FPV Discussion: Planes Vs Quads

[@markg55]

I think it's a combination of things, when fixed wing FPV was bigger a lot of the videos were showing longer range flying which is something that people have got increasingly twitchy about posting. Also a lot of the early interest was around the rapid progression with people trying new airframe designs, new flight controllers etc. It's easy to forget but a few short years ago there weren't DJI Phantoms etc. and it all seemed so incredibly cool and amazing that you could cobble together an RC plane with all these avionics and fly it FPV, shooting amazing footage and we were all dying to have a go. But now it's pretty routine and as you noted the footage looks pretty bad compared to a multirotor. The other thing is planes just don't crash as well, even race wings if you clip a sturdy branch will often need more of a fix than you can manage at the field. The effect of this is that although you might do some proximity flying it's nothing like a mini quad where a lot of the time you don't even need to change a prop after you crash. So you can end up just flying safely up and down a field for a bit and if you don't have any spectacular scenery on hand it can just feel a bit pointless, especially once you're past the learning to fly stage when every flight has pretty big potential for disaster. So for me fixed wing is still fun if there's a couple of us up there but otherwise I can find myself getting bored long before the battery is flat. I think I prefer flying fixed wing LOS most of the time, it's a different challenge and a nice change from looking through the goggles. But mini quads on the other hand you have virtually limitless control so there are just so many more permutations of different things you can try doing on the sticks, I always feel like I'm making progress with something. Plus it opens up more locations. I'll always love fixed wing RC, I've been at it for over thirty years since I was a little kid with my dad but when it comes to FPV mini quads are where I find that there's more enjoyment to be had at the moment.

[@DavidNakashidze]

You've surfaced my deep thoughts. Thanks for very useful video.

[@CaribbeanZapatta]

as always your videos are absolutely pleasant to watch. THANK YOU ! FYI I am 66 retired (Airline Captain) now addicted FPV Pilot. Lived in the Caribbean till Sept 6th when Hurricane IRMA destroyed my home. Now living with a (WONDERFUL) Sister and her Family back in the States. Just wanted you to know who is tuning in to your world. THANK YOU SO M UCH !

[@brokenquad7436]

Flying both at moment

[@MiniMattTV]

Been looking at them for a while now and really fancy having a go with a wing

[@rufusglyn6091]

Great topic today Mr C Kitten. I remember a friend who was older built a plane when I was a boy. He used to lug a huge kit box with him , 5 mins of flying often ended up in hours if fixing. I could never have a fly for the fear of crashing his beloved plane. I used to love going to a field and watching. I got into RC after watching Bruce building a quad copter about 3/4 years ago. I got a tx and a qav250 kit from China and didn't ever manage to get that flying I blew up esc's and cold solder joints etc, but I loved the learning curve. I now have 5 quads still crash huge amounts and am loving the challenge. After watching some chases with a Jonno and Stu from UAVFutures I think a wing would be a great next challenge, but I just don't have the time with 3 kids under 7. So a woop is what I fly 95% of the time as that's always on hand. Perhaps when my kids are older will I get me that wing, but until then quads are just more convenient for instant flying fun.

[@CurryKitten]

Interesting - there's more of a fear factor with planes isn't there. Quads are solid, they crash, you pick them up and change a prop or two. Planes need more work to fix - sometimes anyway. Feels like what we all need is a plane that you can crash just like a quad without it smashing to pieces (when you get the time - just the thought of 3 children scares me enough... 1 is plenty :D )

[@charleswarwick4849]

The ease of repair with fixed wing is so nice. The biggest issue for me is finding a calm enough day for planes, and I often get the quads out instead just because I have time that day but the conditions are too windy. Fun discussion!

[@wrevenaugh]

CK! You are such a pleasure to watch, and as usual, have hit on a great topic. I personally got into the sport with toy quads, then up to Phantoms and gorgeous aerial video. Then over to flite test for some diy plane builds and was SO excited to develop the fixed wing piloting skills. Then people like Ed from experimental airlines and Andrew Newton had me jazzed about scratch builds and that was pure joy. From there I got into fpv with tiny whoops and that of course graduated into Micro and mini racers and the whole new sport of acro and freestyle. SO MUCH FUN! My planes and wings (hung all over the walls, lol) are still beckoning, and I know I will fly them again, but for now fpv micros particularly the 3" class have me the most excited. Thanks again for all you do, friend! Your work is just stellar!

[@CurryKitten]

3" quads are my new favourite thing as well. So tiny, but with all the speed of a 5" and the agility of a 2" - what's not to love. I'm not much of a builder, but I've really liked making some planes just for the thrill of seeing (as in the case last time) a cardbox box turn into a wing and take flight (albeit briefly in that case)

[@Faith_Family_Firearms_Freedom]

Great discussion. Me personally, I would love to have a fixed wing , and I hope I do buy one some day, but, for me, space is the main reason. As you mentioned, I can step out my back door and fly my 2" and 3" quads but fixed wing....not so. Again , great discussion topic.

[@samcollins6394]

I fly both. I started fixed wing about 20yrs ago. I've gone back to flying fixed wing with a teksumo wing in order to get some to get flight times over that what I get with my 5" kwad

[@brucebakker5163]

Thanks CK great video 👍 started in fpv drones since 2015 in 2018 my first wing it was zo relaxed no worry about pid settings en al the software firmwire updates wings and planes are so pure and minimalistic love it 😍

[@chrismalcomson2824]

Hi Currykitten. I love watching your video's and have learnt a lot from you. I started last year with planes, although I always had an interest in freestyle drone flying. My first plane was an AXN floater and I still have it in one piece! Although it is a fantastic (and cheap) plane, I wanted more, so bought a second hand, beaten up old Durafly Tundra. That plane has taught me sooooo much and I have passed it on to my son, who learnt how to fly with it and now he has passed it to my grandson. I replaced the old Tundra with a new one and still love it. Meanwhile.... I bought a E011 (tinywhoop style) and did the usual upgrades to add a decent f3 flight controller and camera. Having a lot of fun flying it around the house, I then moved to an Emax Babyhawk to learn to fly acro. Before I even got it flying in acro mode, I saw the HGLRC XJB-145, so bought it because that's closer to what I want to fly. Today, I maidened it and had an absolute blast! Now I am hooked on both planes and drones, but the drones are invading my brain!! Thank you so much for your informative video's! Between yourself and Andyrc My life will never be the same again. If you are ever in the NW, I would be happy to fly with you and even spring for a pint!

[@CurryKitten]

You have been hooked, and there's no escape. Sorry, from now on expect to look at every area in terms of what you can dive, where you should stand for best video reception, and any likely escape routes in case you need to scarper :) Glad you are having fun - that's the idea.

[@Tsnafu]

Hello Wayne, I was out today and flew my ASW28 2.6 meter glider, my Skywalker Falcon flying wing, one of my Teksumo flying wings, my old Bixler, and my Trifecta tricopter - I think the mix of 40% plane 40% wing and 20% multirotor about sums up my preferences

[@Jake-mm1cz]

Back in the 70’s my neighbor’s flew gas engine airplanes . Which always seemed to be in pieces . Now I’m Pushing Sixty & Wanted a Hobby I could do as I Age . I Started by Buying Ready to Fly Toy Quads . Just like Everyone else I thought they were Very Cool & thought I could Learn to Fly . The more I Researched & Tried to Fly the more I Realized that I needed to Learn to Fix them . That led To Countless Hours of Watching KZbin Videos and Reading Articles . I don’t think I’ll ever Completely Understand the Whole Process of Programing & Updating . Not to mention how fast these hobbies have changed over the last couple of years . The amount of frustration that comes with this hobby is at times mind boggling . But and I mean But .. The camaraderie in this hobby/sport is Amazing . I have a hard time keeping up with and comprehending the daily challenges and changes but that is what makes these hobbies so fun . I feel like I’m in grade school and with each year I learn , grow and improve . I’ll be part of the Quadcopter & Airplane Building , Flying , Crashing and Repairing Community till the end .. Much Luv & Respect to All that Have , Do and Will Help Me on a Daily Basis . I hope I’m as Helpful to others as they have been for me . Whapnsplat Signing Off for Now ..!

