Augy

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I am going to introduce my 10-yr old son to the hobby this Spring. I haven't flown in almost 10 years (started a family...couldn't find money or time) but now he is anxious to learn and it's got me excited about the hobby again. When I left the hobby, electrics were just coming on the scene but they couldn't replace a glow engine. It appears from the research I've done lately that electrics have come a long ways. I'm looking at the E-Flite Apprentice 15e as a trainer for my son (and a re-trainer for me!). Is this a good choice and is flying a model airplane like riding a bike...in that it will just come back to me??? We have a flight sim and I dusted off the box and controller, fired it up, and it did feel like I had never stopped flying (after a little practice).

I sold off all my old gas planes, radios, and miscellaneous gear so I'll be starting all over again. This is why I'm considering electric this time...no fuel to mess with and a lot less field equipment. I just want to know if electric has come far enough to compete with my memories of the .40 or .46 engines I used to fly (learned on an LT-40, then a Four-Star 40, Hog Bipe, and a 4-stroke Spitfire with retractable gear (man, I loved that plane!). Along the way I had a little tiger moth electric yard flyer and some sort of ducted fan electric jet...neither of which did much flying and left me less than impressed with electric powered flight.

Anyway, enough of the trip down memory lane...is the Apprentice a good choice in your opinion? What are some other nice electrics that would serve as 2nd and 3rd planes? I'd like to start with an ARF but maybe build the second or third plane to introduce my son to that side of the hobby as well. Thanks for any and all advice and input.

blvdbuzzard

Welcome back to the insanity!!!!

I have not had any first hand experience with the E-flite Apprentice. It has been given a lot of good write ups here and other forums. If you do a search you will find plenty to read about it.

You will need a plane, radio, batteries, charger(s) few tools and lots of time for fun.

There are many good trainers out there now. Some have good reviews while others do not.

I have the older version of this plane. Brother and brother in law have the newer ones with flaps and lights. It is pretty tough and easy to repair with epoxy. Brother did a perfect figure 9 right into my lap with his. Broke a few pieces and it was back in the air in about 30 minutes.

http://www.nitroplanes.com/93a300-14...d-rtf-24g.html

http://www.nitroplanes.com/93a300-14...e-rtf-24g.html

Batteries

http://www.hobbypartz.com/98p-25c-2200-3s1p.html I have (4) of these.

Charger

This is the DC only version
http://www.hobbypartz.com/60p-dyc-1004.html

The AC\DC version
http://www.hobbypartz.com/60p-dyc-1003.html

As you look around you will see a lot has changed in the cost and what is out there. You will get opinions for and against each item. I can say I have these and they have served me well.


Buzz.

Augy

My Feedback: (2)

Buzz,

Thanks for the input. I looked at the links and that plane is 1/2 the price of the apprentice. I'll research some more on it and try to find some comparisons. It's hard to beat $150 for a plane (with flaps!), radio, charger, and batteries.

Anyone have a basis to compare these?

blvdbuzzard

Grab a pot of coffee and read all about it.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1383806

You will find the good, bad, ugly and everything in between.


Buzz.

Augy

My Feedback: (2)

I found that thread earlier today and spent an hour reading...and barely put a dent in it! I think it's going to end up in my stable one way or another...whether it's the first or not...just too much to like about it. Just a little concerned it wouldn't be the ideal trainer for my son and the inevitable need for parts makes me a bit shy to have it be the first (and only) plane.

Thanks for the link though...I'll go brew some coffee

blvdbuzzard

You can fix a lot with epoxy. You can get motor, speed control, servos any where. There are a few other places to get parts too.

This is the one I have. No flaps but she does look good in the air.

This is just the airframe, no servos, electronics of any kind. But you could get those a piece at a time.

https://www.leaderhobby.com/product....=9394001224882

Servos
http://www.hobbypartz.com/9gexidimeges.html

ESC
http://www.hobbypartz.com/07e05-proton-40a.html

battery
http://www.hobbypartz.com/77p-2200mah-3s1p-111-30c.html

Motor/ESC combo
http://www.hobbypartz.com/98p-mars-b...30a-combo.html

radio
http://www.hobbypartz.com/79p-th9x-r...nel-radio.html

There are so many ways to put something together. I used this plane to teach my brother in law to fly. So it is a pretty good trainer. Flies very slow, can handle a good smack down and still fly well.

This is Jims 15th flight. He was doing it all day long. You could not pry the grin off his face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je_IQ..._order&list=UL


Buzz.

Augy

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks for all that, I am definitely going to pick this one up come Spring. Love the scale looks and seems like it has a lot of fans.

I grabbed a HobbyZone Champ yesterday just to have something on hand and get my feet wet. If we get a couple of warmer days and melt the white stuff away...I may try my luck

blvdbuzzard

You will be surprised at how fast it comes back. it is hard to forget muscle memory.

Let us know how you do.


Buzz.

Augy

My Feedback: (2)

I hope so, just a waiting game now with the weather. I'll post back with results when I finally get out.

chuckk2

If you are really serious, skip the foamy and go with a classic trainer RTF that is designed for electric or glow power. More expensive, but well worth it.
Perhaps the biggest change is the capability of the newer transmitters. Much more ability to be setup with dual rates, differential, mixing, etc, and even telemetry.

scottdearinger

If you want a great flying trainer that your son can fly easy- and is a great AP- aerial photography platform- go with an Multiplex Easystar or a hobby king bixler- these planes float and glide and give you lots of time in the air- very stable- I wish it would have been my first plane instead of my 6th- but I go back to it time and time again for relaxing fun flights- I have hauled as many as 5 cameras aloft at one time on this incredible little plane- I got the Easystar kit and built in a 2200kv brushless motor and fly it with only 3Channels- I have a second set of wings that I added the ailerons to and then fly with 4 channels- the Bixler comes ready to go 4 channels -all you add is esc and reciever- good little plane and only cost $50 and fies like my $200 Easystar

Augy

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Thanks for the input. I ended up with an Apprentice for a bargain price. The Bixler looks like something that should be in my stable regardless...keep hearing great things about it and it looks like a work horse.

Oh yeah, i've had two outings with the Champ too. The first was a tad windy and was not exactly fun...I was chasing the plane rather than flying it. The second time out the winds were much calmer and I found the motor skills came right back...it was like I'd never stopped flying. My boys (8 & 10) both took turns and did pretty well considering it was the first time for them. I found a tree though and snapped the wing in half! However, some packing tape and we were back in the air