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New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 9/28/2006 1:07:39 AM   
FlyinLo



Posts: 210
Joined: 8/10/2006
From: D, NH, USA
Status: offline 		Hello all,

I've been doing a lot of reading here and I just thought I would introduce myself.
My name is Derrick, I live in New Hampshire, I've got my Commercial Multi-instrument certificate and about 350 hours.
I have a couple of Aero Aces but other than that I've never flown any R/C planes.

I've got my eye on the Hobby Zone Super Cub but being a pilot I really don't like the idea of flying with just rudder and elevator control.
I'm considering going with more expensive components from the start but no particular radio equipment really stands out.
I may just pick up a SC for now until a second generation 2.4GHz system becomes available.

My LHS recommended a slowstick. I think they look ridiculous but the slow speed would probably be helpful. Again though, not loving the rudder/elevator control.

The other plane I'm eyeing is the GWS E-Starter with a rudder/elevator/aileron setup. I know this will be a bit faster than the cub or slowstick, but with all the sim time I've racked up I think I might be able to handle it. Plus I would love to get some floats and fly off the lake.

If anyone has suggestions I would love to hear them!

Thanks,
Derrick

_____________________________

-Hobbyzone Super Cub with Floats -Blade CP: bell hiller/alum swash
-HDX 450SE v3, Hobbywing ESC, HS65HG's, 2100T+9650
       Post #: 1

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 9/28/2006 5:51:10 AM   
Time Pilot



Posts: 1468
Joined: 10/25/2003
From: Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Status: offline 		Two good planes, in my opinion. I wouldn't get too attached to your first couple of planes, though. You'll know why after a bit of learning.

Your sim time is probably more helpful than your cockpit time. From what I've read, cockpit time invites arrogance and crashes.

My first plane was a SS and I was flying it from the start after spending time on a sim. I know someone who self taught on an Estarter, although it is now a blend of epoxy and foam. Their plan was to build another now that crashes were infrequent. Estarter was my third plane (Second was Great Planes BLT) and it's taken some abuse from less than spectacular moves, but it is in pretty good shape, considering.

Estarter is faster than the SS or the BLT. I only had the courage to fly one of my two packs the first time out and I spent a lot of that flight setting up to land.

It may a choice between aesthetics and how much you like to repair your Estarter.

< Message edited by Time Pilot -- 9/28/2006 5:53:33 AM >

(in reply to FlyinLo)
       Post #: 2

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 9/28/2006 2:53:03 PM   
Leo L


 

Posts: 726
Joined: 10/12/2005
From: Flushing, NY, USA
Status: offline 		I agree with TimePilot. Flying an R/C plane is very different from flying a real plane. With an R/C plane, you are a spectator, standing on the side line and making all of the needed decissions, controls, etc. strictly based upon your visual observation of the plane. It is extremely easy to mis-judge distances and, quite often, to misjudge the orientation and direction of the plane. You must train your mind to allow your thumbs to make all of the needed control inputs in the correct orientation and in the correct amounts, and the inputs must be made in split second execution. For this reason, everyone crashes. Some flyers crash a lot; while others crash infrequently. Typically, the beginner flyer experiences quite a number of crashes, and then the frequency of the crashes diminishes as the person gains experience. Then there are periods of increased crashes as the flyer begins to try out flying that is fancier and more fun than just cruising the sky. For this reason most flyers begin with one or two "expendable" planes with which they learn to fly and get past their period of frequent crashes.

Steering with ailerons vs. steering with the rudder is not the key issue. The key issue is the number of control variables that you need to attend to at the same time and the speed of the plane. The greater the number of variables, the more difficult the learning curve. The faster the plane, the less time to make the correct decission. The easiest planes to learn to fly are the 2-channel planes like the Airhogs Aeroace and the HobbyZone Firebird Commander 2. Next are the slow flying 3-channel like the Slow-V and SlowStik. After that are the 3-channel high wing pushers like the EasyStar, Aerobird Challenger, T-hawk, SkyFly, Red Hawk, etc. There are some exceptions; planes that would normally be intermediate level designs, but for some reason are particularly good for learning. The HobbyZone SuperCub falls into this category. Its probably the best overall beginner plane currently available. i would suggest that you get the SuperCub, learn to fly and get most of your crashes out of the way, then take your time deciding upon a good 4-channel plane.

(in reply to Time Pilot)
       Post #: 3

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 9/28/2006 4:11:30 PM   
ADChobbystore



Posts: 1527
Joined: 5/16/2006
From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I would go for the 4 channel with ailerons. Contrary to what most say, in my opinion, it is easier to learn with ailerons than it is with rudder. Yes, the plane reacts quicker, but with the new TX's now, you can program Dual Rates, Exponentials and End Point Adjustments, to help the learning curve with the ailerons, plus it is just easier to turn with ailerons. You never really use the rudder in the air anyway, only on the ground when taxiing. So you are still using three channels when flying, so the number of control variables stays the same as it would have been if you were just flying a true 3 channel. My very first plane was a 4 channel Cessna 182. Yes, it was crashed, but that is all part of the fun right . You have to crash to learn the process and get better. I have rebuilt/glued the plane back together twice, and have not crashed in my last 20+ flights. GO FOR THE AILERONS!!