[@CurryKitten]

Yes - I guess this hobby has switched from being something where it helped to know about mechanics into one where knowledge of electronics and computers makes things easier. As you say though, I find the FPV community really good at sharing how to do things, so hopefully you never get stuck for too long :)

[@bradandmarksrcgarage4940]

one wing i can think of that is ready to fly is the Blade theory w equiped version, great fast wing

[@RobbyRCPROBE]

Hi CurryKitten great video! Its indeed a discussion which can bring lots on answers to it. I think concerning the FPV quad racers, it is so specific so fast so fascinating that you 'almost' never could get them over the border. For people more aging as I do, a simple reason is that I would never could fly a plane like my quads would on my private property. Flying under the leaves of trees avoiding all the obstacles in the garden as I do now.

[@CurryKitten]

Reading many of the responses, it's often having - or indeed not having a larger space to fly that's stopping them. Which is a shame. I subscribe to just flying where I find a safe space. It's more often much easier to apologise than ask for permission (I can never find out who owns what piece of land)

[@RobbyRCPROBE]

Right. On the other side I would say in these regions you definitely got to join an RC club when you like or when you like to try to fly planes over multiquads. Often then people are needed to participate in a certain program, flying figures and flying within lines as they are told. But the question is, does the individual or groups realy like to fly within those strikt boundries. Maybe over the world you can see a certain growing group of the free flyers who are determined not to follow a club or follow certain individuals but try to be 'entre parenthèse' a bit free in their hobby.

[@QuadDamageFPV]

I fly both, quads for a quick fix, planes for unfettered freedom. If you forced me to choose, I'd have to pick planes. Like you, I love my mini talon and still find time to fly my Carbon Z Cub (line of sight). Good food for thought, cheers 👍

[@rotormasher]

I love all RC, helis are the hardest but most rewarding to fly, quads fun but can get boring and then planes, endless choice and variety and the best fun ever!! :)

[@stofffpv3128]

started 4 yrs ago building flitest wings and the AXM..loved it big time..tried with quads for a while..never got far..but then it clicked..and havent really flown a plane/wing since..still gor a shed and a bedroom full of foam..deffo think ill get wing up for mates to chase with quads..then teach them fly wings over the summer

[@CurryKitten]

It's great fun chasing planes with quads - gives them a nice big target to try and stay with :)

[@cozzy206]

just learning to fly fpv planes and having a great time. Both of the disciplines are very different IMHO............... BUT both are fantastic fun

[@Zwiesel66]

I want to start with FPV and I just thinking about if a plane or a quad is best to start with. I find the longer flight times of planes very appealing. It makes it easy to practice your skills without looking at your clock or batterie voltage all the time. It's also nice that you don't need so many batteries. On the other hand it may be a little harder to find a good spot to fly.

[@CurryKitten]

It's such a tricky one to answer on what's best to start on, as it's often down to who's doing the flying. Some people just click with quads more and others on planes... most of us end up flying both :) It's great to have a larger open area with a plane - especially when starting out. Another thing to think about is wind conditions. They make flying fixed wing... certainly more interesting, but a little more unforgiving for a beginner. Quads a little easier to get started on, and less condition dependant. So it's really about what floats your boat... given the right place to fly. I keep wanting to do a piece about building very simple wings for just a few $/£ out of foamboard and some old space bits to get more quad pilots trying fixed wings out

[@FPVSteve]

I think flying a plane is more about exploring an "area" whereas quads are more about flying around an object or specific place. There's a place for both but I don't think I'll ever tire of flying planes whereas with a quadcopter I can take it or leave it. I find fixed wing so much more relaxing than a quad - you have to be "on it" unless you're flying a big Naza thing which will just hover in GPS mode... but then I found with those I was more interested in the video than the flying (which was incredibly boring!)

[@CurryKitten]

Having flown a few too many multi's of late, I find myself flying planes more like quads now - trying to find tree gaps and keep a few feet off the floor. That takes far more of a feeling of having to be on it that a quad :) But yeah - points all most definately taken, and I tend to agree - it's fun to cruise around in a plane, but in a mini quad we have to make things more exciting by flying fast and low etc

[@in4bliss]

Great video and perspectives :) I have yet to try fixed wings but interesting to hear about it from your experience.

[@jlolment]

Here in the states, we have a fair number of airports. Which means quite a bit of restricted airspace - control towers laugh you off the radio if you tell them you want to fly a quad, but they take RC planes a bit more seriously. Plus, since urban and suburban areas are much more common than rural areas here, it's not quite the "good neighbor" hobby. So yeah, space is a big concern, at least on the coasts Head tracking or another way to look around (maybe hooking it up to banking, or setting up an etch-a-sketch control with knobs on my taranis) would almost be a must for me if I were going to start flying a plane, and that's an extra cost in both time and money. In a quad, I can yaw and maintain my previous momentum. In a plane, if I want to see something, I have to have either a servo-mounted camera or I have to commit to pointing generally at that thing I want to see. Battery and weight balancing deter me from flying a plane. I don't want to keep up with separate quad-sized (which for me tend to be under 1 amp, since I only fly micros at the moment) and plane-sized batteries. I think maybe an agile plane that was unlikely to stall while looping about at max throttle could be marketable to the behemoth quad market, too. Ace Combat- or Top Gun- style flight footage would be a great hit. That means pushing more air, more stably. Maybe twin-prop RC planes? I know some exist for nitro or gas engines, but I don't trust those, too many moving parts. I spend enough time maintaining quads as it is.

[@markofpv9569]

I remember my dad and I when I was a kid flying planes with a tiny gas bottle mostly ended in disaster but think that's when I got my love of flying models.

[@tjp5667]

Great video I started on planes with a power z a great rtf push prop with wing attached via elastic band for park flying but space is an issue and couldn't progress without a lot of expense. Now fly quads only after a 15 year break. Not sure if true rtf is the answer as I think the hobby needs some barrier to entry. Loads of plane clubs near me but they seem to be hard to approach vs quads where the community feels more accessable through KZbin and social media

[@Bushwackerinpa]

What was that tiny wing? not the durafly but the smaller one.

[@CurryKitten]

That was the Wii Wing 2. It's made by G Collins as a little depron kit. But he's just a privateer and is away a lot, so they can be hard to get hold of. Take a look here kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2GxaaBsfbF3mK8 and here kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6WxaWWBZ76AbaM for some more details

[@oidantheman]

I got into the hobby through quads and now fly planes/wings and my plane collection is rapidly growing. I still like quads but i'm really into the wings. There is just something about them and flying planes with mates and getting chase footage is awesome, and then there's streamers, i love that. I just don't get may opportunity to actually fly.

[@ResiNissi]

Thanks for the video

[@dtmgam1ng788]

I'm all about long range, and secondary speed. Planes Excell at BOTH of those topics, and I kinda overlook the space for storage, because I LOVE swing my creations, and I love acctualy putting in more handy work. They are also so easy to mod, and change things. Though I think the greatest downfall is outdoor area to fly. But again, I love how you can make a plane in ANY shape technically, and still get it to fly. You can fly a flat peice of foamboard (also cheaper material btw) with the right CG.

