ORIGINAL: Neddy191
I'm researching what I need to get back involved in the hobby. I took some lessons and had a trainer plane set-up about 10 yrs ago but circumstances required me to sell the plane and gear and get out of the hobby. I want to buy quality gear that will last and allow me to keep using it as my skills advance.
As far as a trainer plane, I've done a lot of reading and it seems most people tend to recommend the plane they learned on as a good trainer. I've also read that most of the trainer planes are quite similar. I'd like to build my plane from a kit since I think creating something from a box of wood and flying it is part of the reward of model aircraft. I'm leaning toward a Sig LT-40.. From what I've hard its a well constructed kit, sturdy plane, and a little larger than other trainers. Any other suggestions?
Any comments on converting my trainer plane to a tail dragger and beginning my flight training with it? I figure pretty much all the planes I'm thinking of flying in the future will be tail draggers so I figure why not start out learning on one.
Any suggestions on radio gear? I want something that I can buy once and use now and on models down the road when my skills and aircraft become more advanced. I was thinking about a 6-channel computer radio such as the Futaba 6EXAS. (not committed to Futaba just always had good experiences with futaba from back in my RC car days)
Thanks for any suggestions, I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future.
Nedd
Welcome back to the insanity........er, I mean hobby.
The LT-40 is an excellent kit/plane.
Converting to a taildragger is a relatively simple thing, especially since you will be building it.
1. You should imbed/insert a piece of 1/8" - 3/16" lite ply in the bottom of the fuselage from the tail forward about 2 1/2 ". I would suggest having this piece of ply run the full width of the fuselage. The Sullivan tailwheels are (in my opinion ) one of the best tailwheel assemblies out there. They are easy to install using some pan head sheet metal screws OR some socket head screws.
2. For the main gear You need to build in a piece of REGULAR 1/4" plywood. This piece of ply should be the full width of the fuselage and extend about 2" forward and aft of where the wing's leading edge will be. For the gear itself use one of the preformed metal landing gears. You will drill holes through the landing gear and plywood. Then eith install blind nuts in the plywood OR use bolts and nuts. In either case be sure you use washers on BOTH sides so the bolts will not tear through the LG OR imbed regular nuts into the ply. The axles should be even with the leading edge of the main wing.
For radio gear the 6EXAS is a decent entry level 6 channel radio. These days, all the major manufacturer's radios are quality units. You may also want to investigate Polk's Tracker III
http://www.polkshobby.com/
The 6 channel radio is $180 and the 8 channel is $200. The big feature of this radio is that it is fully synthesized - NO CRYSTALS. The radio can be used on ANY channel with ANY brand of receiver (the Polk's Seeker receiver does not require crystals either ). I have a Tracker radio and love it. Service (if you need it ) is excellent - no run around or hassles and a quick turn around time. The warranty is a 5 year warranty. For the money you should check it out though.
Hope this is of some help.