RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
       

All Forums >> Electric Aircraft Universe >> Electric Training >> RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane
Page: <<   < prev  1 [2]

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/12/2006 4:32:22 PM   
FlyinLo



Posts: 210
Joined: 8/10/2006
From: D, NH, USA
Status: offline 		No offense taken, but I disagree.

I have purchased 4 $30 Air Hogs Aero Aces and they all worked great out of the box.

Now I move up to a $170 Super Cub and the thing sits on my table for at least a week waiting for a part.
I would think that with the profit these guys are making by selling a chunk of styrofoam and toy-grade electronics they could spare the labor to do a 10-second bench check on each one.
I guess I expect too much from a company these days. Damn, what was I thinking?

_____________________________

-Hobbyzone Super Cub with Floats -Blade CP: bell hiller/alum swash
-HDX 450SE v3, Hobbywing ESC, HS65HG's, 2100T+9650

(in reply to Leo L)
       Post #: 26

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/12/2006 5:12:12 PM   
ADChobbystore



Posts: 1527
Joined: 5/16/2006
From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I agree to a point. But you really can't compare the AeroAce to any of the Hobby company "real planes". The AeroAces are built to be bulletproof so 6 year old kids can beat the hell outta them and they just keep right on flying. They are more of a toy than a hobby. And there is much less material and actual moving parts and electronics, so they may have the extra 5 minutes to check out each plane because their profit margins are likely higher, and based on shear quantity. Now, yes, the HobbyZone or whatever people are most likely base on quantity as well, but the plane you get from them is much more complicated, many more moving parts and electronics and therefore more room for problems. Plus, you now have a plane that is an actual "hobby" and not a toy. So you have to expect things are not always going to be peachy. I had similar things happen with my first plane. Waited forever to finally get into the hobby, and the thing lasted about 10 feet in the air, them plummeted to the ground. It too was an RTF kit. and the electronics just gave out, no control what so ever. I was determined to stick with the hobby, so I figured I would cut my losses and get all Futaba radio equip. The plane flies fantastic now. Unfortunately you kinda get what you pay for with the RTF stuff. For an extra $100-$120 or so you can get the aftermarket radio, battery and motor. But still, this is a hobby and things are going to happen.

How is your antenna wire routed? And the antenna on the TX is completely up when you are testing correct? Do you still have the stock battery connectors on everything? Those Tamiya connectors are worthless in my opinion and could be forming a bad connection. You may need to try and switch those out to Deans Ultra.

_____________________________

"All About The WATTS!!!"
adchobbystore.com

(in reply to FlyinLo)
       Post #: 27

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/16/2006 5:26:33 AM   
SINISTERCHOPPER


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 7/8/2006
From: higganum, CT, USA
Status: offline 		Flyinlo

Do yourself a favor return the cub, go to towwerhobbies.com buy the Hobbieco Nexstar, Join a club with an instructor, and learn to fly successfully. I went the same route your headed down, and it sucks. Styrofoam planes are not good learning planes, their just cheap!most clubs have free instruction, and they will be happy to teach you. The bigger the wing span the more stable the plane will be. I wish I listened in the beginning when I was told the right way to learn, but I didn't. You probably wouldn't have learned on your own with the real plane, you should get help with the model to. Once I got an instructor I learned to fly within 8 weeks, once a week, no crashes. and am now flying solo. Still no crashes. Good Luck!!

< Message edited by SINISTERCHOPPER -- 10/16/2006 5:27:56 AM >

(in reply to FlyinLo)
       Post #: 28

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/16/2006 5:35:45 AM   
FlyinLo



Posts: 210
Joined: 8/10/2006
From: D, NH, USA
Status: offline 		Well Sinister, I suppose everyone has their own opinion.

I've said it a few times now out at the field "I'm so glad I got a styrofoam plane to learn on instead of a balsa one."

