The 8 Stages Of Being An RC Pilot

[@hobie1613]

I grew up flying RCs and still do occasionally. Flying RC really sparked my passion for flying full scale. I’ve achieved stage 9 if there is one 😉. Got my private pilot cert in 2020 when I turned 17 and haven’t looked back since. Since then I’ve earned my instrument, multi, commercial, and flight instructor certificates. None of that would’ve ever happened if it weren’t for RC.

[@TailHeavyProductions]

Nice work! Same for me. Don’t forget your roots, though! -Zach

[@giuseppeamato168]

Here!

[@Men-3]

When I turn 17, I also plan on getting my pilots license

[@JLJets]

Me to I just started flight school I’m 12 btw

[@omramchandrajieducational]

Parents never boght me a "real" rc plane. Just 1 or 2 sub-50 dollar pieces of crap which had electronic malfunctions after a few days. So I started building my own😈. Fell in love with EDF's in 3'rd grade...still havent bought an rc plane. Honestly, I am fine with this, as building and flying ur own designs is such a rewarding experience. I just discovered your channel and its amazing.

[@terryrigden4860]

I guess after 50 years flying I'm in stage 8 the end game. I don't do anything fancy but enjoy my flying immensely .

[@Krash_fpv]

Having a couple friends to fly with makes the hibby so much more fun,you push eachother and when you have a fun day and trash a plane taking tirns flying knife edge thru the awning at the field or pushing olane past its limits....reguardless havong peers woth you makes it soo much more fun

[@MJ-bj1gn]

I started with fpv quads but got burnt out. Now I‘m getting into fpv wings and I’m loving it!! So I‘d say I‘m on stage 2 of rc planes

[@boss2234]

I am at stage 5 or 6 depending on the day, I still have not mastered slow flight especially on edfs, flying is something I just love to do and really enjoy flying company when I have it but fly alone mostly at a club.

[@klikmaus]

I think I jumped from stage 3 to stage 8. I've been flying department store cheapos for 3 decades, got into hobby grade last year. I didn't get a trainer for my first real plane, I got a Freewing 64mm edf A-10. Takeoff and first flight went great, landing.... demolished the plane by nose-planting into a light post. I took a step back and got a UMX Air Tractor, bashed it for a while, moved up to a Turbo Timber Evolution, bashed it a bit, then tried my luck with a couple more UMX micros--- the Pitts and Gee Bee. I'm at the point where I'm confident flying the UMX planes with SAFE off most the time (still have "oh sh*t" moments), the TTE I haven't activated SAFE in several months even when pushing my skill set. 3 mistakes high is a very good rule of thumb. I claim stage 8 as flying RC is more than just a hobby, it's a passion/addiction. If by some chance I obliterated every single plane I have at the moment in one flight outing, I'd be hell-bent in either fixing up the least-damaged model to flight worthiness again or getting another plane. I'm well past the "this hobby is too expensive" stage, I have a hot melt glue gun, gorilla glue, access to dollar tree foam board, and a obsession to fly. I have a couple periodic flying buddies that spice things up but I thoroughly enjoy solo flight runs where I can send my birds out and do my thing without distraction, to me it's a Zen garden. Relaxation, de-stressing, honing a skill and personal fulfillment.

[@lawrence.ap287]

In my defense, you got me into RC. I always wanted to fly RC but you made the dream come true. Thanks for the inspiration and of course the information.

[@Parreral.]

Me too ❤

[@txdave2]

After 50 years of flying "full scale" airplanes I took up RC. After a few flights and many crashes with my Amazon RTF Cub I froze as I watched it fly away and disappear. Went through my Dollar Tree foam board/Flite Test phase. Bought and destroyed some expensive E-Flite planes. Got a little better and went through my EDF phase. Crashed a few of those. Then I went through my helicopter phase which was followed by my 3D phase. This was followed by a 6 month burnout phase. I watched a bunch of KZbin videos which rekindled my interest. I think I'm now at stage 6 and am enjoying the hobby more than ever. This video is so spot on.

[@JordanHill-vs7kc]

Endgame for me now, I've been flying off and on for about twenty years, but I still remember the absolute accomplishment of my first successful solo like it was yesterday. This hobby changed the trajectory of my life personally and professionally.

