Mateya49

I want to get my first electric plane which I would like to use as a trainer and then hopefully advance further.

Anyway, i wanted a midsized and foam trainer.

I really liked the Piper Cub Grasshopper (army version), but i can only find it in a balsa format. I am not intersted in a wooden plane right now.


Anyway, please let me know what you think a good trainer would be and where to get it from.

Thanks,

Drew

levram1

My Feedback: (1)

Apprentice 15 E from Horizon Hobby

Raycamaro

For less money, buy a Super Cub from Hobbyzone. I have both planes and you can't go wrong with either.

levram1

My Feedback: (1)

Less money, less value. Apprentice is a 4 channel and a 2,4 radio, whereas the Super Cub is only a 3 channel with an inferior radio. Best bang for the buck is the Apprentice. JMHO.

Raycamaro

For less than $100, buy a Hobbyzone Champ RTF. For less than $200, buy a Hobbyzone Super Cub RTF with a Spektrum radio. For $300, buy an Apprentice RTF. Also consider flying site area and transportation of plane to field.

blvdbuzzard

There are so many planes out there now it is really hard to pick just one.

What type of area do you have to fly in? Is it grass, dirt paved?

Did you want a ready to fly, almost ready to fly, or a kit?

Ready to fly planes will still need some work before you fly them.

In my opinion not the best but my brother in law has been flying it for almost 2 years now.

http://www.nitroplanes.com/sldieprtf.html

This one is a better choice. I have the original Cessna 4 channel that is a really nice plane. Fly's very well and needed just a few tweaks to make it better. My brother has the newer one with flaps and LED's and it also fly's very well. Both will need the nose gear steering arm replaced with a better one from Dubro.

4 channel
http://www.nitroplanes.com/93a300-sk...oflap-4ch.html

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

Here is the Dubro steering arm
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXD849&P=7

My brother in law was learning to land with his and we found the rudder / nose gear servo did not last long. So we upgraded to this one.
http://www.hobbypartz.com/9gexidimeges.html

Those are the only things we have changed and have been flying it for over a year now.

You will also want to get a charger for any plane you decide to get. I have (3) of these and they work very well.

http://www.hobbypartz.com/60p-dyc-1004.html

If you want one you can use at the field or at home and plug into the wall

http://www.hobbypartz.com/60p-dyc-1003.html

It will make your flying experience a lot better if you can find some one who knows how to fly to help you out. A lot of people can keep the plane in the air after about 10 minute of flying. It is the landing that take time. You will land, it is how hard they are is the question.


Buzz.

levram1

My Feedback: (1)

WARNING:  Check out nitroplanes vendor reputation before buying from them.  BUYER BEWARE!

blvdbuzzard

OH my the sky is falling, the sky is falling.

Check out all of the vendors. I have had trouble with most of them. So far I have 10 or so orders from NP without an issue. I am sure if I did have an issue I may have a problem. Between the group I fly with, that is about 50 or so orders without an issue. Yes they were rated right down there with BH where a post a week about them. Seems they have improved a little. I have been happy and the guys I fly with have been happy. That is the only reason I posted this.

Captain, have you ordered from them?



Buzz.

RightFly

Drew,

Take a look at the Flyzone Sensei. It has been getting some pretty good comments lately on the forums.

http://www.flyzoneplanes.com/airplan...535/index.html

The plane is available at Hobby Zone or probably Tower also.

http://secure.hobbyzone.com/HCAA2536.html

Good luck in your search.

Roger

junkyardflyer

  I just purchased a RX R Sensei from Tower Hobbies scratch and dent $72 plus $10 shipping. Cowl was seperated from Fuselage.. A 2 minute repair. I flew it once and can say this plane will practically fly itself. Ive got a few months experience now but the smaller planes like the champ or flyzone albatross were easy planes for me to start with.

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

What experience do you have, if any?

Will you have help our are you trying to learn on your own?

Where will you fly.  How much totally open space do you have?

What are your wind conditions like?  Are you patient enough to wait for near calm days?

Do you have access to an indoor flying site like a gym?

Have you used a flight simulator?


These can all be found at www.horizonhobby.com

HobbyZone Super Cub is one of the most successful self trainers out there.  Hard to break, easy to fix, flies great.   Needs about 600X600 minimum space and you want to start out in near calm conditions.

If you want something you can learn on and fly in front of the house, consider the Parkzone Vapor or Ember.   Great trainer planes but only for calm conditions.

The Apprentice mentioned above is another good choice.  A bit more complex than the Super Cub and I don't think it is quite as rugged but an excellent trainer.  For many this is the second plane.

Multiplex Easy Star is also an excellent first plane. The pusher motor keeps the motor out of harm's way.  Like the Hobbyzone Zfoam used for the Super Cub, the Elapor foam of the Easy Star is hard to break and easy to fix.


So, tell us more about yourself and your flying conditions.

holensum

+1 Apprentice is a great trainer and get you into aileron flight without buying a second plane. From what I have ssen here and on other boards, there is a lot of room for upgrading.

Nice big plane so orientation is easier, and very forgiving of mistake. Don't think you will go wrong with the Apprentice.

startazz

I'd say try Hobbykings AXN Floater as that plane has got some great videos and reviews on YouTube,it's made of EPO foam and has got you covered if you ever want to try out FPV with goggles plus it is a good cheap plane.
I've seen so many videos of this plane on YouTube and everyone seem more than happy with it and from what i can see the stock set-up has a good motor too so you can fly slow if you like but when you get bored with that you can then open her up and she will really go some

I'll post a link to the plane and to a video on YouTube and see what you think.

Great bunch of boys flying at that club in NZ just wish i could find one like that over here in the UK close to where i live the bottom link is a build video but i don't think you would need it but just in case he does a fine job of it.




http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...C_EPO_PNF.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVMIAp1j6HA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU_IEdTDOq0

phillipmorris

My winner is Flyzone Corvalis, its a pavement lander with better than average wheels for duribility, flaps to slow flying, yes is a low wing but extended make for smooth sailing and handles over 15 MPH breeze with zero issue. Last learned to land smoothly with this puppie, and it keeps getting better, has lights for easy dusk flying and even night flights my favorite. I was missing decent landings till this one, things improved big time, flaps gives loads of time to make the picture perfect touchdown. For me its an awsome fllyer.

Note is for pavement landing, not grass, as smaller wheels, read where complained on it not coming in the grass, good lord, this puppie floats in, give her room watch it land picture perfect, its really that great a flyer. I refuse to tell you how tight a quarters have no issues on landing this puppie, its increadible handling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kueVsviBUuE