aeajr
Posts: 5612
Joined: 1/14/2003
From: Long Island,
NY, USA
Status: offline
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I am going to take you down a completely different path perhaps but this offers you a low cost alternative to some of the planes suggested above.
First, go to this link to find the clubs in your area:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubmain.asp?sid=3D490C78380448B0A15E31DE4FA6F552
While it is possible to learn on your own, it can be frustrating. And, while I think one can learn to fly on their own, I don't recommend it with a fuel powered plane. They tend to be larger, heavier and more powerful than the eclectic planes I am going to mention next. Now some of they guys here will call these toys, but all of the planes we fly are toys. It is just that some cost more than others.
If he wants to dabble in the hobby there are two ways to do it, in my opinion:
1) locate a local club. Contact them, tell them of your plans and get their advice. Then get what they suggest. Give your husband the plane and send him to the club for lessons. That is his best path to success regardless of what kind of plane you get him.
2) If there are no clubs near you and he is going to try and do this on his own, I would suggest a three channel electric plane. They are smaller, lighter, quieter and can be flow in many parks that will not allow fuel planes. Note that I said three channel. The electic planes recommended above are two channel planes. I have a lot of fun flying electrics, but I don't recommend two channel electrics to anyone. They can be fun, but they are very limiting and very easy to lose.
Here is how I got started.
I started flying in March of 2003. I had no interest in building models, so I
went the R-T-F route. I think this is such a great way to get started.
I was a first timer. After several months of research, talking to flyers I
decided to start with an electric parkflyer. I
looked at lots of planes and packages and selected the Aerobird.
It is a super value and very easy to fly. The new version, the Aerobird
Challenger is even better. It has two flight modes - Sport for the beginner or
relaxed flyer and expert for the more advanced or aggressive flyer.
HobbyZone AEROBIRD CHALLENGER
THREE CHANNEL ELECTRIC PARKFLYER
Very inexpensive and rugged for a three channel starter - $115-$150
The plane comes complete and fully assembled. Charge the flight battery with
the included 12 V peak charger, put on the wing, put the included batteries in
the transmitter and up you go!
With a little throttle management you can get flights of 12-15 minutes on a
battery.
The plane is very rugged. Mine has been through many crashes. Most of the time I pick it up, straighten the wing and put it back in the air. If you do get one of these, get a spare wing and a second battery to go with it.
In addition to being a fun parkflyer, the plane glides very nicely. We
thermal soar the Aerobirds at our glider club field.
If you are interested I have written up a tips sheet on how to fix the
Aerobird.
Here is a review of the Aerobird Challenger
http://www.hobbyzonesports.com/Discover/Articles.aspx?ArticleID=1289#Page01
On these pages you will find Videos of the Aerobird in flight
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/aerobird_video.html
http://www.modelflight.com.au/model_flight_videos.htm
With 250+ flights on the Aerobird, I love it and have recommended it to many
friends who fly them now as well.
I have heard lots of good things about the Multiplex Easy Star,
another RTF - There are two at our field. They fly very well.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFXV0&P=7
For about $190 you get everything you need to fly. This plane is more of a
park glider as it is larger than the Aerobird and has characteristics that
should make it a better glider than the Aerobird Challenger but can still be
flown as a parkflyer.
Also the T-Hawk from Toytronix is popular at our club and makes a good first
plane.
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawk3chrtf.html
Has he ever considered gliders?
From Electric Park Flyer to Sailplane - my second plane
THE GREAT PLANES SPRIT SELECT RTF 2 METER SAILPLANE -
If you are more interested in sailplanes than parkflyers, the Spirit Select is
completely assembled with all the electronics installed. It includes a 72 MHZ
three channel radio. It is branded Hobbico, but it is really a Hitec radio.
This was my first glider.
Here is a link to the site where I purchased it. You can get it for $160
complete!
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVK55**&P=7
Here is a link to the ARF version where you can find links to two product
reviews. If you want to do some building, the ARF is the route, but for an
extra $40, I got the radio and the plane ready to fly. For me that was
perfect.
http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/gpma1045.html
Video
http://www.greatplanes.com/gallery/gpma16.mov
The plane has spoilers built in the wings that are not set-up when you get it.
If you want to use spoilers, you can set them up later, as I did. The third
channel on the radio operates the spoilers. The included instructions tell
you how to do it. I definitely recommend it as a first sailplane.
SPECTRA MOTOR GLIDER
I don't have one of these, but if you are more likely to buy a motor glider
than a pure sailplane, there is a version of the Spirit called the Spectra.
Essentially the same plane, but with a motor. Again, tower has it for $199
RTF - Add $10 for Eveready's and you are set.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVJ51**&P=7
Both the Aerobird and the Spirit have been a pleasure. I would recommend them
to anyone starting out in electrics or gliders who would like to go the
ready-to-fly route rather then building.
Building from these I now have 15 planes and over 700 flights. These are the two that got me started and I still fly them often.
I hope this has been helpful. Ask any questions you like.
< Message edited by aeajr -- 11/2/2004 6:15:52 AM >
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Ed Anderson
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Park Pilot Program Partner
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RE: PLease help Wife wants to get her hubby his 1st plane - 
haha jk!