The one real good crash I had would've probably ended with hours of repair work if it had been made of balsa. Instead, I flipped the cub over, wiped some dirt off and took back off again.

I live a good hour from any club so I'm not about to join one. I get more satisfaction out of learning things on my own anyways.

It's funny you should mention the Nexstar though, a friend of mine recently bought one. He's getting help from his friend who is a member of a couple clubs. Only his friend has flown the plane so far, he's taxiied around a bit. Sure, he may be learning on a better, more advanced plane but while he's repairing his first crash damage I'll be zipping around with my Cub

_____________________________

-Hobbyzone Super Cub with Floats -Blade CP: bell hiller/alum swash
-HDX 450SE v3, Hobbywing ESC, HS65HG's, 2100T+9650

(in reply to SINISTERCHOPPER)
       Post #: 29

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/16/2006 8:01:09 PM   
tekajo


 

Posts: 110
Joined: 7/15/2006
From: , IN, USA
Status: offline 		I have been around rc cars, boats, and most recently airplanes for many years. I have crashed, I have won races, I have lost races, I have wasted money, I have spent wisely, I have listened, I have been bullheaded. I admit, not the smartest method, but no great disasters. Your personality sounds like mine. You have had success in the past and expect success in the future. Let me give you a hint. Flying rc airplanes is tough. The video clips you see are from guys who have been around. You will crash. You will break things, and you will get pissed off. Let me give you some advice. Your desire for an airplane with ailerons is flawed. Your concern is to fly....not crash. You need to buy a simulator and practice. Buy an easystar. This airplane is durable foam and a pusher. You do not want prop and motor of any plane taking repeated hits. I rapidly taught myself with no help from anyone with this method. I am now flying an airplane with ailerons. Flying is more enjoyable than crashing. Do not worry about what the plane looks like, or what you want to do in the future. Plan for the highest chance of success. Good luck

(in reply to FlyinLo)
       Post #: 30

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 3/10/2007 12:19:13 AM   
SINISTERCHOPPER


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 7/8/2006
From: higganum, CT, USA
Status: offline
quote:

Well Sinister, I suppose everyone has their own opinion.

I've said it a few times now out at the field "I'm so glad I got a styrofoam plane to learn on instead of a balsa one."

The one real good crash I had would've probably ended with hours of repair work if it had been made of balsa. Instead, I flipped the cub over, wiped some dirt off and took back off again.

I live a good hour from any club so I'm not about to join one. I get more satisfaction out of learning things on my own anyways.

It's funny you should mention the Nexstar though, a friend of mine recently bought one. He's getting help from his friend who is a member of a couple clubs. Only his friend has flown the plane so far, he's taxiied around a bit. Sure, he may be learning on a better, more advanced plane but while he's repairing his first crash damage I'll be zipping around with my Cub


If you consider crashing and wiping dirt of a nessesary part of learning I'm supprised your still alive (being a pilot and all)!
I'd prefer to learn without crashing! And if your happy with a 5mph styrofoam plane that you can't get parts for, why are you asking for opinions? Oh and if you have to worry about glitching 100' away over your trees then that is not a plane I want.

< Message edited by SINISTERCHOPPER -- 3/10/2007 12:22:20 AM >

(in reply to tekajo)
       Post #: 31

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 3/15/2007 11:00:29 PM   
70+rcFLYER


 

Posts: 13
Joined: 12/9/2006
From: Caledonia, MI, USA
Status: offline 		I am a newbie, flown 5-6 times with an instructor with some sim time. Can anyone suggest (if there is one), an epp flying wing that would be suitable for someone like me. No outrageous stuff, just some fun flying learning the ropes and not worrying too much about un-expected landings (ie: the EPP foam). Thanks Hal

(in reply to FlyinLo)
       Post #: 32

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 3/16/2007 2:23:06 PM   
gt5500


 

Posts: 302
Joined: 10/21/2005
From: whitstable, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Have you checked the transmitter batteries, they could be dud's the standard receiver has some sort of failsafe that cuts the motor if it loses signal maybe that is what is happening, just a thought...

