I started flying in March of 2003. I had no interest in building models, so I
went the R-T-F route. I think this is such a great way to get started. I now have 400 flights, 11 planes and am having a ball!

I was a first timer. After several months of research, talking to flyers I
decided to start with an electric parkflyer. I
looked at lots of planes and packages and selected the Aerobird.

It is a super value and very easy to fly. The new version, the Aerobird
Challenger is even better. It has two flight modes - Sport for the beginner or
relaxed flyer and expert for the more advanced or aggressive flyer.

HobbyZone AEROBIRD CHALLENGER
THREE CHANNEL ELECTRIC PARKFLYER

Very inexpensive and rugged for a three channel starter - $115-$150
The plane comes complete and fully assembled. Charge the flight battery with
the included 12 V peak charger, put on the wing, put the included batteries in
the transmitter and up you go!
With a little throttle management you can get flights of 12-15 minutes on a
battery.

The plane is very rugged

In addition to being a fun parkflyer, the plane glides very nicely. We
thremal soar the Aerobirds at our glider club field. Because the plane only
has a 42" wingspan it can't go as high as the sailplanes because we would lose
site of it. I have also read reports of people slope soaring with the
Aerobird. This is a very versitle 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 ( before the new Aerobird Challenger)

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 150+ flights on the Aerobird, I love it and have recommended it to many
friends who fly them now as well. They all learned very quickly!


I have heard lots of good things about the Multiplex Easy Star,
another RTF - There are two at our field. They fly very well.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFXV0&P=7

For about $190 you get everything you need to fly. This plane is more of a
park glider as it is larger than the Aerobird and has characteristics that
should make it a better glider than the Aerobird Challenger but can still be
flown as a parkflyer.

Also the T-Hawk from Toytronix is popular at our club and makes a good first
plane.
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawk3chrtf.html


From Electric Park Flyer to Sailplane - my second plane

THE GREAT PLANES SPRIT SELECT RTF 2 METER SAILPLANE -

If you are more interested in sailplanes than parkflyers, the Spirit Select is
completely assembled with all the electronics installed. It includes a 72 MHZ
three channel radio. It is branded Hobbico, but it is really a Hitec radio.
This was my first glider.

Here is a link to the site where I purchased it for $140complete!
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
Video
http://www.greatplanes.com/gallery/gpma16.mov

The plane has spoilers built in the wings that are not set-up when you get it.
If you want to use spoilers, you can set them up later, as I did. The third
channel on the radio operates the spoilers. The included instructions tell
you how to do it.

I started flying the Spirit in Mid July and have about 80 flights on it. I now
have that down pretty well. This plane has a reputation of being a great
thermalling plane but I have heard of people flying it on slopes as well. I
is so great when I get it so high it is just a dot in the sky. I recently
built an electric power pod for it so I can launch it with an electric motor
if I like, but can take it back off so that I have a pure sailplane. I
definitely recommend it as a first sailplane.


SPECTRA MOTOR GLIDER

I don't have one of these, but if you are more likely to buy a motor glider
than a pure sailplane, there is a version of the Spirit called the Spectra.
Essentially the same plane, but with a motor. Again, tower has it for $199
RTF - Add $10 for Eveready's and you are set.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXVJ51**&P=7


Both the Aerobird and the Spirit have been a pleasure. I would recommend them
to anyone starting out in electrics or gliders who would like to go the
ready-to-fly route rather then building. I now have 10 planes, but these are
the two that really got me started.

If you are interested in sailplanes/gliders, visit this link
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=18