new plane
 

i was looking around and i found a couple 3 channel planes that looked like i could handle. they were the easy star and the tipsy. are those planes worth it. and if anyone else has any suggestions that would help alot. pros and cons would help and if there is any comparison of the 2 or any other planes that are basicly like the 2 i listed. the one thing that i really want to know is how much wind can they fly in??? also this will be my first 3 channel plane, i'm a begginer.

RE: new plane
 

I'm also a beginner and have spent hours (actually DAYS) researching everything I could get my hands on. I was all set on a 3 channel package (the T Hawk from Toytronix seemed the best deal from every perspective) and then talked it over with my soon-to-be-instructor. Net result...back to research. The reasons? Look carefully at the 3 channel boxes. Many of the packages are 27mhz and some clubs won't allow them. Depending on where you fly these could wind up with you crashing because of intereference from some kid's toy car. My club does not ban 27mhz and the field is in a very rural area with no nearby structures so those points weren't issues. However, to the best of my knowledge none of the 3 channel units are "buddy-box" capable...and many instructors are reluctant to take on a student where they will be unable to take control if things get nasty for the newby. Also, the three channel boxes do not function like the four channel ones in terms of sticks (only one with a slide for the throttle) and this might be a relearning exercise later on. Finally, many of the RTF packages use proprietary electronics that cannot then be moved to your next plane.

It was a lot of work to find any possibilities with a standard four channel radio that had any visual appeal, still seemed "beginner durable," and met the $200 budget I set for myself to start out. Take a look at the GWS Pico J3 Cub Slow Flyer and the GWS EStarter. Then go to the English language version of the GWS site and figure out what they recommend in terms of batteries and ESC rather than what a shop such as Tower might want you to buy. Both of these come in at or below $200.

RE: new plane
 

thank you so much, tessmar i'm going to go check right now and look! by the way which estarter were you talking about, the double motor or the single, hopefully the single because i like it the most.

RE: new plane
 

I am also a beginner and bought a easy star 2 weeks ago. I did several weeks of reseach on the forums before I took the plung. I have taken it out for about 6 flights now and am very pleased with my choice. I didn't buy the RTF version. I bought the kit easy star that only came with the motor and prop. I bought an Airtronics VG6000 radio. The one thing I would recommend is be sure to get a ESC that will handle a 8 cell Nimh battery. My first flights were with a 7 cell 1100 mah which is really good but the 8 cell 1800 mah is much better and longer flights. This weekend I am also ordering a long range receiver (~5000 ft.). The receiver that came with the vg6000 radio has a range of only 500 ft.

I flew the EZ today through both batteries in 10 mph wind. The wind brings on a lot more skill, which I have very little of for now. The
EZ handled it much better than me.

RE: new plane
 

that swas my first choice, ok sounds like the easy star is the one. brewerjk, have you had any problems or assembly problems with it? also are the controls very responsive? if any one else has any suggestions it will have to be good cause i'm pretty set on the easystar. by the way, brewerjk, what electronics did you use?

RE: new plane
 

The assembly was pretty basic and very enjoyable. My setup is Airtronics 94091Z Super Micro Servos, 92515Z Micro 5 Ch Receiver (although I would recommend a *full* range Receiver such as the Hitec 05S. It seems to be popular on the forums) and one 96334Z Super Micro Speed Control. I have a VG6000 Airtronics receiver and my charger is a Hobbico Quick Field DC Charger MKII 12 Volt. I really love the computer radio. Very easy to reprogram servos if they are reversed even for a rookie like me.

I bought all of my stuff from Tower Hobbies. A word of caution, don't listen to them on the battery pack for this plane. I wasted my money on a 7 cell 650AAA. It does not have enough power to fly the EZ. MY 7 cell 1100 mah and 8 cell 1800 mah work great. I also ordered the Multiplex ESC 400 Round 12A 400 Motor ESC and installed it in the beginning but it requires wiring changes when going from the 7 to 8 cell battery so I took it out and I installed the 96334Z Super Micro Speed Control that came with my VG6000 radio.

Well, let me know how it goes. I gotta go for now. The wind is perfect and I've got the bug! Good luck.

