Hello, I am just starting with actual RC flight. I have flown on the simulators for quite a long time and have mastered everything there is to do, other than choppers... I joined an RC club and only flew a trainer one day. Some extremely nice man gave me a foamy and I have hovered it, inverted flat spins, knife edge, and hammerheads... I've had over 30 successful landings and after the foamy and 2 3D gas planes, one of which I hovered and did some 4 point rolls with, I asked the guys there if they thought I was ready for the Great Planes Electrifly Extra 330S EP.
They all said I could handle it and so I am really looking into purchasing one and having a go at my own 3D plane. Now I know this isn't the conventional first plane for someone but I have done so much on the simulator that trainers start to bore me...
I was just posting to get people's general input on how they think I should fair from sim to real thing. The sim is Realflight G3.5. Also, should one stick to one power source, if I start electric should I stay electric? For those of you that have this plane, would a larger Rx be needed then the smallest little one that is on the foamy, I am going to try to just switch the electronics out if I can do so. It's 5 S3114's but I think the 330 calls for 4 only, and I got 2 extra servos with everything given to me...


Ok well thank you all for reading this and thank you in advance for all your opinions and ideas

Not trying to talk you out of that plane but have you checked out the 3DHS 47" Extra 300 SHP. Best balsa 3d ship
to start with IMO. You would have no trouble at all with it from what you stated as your experience.

As far as staying all electric.....personal choice I guess....I have no desire for nitro now but I may next year....I wouldnt rule
it out completly especially if you want to go to giant planes.

Thank you for your input GoldKraft. I took a good look at the 3DHS 47" Extra 300 SHP and my personal preference is staying on Electrifly's Extra 330S... The 47" only being 6" more wing is roughly one pound in weight. I think I will sacrifice windy performance with overall battery life. The extra pound or so on the weight will cause more power to be used for the hovering that I love so much...

Thank you for your thoughts, I will still keep this plane in mind however my first choice stays with GP on this one. Lighter, cheaper and both takeoff, land and perform stunts...

Any other planes people can think of please do so, I would like to get a very in depth analysis of electric 3D's before I make a choice...

PS -> Nothing against biplanes but the style isn't my thing, thought I'd throw this in here before I get all the biplane enthusiasts having me buy some spectacular Biplane. [sm=tongue_smile.gif]

I second the 47" 3DHS Extra SHP. I know you said that the GP Extra is smaller and a little less, but 3DHS are very durable and will take the abuse of learning 3D DOD. I have the SR version and I love it! My brother owns the GP Yak and he likes the way it flies, but he spends a lot of time making improvements and strengthening key areas like the LG plate and firewall instead of flying it. I to have owned other manufacturers and I got to the point that I realized I could continually repair these airframes or spend a little more and get a solid plane that flies great and takes the abuse I give them once in a while. Now, all I have in my hanger are Extreme Flight, 3DHS, or Zerogravity planes. If you want something a little cheaper than the 3DHS Extra you could look at the Extreme Flight Edge 540. I have flown this plane and it is awesome! EF has it on sale for $100 right now! Plus all the equipment will drop right into many planes of similar size. Just a thought and my 2 cents worth...

Jug;

Have been around for a while, some 50 years in the hobby and still loving it. After flying a buddies electric several years ago, have been on the learning curve. My gassers and glows are gathering dust except for club race time. Started basically with the rcxplanes.com Illusion, great foamy. After a series of so-so fomays, went to the 45-55" balsa birds, including those mentioned on this thread. Katana MD and AJ extras are ok, just ok, and are powered per recommendations. Darned buddy brought out a Airfoils Edge 540 and let me fly it. Now he calls me two to three times a week wanting it back, and ain't gonna do it. The balsa birds are all gathering dust with exception of Hyperion Yak 25 that is better than most and looks like a real airplane. Don't think I will ever be without a Illusion or Airfoilz Edge as those are all I have been flying for some time. The airfoilz is the only bird I feel cumfortable doing rolling circles below 6 feet or so, just rock solid. Don't write off the larger 40" or so foamies as they are great flyers, the Airfoilz is very good and $67.00 and at home in the wind. ENJOY

Well 3DHS will have 40" Edge out pretty soon....that might be the ticket. Also...if you love to hover take a look at the Precision Aerobatics Addiction...a great 3d ship. Here is a link to discusion on the Edge and 47" SHP.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=901611

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=826396

Thank you all for everything I've been able to learn from you guys, I looked at every brand and every plane and I have finally found my plane. I am going to purchase an Extreme Flight Extra 300 45". After going to the site and looking around everything looked great. Not to mention there is a video of the EF Extra 45" flying and it was doing many of the stunts I love doing, then on top of all that they showed a guy setting up the final approach, then letting his hands clean off the controls and it landed perfectly smooth... I would never do this but nice to see it can happen if something unforeseen happened.

One more video for ya. I couldnt find this one for my last post.

http://young99.net/images/Videos/3DCLINIC01d.wmv