[@theochristie5706]

I got into the hobby a little while ago through quadcopers and I love them but Recently I decided to purchase an fpv wing and its a completely different experience. I can fly my quad in my garden but need to find an enormous field to fly the wing. Like you said its a lot less convenient but still worth it. I love both and think more people who exclusively fly quads need to try wings

[@CurryKitten]

Good call - I think both camps that exclusively fly one type of model will really get a lot out of trying the other side

[@ericoschmitt]

I've been considering fpv drone for filming hang gliders, and not sure if fixed wing would work best. Flight time, range, and perhaps speed of fixed wing attracts me, not to mention I like gliders/flying wings. But aerobatic quads are hugely versatile in terms of angles, flying backwards. Not sure if having a 360 camera on a flying wing would be as good, cinematically speaking. And I can always land, swap batteries and go again so....

[@CurryKitten]

Yeah - you don't get the versatility of quads when using fixed wing, but I've seen excellent 3-axis gimbals on large wings and you do get the flight time

[@QuadCloudNine]

I'm just getting into RC planes/drones. Have always been interested in RC planes but never got into it, but recently after seeing some FPV footage from racing/freestyle drones I was completely blown away. So I went ahead and ordered a small whoop and goggles to learn to fly around the house, still waiting for them to arrive. However, the limited flight time with drones makes me pause, and makes me think RC planes might be better just for the cruise time.

[@CurryKitten]

Yep - it's great fun to cruise around in planes for 40 minutes at a time - but I like to do a bit of both when I can. If you've got access to a bit of space, then I'd certainly recommend you try a bit of fixed wing action as well

[@didactylos4diddy474]

Good questions. I came back into RC after more than 40 years after watching a few Tube videos showing people having fun with FPV quads. I bought the obligatory "toy grade" micro quad (an original Hubsan 107) to try and understand the basics of these strange flying vehicles without wings and was about to progress to a proper FPV quad when my eyes needed a series of operations which meant that FPV using goggles became impossible. That took a while to adjust to After a little while I went back and flew toy camera quads (still do fly them) GPS camera quads and then toy planes followed (mostly because they take even less repair than the big ones) and latterly I've been flying more planes than quads. Still mostly toys and mostly LoS (with occasional bits of FPV using monitors) The past autumn and winter haven't helped because toys don't fly in more than a gentle breeze. Even my tiny stabilised plane will only fly backwards for a while (at least when I'm in nominal control of it) :D What is currently stopping me and others I know from investing in better (or just more) kit is the uncertainty over the detail of the proposed new UAV regulations here in the UK. Everyone currently insists it will only affect "drones" but as yet there has been no distinction between "drones" multirotors and planes. There's plenty of innovative fixed wing planes coming out now as you point out. I've even got into wings finally after a few flights of the Orbit. (one I would strongly recommend to transitioning quad pilots _if_ I was certain what the new rules will be)

[@CurryKitten]

I think the uncertainty over legislation will continue for some time to come. With most of my flights, I don't meet the rules of having a spotter as I'm on my own, but I believe I'm always flying safely. That's all I can suggest that anyone does right now - just fly safe, we're not stupid and we can work out what's what , legislation or not.

[@KG4JYS]

I think you answered your own question. Lots of work and you'll need a huge plane to get a video worth looking at. Also, if you find something worth looking at with your quad, it's a heck of a lot easier to stop and look at it for a while. Also planes are a lot tougher to control. I bought a piper cub RC plane a few years ago. Everything came ready to go except I had to charge the battery and install AA's in the remote. Crashed it about 10 seconds after launch. That sort of thing is a lot less common with quads. You lift off and let it sit there 2 feet off the ground then slowly move around to get comfortable. That plane has to be going balls to the wall 30mph or something to get into the air.

[@imager09tube]

Two things that come to mind! 1- You need a big area 2- Once image stabilization comes out on FPV I will fly. Kind of hard when medium size airplane still moves too much in the air.

[@stevereynoso7820]

I have been flying Quads for 3 years. I like that I can fly inside the house with my small ones on bad weather days. I like how easy it is to fly some quads with GPS and flight controllers. Most quads will let you determine if you want more of a challenge by changing modes (acro, horizon, angle). I decided I would like to try a plane for the first time but had a hard time finding much beginner info. There is much more info out there on quads. Your video had a lot of good comparison info - thanks. I ended up ordering a Volantex Ranger 1600 V757-7 PNP from Banggood. Hope it will be a good choice for a beginner. I also bought a FrSky S8R receiver to see if I can incorporate a stability mode - I have a fear of crashing or losing it. Hope to eventually install a GPS and flight controller.

[@CurryKitten]

Big and floaty - that's the way to go. Have a look at some old videos from Bruce on his xjet channel where he does a build of an AXN. A different model, but lots of useful info about exercising the hinges, and centering servo's and things. It's how I got my first plane done. There's certainly not much here on KZbin (at least that I know about) in terms of taking your first plane out - mostly it's a case of finding a friend to help who can fly, or being in a club. But you can certainly go and work it out for yourself. A friend of mine, rather than flying circuits initially, just launched it straight and then landed it again without turning. Just getting out a little further, until he was confident about how it would handle and could then try adding height and then turns etc. Which is a pretty good idea I think

[@stevereynoso7820]

OK, thanks for the help!

[@tysk5729]

i got a bit into drones wich pulled my intrest towards wings to theres a few problems for me do, drones is big enough a hoby as it is spending a few 100.on a wing i cant even fly i could be spending on a new drone seems mweh there seems to be a new/bigger learning curve like you said you need allot of space from videos ive seen people need allot of space to land them or take off compared to a drone but i think having a combination with something like a foldable wing or something like the parrot swing would be amazing where you could get super long range yet keep the preccission of a drone when needed

[@TakeItToTheGround]

Strangely enough I thought the same thing about a year ago but now I have noticed a drop off in people with race quads as well. All I run into now are people with camera drones lately. I like both small quads

[@CurryKitten]

Yes - I guess that's the general rise in anyone being able to pick up a DJI drone and "fly" it. I have run into a few people in my local field flying them - it's just nice to see other people flying, and they are generally very interested to see the sort of setup I use for an obviously faster and more acrobatic setup

[@shaiss1]

I have many quads ive built from scratch and bought an s800 to start. It was an absolute pain to put together and nearly turned me off wings entirely. The main thing that turns me off about wings is the cg, trimming, and hand launching w/o auto launch. I can fpv a quad by myself, but for my s800 w no auto launch, I need someone to throw the wing for me. Also, space as you said. I can fly a 3" in my back yard but for the s800 I have to go to a local field and hope there are no games. And finally with a quad if I feel I'm going to fast or need a break, I come to a hover or slowly cruise around. With the s800 I feel like it's fly fast or fly insanely fast, there's no way to cruise and catch my breath. Thx for the great video.

[@CurryKitten]

Sometimes it seems like wings are a specific category on their own, but height and a flight controller to sit there in loiter can certainly help if you need a quick breather.

[@shaiss1]

CurryKitten yep I'm going to put inav into my s800 for that reason. I forgot to add one more reason. As a noob to anything flying there's a huge community and support behind bf vs inav. So I naturally had more trust in bf. Whereas every inav video I watch says to test everyting 5 times to make sure it works before relying on it.

[@yodayedi2325]

Nice

[@corasianfpv8196]

I've been flying quads for over 2 years and from the start, I wanted to try planes but my issue was always convenience of storing them. Recently as in the last 2 months, I have been trying to fly an S800 which I have put a flight controller with Inav (cause the moment I get it flying I will probably go home and put one in it) but I have had more difficulty with it then I have ever had with a quadcopter. At first, It spiraled into the ground on taking off and I think I fixed it by moving the center of gravity forward and fixing the damage that was caused and once a week I take it out try to fly it again after some changes crash it on take off my distance record so far is about 120m then take it home fix the damage and repeat once a week. So I never really got into it cause it was inconvenient but now that I am trying to fly I am finding that difficulty of trying to get one to be able to fly is a bigger reason as to why I fell like I don't really want to get into planes.

