First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On A Firebird, Get A Slowstick!!  
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All Forums >> Electric Aircraft Universe >> Electric Training >> First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On A Firebird, Get A Slowstick!!
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First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On... - 1/4/2003 9:50:02 PM   
crash and burn



Posts: 307
Joined: 2/26/2002
From: WA
Status: offline 		I have seen countless fathers with their children trying to learn to fly on a firebird or similar model. Only to crash on the first toss and go home with a dissappointed child and horrible memory!

Take some advise and spend a little more to get the GWS Slowstick!

You will need these items:

GWS Slowstick model
A Transmitter like the JR Quattro
A GWS flight pack
A couple extra battery packs
A good charger like the Hitec 335

Then with a little instruction from a pilot, you'll be flying!!!!

It's not going to come without a little help and don't be afraid to ask someone!

I urge everyone to invest in a good flight simulator as well like the G2. You won't be sorry.

Good luck!

C&B
       Post #: 1

First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On... - 1/4/2003 11:01:56 PM   
shootmo


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 1/1/2003
From: lake forest, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I would have to disagree with you.About 4 years ago Id decieced to get into flying something I wanted to do since I was a little kid.So I went to a hobby shop by my home not knowing what to get all I new I wanted something electric and for a beginer so I took the advice of the guy behind the counter and $500 later I left the store very excited got home got the plane ready to fly the next morning .this was when I knew Iwas in over my head this plane was to fast to big and to hard to control needless to say I CRASHED THE PLANE.Boy was I bumped but I didnt give up yet I went back and got what I needed to fix the plane so I could get it flying again which I did and crashed it again maybe I should of found someone to show my how to fly but I did not. after this I quit I was fustrated that it was so hard to fly. It wasnt the money I would of spent $1000 if I could of flown it. So I thought I was done.Until this year when I was with a buddy who has rc cars I went with him to a hobby shop and I saw a firebird xl then my mind started to think about this again no I said remember last time, but the kit was only $100 so I said why not.I got it home took it out right away and boom I WAS FLYING I was so excited finally my child hood dream has come true I ran and got my wife who saw my last plane 4 years ago and was not impressed she was in shock when she me flying this plane. my brother and friend have been flying them since they saw how easy it was, it been about 6 months now and we still fly them we have crased the but they keep going. I since have got more planes thanks to my firebird I NOW LOVE THIS HOBBY.

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 2

First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On... - 1/5/2003 6:48:58 AM   
BillK


 

Posts: 114
Joined: 12/3/2002
From: phoenix, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		You can get Slow Stick, flight pack, a couple batteries, and a used transmitter for only $30-$40 more than the XL and you can use the transmitter and servos in future planes. I had a firebird for a while and the slow stick is a much funner plane. It's also a lot easier to land than a Firebird. It'll float in for a landing at a couple miles an hour. It's also easy to repair. I crashed mine nose first from about 20 feet today and had it back up in less than 10 minutes with some 5 minute epoxy. The Firebird XL's lack of elevator control is it's biggest drawback IMO. The Aerobird is a much better plane.

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 3

First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On... - 1/5/2003 8:48:07 AM   
joebob



Posts: 696
Joined: 8/2/2002
From: Crestview, FL, USA
Status: offline 		I second the Slow Stick. This thing is one of the best investments I've made in my 25+ years of modelling. I'm teaching my son how to fly and got him one of these for Christmas. He's been on a buddy box for a couple of months, but I just hand him the plane and tell him to have at it. He flies all day, taking off, landing, looping, flying inverted , you name it. AND, he's having a ball doing it. When we fly the glow powered ones, he's ready to go home after 1 or 2 flights. With the Slow Stick, I can't get him to leave the field.

The thing is super easy to put together (1 hr or so), and flies so slow and easy, you have all the time in the world to correct your mistakes before it comes down. For the money, you simply can't beat it.

_____________________________

Joe Andrews

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 4

fire bird - 1/6/2003 7:56:06 AM   
jacob rogers


 

Posts: 4
Joined: 1/6/2003
From: Redstone Arsenal, Al
Status: offline 		i own a firebird, and you are right it is somewhat hard to fly at first, i ran into a neighbors tree/house/into backyard. well it's not my fault he built a house where my runway should have been( but that's another story). i was hoping you could give me some advice for a second plane? i was looking into a gas powered lazy bee or something in the slow flyer department that is also extremely versatile.

_____________________________

that's not my plane in your backyard

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 5

Two newbees today! - 1/6/2003 9:43:15 AM   
crash and burn



Posts: 307
Joined: 2/26/2002
From: WA
Status: offline 		I was out today and got two of my new pilots up and flying the Slow stick.

There were many dads and kids out there today and they all were amazed at the ease of the slowstick.

One caution, be sure to put in a low rate for starting out on the elevator and rudder. Just like any model, too much elevator and you WILL STALL IT!!