(in reply to Leo L)
       Post #: 33

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 3/22/2007 9:06:33 AM   
cerion


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 3/22/2007
From: Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		I have recently made the choice of obtaining a Cessna 182.
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/cessna182.htm?c1=rcu&source=cessna182
I have a few out of the box questions.
Firstly there is a master kill switch on the fuselage. When I actually depress this i get full throttle with no control movement on the RC unit. All other controls respond on the ground with no throttle what so ever. The manual i found was terribly translated and no where near enough attention to the actual mechanics of it? Does someone have a previous post they may be able to refer me to? or an instruction manual that is a little clearer?

Thanks.

(in reply to ADChobbystore)
       Post #: 34

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 4/9/2007 9:10:26 PM   
Rollerskate


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 3/19/2006
From: APO, AE, GERMANY
Status: offline 		Does anyone have any thoughts on the new HobbyZone Firebird Phantom RTF Electric? I'm trying to see if I'm capable of flying an RC plane and don't want to drop a lot of dollars into a plane only to find out I'm too technically challenged to keep something in the air for more than 30 seconds. I read quite a bit about HobbyZone in this forum; sounds like they have a decent reputation but no one seems to have had experience with this particular plane. Can anyone help me out?

(in reply to cerion)
       Post #: 35

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 4/9/2007 11:41:51 PM   
FlyinLo



Posts: 210
Joined: 8/10/2006
From: D, NH, USA
Status: offline 		Looks like it would be decent but it's very small so the battery has to be tiny (300mah).
The firebird commander 2 is $25 more and gives you almost twice the flight times.

_____________________________

-Hobbyzone Super Cub with Floats -Blade CP: bell hiller/alum swash
-HDX 450SE v3, Hobbywing ESC, HS65HG's, 2100T+9650

(in reply to Rollerskate)
       Post #: 36

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 4/10/2007 5:49:16 AM   
Rollerskate


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 3/19/2006
From: APO, AE, GERMANY
Status: offline 		FlyinLo - Thanks for the response. Would a 2 channel transmitter be better for a rank amateur than a 3 channel? I was wary of not having elevator control with a 2 channel plane.

(in reply to FlyinLo)
       Post #: 37

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 4/10/2007 6:20:57 AM   
FlyinLo



Posts: 210
Joined: 8/10/2006
From: D, NH, USA
Status: offline 		In my opinion, I wouldn't pay more than $30 for a 2 channel plane. (Air Hogs Aero Ages are $30 apiece)

They're fun, and they'll somewhat teach you how to control the plane when it's coming towards you but that's about it.

_____________________________

-Hobbyzone Super Cub with Floats -Blade CP: bell hiller/alum swash
-HDX 450SE v3, Hobbywing ESC, HS65HG's, 2100T+9650

(in reply to Rollerskate)
       Post #: 38

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 4/10/2007 9:08:05 AM   
Rollerskate


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 3/19/2006
From: APO, AE, GERMANY
Status: offline 		Now I'm confused. The description of the Firebird Commander 2 says the radio is a "FM 2-channel proportional". Doesn't that mean 2 channel? Right now the Firebird Commander 2 costs $84.99 at Red Rocket. That's a bit more than $30.

(in reply to FlyinLo)
       Post #: 39

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 4/10/2007 9:33:08 AM   
FlyinLo



Posts: 210
Joined: 8/10/2006
From: D, NH, USA
Status: offline 		I apologize, Rollerskate. I assumed it was a 3-channel. (rudder, elevator, throttle)

If it is in fact only 2 channels (throttle and rudder) then yes, I would stick with the phantom's 3-channels.

_____________________________

-Hobbyzone Super Cub with Floats -Blade CP: bell hiller/alum swash
-HDX 450SE v3, Hobbywing ESC, HS65HG's, 2100T+9650

(in reply to Rollerskate)