Okay, first of all some background.

I started flying RC when I was about 10 years old. I'm now 23, and after 13 years of flying glow planes (with a hiatus in the middle) I'm ready to jump into gassers. I've dabbled in electrics and I like the small ones, and I've played around with large glow planes, but the conclusion I've come to is that I need to simplify.

So I'm selling off my larger glow planes (keeping some small sport planes) and anything bigger than a .40 or .60 is going to be gas powered and large. I'm planning on getting about 4 good gas planes, and at least 2 or 3 of them 3D capable. I'm not a beginner pilot by any means (nor am I an expert, though).

I have a friend selling a Great Planes 1/3 Scale Pitts Special with a G62 (yes, it's overkill, but that's how both of us are, and yes it's been reinforced and had many successful flights). I'm seriously considering it (okay I'm committed) for a first gas plane; I know the Zenoah's seem to be reliable and simple engines to operate and I think it would give me a good intro into gas planes.

So once I get that plane and become experienced with it, I'm looking into getting some 3D capable planes.

I'm very eagerly eyeing Great Planes Performance Series planes; I've always had good luck with their products and these look wonderful. I just missed an opportunity to buy an RTF Ultimate 1.60 and I'm really kicking myself over it because it looks like a perfect plane to match my flying style.

My top choices are:

GP Cap 232 (27%)
GP Ultimate Biplane (1.60)
GP Sukhoi

I'm REALLY excited about the Sukhoi; it looks like an awesome plane that can handle just about anything I'll throw at it.

My question is!

Since I'm new to gas planes, what are some things I should watch out for and what are some things I really need to know? I know that gas engines are entirely different animals, so I need some info on them. Redundant systems? Failsafes? Oil use? ANY n00b info would be greatly appreciated.

Also, what are the lightest gas engines available? DA, Fuji, Evo? Best 3D power?

Thanks!

I would recommend a DA 50 as a first gasser.

If you like the Sukhoi, you may consider a Yak as there are many more yaks available. My favorite 50 cc yaks are the SD models, The QQ, and aero-works QB.

I have never flown any gas airplanes made by either Hangar 9 or Great planes, but have heard no complaints from those who have.

Get some experienced help, even a little 50cc engine could seriously hurt you. Most people use amsoil at 100:1 in DA engines, but there are MANY who prefer other oil mixtures and ratios.

In a plane as small as 50 cc, you don't need redundancy. Some people add it as a precaution. Failsafes are rarely effective, but should be programmed anyway.

Any DA engine is one of the lightest, most reliable and 'idiot-proof' engines available. All of my gassers are DA powered.

Since I began in gas, I have not touched a glow plane except to sell or move it.

Well, I've loved Sukhois for a long time. I'll probably get a Yak later on (I really like the design of the Aeroworks) but I'm seriously looking into the GP Sukhoi right now (after the Pitts). I'm assuming a DA50 would work in all of the Performance Series aircraft, since all have the Fuji 43cc for a recommended engine, correct?

I've heard that DA has some of the best customer service as well. That may be the way I go (especially since an Evo 45 is the same price as a new DA50!)


EDIT: Actually I forgot to mention that another friend picked up a Goldberg Yak-54 for me because he figured I would want it (the 77" one). I haven't found a consensus on an engine for yet though... I would think that the DA50 would be a bit much for it. What's your opinion?

The planes posted are not real gasser planes..
Dont bother with wasting your time going with 26 and 46 cc gas frames
Get it right and purchase a real 50cc motor such as DA/3W/Taurus/BME etc,there are some seemingly good Chinese motors,but time will tell if they are any good after extensive running.
Airframes are best chosen from Extreme Flight/BME-PAU/Wildhare,SD,Aeroworks,Comp ARF/Airwild,QQ etc.
There are some other good combos I forgot to mention.
Nobody can tell you what to get and how to do it.Its best to really start watching forums and builds.There is alot to be learned from that.If you are going to buy 4 or more gas planes than you must have money to buy the best equipment
If you are 3D oriented than I would not even look at that Pitts with a G62.Also consider noise at your club.If its regulated to be under the recomended DB,you need to pick and airframe that supports canisters and also be able to spend the money on the exhaust system.You need metal gear servos,good digital ones,they cost about a 80-100$ and up each.Dont skimp on them.

Check out the Wildhare combo.A beautiful Sukhoi with a 53cc motor and hardware for 995.Its a reputable company.Search the net for build threads and set up.
The Great Planes series are fine,but they are not ideal 50cc birds at all.
I dont want to name bash ,just recomending.The Fujis are not performance engines for 3D

What's the rolling eyes for?

I'm selling off most of my glow planes to raise money for gas planes. I'm not going to buy them all at once, this would be over the next few months. I don't want to blow a pile of money on them but I want decent equipment.

