Originally Posted by CafeenMan

You've gotten some very good advice. My only advice is that I very strongly suggest you read up on the basic reasons an airplane flies. I can't tell you how many people I've seen at the field who can't learn to fly because they don't understand that their plane is in a stall and they think pulling the elevator up makes the airplane go up. I'm sure you have some understanding but what I'm suggesting is that you study it until really have a feel for it.

Originally Posted by rgburrill

Lots of good info so I'll just say one thing. There is one very important item you will bring from your truggie experience - control reversal when coming toward you. That can be a major problem for people with no experience at all. My first instructor was very happy that I had land and water experience before getting into planes because I understood control reversal.

Originally Posted by ChappyEight

(Disclaimer: I realize there are countless numbers of posts asking similar questions, but I'm hoping after countless hours of research, I could get some personalized input.)

Hello. So, a quick background on me, I have absolutely zero experience in R/C planes. About 10 years ago I was pretty serious into R/C truggies so I do have general R/C experience. That said, I have no illusions that anything other than a glossary of terms is what will transfer to the airborne side of R/C, if that.

My 4 year old son has taken up a fascination with planes and becoming a pilot remains on my bucket list. I thought a neat way to satisfy both our cravings would be to venture into this world. Obviously he is far too young to do any controlling himself, but I look forward to having him help me assemble and paint a model(s) and then spending time with me flying until he himself can take the controls.

All that said, after researching extensively, here's what I've come up with. I'm trying to decide between 2 planes, the Super Cub and the Fun Cub. The super cub seems to be the popular choice for trainers, being 3ch and all, but I like the fact that the Fun Cub has ailerons available so I can avoid having to later mod the Super Cub. Additionally, once my skill has developed some, I intend to use floats more than wheels at my local lake. (Ideally I hope to one day own one of these.

So, I'm hoping to get some direction regarding the SC vs. the FC and then, further, I can't make my stupid mind up about RTF or buying something that I can add my own receiver/radio to (the thought here being it can grow with me more easily).

Again, I realize a lot of these questions have been asked multiple times, but the narcissist in me was hoping for some personalized discussion.

Thank you in advance for your input/advice/demeaning comments.

- Chappy

Originally Posted by Rob2160

You have lots of great advice from some knowledgeable modellers.

If I can just add a few thoughs about radios.

Invest in a radio that will grow with you. If you buy an RTF with its own radio, you may not be able to buy extra receivers to suit. The Super Cub for example has a 3 channel radio on FM - you will need another radio anyway when you get a second aircraft with ailerons.

I have heard the Tactic radios are good though I have no personal experience with them.

I can strongly recommend something like a Spektrum DX6i, or if your budget allows, a DX7s or DX8.

Any of these will serve you well from trainer aircraft up to sport and aerobatic machines, they will also cater nicely for Helicopters if you decide to try them. (They will also have some resale value if you change your mind later)

I fly regularly with Futaba, JR and Spektrum radios and all have been equally reliable - One reason Spektrum scores extra points for me is the ability to use them with the huge range of BNF aircraft and helicopters.

This is a great hobby, after 35 years I am more passionate about it now than I was as a teenager in 1978.

Be careful.. its addictive..

My radios...

Originally Posted by dreamwever

Hello the Fun cub with it's big tires is a 4 ch. better to learn with ailerons and rudder on the left stick right from the start that way you don't have to relearn. fun cub is a great flyer. if you are planning on doing this for long time buy a good radio to start with something with expo and model memory so you don't have to buy another down the road.

Originally Posted by dreamwever

hey guys he said he thought of a 3 ch witch has rudder and elevator on the right stick. what I said was to learn with a 4ch that way the rudder would be on the left.

Originally Posted by on_your_six

Super Cub is not even available any longer... you did a thorough job of researching.

Originally Posted by ChappyEight

While I respect, and agree, with your opinion regarding young children, the quoted comment above was unnecessarily sarcastic... and factually incorrect on your part.

That said, after researching further and getting opinions from current pilots, I chose to go with the HZ Super Cub. The coolest part about this thread, though, is that I now have a notebook with a progression path of aircraft that I'm going to try and follow as I get more comfortable flying, including some glow/fuel stuff. I chose the BNF version of the cub so that I could choose a Tx that I can hang onto for a long while. Through an interesting series of events that I don't care to explain right now, I ended up with a Tx that is way overkill for this plane, but should serve me well into the future.

Again, I cannot thank you all enough for the information and encouragement you have provided. I've clipped this entire conversation into Evernote and plan to refer back to it often.

Thanks again,
Chappy