bohunter_biff

I have just recently started flying planes, and have been making good progress. I picked up a ParkZone Slo-V and taught myself to fly. I am stationed in Germany, so I don't have ready access to instructors. I can take off, fly a controlled flight, and land. In about 2-3 months I am looking to be proficient enough with a 3 channel plane, and will take the next step to a 4 channel. I need suggestions on which models are the most forgiving and support the largest learning curve. I am fairly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of available aircraft and all the feed back. Anybody (especially instructors) have any suggestions?

Thanks

coolbean

How much do you want to spend? What eqipment do you already have that could be transferred over?

bohunter_biff

All I have is the equipment that comes with the Slo-V. I can afford enough to get good equipment. I just need to get pointed in the right direction.

coolbean

Are you wanting to stick with park fliers/electrics. Or do you want to go to glow? (Sorry, I should have asked this in my first post)

bohunter_biff

Right now all I can fly is park flyers due to space/safety constraints, but I might go to glow eventually (but that will be at least a few years from now). I am very very happy with electric flyers and will always have a few of them.

coolbean

Here are 4 models that I think would be good for a 2nd plane. Some of them you will have to keep the control throws down until you are more comfortable with them. But on "low rates" they should be pretty gentle. If you taught yourself on the slow-v, then you should be able to handle theese OK. Some may suggest a 4 ch trainer type plane, but really... it's not neccicary. 3ch and 4ch control very very much the same.
Once you decide on which plane to get. Let us know if you need help selecting a power system for it.



[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCEB3&P=0]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCEB3&P=0[/link]
[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHWS3&P=0]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHWS3&P=0[/link]
[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHSR6&P=0]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHSR6&P=0[/link]
[link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/miracle.htm]http://www.hobby-lobby.com/miracle.htm[/link]

bohunter_biff

COOLBEAN, I checked out each of the suggested models. They are pretty much what I had in mind. How is the foam construction of the Miracle? Is it fairly resilient to crashes? How does it do in moderate winds (10 mph and less)? I was looking at the Mountain Models Magpie, but I like how easy the Miracle is to construct.

coolbean

EPP foam is about the most durable matierial in the model aviation world. I have seen an epp wing run over by a car, left tread marks, but it still flew. Even if you do manage to crack it, a little 5 min epoxy or foam safe CA gets you back in the air. As far as flying in wind.... Less than 10 you should be OK... but you are definitly going to notice.
Here is a little epp flying wing getting crashed repeatedly.
[link=http://www.edgerc.com/PCWcrashsm.wmv]http://www.edgerc.com/PCWcrashsm.wmv[/link]

bohunter_biff

OK, watched the video and read up on the foam. Sounds like the plane for me. Now I have to figure out which transmitter, engine, servos, etc, that I need. The website you provided has a package deal that they sell, but those tend to be under powered. I am leaning toward Futaba transmitters, they seem to be popular. Can they be hooked up to a PC for a flight simulator?

coolbean

Futaba are good radios. I have 2, and they can be used with some flight simulators. If you have the cash I suggest at least a 6 channel, computer radio. They are never required for anything, but they are so nice to have.

Here is a free simulator that works with futaba radios.

[link=http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html]http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html[/link]

You will need a cable for it. If you are handy with a soldering iron you can make your own from diagrams found in the forms there. If not you can find them on the internet and e-bay for reasonable prices. If you are running windows XP you will also need to download a copy of PPjoy to make it work.

I don't think the package that they list is under powered, but it is over priced.
Since it is estimated at 19 oz following the rule of 75w per lb for aerobatic flight, you need about 120watts.
Assuming you will be using a 3 cell Lipo (11.1V), then you need about 12 Amps. (I always round up. better to have more power than not enough)
You need at least a 1200mAh battery for a 10 mintue flight So you need it to be rated at 10C CONTINUOUS or better (I always advise to use the continuous rating as your max rating so you don't chance runing your battery)

coolbean

This motor will be enough for it.
[link=http://awlhobbies.com/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=53]http://awlhobbies.com/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=53[/link]
This speed controller will work well.
[link=http://awlhobbies.com/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=60]http://awlhobbies.com/osCommerce/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=60[/link]

coolbean

Hitec HS-81 or HS-55 are great servos for the price. and work fine with futaba receivers.
[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXN676&P=M]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXN676&P=M[/link]
[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXTX42&P=M]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXTX42&P=M[/link]

norvelnut

Keep in mind you can't use U.S. frequencies in Germany nor can you use their frequencies in the U.S.--- they are not interconvertible either! Especially youdon't want to get caught in Germany, as you will face prosecution by their authorities, not ours!
Hope I haven't rained on your parade too much!
Norvelnut

Solcat

Multiplex Twin Star, Magister or Easy Glider Electric. All are four channel and are made of a mix of EPP and EPS foam making them tough. They are all easy to build. The Magister is available RTF and the Easy Glider Electric is available reciever ready. Best of all, they are made right there in Germany.