RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for a plane for crimbo...  
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 >> RC Airplanes >> Beginners >> RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for a plane for crimbo...
Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3 4 5 6   next >   >>  

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for ... - 11/24/2007 3:24:37 AM   
Khatsalano


 

Posts: 341
Joined: 9/26/2007
From: San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Foxy,

I used to be a pro gamer too. Your micro is already far beyond a trainer and when you have reflexes that are under 15ms, you can go very far in a very short time in this hobby. I just started flying 4 weeks ago and I currently enjoy my E-flite P-47 WWII electric a lot. I also would highly recommend electric as you can power up to .25 sized planes easily and can fly them almost anywhere without people complaining about noise or breaking park rules. You can fly electrics at clubs too, there is no conflict. If you're going for a park flyer, I would have gone with a T-28 Trojan from Parkzone as my first plane. I have a HZ Super Cub and while I still enjoy the relaxing characteristics, I grew out of that skill envelope before I flew it ... like you, due to simulator training. I think you'll really enjoy a low-wing plane with aileron. If you can, rudder on top of that is even better ... it's like having that 5th button on the mouse that really gives you an extra degree of control.

Join a club or learn on your own. You already know what works better for you. : )

As far as radio systems, it's a no brainer... you have to go 2.4ghz. I have a DX7 and can't imagine using an FM radio ... it would be like dialing up to a BBS instead of the internet where there are a limited amount of lines to call in and you have to wait until one is free or get a busy signal. Or worse... some nooblet didn't check frequencies and PK's you out of the air. : )

- K

< Message edited by Khatsalano -- 11/24/2007 3:27:59 AM >

(in reply to Mr67Stang)
       Post #: 26

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for ... - 11/24/2007 3:29:53 AM   
fozjared


 

Posts: 547
Joined: 7/1/2007
From: gilmer/nacogdoches, TX, USA
Status: offline 		i completely agree with mr67stang, i was self taught as well, but my first plane i bought used so it was rtf a hobbico superstar and by the time i mastered it i had tallied 12 bad crashes i mean bad, most people would have called them irreparable but i repaired them and probably had a total of 100-125 hours worth of straight repair time and maybe 1 hour of flight time in total, i am not exaggerating on only 1 hour.. and i had been flying park flyers/foamies for flight physics and had mastered 2 different foamies and knew flight physics, most of these crashes could have been prevented by having an instructor silly trim issues engine tuning small stuff that could have saved my plane! so i will always recommend an instructor, or at least someone experienced to fly your plane first and trim it out and tune the engine etc. the control surfaces are very sensitive and must be trimmed properly or it will be hard to fly even for an experienced pilot! so if you cannot find an instructor, at least get an experienced pilot to check your plane out before you takeoff, im here to tell you, flying a plane for your first time will be completely incomparable to driving an rc car your hands will be shaky, your knees will knock you will sweat even in cold weather! then when you land you won't be sure whether you should take it right back up or wait til tomorrow to fly again.. instead you will sit down for a few minutes and get anxious and get right back up there! when you get home you will only want to go back to the field for every minute until the next time you get out there! good luck!

(in reply to Mr67Stang)
       Post #: 27

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 9:54:00 AM   
Foxy



Posts: 8982
Joined: 3/23/2005
From: Kingston UK, but living in Athens, GREECE
Status: offline 		Thanks a lot guys! Yeh, spektrum is a no-brainer, I already use their surface modules. I'm going to enquire at the hobby shop about clubs, and I know what you mean about knees knocking and sweating, reminds me of when I was 16 and drove a real car for the first time, feeling a ton of moving metal shift underneath you!

Thanks a lot for the encouraging words Khatsalano, I'll do a bit of both, probably, self and instructed, but it's nice to know that I'm not completely way off with my thoughts that I will pick this up faster than most due to my background in complex control methods and reflexes. I know I'll crash sooner or later. But that might be a good thing, I have E5000 of cars, so if I sold a couple I could get a very nice plane. I was looking at vids of the scale edge 540s and that's kinda what I'm aiming for eventually. I know that's not gonna happen overnight, but I'm prepared to learn and progress.

_____________________________

Foxy. RCU Car Forums Moderator.
"Artificial Intelligence is no match for genuine stupidity".
Check out my Large Scale Gas RC Car Vids... www.youtube.com/foxy4242

(in reply to fozjared)
       Post #: 28

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 3:57:41 PM   
Foxy



Posts: 8982
Joined: 3/23/2005
From: Kingston UK, but living in Athens, GREECE
Status: offline 		Hm, after investigation, air spektrum has not come to greece yet.

Anyway, I think I've decided on a plane and a radio to start with, tell me if this is ok, or I'm missing something...

