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.
In reverse: Websites makes no difference to me. I'd rather support my local H/Ss however driving 40 miles makes door-delivery look good. I use whomever has what I want when I want.
For your first model, the ARFs that you have to assemble like the Tower or Great Planes Trainers are very good. Kits are fine but sometimes the newbie may not have a good place to build a kit or the time and dedication for it. Only YOU can make that decision. The ready to fly units are not my choice as then, for certain, you don't know enough about the model to be able to converse with a flight-instructor the things you need to know about just to safely operate.
I've instructed with most any Trainer you care to mention. They are all good. I maintain the Club Trainer a GP PT-60 built from a kit with all the dihedral. It's a squirrel. Those recommending less dihedral are correct. Newbies have a problem with over-controlling due to the slow response to ailerons alone. Those that know how to pressure the rudder along with the ailerons and use rudder during the landing phase can do very well. That is too advanced for the normal newbie.
I recently completed a Tower Trainer 40 ARF for giving visitors a touch of stick time. It's a doll. It has a significant amount of work to be done. It can teach you how to install a tank, join the wings, install controls, and general assembly of engine, gear and mounting the tail surfaces. Still with my modifications, it was ready to go in about 8 hours over 4 days.
I made a modification of the top forward wing area and installed a dowel (3 in front) plus bolt-on wing assembly. (Rubber Bands are messy.) In addition I cut 3" off the ailerons and glued them at a angle-up of about 15-20 degrees (I use the very scientific TLAR engineering -- "that looks about right"
) on the far-ends of the aileron area. This makes for nice easy nose-up landings without wing wobble. Works well on any trainer and "second airplanes" such as 4*-40s.
Personally I like the smooth running engine better than the hi-power types for trainers. The OS LA series engines are fine for Trainers.