[@CurryKitten]

If it helps - if you look far enough back in my videos there's my very first attempts of flying (kzbin.info/www/bejne/rne8anp3otqafpI) it's not pretty and I didn't understand much about what I was doing - but after enough crashes it does click. I think it helps to not be too precious about your first plane, because it's going to crash a good few times :)

[@corasianfpv8196]

I assumed some crashes would be the case and I think of it the same as my quads (I literally don't care if I break it). I think I am just getting frustrated at the anticipation of flying it an not actually flying it. I will get it to fly eventually through.

[@eckythump6429]

Multicopter's are instant gratification. Easy to transport, pretty much take off and land anywhere, easier to find spots to fly, don't really need to worry about wind and short energetic flights. FPV fixed wing alway feels much more involved, a bit of an expedition a more relaxed experience based around duration & distance. Ground station & all the palaver that goes with it just puts me off getting it all out. I have a Mini Drak still in its box waiting to be built but think I would get more from a Nano Talon with a LiON pack & 2.4ghz video going to goggle mounted module & Nano XF that is easier to grab those last minute opportunities. Good topic though.

[@CurryKitten]

Interesting - I just used the term "instant gratification" replying to another comment. An interesting point though is that I think most people are in agreement that flying a plane has a certain amount of "chill" to it. But that effort of getting the gear to the field to fly it is way more than a quad, and sort of cancels it out ! Time to ditch that ground station, you can go plenty far in a goggle diversity system and it's less to carry,

[@eckythump6429]

CurryKitten ok, I will dig out the Hornet wing when I get home and find space for it in the van alongside the quads and commit to getting it back in the air😁 Mini Talon & XUAV One will always be a more involved experience!

[@CoyoteFPV]

I fly both, as you know Wayne and for pure flying my love is with planes. I love exploring, areas with them, its more social with a group of you FPV'in planes rather than being over competitive flying through hoops. Even freestyle with mini quads had me bored pretty quickly. I prefer using the mini quads as chase cameras for planes instead now. Where multi's fit for me is photography, love them for catching stills and video, which planes just can't do due to the nature of them. Each have there place with me, but for different uses.

[@CurryKitten]

Not enough plane stuff from you lately Ian - go and fly more ! :)

[@emmajackson3298]

I fand that the local clubs where very clicky and at times are quite hostile But the drone community where very welcoming and are quite happy for me to fly my plans and wings there as well 2 or 3 of them have gone out and got wings now and what to get more in to the planes but where pot off by some shops and clubs Think your Channel is fantastic

[@CurryKitten]

I hear this story a lot. There's seems to be a perception in some of the club guys that quads have ruined everything..... which might be true in part, but then you could equally say "it's all DJI's fault" . The way to fix this problem, ironically, is to get quads guys and old-time fixed-wing club guys together and get them to fly. They generally discover they have a lot in common. We've seen this happen at the Mini Air Show events where a lot of preconceptions on both sides get broken down. This is great to see, and it's always lots of fun flying with planes and quads at the same time

[@cliffandrews]

You make me want to build an FPV plane👍 Years ago flew one gas and one electric for like one minute each. Don't know where they ended up. But I do have a set of glasses now. These small FPV quads look like they are going to turn into an expensive(but fun) hobby. Cinelog 25 the sixth flight and the AIO/ESC goes out $70. Tinyhawk 2 FS video went out. But the good news is I still have my DJI F550 and Phantom 1 to fly. Take care..............

[@CurryKitten]

It sounds like you were great at flying planes in a straight line, but never quite mastered turning :) They've a little easier to handle now, and iNav is getting very advanced. Sounds like you are having a run of bad luck on the little quads - hopefully it'll improve!

[@benjamenus]

Having flown quads for a while (graduating from toy to hobby - and eventually building my own) I dedcided to try a glider/plane (3 channel). First attempt sort of went OK, took some getting used to compared to quads. Second go and I had a fly-away (pilot error - I got the sun in my eyes in the middle of a huge field and couldn't spot it again). Like you said, they want to glide forever, so I have no idea where it ended up...!!! I wanted to try planes because of the longer flight time and I thought it might be more relaxing (with a simple, light glider at least). But you're right, convenience is a pain with planes - needing to drive (due to size) to a much bigger space. Still, I don't have that problem any longer :( I also decided to give RC cars a go - and they seem much more robust than my quads (more 'play' time vs 'fixing' time). Only problem with them is that FPV is almost impossible going fast over rough terrain. Indoor racing however is a blast to FPV.

[@___echo___]

nice

[@CozzyKnowsBest]

Its got to be fixed wing all the way for pleasure for me. I just don't find multirotors much fun to fly. Flying planes feels like the dream of flight promises: naturally riding the wind, flick the motor off and you can soar like a bird. The obvious negatives being needing large open space away from the public which has likely aided the proliferation of quads. Its nice being able to TO/L in small spaces but I'm not overly enamoured with the characteristics of rotary flight. But it's deeply personal. I do think to people new to the hobby, you are right Wayne, the market leads decisions and cheap supply is driving small rtf quads right now.

[@CurryKitten]

I know what you mean, I experienced a real thrill the first time I shut the motor of and then gained 100m on a thermal, and then just rode the wind around for an age. It's very chilling - but as you say, finding that space seems to be the killer

[@GoodnessMee]

Interesting topic CK! I've been flying planes FPV for nearly 8 years. I am well and truly hooked, the multirotors have never appealed to me, just my preference I guess. I like doing videos of my flights and tend to prefer them to look like a camera stuck on a plane rather than stabilised to the nth degree, good results can be achieved in the right conditions. Just be careful of what you post, I don't post FPV video's any more, so I've kinda gone underground, maybe that's where other plane people have gone as well?

[@CurryKitten]

Certainly, the long-range guys seem to have disappeared, or gone underground. I tend to think that as long as I'm safe - even if I'm flying by myself and/or BLOS, then I'll throw caution to the wind and post it :)

[@paulrogers8365]

I started out flying planes and loved them, but stopped completely once I started flying quads. Mainly this is due to not needing a runway to take off and land and because, as you stated, quads don't care about the wind. I couldn't tell you how many times I stuffed two planes into my trunk to go fly just to come back home without flying because the wind started kicking up or the grass wasn't low enough for me to take off and land on. So quads are way more convenient.

[@EnglishTurbines]

Been flying RC Planes for more than 45 years....FPV on a Plane is like magic for me, a technical challenge to overcome, love it though....I also have some 5 Inch Quads which I can fly pretty good LOS and even now am amazed at the level of control a Flight Controller can give you. Im not comfortable flying FPV with them for some reason though. As an engineer, the mechanical aspects and technical setups provide the most stimulation and enjoyment. FPV has also provided a new hobby, photography. The kids can grab a (ready made) Quad and get it going pretty easy, give them an FPV Plane and they will struggle more in comparison because it requires a basic level of competence to build, trim and fly a Plane..... with or without a Flight Controller. Im lucky, I had to make my planes from sheets of wood and tissue and flew Radio Control with Rudder only Single Channel before Proportional was even invented. Things are so easy today in comparison, and foam planes are souless compared to a traditional build. And I built my own Radio Control sets (Proportional)..and servos.

[@CurryKitten]

Interesting - I didn't know you didn't feel comfortable FPVing quads. Do you think this is because you are on a screen instead of the goggles, or something else ?