Plane: Great Planes Easy Sport .40 http://bestrcshop.com/eshop/product_info.php?cPath=1_12&products_id=9
Engine: OS Max 40LA http://bestrcshop.com/eshop/product_info.php?cPath=3_23_27&products_id=126
Radio: Futaba 6EXAP w 4xS3003 servo http://bestrcshop.com/eshop/product_info.php?cPath=4_58&products_id=3022

Are those servos good enough? We wouldn't even consider using them in cars!

Whadday'all think about those choices?

_____________________________

Foxy. RCU Car Forums Moderator.
"Artificial Intelligence is no match for genuine stupidity".
Check out my Large Scale Gas RC Car Vids... www.youtube.com/foxy4242

(in reply to Foxy)
       Post #: 29

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 4:36:41 PM   
Al Lewis


 

Posts: 1791
Joined: 7/5/2005
From: Port Orchard WA, USA
Status: offline 		Seems like you've already made your decision but I thought I would throw my 2-cents in anyway. I started flying about 7 years ago and for a first plane bought a Nexstar. Thousands have been sold and some love them and some hate them. I have since trained both of my sons on that system and recently gave it to my grandson to learn on. Is it the greatest trainer in the world?? Probably not, but what it is is a complete training system. You get a plane Ready To Fly, radio, a computer flight simulator designed around that plane, and a gaurentee that if you crash on an AMA approved field with an instructor they will replace the plane free of charge. Can't beat that. The plane also comes with fixed airbrakes/flaps, and NACA foils that can be removed later as your skills improve. It has a AFS which will correct the plane to level flight if you just let go of the sticks however I turned this off after one flight. Learning to fly is hard enough without giving yourself every possible advantage. This complete training system is a big advantage. Do yourself a favor and take a long hard look at one of these before buying.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEXK2**&P=ML

< Message edited by Lou55 -- 11/24/2007 4:43:55 PM >

_____________________________

Take Offs are Optional, Landings are Really Nerve Racking!! Al Lewis AMA #821623

(in reply to Foxy)
       Post #: 30

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 4:46:54 PM   
Missileman



Posts: 3104
Joined: 2/14/2006
From: Algonac, MI, USA
Status: offline 		I agree with your choice of airplanes IF you will have an instructor. I would not go with the 40LA for that plane. It will fly it but you are on the low end of power with nothing to spare. I would go with a .46 size bearing engine. OS 46AX or if on a budget Thunder Tiger Pro 46 is a great engine.
IF you can't get with and instructor I would suggest a flat bottom wing. An upgradable one as mentioned earlier would be nice.
Best of luck

_____________________________

Comments by author are not to be confused with the truth, past or present.

(in reply to Al Lewis)
       Post #: 31

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 5:59:21 PM   
fozjared


 

Posts: 547
Joined: 7/1/2007
From: gilmer/nacogdoches, TX, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: foxy42

Hm, after investigation, air spektrum has not come to greece yet.

Anyway, I think I've decided on a plane and a radio to start with, tell me if this is ok, or I'm missing something...

Plane: Great Planes Easy Sport .40 http://bestrcshop.com/eshop/product_info.php?cPath=1_12&products_id=9
Engine: OS Max 40LA http://bestrcshop.com/eshop/product_info.php?cPath=3_23_27&products_id=126
Radio: Futaba 6EXAP w 4xS3003 servo http://bestrcshop.com/eshop/product_info.php?cPath=4_58&products_id=3022

Are those servos good enough? We wouldn't even consider using them in cars!

Whadday'all think about those choices?


i would still go spektrum on the radio just for user friendlyness.. order from ebay, there will be someone shipping overseas on there!

edit: the nexstar is a super idea as well, or just get an advanced trainer.. dont think i would go with a sport plane for my first go.. but, good luck no matter what you decide..

< Message edited by fozjared -- 11/24/2007 6:01:17 PM >

(in reply to Foxy)
       Post #: 32

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 6:09:35 PM   
Kow


 

Posts: 110
Joined: 10/18/2007
From: Northern, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Looks like you're getting a lot of great advice so far. Even better is that you're willing to listen to it!

I'm relatively new to planes myself, but wanted to throw another option out there for you to think about.

If you want a good, easy to fly trainer that is essentially ready to go out of the box, consider the Hangar 9 Alpha 40. You can get the RTF (ready to fly) version for $289 USD, which comes with the engine and radio equipment already installed. They even provide a trainer cable for the radio so you can buddy box with an instructor. You basically just have to assemble the wings and landing gear, and charge the batteries. At that point, you're ready to hit the field so an instructor can dial everything in for you, then fly it.

This is what I've been learning on, and I've had great success with it so far.

Good luck!

