I wanted to get involved in RC flying since I was a kid. However I
really didn't want to build the plane. I didn't have the skills, and if I
crashed it my first time out, after all that work, I would be crushed.
Fortunately today you don't have to build to fly.

I started flying in March of 2003. I went the R-T-F route. I think this is
such a great way to get started.

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

The new version, the Aerobird Challenger, is even better. I recently added one
of these to the hanger. 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 - $140
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.

In addition to being a fun parkflyer, the plane glides very nicely. We
thermal soar the Aerobirds at our glider club field. This is a very versatile
plane.

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

Here is a review of the Aerobird Challenger
http://www.hobbyzonesports.com/Disco...ID=1289#Page01
On these pages you will find Videos of the Aerobird in flight
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/aerobird_video.html

With 350+ flights between my Aerobirds I love them. I recommend the
challenger to new flyers. It has been a great stepping stone to other planes
and other kinds of flying.

Other RTFs that make good first planes

The Multiplex Easy Star, another RTF - There are several at our field. They fly very well.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFXV0&P=7

For about $180 you get everything you need to fly. This plane is made of a
foam that is pretty rugged and easy to fix. The Easy Start 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 small
enough to be flown as a electric parkflyer.

The T-Hawk, is another popular RTF at our club. You can also
get a version that will work with standard radios. Add your receiver and off
you go.
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawk3chrtf.html


From Electric Park Flyer to Sailplane - my second plane

THE GREAT PLANES SPRIT SELECT RTF 2 METER SAILPLANE -

After parkflyers, I discovered sailplanes. It turns out there are RTF
sailplane packages too. The Spirit Select comes completely assembled with all
the electronics installed. It includes a 72 MHZ
three channel radio which is branded Hobbico, but it is really a Hitec radio.
This was my first glider. I loved learning to soar with the Spirit and
continue to fly it often today.

Here is a link to the site where I purchased it. You can get it for $159
complete!
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXVK55**&P=7


Both of my Aerobirds 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 many other planes, but
these are the ones that really got me started, and I still enjoy flying them
today.