[@LineAnimation]

I have being flying quads for almost 3 years, and now I’m flying wings as well. Recently purchased ZOHD Dart, orbit, and Talon, they are great wings and cheap. Currently Banggood US warehouse sales Dart PNP for $69.00

[@Rich-TeaFPV]

For me it's the space. A 2 or 3" quad doesn't draw too much attention at my local rec but a wing would really cause some issues with the dog walkers😁

[@JB-pt6kd]

On doggie walk an hour ago, we stopped & spoke to couple doggie-sitting an Afghan, (who have a fair turn of speed) ... they told me it could scale a 3 metre fence .. ( .. that's 10 feet to the yanks .. ) It's a good job they ain't got Collie brains or park flying quads could be eliminated in a matter of days ..

[@dreamsc4pe197]

I mainly fly a quad but would love to fly wings from time to time but the only thing stopping me is cost.

[@CurryKitten]

Perhaps a super-cheapo scratch build video is in order then :)

[@Bigbeardfpv]

I know this is an old video, but I hope you'll take my input still. I came into the hobby watching exploration and cinematic FPV drone videos. It is interesting, because I continue to think about purchasing a wing/plane , but I just dont see the support or representation to get into it comfortably. In the FPV drone world, there were so many people who were easy to catch up with for help, but I dont see that with planes. I also think there's something about being able to throw everything neatly in a little backpack and go fly. I'm now at the point however, where I want to explore and fly for longer, and although I've build a long range quadcopter, I'd still like the experience of a wing, but I honestly don't even know where to start......

[@CurryKitten]

The drone stuff tends to be bigger and attracts a larger audience, so it's easy for fixed wing stuff to get lost. It feels like FPV fixed wing has dropped in popularity some more since finding a decent size space is much harder, but there are channels that do a lot more on fixed wing including lots of reviews of models, setup tips and whole lot on iNav. Check out channels like Painless360 and Andrew Newton to name a few for this sort of stuff. There's still not many that'll fold up into a back pack - few and far between like the Zohd Dart I mentioned in the video (and is still one of my favorite planes because it is so easy to transport) - I do have a conversion to iNav for that one in the works so I can get a bit more long range on that.

[@Bigbeardfpv]

@@CurryKitten yeah. I wish more people near me flew wings. I'd definitely get involved. To date, I've built about 6 or 7 different FPV drones, but still zero wings. Is this Ritewing Drak a good place to start?

[@CurryKitten]

Not really - it's a great plane and very stable, but it's not a beginner build and can be tricky to launch. Start with a lighter foamie wing (or more traditional dihedral winged plane - like a bixler type which are very floaty) that is easier to build, launch and will bounce a bit when you chuck it into the ground

[@Spicks96]

Oh Wayne, thats a can of worms you are opening up. I could write a huge amount about who, why, what and where but you would all fall asleep lol. I am a huge plane fan. Building from scratch and balsa kits too. I think its easier for people to get into quads as a lot of them do it all for you so no need to be able to fly. I have over 65 planes and a handful of quads, but if im honest there isnt anything more satisfying than turning a bit of foamboard into a plane from plans to flying it. Oh and a final note. They are planes, not drones... Thats an entirely different conversation! You should review more planes Wayne... ;)

[@CurryKitten]

I'd like to review more - do you think that proper RTF planes would get more people into it ?

[@Spicks96]

Definitely, but I think there is a lack of good, crash resistant RTF's available. Something like the flying wings raven would be a good start. You could get that ready to fly for around £150 including a tx, batterys and a charger.... And it doesn't take that much effort to get it together. I think people are lazy, thats the main problem!

[@therealmikief1]

Rather apt timing! I started building and flying quads about 18 months ago. I recently was offered a wing for £40 which I've just maidened (and crashed!). It was a different flying experience but I now really want to learn to fly something in a circle los without crashing! So I've been looking at small wings and trainer planes. I also randomly met a bunch of guys whilst I was looking for somewhere to fly my quad who were flying all sorts of planes from stunt to long range, a heli and wings too. Now I fly with them regularly so maybe that's also given me the bug for 'other' types of aircraft. But I've gone from little or no interest in planes to really wanting to fly some. I guess until I saw how fun they are, I didn't think they were as much fun as a 5 inch quad.

[@CurryKitten]

The perfect convert. You really need to give it a try... or at least see them in action to get a decent idea about them. One's not better than the other, they are just different ways of flying - always best to do both :)

[@shattereddnb3268]

I think it´s mostly about drones being a hot new thing that gets attention from the general public, which pulls some people into quad racing and fpv flying. While RC planes was never really a big thing, it´s allways been (more than a bit) nerdy! (All power to the nerds ✊) That said, I´ve been flying quads for a while now, and thinking about getting into planes come summer. How does the flying compare? Will my quad skills be transferable, or is it back to crashing every 10 seconds for a while?

[@CurryKitten]

It's a different feeling entirely - there are some differences in control of course, but I can go from plane to quad all day and not have to think about it. Lots of ways of flying as well - soar around a chill out, or go low and fast. Instead of fighting gravity all the time, you are riding the wind - many quad pilots don't like the fact it's never as smooth, but I think it's a wilder ride. With a plane probably launching is the tricky part, but if you can fly FPV on a quad ok, it'll be fairly easy to fly FPV on a plane. Key is to get up some height and then you have plenty of time to make mistakes and come out of them :)

[@shattereddnb3268]

Thanks for the reply! Different is good, variety is allways nice. Better find a friend with a good throwing arm!

[@CDigata]

ive been flying drones n quads since 2011 and now working on a plane build ;)

[@sputniksam]

Hi Wayne I don’t think it’s possible to quantify a reason for a preference as it’s pretty much subjective to the individual. I got into the hobby through the self building of 450/550 size quads and soon after started with fixed wing. This was back in 2013. Today I have many fixed wings - scale, 3D, sport, gliders, FPV, etc - but I’m still very much into the multirotor side of things - small indoor, racequads, camera ships, 3D/collective pitch, XClass etc. You touched on accessibility to suitable sites. I am a member of a club that has a great site for model aircraft but due to health reasons I’m not always able to travel. So instead I’m still able to take one of my smaller multirotors or helicopters and thrash around the garden. To be honest if it wasn’t for this hobby I think I’d be resigned to watching Netflix all day in my underwear spooning down chocolate pudding. Now there’s an image that is difficult to not see 🤪 Regards Nidge

[@CurryKitten]

Netflix, pants, pudding. I need bleach for my eyes now :D Yes - obviously it's subjective, and I thought all the plank guys would come out and tell me they're still there. I just want to try and encourage the new guys that came into it with quads to give it a go as well

[@jasondonavich2758]

I've only ever flown mini quads but would love a long range plane... just can't afford the plane what with the mini quad being so expensive to repair all the time.

[@CurryKitten]

You must be crashing them hard - well done, if your going to go in, then commit to it :)

[@jasondonavich2758]

CurryKitten I always try stuff that may be beyond my skill level but always been the same

[@johnusjohnson8972]

I started with nitro planes back in the late 80's, then helicopters in the 90's, had a very long break from all RC and came back to it with multirotors in 2015. I've come full circle and I'm flying planes again, really loving this era of cheap foamies, used to be a ball ache building balsa planes just to see them disintegrate into tiny pieces on the first crash. Great topic for discussion though

[@CurryKitten]

I don't think I would have lasted long on a balsa plane, I'd have gone home with a bag of kindling pretty quickly :) How do you like electric motors compares to nitros ? It seems people are split between liking the clean, quiet brushless motors vs this nostalgic love of noise and oil

[@johnusjohnson8972]

CurryKitten Hate nitro motors, dirty oily things. Really happy with electric they're clean, quite and in a plane, really quite efficient. I can fly for around 15 minutes on a 1300 3s in my nano talon . I still fly my quad (210 mm racer) but at around 3 minutes flight time you need alot of batteries to have a good days flying.