_____________________________

AMA #894611

(in reply to fozjared)
       Post #: 33

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 7:01:08 PM   
Foxy



Posts: 8982
Joined: 3/23/2005
From: Kingston UK, but living in Athens, GREECE
Status: offline 		Thanks again for all the tips, let me tell you all what went into the decision making process though. Firstly, about RTFs... In this case, my long RC experience is helping me out. I know that RTFs basically include sub standard equipment in terms of radio and engine, servos, etc, and since money is not the issue here, I can afford better. I also picked on a 6 ch radio, because I will want to go larger scale at some point, with flaps and retractable gear, and a radio is DEFINITELY something I don't want to be buying twice, whereas an airframe I don't mind using then getting a different one, that's what the hobby's all about.

That radio I selected is SIGNIFICANTLY better than the 4YBF with the Nextar, is it not? I see it has a decent enough engine though.

As for pure trainers and flat bottom wings, whilst I understand that these are better for learning, I really don't think I need SUCH a 'benign' model. I have decided I won't do anything without an instructor, apparently there are clubs, I'm waiting for a friend to get me some info. I honestly believe that my confidence in being able to fly something 'slightly' more advanced is not ill-founded. I'm also very familiar with radio and servo adjustments, and a highly experienced modeller.

Lastly... that particular sport plane 'says' that it has the stability of a trainer AND the symmetrical wing, it is also shoulder mounted, it's not a mid or a bottom mounted wing, so is it not a good happy medium between a trainer and an intermediate? Correct me if I'm wrong, please. It simply occurred to me that this would be a plane stable enough to learn with, yet maneuverable enough, that I won't be looking for a new airframe after two sessions. I guess what I am asking is if people are absolutely confident that this plane is 'too much plane' for a beginner?

Thanks for advice on the engine. The shop carries the 46ax, I'll get that one.

EDIT: This buddy box thing sounds essential, does the radio I listed have the capability?

< Message edited by foxy42 -- 11/24/2007 7:13:57 PM >

_____________________________

Foxy. RCU Car Forums Moderator.
"Artificial Intelligence is no match for genuine stupidity".
Check out my Large Scale Gas RC Car Vids... www.youtube.com/foxy4242

(in reply to Kow)
       Post #: 34

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 9:17:06 PM   
gunfighterII



Posts: 2448
Joined: 11/28/2004
From: Lincoln, NE, USA
Status: offline 		Foxy,
Welcome to the airplane world.

I'm going to have to tell you to be careful with that plane, although it has the qualities of a trainer it is going to be much faster and not have the self recovery traits you'll need in the beginning, nice looking plane though. If this is the one your set on, it can be done with a instructor and enough time, so go for it!

The 46 AX is a much better engine, stay away from the powerless LA. The 55 would be a good choice also.

The servos will be just fine for the plane, as you get bigger and better, you will need quality servos like your cars.

The radio does have a trainer cord slot, you just need to know what radio your teacher will be using, and buy the correct cord.

If you need some assistance I know of a flyer in Macedonia who travels to Greece for his hobby supplies, maybe he could help you out if he's close enough.

_____________________________

AMA #381531

(in reply to Foxy)
       Post #: 35

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 9:27:18 PM   
Kow


 

Posts: 110
Joined: 10/18/2007
From: Northern, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Based on the plane you're looking at, I would also encourage you to set your radio for low rates while training on it. That plane is designed to be aerobatic, so it will probably be very sensitive to the controls at full throw. Not a quality you want in a trainer.

_____________________________

AMA #894611

(in reply to gunfighterII)
       Post #: 36

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 9:37:03 PM   
RCKen



Posts: 15617
Joined: 7/10/2002
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Status: online 		Having flown that plane many times, as well as put plenty of fliers into one as a second plane, I would recommend to get it ONLY if you have an instructor to train you with. It's quite a step up from a trainer and could get away from you a lot quicker than a trainer can. I'm not saying you can't train with it, but you will need an instructor if you choose it.

Ken

_____________________________

The take off is optional, but the landing is MANDATORY!!
AMA # 712539 www.gettingairborne.com
Moderator- Beginner''s, Sport Flying, Off-Topic, & AMA Discussions
RCU Community Moderator

(in reply to Kow)
       Post #: 37

RE: Long time car guy thinking about asking santa for... - 11/24/2007 10:08:51 PM   
Foxy



Posts: 8982
Joined: 3/23/2005
From: Kingston UK, but living in Athens, GREECE
Status: offline 		Understood, thanks.

_____________________________

Foxy. RCU Car Forums Moderator.
"Artificial Intelligence is no match for genuine stupidity".
Check out my Large Scale Gas RC Car Vids... www.youtube.com/foxy4242

(in reply to RCKen)
       Post #: 38