809Flyer Registered User Thread OP

Cool How I got My very first Rc Plane.. True story



True Story:

After a failed design last night of a wing built from poster foam and RX-2 helli components I finally gave up and went for the real thing. Turns out I was way over my head and started with the design part of the whole rc thing. I figured since im clocking in real flight hours and spent countless hours on Microsoft flight simulators X (FSX) that I could take on the daunting task of building my first RC from scratch and get positive results. That was a comlete error.. But like everything in life, you live and you learn.



Since my wing RC didn't cut the cheese i decided to start my search for an inexpensive little trainer or a glider to get my feet wet and understand this divine RC world. I searched Craigslist and came up on a great deal for a harbor cub piper j-3 brand new in it's box never unpacked. I researched the price and found out it was a deal for $40. It retails at Harbor freight for about $100 so for $40 I was in, just had to make sure it was still available and that it was really brand new. I went ahead and called and to my amazement it was still available. I live in Weston Fl and this guy was in West Palm Beach Fl. About an hour and 15 min from me. I figured $20 of gas on my v8 Excursion and it still would be a deal at $60.



I convinced the wife and we packed the kids and set off on a very long ride with 5 kids in the truck. A few snacks and a movie on the head rest and we were off.



When we arrived at this very large house sitting on 5 acres I couldn't help but notice this elder gentleman sitting out side holding this big box as if he were waiting for his grand kids to come home and see him there holding a new toy for them. We parked and I got out and shook his and we got to talking. After a few conversations about the road trip with 5 kids it was time to see the goods. "I thought this thing was a lot smaller" I said with a tickle in my gut. He set the box down on a picnic table their and opened the box and behold a brand new still unpackaged and still in it's original plastics Piper J-3. I couldn't help but ask why so cheap. He went on to tell me a story about his son who passed away right before X-mas and it was meant to be his gift. His son passed in the middle of the night after taking prescription pills and going out with friends for drinks and a good time. He told me how his son came home that night with a girlfriend from a bar, went to sleep, got up around 3 in the morning to use the rest room and then found dead in his bed by 9am. Turns out that the combination of drugs and alcohol sent him on his final party.



After hearing this man pour out his sorrow I gave him my condolences and then he did something so cool that I will never forget. He said "You know what Jay? Since you came so far to get this, I want you to have it for free"..

"For free? I said still in shock. "Yes" he said.. "I know you'll enjoy it and appreciate it.. Besides, I don't need $40".. I was so grateful that I had to shake his hand and give him a great big hug.



After a few more stories and a tour of his 5 acre ranch we parted ways and I had a mixture of emotions on my way home that I can't really explain. Got home and I almost didn't feel right building this thing and using it as my first trainer. It sort of hold a special something being a father's gift to his dead son. Something told me to go ahead and build it and take it to the sky in the name of his son who didn't get the chance to see it built let alone flying.



I carefully went thru the instructions as it is my first time building an RC plane in my life. But it was really simple with the help of my 5 year old little mama. after it was done I felt a sense of accomplishment and now I'm siting here like a kid before Xmas waiting for day break to open his gifts. Only I have to wait till I get out of work to get my first flight in. I would love to call out but that's not an option since I'm the owner of the company. So I'll wait patiently till the clock strikes 5 and head home to set it on it's maiden flight weather permits.



Sorry if I bored you all with this story but I had to share it.



Here are a few picks of my new Harbor Cub Piper J-3 whom I've named Alpha since it's my very first Rc Plane ever.

















Hi guys, been on here for about a week and gained alot of valuable info from this site. Thanks a million.True Story:After a failed design last night of a wing built from poster foam and RX-2 helli components I finally gave up and went for the real thing. Turns out I was way over my head and started with the design part of the whole rc thing. I figured since im clocking in real flight hours and spent countless hours on Microsoft flight simulators X (FSX) that I could take on the daunting task of building my first RC from scratch and get positive results. That was a comlete error.. But like everything in life, you live and you learn.Since my wing RC didn't cut the cheese i decided to start my search for an inexpensive little trainer or a glider to get my feet wet and understand this divine RC world. I searched Craigslist and came up on a great deal for a harbor cub piper j-3 brand new in it's box never unpacked. I researched the price and found out it was a deal for $40. It retails at Harbor freight for about $100 so for $40 I was in, just had to make sure it was still available and that it was really brand new. I went ahead and called and to my amazement it was still available. I live in Weston Fl and this guy was in West Palm Beach Fl. About an hour and 15 min from me. I figured $20 of gas on my v8 Excursion and it still would be a deal at $60.I convinced the wife and we packed the kids and set off on a very long ride with 5 kids in the truck. A few snacks and a movie on the head rest and we were off.When we arrived at this very large house sitting on 5 acres I couldn't help but notice this elder gentleman sitting out side holding this big box as if he were waiting for his grand kids to come home and see him there holding a new toy for them. We parked and I got out and shook his and we got to talking. After a few conversations about the road trip with 5 kids it was time to see the goods. "I thought this thing was a lot smaller" I said with a tickle in my gut. He set the box down on a picnic table their and opened the box and behold a brand new still unpackaged and still in it's original plastics Piper J-3. I couldn't help but ask why so cheap. He went on to tell me a story about his son who passed away right before X-mas and it was meant to be his gift. His son passed in the middle of the night after taking prescription pills and going out with friends for drinks and a good time. He told me how his son came home that night with a girlfriend from a bar, went to sleep, got up around 3 in the morning to use the rest room and then found dead in his bed by 9am. Turns out that the combination of drugs and alcohol sent him on his final party.After hearing this man pour out his sorrow I gave him my condolences and then he did something so cool that I will never forget. He said "You know what Jay? Since you came so far to get this, I want you to have it for free".."For free? I said still in shock. "Yes" he said.. "I know you'll enjoy it and appreciate it.. Besides, I don't need $40".. I was so grateful that I had to shake his hand and give him a great big hug.After a few more stories and a tour of his 5 acre ranch we parted ways and I had a mixture of emotions on my way home that I can't really explain. Got home and I almost didn't feel right building this thing and using it as my first trainer. It sort of hold a special something being a father's gift to his dead son. Something told me to go ahead and build it and take it to the sky in the name of his son who didn't get the chance to see it built let alone flying.I carefully went thru the instructions as it is my first time building an RC plane in my life. But it was really simple with the help of my 5 year old little mama. after it was done I felt a sense of accomplishment and now I'm siting here like a kid before Xmas waiting for day break to open his gifts. Only I have to wait till I get out of work to get my first flight in. I would love to call out but that's not an option since I'm the owner of the company. So I'll wait patiently till the clock strikes 5 and head home to set it on it's maiden flight weather permits.Sorry if I bored you all with this story but I had to share it.Here are a few picks of my new Harbor Cub Piper J-3 whom I've named Alpha since it's my very first Rc Plane ever.