Getting Started

Welcome to the hobby of R/C model aviation! As a newcomer, it is easy to be overwhelmed and frustrated. That's why we're here to help.

This club is affiliated with the AMA (Academy of Aeromodelers) and tthe AMA has an introductory pilot program. This program is intended to introduce non-AMA members to aeromodling while providing liability insurance coverage to the non-AMA member and the chartered club. Our club, Delaware RC, has several pilots that have registered to introduce non members to flying.

Heres what to do if your interested in trying flying --

1. Contact the Introductory Pilot Program for Delaware RC by emailing assist@delawarerc.org and telling them that you would like to try an introductory flight. Once contacted - an IP trainer will reach out to you to schedule your first flight lesson. Best of all - IT IS COMPLETELY FREE FOR THE FIRST FEW LESSONS.

   Please include in the email the following information:

   Your full Name
   Your age (If not 18 or older)
   Your email address (or parent/gardians address in a minor)
   Your phone number (or parent/gardians phone number if a minor)
   Do you currently have AMA Membership?
   What are you interested in? Please list all/any equipment that you may already have.
   
   Unfortunately, the Delaware R/C Club does not provide any heli or drone R/C flight instruction at this time.

2. After you have flown a few times and have decided that you would like to continue, you will be asked to join the club. Depending upon your age, there may be a fee associated with joining. You will also be asked to join the AMA as that is where you get your liability insurance coverage in case you crash into someone's property (car or house for example). There is a fee for the AMA. There are different memberships avalible for that as well. You should look at the AMA website.

3. Once you have joined the AMA and Delaware RC, you can continue your flight instruction with an IP mentor or any member of the club that is willing to help you (there are a lot of members and most are willing to help). This is when you do your first "solo" or flight where you take off by yourself, fly around for a bit and land for yourself. This is an exciting event as then you'll be able to start flying your airplane whenever you wan to. This is when you'll have to commit to spending a little more on the hobby as you should be getting your own airplane and your own transmitter about this time as well. Club trainers are good for people starting out but by this time you are now a pilot and need your own gear. The are lot of members that can help you with this as well. It will involve some money, but not as much as you might think.

You may want to consider a flight simulator so that you can stay sharp when you can't get out to the field or want to try new manuevers. It it easier to repair a simulated plane that a real one!

R/C Flight Simulator

Many students find that the use of a R/C Flight Simulator aids in the learning process. We recommend the RealFlight Trainer Edition RC Flight Simulator (for Windows 10/11) with SLT6 Transmitter/Controller to start. RealFlight Trainer Edition Simulator includes popular trainer aircraft and is upgradable.