[@FarmerFpv]

My first successful solo was 15 years ago. I bought a Kintech slope-soaring EPP plane from J&M Hobby House (RIP) I put a brushed motor on and a Jeti brushed ESC and NIMH battery. I chucked it in the air at the local baseball field and it flew perfectly. I remember to this day my right leg shaking and vibrating from excitement and nervousness. It was an uncontrollable shake or vibration. I still experience it occasionally when I maiden a brand new turbine or wood and balsa kit that took me a few months to build and cost a few thousand dollars. The First plane that I bought and crashed it many times before it got in the air was from Price Club during Xmas. It was a Cox 3-channel plane cause it had no throttle. The Cox .49 engine just ran at full speed scaring every animal in sight. lol

[@ayyhmed]

Im stage 4, and this channel is the reason i got into this hobby. Love it

[@TailHeavyProductions]

That’s awesome!

[@OklahomaRailfan_Productions]

stage 3.5 I'm on my second aircraft!

[@brunocardenas]

I´ve been at the hobby for more time than I can remember. And I found out that the funniest thing in it is to lower your head and expectations, tell yourselfe everyday that you will always learn something new, and that you are, at heart, an eternal newbie, always ready to be mesmerized.

[@segwaydave]

Stage 8 here (35 years of rc). Love the hobby and flying with other people (new or seasoned) just cant be beat!

[@MrBlompod]

I’m 3 years in and consider myself barely intermediate.. It’s broken my heart and I’m sure it will again but I cannot think of anything that fills me with as much joy and for fulfilment..

[@RickOAA]

My son and I have a couple of the cheap Volantex warbirds. After years of continuous use we've lost one servo, a couple of props, and a few batteries. They are impressive to me, are endlessly fun to fly, have proven durable, and they work remarkably well off the stabilized modes. The vertical performance isn't great, but they are also $85

[@rayxa8986]

That feeling when there's a new vid from you guys 🙏

[@knowyourjoe8826]

Not exactly sure where I fall on the scale. Been playing with these toys off and on for 43 years. I have re-kitted more airplanes than I can remember. I have found that I enjoy the UMX line of planes as they do everything I want. That is all I have played with exclusively for some time now. These days I only fly occasionally, in fair weather, and personally enjoy SAFE and AS3X and do not care what other people think. There is nothing to prove to others. I do this for enjoyment and am constantly amazed watching the little toy airplanes float through the air. At the moment I have no one to fly with and miss those days that I did. Wish y'all the best and happy flying.

[@gecrashed6565]

I‘d put myself in Stage 8. I‘ve been flying for over 6 years now and got over 60 planes now. 🤯 Since normal planes got too boring for me and I only fly nitro/ gassers, I startet with twins and IC ducted fans. 😁 It‘s always a great feeling, when I get to the flying field with my Byron F-16 and all the older guys tell me that it‘s not gonna work but then it flies great and they are surprised then. 🤓 Or the nice flights with my 90“ Top Flite B-25 with two OS FL 70 four strokes. I love that sound! 🤩 Might put a pic of it into the photo contest channel. 😊

[@EnjenirFPV]

I'm in the slow burn stage, I started flying planes and I loved having fun and flying every morning and night. But it got to a point where by my 5th plane, I was getting fairly bored. I had fun with others sometimes at fields but I hated working on a scratch build and forgetting tiny mistakes such as reinforcing wing struts/ mounting etc. I just found that the hobby wasn't as fun for me anymore. I am so glad my friends made me experiment and try new things and I found myself starting FPV drones. I loved the community, and soldering and wiring were things I much enjoyed compared to building or repairing wings. I got through the stage of experimentation and now finally I'm doing the hobby I really enjoy, FPV. Once you find what you love, you really never look back.

[@panzerpants290]

I'm in stage 5 right now and I'm really starting to get into building scale and detailed stuff with my dad. He used to fly control line when he was a kid and he is definitely in stage 7 or 8 lol

[@userTJ39780]

I started with a UMX Radian. I thought all planes would be that slow and easy to fly. My second plane, a Flite Test Duster, was so fast I immediately knocked the wings off and promptly rebuild it 5 more times before starting off with a big trainer. 71 planes later, I can now fly just about everything from 3D to EDF's to catching thermals. Somewhere near stage 6 right now. Flite Test Combat and streamer cuts are my highlights.

