ORIGINAL: alansick
I have a couple questions and would like some help.
I have decided not to get a first plane without ailerons. I would not hookup the ailerons until ready. I ASSUME a plane with nonworking (locked) ailerons is the same as a plane without ailerons.
No, this is not the case at all. The wing design is differnet. An aileron plane typically has a flatter wing where a rudder plane has more dihedral in the wings.
If you want a plane where you can start without ailerons, then go to ailerons later, I would recommend several of the mountain models planes. They are available with a slow flying trainer wing without ailerons and a sport wing with ailerons. Here are two examples. The Magpie is especially good for new flyers. Very easy to build foam plane and flies great. A complete package with both wings and the electronics ( less radio ) is $160.
Magpie
I recommend the $55 package with two wings.
Has slow fly/trainer wing AND an aileron sport wing.
Master the first, then advance to the second.
They offer a complete package with both wings and all the electroncis for $160
Makes it so easy to get it right!
http://www.mountainmodels.com/magpie.php
discussion threads
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...51#post3502851
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...=SmoothE+build
Video - slow fly wing
http://www.mountainmodels.com/Magpie.wmv
Sport wing
http://www.mountainmodels.com/MagpieSP.wmv
SmoothE - E$50
Easy to build Balsa and foam kit. Build as 3 Channel Slow Flyer
Optional 4 channel aileron trainer when you are ready
http://www.mountainmodels.com/smoothe.php
Discussion Threads
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...=SmoothE+build
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...&page=19&pp=15
Funny video
http://www.mountainmodels.com/SmoothEsmall.WMV
I don't recommend pretty planes as first planes. They are too easy to break,
too hard to fix and look bad in short order. So you won't see any especially
pretty or true scale planes in my recommendations. Make one of those your second or third plane. I
also don't recommend two channel R/T electrics, so you won't find any on the
list. If you want one of these, I would suggest the Firebird series from
HobbyZone. They can be very easy to fly and can be a lot of fun, but they can
also be very easy to lose. You should plan to fly them in dead calm air when
you are first starting.
I feel a high wing three channel R/E/T plane is your best choice for a first
plane. R/E/T will require a little more learning than the two channel R/E
planes but is a better choice as a first plane, in my opinion. These use the
same control inputs as more advanced planes and can be flown in more wind once
you have mastered them in calm conditions.
If you are totally new to RC Flying, these articles may be helpful.
RC Planes Are not like RC Cars
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=17
Stall
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=31
Launch into the wind
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=43
Parts of the plane and how they work
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=54
The RC Pilots Cockpit
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=59
Flying the Plane
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=64
New Electric Flyer FAQs
http://www.ezonemag.com/pages/faq/a105.shtml
Six Keys to Success for new e-flyers
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355208