[@OMEGOOLIEBIRD]

Only just started watching the video...VERY easy to answer for me: 7 MONTHS of absolutely terrible, depressing, windy, cold, rainy, muddy, dark, crappy never ending bollocks weather totally unsuitable to any sort of fun involving a plane... Will watch the rest of the video now :-)

[@CurryKitten]

... and this is when you'd fly a quad. As a pure plane guy you must have been pulling your hair out !

[@OMEGOOLIEBIRD]

Literally got depression because of it. Have never known such a long period of sustained bad weather without a break...Did get some exciting builds nearly done, but got so down in the dumps I didn't see the point, so they remain incomplete. Hopefully we are coming out of it now, and I will enjoy the hobby again. It feels like it's probably the last season for me though.. So much money for so little time in the air in the UK these days... Need to go to a meet with you guys again to get the bug back..Looking forward to seeing you at Popham :-)

[@fishmanmtb]

OMEGOOLIEBIRD Yeah this winter has been particularly tough. I have a stalled build that I should of finished months ago, just lacked the motivation. The long nights plus shite weekend weather has really got to me.

[@gmac_83]

OMEGOOLIEBIRD I feel you pain. Its depressing.

[@EnglishTurbines]

Omegooliebird.....Agree 100% six months of shit UK weather...Its not just me then...Im lucky, being retired means I can grab those rare moments when the wind drops below Gale force and get a flight in. At last the Sun has re-appeared, long overdue, and it was rather similar last year too.

[@CodFatherPart1]

Would like to fly planes but just don't have enough large areas to do it. Plus when I can't get out I can still practice by chasing the cat around with my tiny whoop

[@CurryKitten]

If you've got something like a football pitch near you, then it's enough for a little wing. But I do like the wide open spaces to take a big plane out and explore a few km away. But yeah - mixing it up with whoops at home is the perfect mix of flying I think

[@MrJarrod]

I live in the city simply no space to fly planes but I can fly my quad nearly anywhere .

[@CarbonGlassMan]

One of the things that has kept me from planes is that they look very shaky and slapped around by the wind, where a quad can be flown so smoothly that it looks like stabilized video in the goggles. I am looking for a wing now though. Planes ride on the air and the wind creates the lift where a quad gets it's lift from 4 separate motors with props and the motors can be spun up and down thousands of times a second to keep things level. Planes just ride the rocky road of the air it's cutting through.

[@CurryKitten]

Yeah - planes do rock about a lot because they are riding the air. But that's kind of the fun. It'll always look terrible when you look back on DVR footage, but in the air you'll find your eyes adjust and will be able to concentrate on a single spot. There's nothing like getting up in the air, turning the throttle off and just gliding around (sometimes finding you are still gaining height) it's pretty smooth then :)

[@CarbonGlassMan]

@@CurryKitten I am absolutely getting myself a plane. They do look like a lot of fun.

[@stillnotflyin]

For me I have always been into kwads although recently turned my attention to fixed wing, setting up a kwad on betaflight I find easy whereas setting up a fixed wing on arduplane I find intimidating, recently bought the heewing T1 and T1 vtol the VTOL I bought because I think there's less chance of crashing, maybe? I like the fact planes last longer on battery time than kwads also it appears more calmer although I cannot see myself flying fixed wing long range as proximity is still my style.

[@CurryKitten]

One thing you can do with a plane - which you can't with a quad is not use a flight controller. I know this will go very against the grain if you are used to what betaflight gives you, but the simplicity of starting off and having a 1 ESC, 2 servos, an RX (and camera and VTX if you want to FPV) is very freeing and will give you a lot of basic knowledge when you come to using some type of autopilot/flight controller. If it helps, I find anything Ardupilot related like looking at a bunch of weird spreadsheets and can only manage to have the words "compass is crazy" stamped over my OSD at all times. If you do want to start with an FC, try inav, it's a lot more like using Betaflight

[@stillnotflyin]

@@CurryKitten Thank you for your advice I will take it on board, I have one trainer plane that I love flying that does not have a flight controller just stabilizer but like you I love the idea that im in it flying around like a pilot, closest thing to real life just need the courage to go out and throw my plane. I have wings on pc but get board very quickly, nothing like flying .

[@jezza8558]

I started on Quads and now own planes but for me portablilty is the key. I have a UMX Cub but the S800 I have Is my plane/wing of choice. I can pull the wings off to pack it, i can fpv it or fly it directly. Planes are much more relaxed in my opinion, easy to fix as well.

[@wesorama]

I always wanted to fly RC planes, and I built and flew control line planes as a kid. At the time RC planes was way expensive and nitro only so I never got into it. Last year I happened to see people on youtube flying toy quads and it looked like something cheap and fun so I got into that. Then I soon found out about the electric RC planes so I was really happy I could finally get into the hobby cheaply and started doing that. I think wings are cool. I like learning about aerodynamics and lift and just doing it like the birds do it. But they're both a lot of fun so I'll keep doing both.

[@mathieuf.2788]

My first two aircrafts were home built balsa gliders that I had to bungee launch, they had a 2 meter wing span... not very portable. Stopped because other hobbies came up. Fast fwd 17 years when I built my first quad and I can't get enough of it. I am interested in wings yet my biggest mistake and what's holding me back is that I bough a Turnigy Evolution controller. I wish I had gone for something more transferable. None the less I'm have a blast and will eventually fly other crafts. Thanks for your content.

[@charlieordfilms3425]

I found that flying planes is very tricky to learn how to do because: a) just like los with quads the controls are trickier when it is coming towards and away from you (this is not a point if you fly fpv with planes but I never did that so...yeah) , b) you have to go reasonably quickly on your first flight and you cant just learn to hover and work your way up, and c) especially bigger planes are much less agile than a quad so it is harder to avoid obstacles at speed. Also the brilliant thing about quadcopters is that they are so small, you can throw everything into a backpack and just go whereas with a plane thats not so simple. The quads also hold up better with crashing, which I have a lot of experience with xd.

[@tech518b9]

I have been flying kwads for over 3 years starting with a mavic and progressing to FPV race kwads. I never really thought about flying planes berceuse they are just to big and unpractical to start and land. I met a guy at my usual flying place flying a Model plane line of sight. We later strapped a FPV unit on the plane and we were both amazed. He because of fpv and i because of how easy it is to fly a plane. I got an fpv wing and im really enjoying it. Flying for over 1h and just enjoying the longer range flights without the constant worry about battery is very nice. The only problem is the size and logistics involved with transporting. Since i dont own a car i have to awkwardly strap the plane to my bike and have to be careful to not bump in to anything. Quads are way better for a quick flight but planes will be my go to weekend whole day of flying things now.

[@CurryKitten]

Yep - I haven't been flying much fixed wing at all lately. That's down to the lack of larger flying sites I have and the 40 minute walk to get to the field I'm using. A shame really as I love doing a bit of both

[@tech518b9]

@@CurryKitten im thinking about building a VTOL plane to fly were i dont have a good landing spot. Ether a tail sitting wing or tri/quadcopter attached to a plane with tilt rotors. Probably way to ambitious but ill have a go anyway.