[@redfishtom]

In stage 9. Man, that FPV air to air is getting great. Been working on it ,self!

[@trondaustad8617]

Hi boys nice video. Still have fun in this hobby. 38 years of fun. Old man no 58 but o yeah l love it. Maiden or crash is a part of this so we keep on going. Have a nice week 😊

[@P.Trick93]

5:36 bro went full Space Shuttle mode

[@NightFlyyer]

Nicely done and pure entertainment. ✅👍

[@benjo6698]

I just came back after stage 7 and love every second of it ;D

[@timkin4190]

I'm definitely at 7... after several years of competitive flying covid hit and I took a break... and now I have the intention of going back to it, but couldn't be arsed getting out of the cockpit of my real aircraft!!! I'll get there one day, either by regressing to 5 or 6, or stepping up and making it to 8!!!

[@TheTrebb]

Great video so true! I’m in stage 7… for the third time in my life… but this time no quitting… I’m just gonna take your advice and stick it out for stage 8!

[@EleanorPeterson]

I couldn't possibly say what stage I'm at, any more than I could reveal my age (if you're old enough to ask the question, you're too young to know the answer...), but one thing I love about thermal soaring is that you're never 'done' learning. With engines and aerobatics things can get quite stale after several million years of perfecting your skills, but every flat-field thermal flight - whether with a tiny DLG or a 5-metre all-composite polyhedral monster is a journey into the unknown, and that's why I still love unpowered flight. Nature never gets old. 🙂

[@Graeme_Bolton]

uhhhhhhh i just got the f-15 e-flight as my first jet and i was talking about it in their discord. think that might have made it into the video...

[@ignasanchezl]

Realistically I'm in stage 6, I went through stage 5 when I finally gave quads a chance, but I did kinda go through stage 7 burnout years ago, not finding many people my age to fly with, entering a multi year hiatus. Despite that, I still feel like you guys fastracked me to stage 8.

[@jojo-._.]

im SO in dunning krüger stage. Im thinking about getting a quadcopter for the first time, trying fpv one more, thinking about getting a funnycub bc it meets excpectations and made a reddit post asking what to do where someone advised me building a bushtrottel! Im now building a Buschtrottel! This vidio is excactly what i needed RN! Thanks :)

[@trumblez]

Im at stage 6 or 7 but i`ve got into FPV 3 years ago and thats pretty fun

[@jamesbrown7758]

I’m at stage 7. Don’t think I’ll hit burnout since I enjoy the hobby so much. A very busy life keeps me from flying more than 2-3 times per month. The group of guys at the field here in middle Tennessee are amazing people. You can have a great time without even bringing an airplane with you!

[@Speedycat]

i guess i'm at Stage 8...?, got my first plane on Xmas 2006 and haven't stopped. It's mostly a hobby to relax for me, no real goals in competition or anything, just charge a couple batteries and go empty them. It's a good time for sure. ironically enough, one of the planes i fly the most is a Multiplex Spacescooter with a Permax 400 Brushed Motor + Gearbox, got that on clearance sale in a hobbyshop in 2010 and just kept running it without every changing anything besides one Motor replacement after it just wore it's brushes down. Thinking of that now, i've probably flown more than a 1000 charges with that thing.

[@KetilDuna]

Been through most of these phases, yes sir! Funny video -thank you for sharing!

[@My2cents860]

Yet another great video. Definitely at end game. I have always gravitated towards scale planes (cubs especially) and don’t sweat it if they get scuffed on a botched landing or the inevitable hanger rash. Like fishing, the worst day at the flying field is way better than the best day at work. Keep up the great work and enjoy the holiday weekend! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@peterb6382]

What’s the stage where the hobby runs through in your veins to the core? When you start at 4 years old I get the same enjoyment when I fly an imac size Extra, a umx Timber, a battered old balsa trainer or a rubber powered tissue model. I somehow don’t think this hobby of mine is going anywhere soon. I’m in this for the long haul.

