Was just wondering what was a good airplane and engine combo to start flying 3D?

Please Help Thanks

Goldberg Extreme 330 and OS 50FX

To me the best combo would be a UCD46 with Saito 82. If you wanted to step right in you could get the UCD60 size with a Saito 125 or YS110. That's an even better combo and is a little larger for windy condidtions.

The UCDs are some of the best 3D planes out there and are very inexpensive for what you get. I have much more expensive planes now and I still like these better. And you can just keep getting better with them.

Thanks
Barry

Same above here... just I'd go for a 2 stroke engine instead... I don't intend starting an issue on this... The reasons I think a 2 stroke would be better for you are:
1- lighter and powerfuler than equal sized 4st.
2- Easier to carburate properly
3- Less maintenance.
4- Faster idle-full throttle transition speed

I think these simple reasons would make a 2 st. much more reliable for TRAINING PURPOSES. FWIW.
Best of luck with your choice.

If you dont mind building then the Burrito offered by Paul Swany at swanyshouse.com. The plane goes together fast for a kit. It has a carbon fiber tube that runs the length of the fuse so it does not snap in half like most light weight 3d planes. It can take some abuse from mishaps. It is a real baby on low rates for landing and great for learning 3d on high rates. You can use an OS46 or similar and standard servos.

My money is on a good four stroke like a Saito 82 or something and a Twist. Cheap, fun, easy and man with that combo can you bring it down on the deck. The torque is what you need to hover with. Two strokes yeah might have more power, but not where you need it for 3D.

I like the OMP 47"Edge for a 3D trainer. A good 46 and standard servos are all you need. In knowing hands it will do all 3D moves suprisingly well, meaning more adanced stuff than just hovering and harriers. If you're willing to build, though I agree the Swany stuff is the way to go.

I have to agree with Barry Cazier. Go for the UCD 60 with Saito 125, YS 110 or cheap Magnum .91 XLS and Cline Regulator (that's what I have). I have several profiles to throw in the car for a quick flight but the UCD 60 has them all beat. All the planes mentioned fly 3D very well, the UCD 60 is just larger and everything happens a little slower.

Most people I know started doing serious 3D with a foamy. Nothing beats the proven flight characteristics and the amazingly cheap cost of the traditional 3D foamy. The electronics aren't cheap, as with any plane, but those can be moved from plane to plane as you tear up one airframe and move on to the next.

The amazingly light wing loading and instant recovery power make learning fun and worry free. Electric motors also allow you to fly without the worry of a flameout due to a "cranky" engine...NOTHING beats the torque of an outrunner motor! No 4 stroke or two stroke of any kind has the instant torque of an electric motor, that is a proven fact.

A myriad of 3D foamy designs can be easily built at home and are nearly as easy to assemble as any ARF. Go to the foamy forum here on RCU or check out www.rcgroups.com for great plans, motor, ESC, battery combos.

I personally recommend a IKARUS Shock Flier Yak from http://www.hobby-lobby.com/shockflyer-yak.htm or a similar airframe.

I have a giant scale gasser 3D plane and still LOVE flying my electric foamies. Nothing beats the carefree flight characteristics and quiet, "practice anywhere" as long as you're safe, qualities.

HYPE 3d WESTON UK

You can learn 3d with a 40 size plane and a .46 2 stroke-- cost of plane and motor less than the cost of a Saito. I had a great time yesterday with a Burrito and a OS 50. It would be OK with a .46. I also fly a Mojo 60 with a Saito 91 which is better and worth the money to me at this time. If I were just giving 3d a try I would never go for a $250 engine that may nose in before it gets much time on it. I think telling a beginner the only way to go is Saito 100 on a 60 size plane may turn off people that could learn on something less expensive. One reply said that the power curve of 2 strokes make them not appropriate for 3d flying. That is not true. Some very good 3d fliers like 2 strokes better. Almost no one says they are not adequate. Most favor 4 strokes, but pay a price.

And a gallon of fuel lasts forever with a 40 size plane and a small 2 stroke when 3d flying. I get 10 minutes on 3 to 4 ozs of fuel flight after flight.

I AM DEFINITLY IN AGREEMENT WITH A UCANDO 60.
IT WILL DO ANYTHING YOU WILL WANT TO DO AND IT IS A VERY FORGIVING AND PREDICTABLE AIRFRAME.ADD THE RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE PRICE TAG AND I THINK IT'S PERFECT FOR SOMEONE STARTING IN 3D.
I LOVE MINE MORE EACH TIME I FLY IT.
BTW,IS IT NORMAL TO SAY THAT YOU LOVE YOUR AIRCRAFT.

I also agree on the ucan do. My son is flying this plane. It is his first plane and he is already hovering it. I seen him hovering at about 6 feet and went flameout, and was still able to grease it in due to its awesome slow flight characteristics. Flies like a paper airplane.
3DAP

I have a UCD 46 with an OS 50SX-H (heli engine) and an OMP Edge 47" (profile) with an OS46 FX. Both are good 3D planes and both have 2 strokes. If I had to do it over I would use 4 strokes on both because when you hover you are really doing something extreme here and you really need the Torque. Do not cheap out on your engine! For sport flying a 2 stroke is fine. Now, after practising all last summer I can hover both of these birds with what I have, though I am still learning and still too chicken to bring them in low, though a more skilled pilot can hover them with ease. I have seen this. One of the keys here is the skilled pilot thing. I find 3D extremely challenging and sometimes it scares the **** out of me.

So which plane is better? Both are floaters though the Edge is a little better. The Edge is a little easier to hover - for me anyway. The UCD has strong coupling with the rudder - this really apparent when you knife edge. I have not tried to mix this out BTW. The UCD is way better in a cross wind and overall flies cleaner than the EDGE. If I had to choose one it would be the UCD. But of course - I really had fun with my Edge tonite - it can do some weird things when you get it going.