RCU Forums - View Single Post - What Are Your Thoughts?
View Single Post
Old 11-18-2010 | 10:40 AM
  #10  
bigedmustafa's Avatar
bigedmustafa
My Feedback: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Omaha, NE
Default RE: What Are Your Thoughts?

All of airframes on your shopping list are terrific. I've instructed students with all of them. Don't get too hung up about the Avistar being sportier than the rest of these trainers, they actually fly similarly to one another.

What makes the Avistar sportier is the shorter wingspan (59" versus 63" on the other three), this results in a bit of a faster roll rate, but it's not a huge difference. As for the shape of the wing, well, just consider "semi-symetrical" to be a marketing term for "almost flat-bottomed." The Avistar is a terrific primary trainer when you're working with an experienced instructor, and the other three airframes are all capable of satisfying sport flying after you've soloed.

I'm surprised that no one has suggested looking more closely at a .60-size trainer. The Tower Trainer .60 ARF and the Hobbico Hobbystar .60 ARF are also excellent choices for a primary trainer, and the larger planes and engines aren't really any more expensive than their .40-size counterparts. These larger airframes (70" to 72" wingspan) are easier to see when they're high up in the air, and they're generally more stable in windy conditions.

Don't rule out one of these larger airframes without some serious consideration. There is really no disadvantage to flying a larger airframe so long as you can fit it in your car.