ORIGINAL: jkkissick
Here this tuesday when i get my paycheck im going to order a GP PT-40 MKII from tower hobbies to build and eventually fly and I was just wondering if there is any tips or advice you expert model builders would like to give me. And theres something else i would like to know, what do you guys think of the tower hobbies website, are they good and reliable cause from surfing around on the net they look like the best place to buy model supplies from. Well anyway wish me luck, ill probably be around to ask questions and stuff.
Welcome to the insanity......I mean club
Tower is a reputable firm. I have delt with them on numerous occosions and have been quite satisfied. There are quite a few reputable firms out there - Horizon Hobby and Hobby-Lobby are a couple of others. If you have questions on a business ask here BEFORE ordering anything. The people here should be able to tell you if they are any good or to stay away from them.
I would like to make a few suggestions though. If you have a LHS (Local Hobby Shop ), get your first plane/engine/radio there. Yes, it will cost you a little more, HOWEVER, the LHS is going to provide free advice/information if (when ) you have a question/problem.
The PT-40 is one of several excellent trainers available. For a 1st plane I strongly suggest getting an ARF.
By getting an ARF instead of building a plane you will have 2 big pluses.
1. When building, it is easy to inadvertently build a warp or other defect into the plane and not realize it.
2. You will not have the "emotional attachment" to the plane. Remember, a trainer is to learn on. Expect the plane to get beat up and damaged (and repaired ) while you are learning.
I would also suggest getting a USER FRIENDLY ball bearing 46 to put in it. This engine will also be quite useable in your 2nd, 3rd, etc planes. Some user friendly engines I can recommend are OS 46 FX/AX, Thunder Tiger Pro 46 and the Evolution 46. By "User Friendly", I mean that 99%+ of the engines will run great right from the box with little or no "fiddling". There are many very good engines out there, however, many of them require a "bit of fiddling with" to get to run properly. The difference in cost between a bushed bearing engine and a ball bearing engine is minimal.
Another suggestion is to get a 6 channel (or more ) COMPUTER radio. Just starting, you will not be using the extra functions/features, but many fliers find that by their 3rd plane they want to have flaps or retracts. By buying the 6 channel (or more ) radio initially, you will save the cost of buying a second radio a little ways down the road. Some of the many features in a computer radio are the ability to store several models in "memory", electronic servo reversal instead of switch type servo reversal, mixing functions, etc. The difference in cost is usually not that great.
Now for the BIGGY !!
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT try to teach yourself to fly. I don't care how much time you have put in on a simulator or whether or not you are a full scale pilot. The differences between them and the "real thing" are usually quite daunting. FWIW - The first flight of someone trying to teach themselves to fly is normally less than 30 seconds and typically results in damage to the plane and/or equipment in it. Do not misunderstand me, simulators are very good and they WILL HELP you with your flying, but they are not flight instructors (reguardless of what SOME advertising may say ).
Find yourself a local club. Your LHS should be able to provide the names/numbers of some clubs. The club will provide an instructor at no cost to you. The learning experience will be a pleasurable one and you will learn THE PROPER WAY to pre-flight check a plane and how to fly. All the clubs I am aware of will require you to join the AMA (for the insurance ), cost is $50 a year and to join their club (dues normally range from $35 - $75 a year ).
Hope this helps.