiencing the hobby on your own!
Details
The airplane:
The plane built in class will be a simple 3 channel RC plane made of pre-cut foam board and hot glue, with additional parts for an advanced 4 channel wing included that can be built on your own time. Replacement parts are simple to make by hand or laser cutter, so if you crash, you can get back up with little effort. In addition, all the electronics are fully reusable and reprogrammable, so you can easily put them in another foam board airplane or design your own!
What’s included:
Pre-cut foam board kit, hardware, brushless motor, 20A ESC, pre-programmed ELRS transmitter & 7-channel receiver, 2x li-po battery, battery charger, 4x servos, propeller, full use of tools during class, instruction for building and first flight.
Schedule:
In session 1 there will be a quick introduction and background presentation on the plane and basic theory. You will then practice building techniques, and begin the initial parts of the build. In session 2 you will complete the build, install the electronics, power up to make sure everything works, and if time allows, throw the planes as gliders for basic flying practice. In session 3 we will meet at MakeICT to go over flying basics and rules, do final pre-flight checks, then head out to a local RC field to have your first flight! Each session will run between 2-3 hours, and will be hosted weekly at the same time.
Attendance:
It is highly recommended to make sure you are available for the entire planned period for at least the first two sessions, and if you want a guided first flight with improved chance of success, be present for the third. No refunds will be provided after the start of the first session. Ages 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Disclaimer:
While the class is available to all and no prior experience is required, basic arts and crafts skills and tools are used for the building process. These include things such as razor blades and hot glue guns that might result in injury. The building process itself also requires the ability to follow precise instructions and willingness to commit at least 4 hours over two weeks. As such, while all materials will belong to the attendee to do as they see fit at the beginning of session 1, and instruction will be provided to the best my ability to complete the project, I can not guarantee the creation of a flyable aircraft if instructions aren’t followed. Similarly, while the airplane chosen is designed to be as simple to operate as possible, flying a RC airplane requires a certain degree of hand-eye coordination. If you can play a video game you should be fine, but, like before, I am not able to guarantee proficient flying skills to attendees, and as such will not be held responsible for lost or damaged aircraft. This is in no way designed to discourage you from attending the class or trying out the hobby, as chances are it is much easier than you’d expect!