RE: new plane
 

hi and welcome to r/c flight.

youll get hooked quickly, i did haha.:D


From reading what you mentioned i wasnt positive about your flying experience, flight simulator use, or if you have flown much before. But another recommendation that you might like could be a zagi. depending on what you plan on doing with your plane and what type of performance u are looking for. i have a zagi400X and a zagi tazz. i wouldnt recommend the zagi tazz yet because its an intermediate skill level plane that is fast. there are many electric planes out there that work great. id also recommend finding a club and an instructor till u feel comfortable with the controls. i found an instructor who helped me when i first started and it was a much more relaxing experience than trying on your own. saved me from passing out lol and also saved the plane from damage allowing for more flying time :D

another nice feature with the zagi is that it is very durable and can run into a lot of things and not break. ive hit trees, those baseball metal backing things, the ground, the list goes on, haha. also when u improve your skills u can always upgrade the motor, speed control, and batteries to go faster which is a nice plus. or u could buy another plane :)

here is the website for trick r/c: https://www.trickrc.com

other places to checkout: http://www.nesail.com and http://www.newcreations-rc.com/

these sites might help with more aircraft choices. alot of it depends on your price range. id spend a little extra in the beginning knowing that it will last me a longer time and keep on flying and be durable.

hopefully this helps a little. good luck with your choice and enjoy!

RE: new plane
 

the tazz thing looks too advanced for me:eek:. i will get the easy star but it might be a little while. so i'll try and get it soon. when i get it i'll tell you how it went.

RE: new plane
 

ya the tazz is pretty fast. the zagi 400X or zagi 400 would work though. u can build it in 1-2weeks pretty easily. they are in the nesail and newcreations links. they are good starter planes as well.

RE: new plane
 

Well, I'm gounded. Lesson learned the hard way. My setup could not handle the 8 cell. I torched the ESC. I guess a watt meter would be the way to go. If you are content with one setup, this hobby is not to bad but if you can't leave well enough alone, like me, it gets into your wallet pretty quick.[&:] Half of the fun is in modifying for me. I have a ton to learn! IT's a good thing that I didn't start this until my Kids were grown and gone.

RE: new plane
 

You can get a free flight simulators at http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html http://www.rowlhouse.co.uk/sss/ You can download a lot of available models into it. Use a two stick analog game controller for $12 from Walmart
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The cheapest starter is the Air Hogs Aero Ace. It’s $30 RTF including a transmitter. It’s only controlled by thrust of the two motors so you can’t do loops and it will fly different from a rudder and elevator plane, but its’ tough and it will teach you orientation. It only needs the space of a two car garage to fly.
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With a Slow Stick you will go through a ton of props, a motor and maybe a fuselage before you are competent. A Slow Stick does require only the space of a baseball field to fly. It’s more of a “floater”. A Multiplex Easy star is bigger than a slow stick, much tougher, has a very difficult to break pusher propeller and can handle more wind. It's available RTF for about $180, receiver ready for $109 and as an ARF for $55. The Easy star requires the space of a soccer field to fly. They soar well. See http://www.plawner.net/3/1st_plane/ in which he recommends mainly Multiplex planes for their toughness and ease of construction. They also fly very well. Other options from Multiplex are the Easy Glider and the Twin Star II.
- http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXMYK8&P=FR
- I think the best idea would be to get a receiver ready Mutliplex Easy Glider Electric, which is all built except the receiver installation and get a JR Spectrum radio and receiver for it. Would make a great 4 channel trainer.
http://www.redrockethobbies.com/Spe...M_p/spm2460.htm
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240107.asp

- A wise addition to most planes:
- http://www.aeromicro.com/Catalog/gws...a__1500029.htm

RE: new plane
 

well i have a couple aero aces and i love them. i still think i going to go with a easy star. btw, i have a field at my house the same size as a soccer field.

RE: new plane
 

what about the t-hawk. it looks like an easy to fly begginner 3 channel plane. does anyone have it? btw i already have a3 channel aerobird extreme radio, wouuld that work with the t-hawk? for more info go to readytoflyfun.com

RE: new plane
 

The T-hawk is a very nice plane, but requires considerably more room to fly. You should have a field that is at least 600ft.x600ft. for the T-hawk. The EasyStar can be flown on a considarably smaller field, say 400ft.x400ft.

The Aerobird Extreme radio will not work with the T-hawk. The HobbyZone/ParkZone electronics are not interchangeable with other brands. However, the Aerobird Extreme radio will obviously work with the Aerobird Extreme, but it should also work with the Aerobird Challenger. You can buy a complete Challenger for $109, and you can probably buy one without the radio for a little less. (Just make sure that its on the same frequency as your radio.) The Challenger flies very similarly to the T-hawk and will require the same size field.

As a beginner, you should not be flying in any wind greater than 5 mph, regardless of what plane you purchase. However, as you get better at flying, the EasyStar will give you the best performance in winds greater than 5mph.

RE: new plane
 

well i was going to use a simulator first so i figured after i learn on that i should be able to fly a little more advanced plane. how much wind do you think the easystar could go threw?

RE: new plane
 

anybody?

RE: new plane
 

5-10 mph. As a beginner try to fly in as close to no wind condtions as are available. Early morning and late evenings are usually your best bet.

RE: new plane
 

ok, thanks.