Have fun! and don't forget to clip your wing!

C&B

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 6

First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On... - 1/8/2003 8:46:40 AM   
easy2fly


 

Posts: 219
Joined: 3/5/2002
From: Oregon, OH, USA
Status: offline 		i have flown both, and say the slowstick is a good plane if someone plans on moving up in the hobby. the gear can be used in many other planes. the firebird xl is an easy plane to fly, but isnt helpful in moving on and doesnt teach someone to fly have "regular" planes are setup (rud,elev) both are durable also.

_____________________________

Jeff
I didnt crash, I had a mid-air with the Earth.

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 7

First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On... - 1/8/2003 9:50:44 AM   
darenm



Posts: 48
Joined: 8/12/2002
From: ALAMOGORDO, NM, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]One caution, be sure to put in a low rate for starting out on the elevator and rudder. Just like any model, too much elevator and you WILL STALL IT!![/QUOTE] Mine is almost impossible to stall. If i do give it too much elevator, it just loops. Only time i have to worry about the stall is when the battery is low. But it glides in nice and slow. I don't force to keep it in the air.

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 8

Easy? - 1/10/2003 10:53:38 PM   
crash and burn



Posts: 307
Joined: 2/26/2002
From: WA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by easy2fly
i have flown both, and say the slowstick is a good plane if someone plans on moving up in the hobby. the gear can be used in many other planes. the firebird xl is an easy plane to fly, but isnt helpful in moving on and doesnt teach someone to fly have "regular" planes are setup (rud,elev) both are durable also. [/QUOTE]

I did not find the Firebird at all easy. I think without elevator controls your asking for trouble.

C&B

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 9

One big question? - 1/11/2003 4:18:50 AM   
PHIL I.


 

Posts: 95
Joined: 1/11/2003
From: Columbia, MO, USA
Status: offline 		Where I have to fly, the wind is usually 5-8 mph. Will the slow stick handle that without constant working the stick? In the old fuel days, there were some trainers that were good untill the wind came up.
Are there other alternatives that would handle the wind better?
PHIL I.

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 10

First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On... - 1/11/2003 7:06:44 AM   
joebob



Posts: 696
Joined: 8/2/2002
From: Crestview, FL, USA
Status: offline 		As great as the Slow Stick is, it's NOT a windy weather plane. anything above 5-8 mph will make it truly unpleasant and difficult to keep in the air.

_____________________________

Joe Andrews

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 11

First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On... - 1/13/2003 9:25:25 PM   
dirtstripper


 

Posts: 66
Joined: 9/13/2002
From: phila pa
Status: offline 		im a beginner and would like to know who makes the slow stick and where can i get it by mail?? thanks ED

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 12

First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On... - 1/13/2003 10:08:24 PM   
Peter Khor


 

Posts: 554
Joined: 11/20/2002
From: Norman, OK, USA
Status: offline 		Horizon's the importer, you can get it directly from them:

http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?prod=GWS1040

But it looks like they are out of stock now ... so are some online vendors like:

http://www.allerc.com/
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/slow_stick.html

You can also try your local hobby store or get them to order from Horizon (you should be paying Horizon's price, no shipping, but local tax).

Remember you will also need:

* Transmitter/Receiver/2 Servos (I'd recomend anything under 18g each)
* Battery pack (better to start out with at least 2 packs)
* Charger
* Spare props

Radio Equipment - one possibility:

Horizon sells a Flight Pack for the Slow Stick 2 Mini Servos, Receiver, Speed controller, and 6 cell battery pack for $73

http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?prod=GWS2080

However you will still need a transmitter ($35 for GWS) and receiver crsytal (~$10)

A better option would be GWS complete kit for $105
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?prod=GWSRCS250B

This includes 3 mini servos, battery, receiver, transmitter, speed control and all crystal. The original intent of the pack is for the Zero (bad choice imo), but it will all fit the slow stick just fine (you only need 2 servos, so you get one "spare" or "free"

I'd also recommend getting a second battery pack, 7cell pack in the 700mAH range and up.

For a charger, get a good charger that does peak detection charging (starts in the $30 to $40 range for DC charger, $40 to $50 for A/C D/C charging).

< Message edited by Peter Khor -- Jan 13 2003 5:18PM >

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 13

First Time Flyer??? Don't Waste Your Time And Money On... - 1/14/2003 3:15:23 AM   
dirtstripper


 

Posts: 66
Joined: 9/13/2002
From: phila pa
Status: offline 		Thanks for all the info and advice Pete i appreciate it! im going to try to learn to fly on a hlg one with rudder and elevator only! i figure if im going to crash it wont cost that much to fix or replace! do you ever fly gliders? i also sent for a fms flight simulator for my windows zp! cant afford g2 ! BEST ED

(in reply to crash and burn)
       Post #: 14