I started flying 5 months ago. I had no interest in build models, so I went the R-T-F route. I think this is such a great way to get started.

I thought I would share my expereince so others might benefit.

I am a first timer. However I am also one of these guys that goes into intense research when I get interested in something. After several months of research, talking to people, flyers and non, I bought an Aerobird. It is a super value and very easy to fly.

HobbyZone AEROBIRD THREE CHANNEL ELECTRIC PARKFLYER

Very inexpensive and rugged for a three channel starter - $130-$160
The plane comes complete and fully assembled. Charge the flight battery, put on the wing, put the batteries in the transmitter and up you go! Even the batteries for the transmitter are included.

New flyers like me are going to crash, especially if you are teaching yourself to fly. You don't want something that will be costly to fix. The plane is very rugged, but there is a full line of parts available at reasonable cost. You can replace the whole main fuselage for $49 including the motor and all the flight electronics. A wing is $15 and the tail is $9. So, if you crash badly you can get everything for under $75 and you are back in the with a three channel plane.

If you are interested I have written up a tips sheet on how to fix the Aerobird.

Here is a review of the Aerobird
http://www1.wildhobbies.com/news/def...&articleid=853
On these pages you will find Videos of the Aerobird in flight
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/aerobird_video.html
http://www.modelflight.com.au/model_flight_videos.htm

With 50+ flights on the Aerobird, I fly in 15 MPH winds and fly with great confidence. Personally I am amazed that the plane still flies, but it flies great! I love it adn have recommended it to many friends who fly them now as well. They all learned very quickly!


From Electric Park Flyer to Glider


THE GREAT PLANES SPRIT SELECT 2 METER

The Spirit Select is completely assembled with all the electronics installed. It includes a 72 MHZ single stick radio. This is very easy to use and is very similar in look and fell similar to the Aerobird's radio so I picked it right up and flew. It is branded Hobbico, but it is really a Hitec radio.

Here is a link to the site where I purchased it for $139 complete!
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXVK55**&P=7

Here is a link to the ARF version where you can find links to two product reviews. If you want to do some building, the ARF is the route, but for an extra $40, I got the radio and the plane ready to fly. For me that was perfect.
http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/gpma1045.html

The plane has spoilers built in the wings, but you don't have to enable them. The Select model does not come with the spoilers enabled but the instructions tell you how to do it. I will do that soon.

I have about 20 short flights on it as I have been focusing on launching and landing. However, this plane has a reputation of being a great thermalling plane. I am looking forward to many long flights.

I would definitely recommend it.

Both planes have been a pleasure. If you are starting out and want to go the READY-TO-FLY route, consider these two.