[@3DPrinting_Specialist]

My rc plane broke but I was on stage 2 (My plane was the hobby zone Duet Rtf)

[@Paiadakine]

I started with SEL then skydiving then RC. Started sailplane add on but found Paragliding. Now I have to make time to fly rc, cause PG is taking over.

[@GordonScottYankeeEngineer]

I am a solid 8! Happy flying to you all no matter where you are on your journey 🫡☺️👍👍

[@foobar201]

Solid stage 4. I am unstoppable.

[@ObPrints]

This is funny that this popped up in my for you. Me and my dad just built my first plane today. It’s a Super Cub Dsm. Hopefully my first flight goes well and doesn’t end up in a million pieces!

[@jeremiahjohnson3018]

I've been waiting all week for this.

[@jeremiahjohnson3018]

What are you doing to TWIMBER.

[@echassin]

When vision declines and nostalgia takes over, the high performance stuff is put aside in favor of rebuilding/updating the balsa classics from 50 years ago. Stage 9: endless touch-and-goes as Sunset approaches. Happy times.

[@robynlang8554]

lol Peter’s name and the picture of his flying drill who got me it so funny the joke is really funny

[@gpziprd]

i recently got an aeroscout not the mini one its really fun to fly and only bad thing is that its design is for water landings not ground if you try to butter you hit the tail on the ground and if you dont you hit your front wheel first and send it into the planes body making for a fun day of hot glue or some tape

[@Corrigan65_]

This is a great clip. I realized I'm stage 3 in a vacuum. How to elaborate; people at the park now don't look up in anxiety when I fly. They walk under and through the envelope. If that makes sense

[@ThorneWorthington]

My whole childhood consisted of me trying to get flying toys to fly. I did great with model rockets and kites, never got anywhere with airplanes. I would build those guillows kits, they wouldn't fly. I had a few cox planes, instantly crashed them. I finally got a carbon cub and now I'm just amazed that it actually flies. It is completely beat to shiiit from me doing daring high-speed low-level maneuvers. I recently flew it full throttle smack into a baseball backstop. It has weird mysterious dents all over it now. I got an ultimate 3d biplane recently, crashed it twice in 4 outings. It's a handful. Getting there, though. I would say that I'm a full-throttle guy. 90% of my turns involve doing a half loop and then rolling out of it.

[@dr_jaymz]

Always had loads of models. Was in the slow burn, flew every other week and did crash anything for years. Then children happened and I haven't had chance to go back to the field. All my models are on the walks going up the stairs, my batteries are all shot and the engines are seized or close to it. Only in the last 6 months have I been flying some foamies with the kids.

[@Chio_OB]

Stage 6 but go between 5, 6 & 7. Flew a T-28 and a Blade 450 3d today, had fun

[@infiniterats3870]

I'm in the "I need to stop buying airplanes from facebook marketplace because I don't have enough room" phase

[@jig801]

As always awesome content. I am stuck in 2. Your videos are the reason I got into RC planes.

[@TailHeavyProductions]

That’s awesome! Welcome to a great hobby

[@frequentflyer585]

Going back and forth between slow burn and burnout-life has been getting in the way of flying but I still enjoy it when I do it. There is no greater excitement than first learning and crashing/rebuilding, IMO. The restrictive laws probably ruined that for many who otherwise would have loved guerrilla-style trial and error flying as much as I did 10 years ago.

[@ianlehman8342]

I've been in a combination of some of the various stages. Especially ever since I bought a Horizon Hobby sport cub s 2 (with the SAFE gyros. Anything with less than 4 channels also never interested me) in late 2020, I've always had more than a passing interest in flying. I flew it a few times, but after a month, I was unable to recover a loop and nosedived into a hard soccerball pitch (thankfully only the top and bottom halves of the nose broke off which was easy to fix). It has been a few years, but I recently got the courage to actually try glue the nose back on, and have gone out and flown it a few times with great success, this time leaving it on the beginner mode. I'm considering a second airplane when I can afford it, a 3D foam Pitts, mainly because its as small as 400mm in wingspan and cheaper than even the sport cub was, so I can fly it in less spacious areas and be less concerned about it catching wind and getting stuck or broken in a crash. I've always known that all that really matters is having fun and not causing injury or trouble, which really just requires sensibility. And all that matters to an airplane to me is if it is inexpensive as possible and has 4-channel control. A gyro is a very nice-to-have

[@A.M.-RC]

I think stage 5. Problem is, where do I put all those new planes I want to buy? And even worse, how do I get the money to buy all of them? 😂

[@Krash_fpv]

I love codys slick soo much....i will have one one day when i finally burn the extreme flught edge 55cc and retire it

[@sawyerheslep8493]

A solid Stage 5!

