Okay, so, I've been on the sim for about 6-7 months practicing nothing but various aerobatics. My dad has given me advice on how to improve my manuevers. And as of right now, none of my planes are sufficient enough to do the aerobatics I would like to do. I do however have a UCD 3D .60 in the box, but, I don't have any of the needed servos, reciever, engine, battery, etc - and it will take quite a bit of $$$ to get in the air and thats not possible right now. So, basically my question is, What would you suggest for a beginning aerobatic/3D plane ? I'am open to any suggestions, although, I'am not familiar w/ the concept of a profile.

Thanks,
TF96

What kinda budget you on. There are a lot of nice 3d planes I can recomend.

As far as budget goes I would like the total to be somewhere under $500. I'm not sure if that price sounds resonable. Its hard to say exactly, it just depends on which planes. I always am on watch for a good deal. Any suggestions you have are welcome.

Thanks,
TF96

Well there are several planes that you can choose from. I have flown the profile planes and just not the thing for me. So I can't give a good recomendation as far as profiles go. (i just prefer scale looking planes) $500 price range will be good for I very nicely set up 60 sized plane.
In order from best to least. (remeber these are planes I have flown before)
Extreme flight 58" extra
nitro models 63" extra 330
funtana 50x
Great planes performance series extra 300 ep/gp (still testing this one)
flighton edge 540

There are a few other planes I hear are good. but I have not flown them

Here are a two links to the threads to my top two picks

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7158735/tm.htm

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5299445/tm.htm

If you go with nitro models extra and use my set up it will be RTF minus TX for well under $500.
ANd this is an excellent plane to learn 3d with.

try the Extra 260 from PA, it's definitely the most robust which means you could deck it a few times without a fatality.

http://www.precisionaerobatics.com/home.php

Thanks ! Those are all great recommendations. My dad has a Sig Mayhem, Pizazz, and I have my UCD in box, now would any of these be considered "3D" ? I have had some stick time on my dads Mayhem. BTW - kwboost, those were some good threads, I may even bookmark them for future reference

TF96

If you are looking to get in under the $500 dollar mark and really learn 3D I think you may want to look at a profile. I have never been a fan of profiles until I finally broke down and got one. I got the Extreme Flight Chinn Yak 55. It is now my favorite plane for sport 3D bashing. I have learned more about 3D with this plane that any of my other planes. THe U-Can-Do is a fun plane to fly but it is NOT a real 3D plane. I would look into purchasing a profile for a first 3D plane. Here is a couple suggestions.

Mojo 40 ARF
http://www.swanyshouse.com/mojoARF/mojoARF.aspx
Best 3D trainer on the market, hands down. Probably the one I should have bought. PLus their is an exact replica of this plane that can be downloaded to RealFLight G4 for practice. Shoot me a Private message if you want the file.

Chinn Yak 55
http://www.extremeflightrc.com/html/ChinnYak55SP.html
This is the higher end of the 3D profile performance envelope. It is an amzing little plane and can be outfitted with quality gear for less than $500. I have met the designer of this plane and it pretty amzing what this plane is capable of.

I strongly reccomend trying out a profile to learn 3D they are cheap, fun and they will get you the skills you need to move on to bigger stuff.

Personally, I would start 3D with a foamy and after you perfect that then you go to somthing like a Extreme Flight 48" Extra EXP.

I learned 3D on the DW foamies yak-54 38" and I still have a lot of fun with Them when I dont have the time to bring the bigger planes out.
http://www.shop.depronwest.com/produ...=8&productId=4

also the DW yak-54 48"is great but it dose cost more
http://www.shop.depronwest.com/produ...3&productId=78

Michael

Why not go to a parkzone trojan? Does pretty much any 3D I can throw at it including hovering. Will be well under 500.00. It is durable and will last a while.

I took a look at the Mojo and I'am highly impressed ! I've heard some very good things about Mojo's. How are they for durability ? I know this may be kind of a silly question but, lets say that you crash for whatever reason and breaks the fuse into 2, how would or could you repair that ? Or would you just have to buy another one ?

