well I have crashed my glider 4 times, soooooooooo I am now ready for a motorized trainer plane. I heard or have read that
If a novice is going to get a trainer, he or she should look for the
largest one. Easy flying I think. All comments, welcome and which
one should I get and where can I order it on the on internet, a ARF type of course.

Thanks, Jim

Bigger is better

tower hobbies

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...1&I=LXK975&P=0

Your gonna get a lot of different opinions on this, here's mine. 60" span with a 40 is just fine. Make sure there is a good color difference between the top and bottom, it helps with orentation. I also suggest you do NOT get a trainer with a flat bottom airfoil, semi-symmetrical planes don't have as much trim change with speed and have less tendency to balloon when turned into the wind. I personally like the Kangke/Super Kraft, but I think the Avistar is also semi as well as a few others. There are some good package deals out there if you don't already have the engine. Also powered planes are a bit different than gliders, so get some time on a buddy box till you have some experience and have practiced dead stick landings, it seems most instructors forget to teach this and you WILL have dead sticks to deal with, its just part of the learning curve.

Like many things we prize, bigger is better..

I would recommend the RCM Trainer, it is as close to an RTF as you can get (a few hours and you are in the air), easy to build, is already drilled for a Magnum 40XL and the plane and engine together are about $200.

Or you could go with a Great Planes PT-40 and an OS 40LA, again you are just above a total of $200.

Both planes have approximately 60" wingspan, and with trainers you want a large wing, to deal with any sudden wind gusts.

Either will do you well

Happy Flying

Steve

worth also looking at the World Star 40 - semi symetrical wing, film covered, light, 70" wingspan.

Peter

It is not just that bigger planes fly better, they are also easier to see up there in the sky. Being able to see the plane's attitude is critical especially for newbies. If you can't tell what the plane is doing, you can't control it.

60-size trainers are really not that much more expensive than 40-size. Both engine and ARF are only $20-30 more each.

If you have some stick time on gliders, I would skip the trainer plane all together and get a Stik with a big wing. Either World Models Super Stunt 40 or GP Big Stick 60 are both fairly big aiplanes with very low wingloading (probably lower than many of the so-called trainers). IMHO, they fly more gentle than those twitchy little trainer 40s.

Simple > Sig Kadet, and a Thunder Tiger Pro .46 !

I agree with Jim. The LT-40 ARF is a very good plane to learn on. It has a 72" wingspan and weighs in at about 6 pounds.

I don't know what altitude your flying at, but if your over about 3000' above sea level, you'll DEFINETELY want the largest engine recommended for the plane. Altitude affects glow engines more than most people realize. If your flying at higher altitude- DON'T get the RTF models. They always come with a rather small engine, and you'll be dissapointed with performance.

The LT-40 with a Thunder Tiger 46 or an OS 46FX is a great combination. The plane is around $140 and a TT 46 is less than $90 at Tower Hobbies. An OS 46FX will run you about $110.

Bigger planes fly better. They handle the wind better and are much easier to fly. They are easier to see and landings are a breeze.

Practice deadsticks before you solo. They happen, and its best to be comfortable with them BEFORE your on your own.

I'm with Peter. The Worldstar .40 is the best kept secret in trainers. Well built, easy to see and flies great with a good .46.

The Avistar is smaller but also a good flier.

Sig LT 40! There is nothing quite like it.

On the other hand...

I have been flying .10-.26 size planes exclusively for the last couple of years, did my refresher training (after a several-year break from RC) on a .25 sized trainer. That included switching from Mode 2 to Mode 1, so it really was learning to fly all over again. Based on my experience I'd like to offer the following.

With a small plane you have a couple of advantages, IMHO. First, it's cheaper, build 2 .10-.25 planes for the size of one .60. Second, they're smaller, so you can bring both of your new planes to the field for twice the fun. Less overall operating expenses too, a gallon of fuel will last a whole lot longer; props and other often replaced accessories are cheaper also.

A properly set up small plane is no more difficult to fly than a biggie, sure the wind may toss you around a bit but you will be honing your reflexes on a plane that you have less invested in, and that makes an eye in the storm that's hard to beat. Much easier to relax and FLY THE PLANE when there's fewer wallet strings attached...AND you will have the extra plane you were able to build waiting on the flightline, just in case.

THEN when you decide to build that giant scale Corsair, or whatever else you have your sight set on, won't it seem smooth, and you'll be READY; having mastered a .25 in a 20 mph wind you won't flinch at seeking the sky with your $2,000 treasure on just about any day of the year.

Check out this one at Tower Kyosho Skymate ...say, you could be practicing on that ARF while you are building...oh never mind...

If the bottom line is to have fun, I can guarantee you your full measure with less displacement, both in your engine and in your wallet too.

By the way I am nearly legally blind without my glasses and have no trouble telling which way is up on my smallies, just can't fly half a mile away, thats all...

Just my 2yen (1.67 cents)

Thank You---Thank You, also RcPilet I am glad you mentioned altitude, cause I am at about 5000 feet, So I will proberly be leaning toward something with large wing area and a larger
engine for power. Hmmm Maybe thats why I had so much problems
with the electric glider I had. Like it could not get up like it should have. However I will take all of your suggestions and make my choice. So again thank you RCUniverse and it's members.

Jim