Originally posted by lmcruz
I went yesterday to my local hobby shop and saw the LT-40 in person for the first time. It is huge!

It won't seem that big when you get it up in the air.

One of the guys at the shop recommended the Hangar 9 Easy 2 instead of the LT-40. Before he told me anything I noticed that the Easy 2 seemed more durable I guess because of its metal landing gear ( the back tires) compared to the ones in the LT-40 that are spring wire.

Actually, the wire holds up pretty well and keeps bendings back into shape after six months of increasingly gentle (hehe) landings. I might look for a better nose wheel, I had a guy at the field try and bend mine straight while it was still attached and he ripped the nose wheel mount off the firewall. Its not that hard to pull off and straighten.

If it wasn't for the overwhelming reaction from most of yall on the LT-40 I would have chosen the Easy 2.

Aargh, your gonna start another war. :-) Seriously, the LT-40 is a great plane. But the Easy 2 is more than capable of doing the job too.

I think the LT-40 is my choice, 95% sure. The guy at the shop told me that the OS 46FX would be a great engine for this trainer. They told me as well that if I was serious about the hobby which I am, to go with a 6CH Futuba Radio (6XA...) which costs $220.00.

I got an OSFX 46. It is more expensive, but it is very reliable. I never regretted the extra cost. I started with a JR 662 (6 ch), but looking back, the 5 channel 421 would have been enough for my first and second planes.

These are the prices I got together:

LT-40 kit: $135.00
OS46FX Engine: $115.00
6CH FUTUBA Radio $220.00

TOTAL AMOUNT: $470.00

OUCHH!!!

That's a lot of money!!!. I have gone to ebay an see that I can get all of these for a total of $357, more or less. This is still expensive!

I figure I got about 144 hours of fun out of my trainer in six months (and I'm not done with it). This includes assembly, flying once a week, tinkering with it, and the minor repairs and modifications.

I figure its averaged to about $3.50 an hour. Less than going to the movies.

My plans are just to get my LT-40 kit for now, put it together, and once I am done, I would then get the radio, and then engine.

Yes, this will distribute the cost over many credit card bills. Should help to sooth any wifely concerns. (Assuming you're married).

,ay,ay! CARAMBA! can you believe that this the 98th reply to this thread?

I thought the SPAD Jihad got out of hand (again).