Take a look at these links: I would recommend the first one
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL2200

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/cessna182.htm

If you are set on a 3 channel look at something like this, or a type of glider that will gain enough altitude to allow you to fly for an extended period of time and play with the controls, there are some 4 channel gliders as well:
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/easystar.htm

This is more of an advanced glider, but worth looking at
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHPD0&P=7

For radio equip. I would recommend this:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJUV7**&P=0

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Leo L)
       Post #: 4

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 9/29/2006 2:26:34 PM   
highflyer65


 

Posts: 76
Joined: 6/24/2006
From: Gordonesville, VA, USA
Status: offline 		I learned how to fly buy myself with the EASY STAR it's probably the best of the best trainers and you can add AIL. after you've learned to fly it as a three ch. There are many EASY STAR threads out there . The SS is good but don't try to fly it in any kind of wind ,The easy star will fly good in 10mph winds.

(in reply to ADChobbystore)
       Post #: 5

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 9/30/2006 7:47:41 PM   
Tommyr


 

Posts: 299
Joined: 8/15/2005
From: Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Get T-Hawk! Excellent plane and company, fast shipping too. You get 2 of almost everything except the fuse and boom. 2 wings, 2 batteries, 2 tails, 2 props, spare rubber bands. I got one 2 weeks ago, had a few crashes and here's what happened this morning on my 3rd try:

Posted on another RCGroup...


Man oh man I think I've finally got it!!! Went flying today and met a friend at our favorite park at 9am. He had his Laird biplane, I had my T-Hawk with it's new motor. NO WIND at all. Seemed to make ALL the difference as on the first launch I was able to keep her up for a good 4 minutes!!!! What a BLAST! I finally got the feel for controlling it, short "blips" (taps) of the stick to turn and then let go then short blip(s) to level her out if needed. I wore down 1 battery eventually and no real crashes! I was even able to land her fairly smoothly although I do need to work on that a bit more. I am SO stoked!

Can't wait to go again, maybe tomorrow. I have the next 2 weeks off so guess where I'LL be often! My friend did get video and will be giving me a cd copy in the next day or so so I'll try to photobucket it.

The T-Hawk is a REALLY awesome plane!

Tom

(in reply to highflyer65)
       Post #: 6

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 9/30/2006 10:46:28 PM   
FlyinLo



Posts: 210
Joined: 8/10/2006
From: D, NH, USA
Status: offline 		I finally made my decision.
My new HZ Super Cub should be here next week!

I ordered an extra prop and shaft too since most people seem to break these parts when they're learning.

I didn't order any glue but I know I'll probably need some. What is the best glue for the Super Cub's wings and fuselage? I like the idea of gorilla glue, no mixing as with epoxy, but I guess it expands a bit?

_____________________________

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

(in reply to Tommyr)
       Post #: 7

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/3/2006 1:49:43 AM   
mustang_cool


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 9/18/2006
From: USA, USA
Status: offline 		get the slowstick...it's really a good/cheap plane to start it off...easy to learn the controlling..once you've mastered the techniques of handling electric plane...then move on to 3D or warbird.....

cheers

< Message edited by Lightfoot -- 10/5/2006 1:28:57 PM >

(in reply to FlyinLo)
       Post #: 8

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/4/2006 3:46:10 AM   
:)--}--{


 

Posts: 55
Joined: 9/23/2006
From: vernon, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		i too want to learn to fly after my aeroace this looks like a nice trainer. i read on ebay you can repair it with CA glue.

1 question...its 3ch, so thats throttle,rear rudder,and whatelse? do the rear flaps move or the wing flaps?

chaeck out this bad boy though http://www.hobby-lobby.com/cessna182.htm?c1=rcu&source=cessna182

< Message edited by :)--}--{ -- 10/4/2006 3:47:51 AM >

(in reply to FlyinLo)
       Post #: 9

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/4/2006 5:01:36 AM   
ADChobbystore



Posts: 1527
Joined: 5/16/2006
From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Status: offline 		That is a 4 channel plane......you have full control of throttle, ailerons, rudder and elevator.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to :)--}--{)
       Post #: 10

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/4/2006 5:02:41 AM   
FlyinLo



Posts: 210
Joined: 8/10/2006
From: D, NH, USA
Status: offline 		Throttle, Rudder and Elevator. Elevator is the horizontal surface on the tail, it controls the pitch(nose up/nose down)

In stock form there are no control surfaces on the wings.

The 182 does look very nice, very scale... but it apparently needs to be landed a lot faster than the Cub so not as good for a first plane.

I think I'll probably be able to fly the Cub in my yard, which is a big plus.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to :)--}--{)
       Post #: 11

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/4/2006 10:13:58 AM   
Tommyr


 

Posts: 299
Joined: 8/15/2005
From: Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: --}--{

i too want to learn to fly after my aeroace this looks like a nice trainer. i read on ebay you can repair it with CA glue.

1 question...its 3ch, so thats throttle,rear rudder,and whatelse? do the rear flaps move or the wing flaps?

chaeck out this bad boy though http://www.hobby-lobby.com/cessna182.htm?c1=rcu&source=cessna182



Very nice but at first I would go with either a T-Hawk RTF, Easystar RTF or Wing Dragon RTF. VERY durable planes that can take a newcomers mistakes/crashes. I have first hand knowledge of that with the T-Hawk and Easystar.


Tom

(in reply to :)--}--{)
       Post #: 12

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/4/2006 3:19:49 PM   
ADChobbystore



Posts: 1527
Joined: 5/16/2006
From: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Status: offline 		That Cessna 182 link to Hobby Lobby is an aileron trainer and comes with 4 micro servos pre-installed - it has control on the wings.

_____________________________

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

(in reply to FlyinLo)
       Post #: 13

RE: New to R/C Flying - Looking for first plane - 10/4/2006 7:23:53 PM   
wildjaych


 

Posts: 162
Joined: 11/9/2005
From: Carencro, LA, USA
Status: offline 		slow stick

(in reply to ADChobbystore)
       Post #: 14