Hi all. I am thinking of getting my nephew into airplanes, with my expert help of course, ( clearing throat) so does anyone know if the Great Planes Piper J-3 cub is a good trainer-and after trainer plane?
thanks

I think the World Models T-34 is a plane with a huge range of users. It can go fast or slow with no change in control responce. It is also very docile with low rates but can really turn it up on high rates. The T-34 is the EASIEST plane to land I've ever flown. It absolutely will not bounce so you can come in fast but it also has a very slow stall speed. This plane would last him a long time.

in the air the j-3 cub would be a fine trainer but a tricycle landing gear would be beter for ground handling for a first timer.

Africa flyer,
where are you located? I have a Kadet Senior with a GMS47 and one aileron servo already installed. This is a perfect first plane.
DKjens

I would stay with a plane that has a nose wheel also. The tail wheel is very difficult to learn take-offs with.

There are a lot of good "trainer" airplanes out there that are a blast to fly. I was surprised at how much fun you could have with one. Even a used one from local club members would be good. You won't learn anything about building, but many of the new ones require very little building anyway.

Depending on your nephew, don't be surprised, though, to see him looking for another plane soon after learning, no matter which one you choose.

I learned on a Rite Flyer ( my dad is learning on it now.) Other club members use Superstars (Hobbico?) and some Air Core planes.

Good luck.

Mike

hey africa flyer:
i am teaching my son to fly, i bought a duraplane trainer 40, in put an os la46 in it & i don't think i could havestarted him off with a better flying or more durable plane, it sells for about $50.00 @ tower hobbies, also a good rc simulator for the pc works wonders!!!

I agree with these guys, I would stick to something with a nose wheel. Taildraggers can be a challenge for a beginner- and you will have plenty of challenges already without having to deal with a taildragger!

As long as you are there and willing to help, you can't beat an Avistar for a 1st/2nd plane. This plane will function as a great trainer, provided you have a good instructor (you). But it is also a blast to fly after you solo.

Check out the Kombat 40 basic trainer, at www.kombat40.com ,definitely the best trainer available IMO,I and just about everyone at our feild learned to fly on these,and they are great after you solo also.You just about can't hurt them and the repair if you do,usually cost pennies and takes about five minutes.They make several different wings that simply bolt right to the standard fuselage.Trust me,you won't be sorry.
www.kombat40.com

I wouldn't get a Cub to train someone on. Compared to a trainer the Cub is a terribly finnicky flyer. It can be tricky to take off. It flys better slow than fast. It has to have just the right speed for landing or it will suddenly trun into the dirt without warning, and forget fun stuff like flying inverted. It will do it, but again it doesn't like it. If you want really durable that flys ok then look at the Kombat but its not really a balsa plane. If you want a large balsa trainer that comes as kit or Arf and will fly well on a 40(but get a 46 for tall grass) then look at a Sig LT40. The plane turns into a slow glider if the engine quits and is easy to get back to the runway. I used to hang my LT on the prop at 1/2 throttle with an FX40 engine. Then throttle up and start climbing. The LT is also built very strong. I watched one go into a fence at the end of the runway. Other than some broken rubber bands and the broken prop, there was no other damage. My club survey also showed that the LT got the newbies to solo faster than any of the other trainers. The big bird will also land at a fast walking speed. Sig makes a smaller version called an LT25 that is also a great flyer but its a tail dragger which will require a bit more training time. The T34 that someone mentioned would also fit the bill.

I agree with the above. The LT40 is an excellent trainer. I've buddied two pilots with it. Its nice and large, lands slow, and a 40 two-stroke will power it just fine.

As mentioned above, the Kombat 40s are great airplanes. I learned on one.