[@Gabebuildsthings1234]

spot on man!!!!

[@yatzeegamingop]

I've been flying planes and drones for 8 years now. My high school teacher saw my interest in warplanes and lent his electronics to me for me to try (I still owe him a motor :D). After that, i got absolutely addicted. Joining this hobby is my best life choice so far, no contest. (F*ck fpv drones tho, they be expensive af) I'm from Turkey and saying "economy in here has been dogsh*t" would be a massive understatement. As such, i couldn't and still can't afford any fabrication rc planes. The only way is to build them out of foamboard. Flite test has been a massive helper in my hobby life. I can say that apart from buying my own planes, this video described my experiences so well that its kind of scary. Now that i have finished my engineering program, i am designing my own proper rc aircraft frames with foamboard and fly them. I am now able to afford much better electronics and mainly focus on efficient long range fpv gliders.

[@reelemin7864]

You guys are just awesome! Always look forward to your new vids!

[@RotaryMarx]

im at stage 0.5!

[@OneHappyCrazyPerson]

What a content ! Thanks for the laugh and info!

[@dronepilot4life]

Great video!!! Love the stages. I think i have hit them all. LOL I love having a great maiden flight.

[@ToastyMozart]

Around Stage 3 flying LoS, 5 in FPV. I started with the latter, tracking craft orientation from the ground has been a struggle.

[@pippyquark]

3:39 i think that is called the learning pit, correct me if i'm wrong. My school used to use it.

[@kokoycortez7213]

Damn. Delirium stage really hit me hard! 🤣

[@dereksflying]

After 20 years, I’d say I’m in it

[@SDStudiosAnimations]

Your second plane being an edf jet, then crashing it the same day is a canon event and it must happen

[@_D3adB0y_]

If you live by the ocean, try out a glider / sailplane / dlg. You will just need to charge a single battery and it will last you the whole day out on the cliffs.

[@doud623]

I’m stage 1, I got some Amazon shit and just ordered my first real RC Airplane, which is the F-16C 64mm EDF, plus I’ve got no people who could help me on a maiden. That’s gonna be the most stressful first flight of my entire life

[@Juniperrrrrr]

I'm about 20 years in. Somewhere between stage 5 and 8. I don't think I've had any burnout period that lasted very long. The key to avoiding burnout imo is to regularly ask yourself, "Am I having fun? Do I really want to go flying today?" If the answer is no, just give it a rest, and *maybe* try something different. Never "force" yourself to keep going.

[@theRCcarguy21]

Hey that F4U Corsair is actually fire I have one I've had one before I crashed it into the ground like 93 times but it's still ran so yeah but I threw it away and I'm at beginner stage

[@warbuzzard7167]

I think I swallowed a lung when the “friend” shut the receiver off. With “friends” like that, you don’t need any giggling SuperVillains with their finger on the button of a rogue space laser.

[@bramrc1246]

I'm at stage 6, although I don't have friends but I'm definitely trying to find some

[@whatsthematter8767]

2:28 my buddy at the field has that exact same airplane haha!

[@lewiemotorsports3616]

That scratch built plane at 4:10 was diabolical 😂 and why i feel like this vid was throwing shade at a couple youtubers 😅😅

[@mb2stroke816]

Loving the videos! Getting me excited to get me back into it, and see if my boys like it. I've got an old DX7 transmitter. Probably one of the first 2.4 ghz ones do I need to upgrade? Or just run it if it's working fine?

