Trying to get my nephew hooked flyin' like I am...

[CrimzonRider]

During a recent adventure while helping my folks clean their attic, I found my old die-cast planes. Pretty sure they are the only ones that survived! Instant big smile on this mug. Yeah my first word was "Baron" (guessing a type of correlation between Snoopy and planes)

Now my 10 yr old nephew has seen me fly before, but never appeared very interested until yesterday when he seen these little models. He is pretty good with controllers and games and anything else with a tv. So how do I get him hooked? As other kids his age, sometimes he gets defeated quickly.
Just looking for the best chance at success!

We have done all the little foam planes from Hobby Lobby including rubber-band powered and after a day or so he loses interest. Thinking that he might get "hooked" a little more if he can actually control the plane somewhat. I have a good sized shop that he can fly inside when too windy.

So I been looking around for a ultra simple small indoor/outdoor plane. Seen the Vapor and it looked promising. Pros / Cons???

Is there anything else available that might be better? Cheaper??

Has anyone else "tried" to teach kids this age?

Thanks
CR

[hayofstacks]

Get a cheap slowstick w/ motor combo. Let him take it home and build it himself, and let him fly it when ever he comes over.

You can repair the wings with packaging tape, and you can't build it wrong. Not an ideal indoor plane though.

[Fig]

Get some radios with a trainer cord. It's the only way my Dad will fly now that he's gotten older. It really is a great way to get someone flying and let them learn.

[Chucksolo69]

The Hobbyzone Champ will get him going.

[CrimzonRider]

I'm thinking he is a little young for building but maybe so. I have flown champs and the like, and I think its just too fast for him. Might be wrong, but I think even the Ember is too fast for him???

cr

[dgjessing]

10 year olds have the attention span of a humming bird - don't expect too much.

[CrimzonRider]

Originally Posted by dgjessing

10 year olds have the attention span of a humming bird - don't expect too much.

Tell me about it, lol....he made 3 PBJ's yesterday....two had no jelly!


Im looking at a used J3 right now, Vapors RTF are 100 bucks new!!

cr

[zoltron55]

a mini-vapor would not be a bad choice. it's what I fly when I can't get to the field,very docile

[CrimzonRider]

Originally Posted by zoltron55

a mini-vapor would not be a bad choice. it's what I fly when I can't get to the field,very docile

Thanks, they must be pretty popular, a night vapor on rcg sold quick. I know he is might be too young to be able to handle this safely on his own, but he is very serious/addicted in his other hobby, tae kwon doo.

cr

[FlyWheel]

You say "He's pretty good with controllers and games and anything with a TV", have you considered starting him out on a simulator? Not only may this pique his interest (especially if you get one that allows two "players") as it s omething he already likes, but it will also build his flying skills without having to worry about collateral damage.

If he does show an interest in flying the real thing he will get in the air a lot easier having already had some stick time under his lttle belt.

If not, at least you'll have a good SIM for yourself...

[CrimzonRider]

Good point Flywheel. Especially due to being cold outside now. I just used cheapy FMS when I was getting started. Hindsight being should just bought Clearview. I wonder if XBox has any real flight sims? He'd be golden.

cr

[BBCorvette18]

Originally Posted by CrimzonRider

Good point Flywheel. Especially due to being cold outside now. I just used cheapy FMS when I was getting started. Hindsight being should just bought Clearview. I wonder if XBox has any real flight sims? He'd be golden.

cr

There was very basic arcade RC "simulator" on XBOX live a couple years ago. Not sure if its still their or not.

[Fig]

My problem with EVERY flying game for the Xbox is that there isn't a single programmer who has ever picked up a remote control plane or ever heard of a "mode 2". It really torques me off too. There is a game Il 2 Sturmovik which has an amazing looking P-51 and other WWII planes. They were on their forum promising that they would get an update out to allow mode 2 on the xbox controller. It's been over two years and nothing yet. I just gave up waiting. I could buy a flight stick and considered taking an xbox controller apart and swapping the two sticks but that's a lot more complicated that it would seem.

[CrimzonRider]

Thanks guys....I'm not much of a gamer...never used xbox or Wii.... I think I found a couple for xbox(free trial) Guessing I can download to pc and burn a cd and transfer to xbox.

cr