I've looked into Wild Hare planes and they look pretty good, but I need something that I don't have to carry in a larger vehicle. The GP planes fit the bill in that respect.

As for the Pitts, I already said I wanted a couple of them to be fully 3D capable. I didn't say all of them.

Ok I own 2 of the planes that you are looking at, the Ultimate and the Cap232. Both are DA50 powered and they are handling it very well. These are airframes that can handle a gas engine which makes this statement a little lacking in knowledge. So please explain what is a real gasser and how do you determine that. I'd really like to further my education on this subject.

both the ones I own are well over 500 flights and holding up well. There are threads on RCU that covers both in detail so have a look.

I'd agree that Wildhare is a good product and very nice for the first time gas plane buyer...

I'd go right into the GP Ultimate and do not bother with the Pitts. The Pitts is a bit touchy where the Ultimate is as smooth as silk. My favorite saying for the Ultimate is that is a big puddy tat on low rates a dna big puddy tat with an attitude on high rates

Since the original question was, what do I need to look for, I'll address that.

All three planes you are looking at will be much better with a lightweight 50cc engine. I tried the Fuji 43cc on the two I own and while they flew well, a DA50 or the DL50 is the same weight and way more powerful

For servos I'd do hitec 5985's on both on all surfaces, they are overkill but they will easily make the plane do whatever you want.

For battery power, keep it lite.

All three planes do not come with gas stoppers for the fuel tank so you will need to purhcase that as well as fuel line barbs, 1/8th inch in size.

The stock control horn setup works well but replace the metal clevis's with the Dubro Safety Lock versions.

For gas engines, a good seperation must be maintained between anything related to the engine version the reciever. 12inches is common and doable for the 3 planes you are looking at.

If transportation an issue then,you are limiting yourself. As for a proper size airframe,I think just about anyone would pick a Wildhare Sukhoi over the Great Planes Sukhoi if you had a DA 50 to put into that choice of airframes.
The Cap is also a bit small,the Ultimate is most suitable.
Isn't the Cap a one piece wing? Not easy to lug around if it is.
The rolling eyes was for stating that you are going to buy 4 gassers but with a huge amount of questions.It just seemed a bit over the top.If you are not in a hurry then a little research will pay off in the long run.

Funny thing is, I live within miles of Wild Hare and I've already been written back by the owner inviting me to come check out the new Sukhoi [8D]

Nice, I was hoping you'd reply since I know you have some experience with the GP lineup. It looks like it will be between them and the Wild Hare planes... I'm starting to get REALLY interested in the Wild Hare Sukhoi but I like the GP Ultimate better than its WH counterpart.

Do you know anything about the Goldberg Yak-54 (77")? The reason I ask is that I can get one very cheap from a friend, but after reading through the loooong thread on it, it doesn't look like a good gas engine was found for it.

As for the Pitts, the main reason I wanted it is because it's RTF (except receiver) and I could goof around with it and learn about gas engines in the process. Plus he's giving me a heck of a deal on it... I don't know, maybe I should wait on it.

And Nitro Wing

I don't know if transportation is an issue with me; I can easily fit a giant scale plane in my car, but only if it has a 2 piece wing (which leaves out some of the GP planes). Single piece wings would take more work.

After thinking about it, I'm considering sticking with 1-2 gassers for now, a monoplane and a biplane.

Redundant systems: Not really needed, But I'm running 2 reciever batteries on 2 seperate switches to play it safe.

Failsafes: I would recomend a optical kill switch.

Oil use: Break in a new engine with lawnboy ashless 32:1 . After about 2 gals. go to synthetic.

Engines: This is where it can get complicated because it's like Chevy vs Ford vs Dodge vs Toyota . DA, 3W, Brilleli, are probably your best bet for 3D.(If you want to go with name brand) I currently own the new DL (loads o power) and have had no problems so far. They are slowly making a good name for themselves. They also have a good thread in the gas engine [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_142/tt.htm]forum[/link]

Mad,

I'm not familiar with the Goldberg Yak but get in touch with Aerobob. I know he has one and a very limited report on it on his web site

http://www.rcaerobats.net/CG-Yak/Yak_Main.htm

Also, for break in 2 gallons is not near enough for almost all gas engines. DA and DL recommend at least 5 gallons and Fuji and 3W go by time which for most people will be about 5 gallons.

My standard breakin for all gas engines is 5 gallons on either Lawnboy ashless or Pennzoil air cooled, bioth at 32:1 then a good synthetic and whatever the oil manufacturer says to use.

I've got 2 DA50's both with well over 20 gallons, one Da150 I'm jsut starting on and 2 Fuji 43cc engines, a couple of Ralph Cunninghams converted g-26's, 3 3w engines in various sizes from 55 to 80cc and all have been broken in the exact same way and all are very reliable.