ORIGINAL: FlightFreak12
Hello there,
My name is Kevin, I live in NW Ohio, and I am 15 years old. I'm very interested in flight and aviation, and I think that R/C Airplanes would be a great hobby to get into. I'm also currently studying for my Student Pilot's License (hoping to get up to my Private's License).
I need some suggestions for a great trainer for me. I almost got into the hobby last summer and bought a cheap tower hobby plane, I think it was called the Firebird or something. It had twin propellers and didn't fly at all. Then I researched gas trainer planes, and found a lot of great ones, but the one that really stood out was the Hobbico NexSTAR Select, which has a load of great features, but is really pricy, for me at least. I think it was around $450.00 for the whole kit, is this a lot for a model airplane? Here is the link for a review for the NexSTAR Select. [link=http://www.modelairplanenews.com/reviews/nexStar1.asp]NexSTAR Select Review[/link] There are a lot of reviews on the NexSTAR, so search google if you would like to know more information.
>First, in my opinion, and I emphisize MY OPINION, the NexStar is
>overpriced for what it is. The AFS you might as well remove as all
>it will do is teach you bad habits. There are other negatives that many
>have mentioned also. Do a search on Nexstar and form your own
>opinion.
>
I'm on a budget, so I don't want much or anything >$400.
>
>I would suggest FIRST, see if anyone at the local flying field has
>a used trainer setup for sale. Often you can get one fairly
>inexpensive.
>2nd, you definitely want an instructor. An instructor using a "Buddy
>Box" can frequently save your plane from destruction while
>learning. In addition, you will not be learning any bad habits.
>Clubs provide instructors at no charge.
>
>That said, the majority of 40 size glow trainers fly pretty much
>the same.
>
>If you need to go new, I would suggest the following:
>
>Hobbico Superstar or Avistar - about $100
>
>A USER FRIENDLY 46 engine. By user friendly I mean that 99%
>of them will run great right out of the box with little or no "fiddeling"
>required.
>
>Stay away from BUSHED BEARING 40/46 engines.
>They have only about 1/2 - 2/3 the power of a ball bearing engine
>and are rarely useable for a second plane. Many of the RTF (Ready
>To Fly) are packaged with a bushed bearing 40. If you fly from
>a grass field you will find that the power is marginal for take offs.
>
>The most user friendly 46 I am aware of are:
>OS 46AX ($110 )
>Thunder Tiger Pro 46 ($90 )
>Evolution 46NT ($90). (Already broken in and set up to run)
>
>For a radio, I suggest finding out what BRAND the majority of
>people at your flying field are using and get that brand. While
>many people only use a 4 channel radio and are very happy with
>that, I suggest spending a little more and getting a 6 channel (or
>more) COMPUTER radio. Many people want flaps and/or retracts
>by their 3rd or 4th plane. By purchasing the 6 channel radio
>initially, you will not need to get another radio for awhile. There
>are also many other features with a computer radio that you
>will find nice - such as being able to store multiple models, etc.
>
>You also want to find out what are the LEAST USED channels
>at your field and get your radio on one of those channels.
>This will minimize any waiting time for your channel to clear
>so you can fly.
>
>In the Futaba line of radios, the 6EXAS with 4 model 3004 servos
>is about $180. It is a decent 6 channel computer radio.
>
Any help that I can get WILL be used in good manner. And just think, the more you help someone learn about a great hobby, the more the hobby can spread!
Thanks for any help!,
Kevin
P.S.- This is my first post in the forums, and I can't wait to meet all of you R/C Enthusiasts!