[@TailHeavyProductions]

I’d snag a newer one for sure. 👍

[@policopaul7961]

Stuck at level 2 since years. I always had problems with landing and still afraid to fly. Every time i get goosebumps. Maybe i should stick with cars

[@veeloocityyy]

My stage 1 was when I didnt have anything to do and remembered, "hey, my grandpa once let me fly a 1500mm cessna that got 4 seconds of flight" so I gave the hobby another try, been having a blast flying foamies (and crashing them because I got too confident) Currently at stage 2!

[@SafetyThirdRC]

Definitely 8 I do this for the dopamine fix.

[@SafetyThirdRC]

I won't join a club. I would never subject other people to my bad behavior. I learned to fly at the U Recktum flying school. I fly a flag that says Chillen the Most over my airstrip.

[@Technicallyaddicted]

It took me 10 years to master the inverted high alpha. Now I can do it with any plane that has ailerons. I still can’t control my aircraft at full throttle(it’s a 12s freewing f22 that does 150mph) and I won’t go near a 3D heli. My next stage is to build an aircraft I need FAA permission to fly with 2 jet engines, more than 200lbs of thrust and thrust vectoring. It’ll have a 7 foot wingspan and consume 2 liters of fuel per minute. It’s also an F22, but it’s the NGAD version. I’m building it by hand from scratch using Lockheeds actual CAD files. I found one 17 seconds 3D model of the aircraft and I designed more than 2,000 parts off of it. I even have space for weapons bays and radar, but that’s a war crime. Wish me luck.

[@mauritz1774]

My beginning search for some Turbine powerd fighter Jets and then I found Flight Test who Bixler and Peter sripol builded thier Mini foam Mustang And Mini Corsier Video. And than I followed all videos from Flite test and Peter Sripol. Now i am in the FPV Stage and lost in LOS

[@IlikeVeshremy]

I have that blue f4u corsair plane from Amazon an it flys so good

[@LucasBraun-wr4tr]

Im in stage 5 but am budget limited so I mostly scratch build anything from edf jets to flat 3d planes

[@Cybershark0102]

I'm at stage 3 and 2 days ago I went to a ama club flying field thingin bobbin idk what its called but anyway I just bought ama insurance and have been watching your videos for a while now and I love the crude humour

[@Divin9475]

stage 4 lmao love this channel!

[@LemanaidYT]

What do you believe is the best beginner plane? Should I start online or at a hobby shop?

[@rccardude04]

definitely endgame. Maybe my second round of endgame. Or third? Not sure. Burned out at least once or twice, got burned out with experimentation, then came back to quads/canbus/fpv and giving that a shot.

[@SlowFlyer85]

Great video everything you show and said so true lol good job👍👍

[@Apexxshock]

I have a Gws slow stick and a dynaflite butterfly. Both 3 channel and I fly them with ease. I got a warbird thinking I was gonna be able to fly that easy too.. nope. Nose dive full throttle into the ground. What plane do you recommend with ailerons first? Because a p-57d is not it.

[@Apexxshock]

I’d say I’m stage 2 or 3

[@94thaerosquadron3]

Highest , make scratch .and fly so good at many clubs .gas light everyone. In flying the rolling split S and circle screaming help! The take.off was low in ground effects.for a long time, nice cross wind then I fooled them Went into my act , landed , looked like a crash. 500 feet away. That’s with dust flying tail whip. Didn’t scratch the monocoat ? Made my P40 scratched 16 times .3rd rc combat!

[@123cp8]

I love this!😂 I love to scratch build with balsa, but i’m a lousy pilot. What stage does that make me? 😂

[@BlueSparrow13]

what percentage of them actually fly mine as about 50/50

[@spindash64]

I somehow went Stage 7, THEN Stage 2, then back and forth, because of anxiety about ruining things combined wirh procrastination

[@Videolinquency]

Could it be classed as stage 9 when you leave long range FPV and go back to scratch built line of sight because the only thing you understand how to flash is your x-acto?

[@terrencejackson4587]

8 and 2. 8 and 2……. Such is my relationship to my hobby.

[@KGReef]

Is it to soon to like and share!!?? Love your videos! Definitely inspired my son and I to get our first plane!

[@testpilotian3188]

I feel I’m at stage 28, so far past giving a crap what others think that I’d try to fly anything.