CWHFSR, I actually have thought about getting one, just for fun, but, I prefer to get a plane that is purpose built for 3D capability. The thing w/ the Trojan is that its electric, I have nothing electric, and I'am going to stick w/ glow for now.

Thanks,
TF96

good luck breaking a mojo in two. it has a tube running down the center of the fuse so when you hit the ground the tube takes the impact and it then springs back to original place. trust me i have seen it myself i fly a mojo 60 and hit the ground hard and watched it happen. you cant go past a mojo this is my first gas profile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJtIu0V8mZk

Mojo Moass 60 and power it with a Saito or Os 100 or 91.

Best 3D trainer around.

Mojo 60 moass, mojo 40 or if you want ARF omp edge 540. All good for 3d training and durability.

Here's a video showing a bit of the MoJo's durability.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7AvY2j3rao

All of the crashes in the beginning of the video did no damage whatsoever. I use Master Airscrew S-2 nylon props. They aren't the most efficient, but they sure can take a beating. I crash the MoJo routinely, and although I've had to make countless minor repairs, nothing has (as of yet) come close to grounding it. It really is one tough bird.

PS - The HQ version on a full screen helps really see how hard the darn thing is hiting the dirt.

Thanks for posting those video links ! They really show how well the Mojo can perform and how durable it is when crashed, especially the last one. I still am a bit unsure about a profile though. The other day I was at the field and Al had brought out his Typhoon (electric, profile) and he had crashed pretty good, he then said "Thats a 5 minute fix", so, I guess profiles would be pretty easy to repair, too ! Yeah, I didn't realize that some profiles had tubes running the length of the fuselage. Thats the great thing w/ RCU, you learn something new everyday BTW - in a couple of the posts you guys mentioned a Mojo .60 moass, what is a "moass" ? Thanks.

TF96

I had emailed a guy from the website about a question about the ARF and he said that the ARF is no longer available. Gee, I better practice covering !

TF96

If you want an ARF take a look at the OMP 47" Edge. It's an excellent plane to start 3d with and you will easily stay within your price range. [link]http://ohiomodelplanes.com[/link]

It's exactly what it says. The fuse is a little longer and the tail areas are a little larger. moass

Mines a moass 60 just like KWJ48 said 2.5 inch longer and bigger surfaces to give it more ass

Would you be willing to go a couple hundered more for a gasser ready to fly? Bigger flys better/easier. It's easier to 3D bigger planes than smaller ones. Plane is a Yak.

I agree with mrbigg. Bigger does fly better. my advice is when learning 3d pick an airframe that will allow you expand your flying ability and not develope any bad habbits or expectations. Just my personal opinion. When I started learning 3d I wanted to fly smooth and precise 3d manuvers. So I look for airframes that I could fly 3d as well as imac/pattern. That is why I recomend full bodied airplanes such as extra, edge, yak. When set up correctly they can be forgiving and easy to fly. And they look so much better! But these planes do not have the duribility as profiles. I say practice, practice, practice, on the sim, then get you a good capable air frame. and Keep 3d smooth and it will make you an awesome pilot! [8D]

First of all, I want to stay away from big gassers for 2 reasons - 1) $$$$ 2) Not enough space. My dad recently moved into an apartment and there would not be enough room for a gasser. A small 1 car garage can only fit so many planes.



Thats why I'am still not sure about a profile. I prefer to learn on a full bodied plane because of the reasons you listed above. IMO a profile isn't necessarily for everybody, I"m one of those people. My dad used to have a Phoenix Extra 300, a couple years ago and he said once I soloed & learned more I could fly it. But, before I could get a chance to fly it, it met an untimely death. I'm sure I may be interested into bigger planes in the future, but, for right now the $$$ and the space isn't there.


I might take a good look over at OMP, I've heard they have some really good ones !


TF96

Pull that U-Can out and assemble away. You could have it up for less than $500. This plane is a blast to fly and very easy to land, you won't regret it.

The U can do 46 is also a blast to fly

OS .55 or a Saito .82 would be good for power.