[@TheMachadomachado]

One of the things that make me afraid to try plane is the flying distance. With my quad, I´m always terrified of loosing it, so it stays not far from my eye of sight. With planes, I think I would need a much more powerful TX to be confident about it. My little Turnigy Evolution maybe is not enough to have a good experience. I´m also still running on single antenna googles, not very confident in doing long range without patch and diversity. But it is in my plan to upgrade those equipment´s, some day, and try chasing clouds as ArxangelRC :)

[@CurryKitten]

Distance isn't something you just go and do - either in quads or planes. You build up little by little, and come to learn any inadequacies in your components. But where 1km away in a quad feels like a scary distance, 1km in a plane feels like you are only a stones throw away. That said, you can still fly a plane like a quad - In the field I fly in, I tend to use small wings down low under the trees and I'm never more than 500m away from myself

[@Mark_Lang]

I started with planes with my father when I was a kid. But then, we had a big field next to the house and a workshop. I don't have this luxury anymore living in a small apartment. But I always wanted FPV, so I found out about quads, and I don't need a workshop for that, just my livingroom and a 3d printer. I still have my old planes at my parent's house and I'd like to reactivate them, maybe try INav on the Multiplex Twinjet, but, well, then I should join model club with an airfield first, and then I still don't have a car for transport, and my livingroom is already crammed with quad stuff... I'd love to fly planes again, but not possible atm. Oh, and I do have a plane to fly, I made a 45cm wing with a brushed quad motor, that size I can put in a bag and fly at the football field, it flies ok for it's size.

[@NordicBlueRC]

So, my Birthday is coming up and I have tossed around an idea of building a 7" "longer range" or a plane/wing. After watching a bunch of videos now, including yours, I think I want to venture into planes. Variety is the spice of life, right? My question to you is: For someone like me, with years of quad experience and no plane experience, what type of plane should I start with? Should I jump into a stabilized/flight controller wing or start with a basic plane with just the motor, ESC, servos and receiver? I kind of like the idea of a wing, but am I too noobie to go straight to it? Thanks for your 2 cents :)

[@CurryKitten]

Good move - I've found the question of "what type of plane to start with" a tricky one when moving from a quad. The 1st plane to start with answer is usually something traditionally plane shaped (with a tail and a rudder) and floaty like a Bixler shape. However, if you've spent time on quads, the worry is this might be a bit sedate and won't go fast enough... in which case go with a wing. Wings are simpler in control (yank and bank - no rudder) but aren't as stable as a regular plane and can bit a bit trickier to launch. I keep trying to get time to do a video about how guys like you can use a few old quad bits and maybe a few $ more to build a simple wing to try. When you spend nothing, the risk seems far less. Normally I'd say stay away from any stab/AP system as it complicates the build. That said, I really like what Zohd are doing - if you have a look through my channel you'll find a few videos on the Zohd Dart which has a simple system pre-installed with a launch mode which just works great. There's also a Zohd wing called the Orbit which I've not flown personally but heard great things about - and is similarly beginner friendly. Worth checking out

[@NordicBlueRC]

@@CurryKitten Thanks for the detailed response. The great news seems to be that the cost of entry (as long as you don't want a fighter jet or 747), is fairly low from what I see. This is all relative, of course, but comparing to a decent quad build at least it's a lot cheaper. In a nutshell, learn the pre-flight checklist inside and out, learn how to launch, and the flying part should come fairly easy. Just need to get used to the idea of no aggressive side to side and no backwards flying...lol.. I think I've chosen to not jump directly into a FC, but get something I can upgrade to one later on. The Zohd line and the Recruits seem to fit the bill, with a basic stabilizer. Thanks again!

[@Irigoyen4]

Well...I don’t fly planes (only quads) mostly because I live in the city and there are not many field around which are suitably large. I suppose I could just fly in circles, and the thought has crossed my mind, but I am just learning to fly FPV and don’t feel confident enough to fly a plane in a confined area...yet:)

[@GreenPatches]

Fpv everything, but if I had to choose, fixed wing for sure :D

[@CurryKitten]

I think "FPV Everything" is a good rule for life :)

[@charleswarwick4849]

I would generally agree that the KZbin community reviews quads more than wings because the technology is developing so fast whereas what's the latest and greatest innovation from a wing? A slightly different airfoil?

[@responderman]

I came back to model aircraft after a break of around 30 years, now obviously there was no such thing as a multirotor them so my first restart was building a balsa and solo film plane, then I started to see the huge and I mean massive increase in technology. So I wandered into the world of the multirotor. Its been a sharp learning curve for me, but now I have both types of craft on the bench. They both have a a set role to play, and it would be nieve to try to say one is better than the other. If I have to make a decision between the two of them it would have to be planes. To me, as a multirotor pilot it is a constant worry about the craft and its vulnerability in the air, where a plane is is always in a natural state of flight regardless of the mechanical condition most of the time. I think I am trying to say is to me a plane is more relaxing to fly. However, having the ability to go out in my relatively small garden and fly a quad is amazing to me. Anyway that's the take from a old timer pilot on your quest. Hope it helps Julian

[@CurryKitten]

I went from quads (actually a tri, and then a quad) to planes - but I got the feeling of the plane wanting to be up there in it's natural place - vs the multi fighting to stay up all the time straight away as well. It does seem like the conveince factor - espeiclally on accessable large spaces is playing the largest role in all of this.

[@responderman]

CurryKitten yes I feel exactly the same about the two craft and their flying abilities, and I also have just finished a tricopter using an old fashion kk2 board. Excellent fun and so handy to be able to trim o the field. I started my flying hobby 50 years ago with rubber powered aircraft. I guess if the politically correct do gooders started back then, the thought of a six foot FREEFIGHT model being launched in a public place and allowed to go where ever it wants would send them into meltdown. I think my biggest hate is the negative media attention put on us. Maybe that would make another excellent debate?

[@spencerpond4098]

I have an X-Vert, and I love to fly it. If I'm charging quad batteries at my car, I can fly it around, and it gets enough flight time per battery that I'm not sitting around bored while I wait to fly the quad again.

[@CurryKitten]

I have the Eachine VTOL plane - it's good fun. Just waiting for a few bits so I can FPV it - doesn't need as much space as a conventional plane, which is cool

[@spencerpond4098]

I just got back from flying. Crashed the X-Vert hard. Time to repair.

[@rift9891]

I personally like planes. Never really liked quads its just not my style. I want to get my first plane soon so i am doing research. Great video!

[@FlyingFun.]

I still haven't flown fpv fixed wing but have flown rc planes of ALL types for the last 30 plus years. Just need to pick a plane and stuck a camera on it. BUT something is holding me back and I think it's simply the convenience factor plus the fact that quads are sooo much fun. If I had someone else fpv planes with me I think it would be a different story, I can see fpv dog flighting being enormous fun... But just flying around the field in a plane would probably get boring fast I think. When I DO build fpv plane it will be warbirds or gliders maybe with head tracking.

[@SladkaPritomnost]

I'm in love with planes, I love plane flight characteristics they just feel more natural to me I don't mind turbulences, (although prefer quieter air) turbulences rotors, uplifts, thermals are part of the air... your would feel them hocked on paraglider or hang glider as well, so they are part of the game... I understand people flying quads they are just smaller (you don't need that much of the gear to carry) more stable (better reactions on controls) you can stay stationary basically at any height and just watch, that's great, bud I still prefer planes. Maybe one day... :)

[@CurryKitten]

Yaya for planes... but I need both planes and quads in my life, or I only feel half-complete :)

[@Ps5GamerUk]

Nice video, I think the key thing is Quads are generally cheaper and easier to fly

[@pantac4493]

Luke Paul if you build your own plane it’s way cheaper than a racing quad

[@basbastian2998]

I just started with quads. And because they are small, I can strap it to an backpack and go to an open area. But I like the building part of it. I bought my first quad in pieces and put it all together. But recently I found the guys from flight test on youtube. And they have so much fun with building planes from foam and create weird fun stuff. It light a spark with me. So now I'm looking where to get foam and balsa and stuff. I think you are right about the world being overwelmed with quads. Plane loving people have stayed the same, but there is so much more quad stuff happening now, the planes are in the background. I just would highly recomend for every body to have an look at kzbin.info. I learned from them that everything that flies is fun. And that is what it is all about.

[@MxJavice]

Don't have a car, can't transport a plane, I take my Bicycle to the local drone club with my gear in backpack and a few extra bits in pannier bag. I also pay the local cricket club a small fee to use their grounds when they aren't and its just a 5 min walk.

[@nonameguy1427]

For me personally, a quad is just mechanically easier / easier to repair. A quad is basically 4 motors thrown together with a bit of plastic un between. A plane needs all this moving flaps, specially shaped wings,... Of course you can always buy a pre made kit but for me personally I always want to build my stuff myself

[@kenneth001976]

I started with planes & nitro 20 years ago, went on for a couple of years. Then forgot about RC, because of motorcycles girls, house, fammily and that stuff in 16 years. Now I started up again a few years ago, and find it much easier to get a quad packed in the car, on holidays. I realy like the fun expirence with FPV, 5" quads mostly. Can fly LOS with a little babyhawkR quad in a small space if that i what I have, where I am. Can easily have a quad i my car, that can be used if I get the spare time some odd day. Planes are still fun, but they require a little more planning. They dont just sit ready in my car. They require more space. I sadly have not yet made a FPV wing, as I think that could be something for me.

[@CurryKitten]

You are right of course, it's that convenience factor again - a day flying planes does seem to be an event you have to plan (and then you'd still take a few quads in case the wind doesn't play ball) You should definitely FPV up a wing though - lots of fun

[@xeriamaned]

I think also another element is the uncertanty of which way legislation is going concerning FPV. People have invesated a lot of time and money into this but it seems to have gone cold. I haven't seen anything recently in the BMFA newsletter of anything obvious (unless I have missed it completely). Motivation is a big factor, the lousy weather, working shifts and weekends all take their toll.

[@CurryKitten]

I just typed something similar in another reply. But I can't we waiting around for the legislation to catch up. I may not fly to the rules, but I'm confident I fly safe. I choose my areas carefully, and I'm well away from people/stuff. That's all I can suggest other people do right now - carry on flying, but just use common sense to keep safe.

[@mattyale1506]

Parrot Disco around £300 great starter fixed wing drone well worth it at that price.

[@CurryKitten]

Wow, that's dropped in price - but I see Parrot has discontinued them so I guess that's why.

[@flyingfrogfpv411]

I will answer this via another means CK but let’s just say that #4TheLoveOfFlying should say it all it’s about enjoying flight not just one mode of it great video very thought provoking

[@Gosuminer]

Why I don't fly planes? Because I just got into flying fpv quads and the thought of having a UAV up there and not being able to stop is a little frightening to me. Planes need to go forward all the time or they will drop from the sky. A quad I could flip it into angle mode and drink tea while hovering and thinking about what to do next. That said I like the efficiency of planes, especially their ability to glide quietly whithout using the motor but I don't really see the point of flying something very efficient. One wheat field or forest looks just like the other, it does not really make a difference whether I fly over them for 3 minutes or for 30.

[@CurryKitten]

Hehe, I thought that at first. It depends where you come from - all the plane guys told me it was easy because they'd just carry on going, whereas I wanted them to stop and hover. But what is a nice safe feeling for quad flyers is a bit of a mind flip for plane guys :) It's a different type of flying - I find it very chilling, but it's a lot of fun to fly planes like their quads and go low and fast as well

[@TheKetsa]

Quads only so far here, everything has to fit in my backpack as I only have a motorbike.

[@CurryKitten]

That Zohd Dart will fit in a backpack once you take it's wings off - just saying :)

[@ItsDanBo-81666]

Started with quads, moved on to wings, i fly both now regularly and a mavic pro for filming :) Planes are generally more geeky and you tend to be shunned for flying a plane FPV only (which i only ever do) Line of sight flying is, IMO, old hat, boring and puts new people off ... old timers cant comprehend people that only want to fly FPV, it's quite weird! New wings coming out have spurred people on though, and companies like TBS are doing wonders for the hobby :)

[@CurryKitten]

I only fly FPV as well. Otherwise it's just flying in circles... it is for me anyway :)

[@ItsDanBo-81666]

Exactly :) I have an Armattan Chameleon for going mad, had a few quads, but settled with this. AR wing 4s Li-Ion, inav, GPS etc for long range stuff S800 4s inav, GPS etc for just messing about FlyingWings Hornet (watched your videos on that :) ) DJI Mavic Pro

[@chestergt7765]

I've noticed that about the older people as well. Now that I fly FPV I don't think I even care to fly LOS anymore. One thing that I noticed from the public around me, they don't care if you're flying something small and fast but they do care when you're flying something large. But there's always that one guy or girl who will throw a fit seeing anyone having fun.

[@CurryKitten]

I've not really had run in's with people while I've flown, but weirdly one of the only ones was when I was flying a small wing, the Wing wing z-84 where a woman complained that she didn't like to wasp like noise of it buzzer around her. The fun-police are out in force everywhere :)

[@chestergt7765]

CurryKitten I was flying around the little micro UMX cub and a older guy told me not to fly it around him. It was t even close to him at all. This was the first time I've ever had someone actually get mad at me for flying and it was just a 30-40 gram foam plane. Most people usually look and say cool and walk off though. Are you on RCgroups. Com?

[@StringsIV]

I started flying fixed wing at a local club 2 years ago. More recently FPV & quads have become more of an interest. Sadly many of the views of people at the club are quite narrow-minded and 'anti-quad' (or anything new for that matter). As a result I'm finding it tricky to grow my interest beyond an Inductrix, as I'm struggling to find people nearby to share the experience. KZbin helps a lot, but you can't beat sharing knowledge and experience with others.

[@CurryKitten]

I've never been a member of a club - they certainly had a reputation (here at least) of being quite anti-fpv and multi-rotors. Some have embraced it, but other seem to be firmly stuck in their ways. It's a constant surprise to me, as new pilots are coming on to the scene and not even considering flying clubs. It seems like they really need to change their attitudes if they ever want new members

[@StringsIV]

My experience supports that (I'm U.K. based). I agree that a change in attitude is very much need, though some are more receptive than others. My hope is that I can soon become proficient with a quad, so then I can hopefully share the experience and change some minds!

[@CurryKitten]

It's normally what can sway people - simply by showing them what it is we do. If you have a spare pair of goggles, giving a passenger ride along can really help

[@scottthompson2481]

Just sold my last Quad i owned , and now its all Planes .......

[@shozzy69]

Been flying planes for past 20 years a lot more flying sites have closed down but key things Cheaper when you crash Easy to store and do not tend to get damaged in storage Only really need 1 style of battery for quad where as planes need fuel / battery’s Limited time at the flying site so want to get as much time as possible in Wind and weather easier to fly a quad Easier to fly a quad in stability mode well as a plane can just crash in few seconds and be left with nothing Also many people just like to fly fpv and not line of site ( how many people can fly a quad fpv but can’t fly it line of site) Trend

[@KingHaggis]

I prefer fixed wing myself. I fly 2+ hours long with virtually unlimited videorange with my 4G modded Parrot Disco. I.m.o. quadcopters are boring hovering camera platforms and race drones are annoying nausea inducing mosquitoes. No offense, to each their own ;-) If I were a professional filmer or a building inspector or whatever, I'd choose a quadcopter in a heartbeat but hobbywise, fixed wing all the way!

[@CurryKitten]

I have to have both really. I love fixed wing, but they are harder to find places for and they don't like the wind too much - which is where multis fill the gap.... for me at least :)

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

You can't do serious photography from a fixed wing - at least, I wouldn't attempt it. I have zero interest in racing and have never flown a racing quad, but I would like to try a plane one day.

[@CurryKitten]

Absolutely - a plane is the wrong tool for the job there. There's something to be said for floating about chilling in the air for half an hour though

[@EnglishTurbines]

Wrong....You can mount the Camera on a Gimbal....Ultra smooth HD 4k footage.