Hi everyone. New to this forum and the world of r/c planes. Was building a Goldberg Tiger 60 for a first plane but somehow got smashed in my garage just during covering. Nobody in the family seems to know how it happened. Hmmmm. Everything was done except finishing the covering. Anyway I'm now building a ARF Hobbistar 60 Trainer. Going well with assembly. Have a airfield near my home with a club that will help me get it in the air and buddy up on radios. Just bought a Realflight simulator G3.5 to practice with. I am a true beginner, with no flight experience at all. Fooled around with the new Microsoft Flight Simulator but that's it.
I would really like to get into the giants as soon as possible. Building the plane is not the problem for me. Any recommendations as to how long I really need to fly trainers before going into the giants. Pardon my ignorance but I thought this would be a good place to ask this question. All input is appreciated. Thanks.

On the good side you asked first, the bad side is probably fly for a year 2~3 planes. I find the giants are much easier to fly, it's landing them that's the tough part. You'll find that a landing that a guy with a .60 size would say that was a little rough would be a $30 prop, $50 landing gear and maybe a weeks repair on a giant. If funds and time's not a problem your next plane can be a giant, but it's cheaper to learn on the smaller stuff, though the bigger they are the better they fly.

I have a 35% yak, 30% yak and a .60 sized, the bigger the better, smoother and more nerve racking, lots of money. I have a much better time landing the bigger one then the smaller ones. Do not attemt a giant, unless it is a high wing and then be careful if you are inexperienced flyer. Like mentioned things get expensive. My giant yak, if I were to have a rough landing it it $120 for prop and spinner and$100 for gear, plus its lightly built so it flies light, brakes easy. And with gas they vibrate like crazy, so theyve got to built knowing this, then every few flight checked, tightend, wood breaks with the vibration somtimes. Like mentioned, fly awhile, get landing experience. Big ones are awhole different ball game, I fly my bigns and go to my small ones and don't give a care in the world because I knoe there cheap, small. So think about all this, and another thing with bigger ones, there usally alot different need equipment, things are more expensive, bigger, more radio set up usally. It was a huge change from my .46-.60 sized then purchasing my biger yaks.

First off, let me say congratulations for asking the questions BEFORE you make the move and taking the excellent step of getting what sounds like a good club to help you get going.

As for "how long" - the answer to that can only be "how long is a piece of string?" There are many variables including the pilots ability, the amount of flying time you get and how well suited the "Student / Trainer" combination is (Not all instructors suit students).

Like the other answers, I find that Giants are easier to fly. BUT
flying is one part of it - the "practice and training" time you get on the smaller sized planes will definitely improve your reflexes quicker than a large plane will. (especially if there is some wind about).

The other part is the building. On a small plane we "get away" with a lot of things - As an example, I would never consider using a bit of dowel with a bent bit of wire travelling the length of the plane as a pushrod on a giant scale. I would also never consider using any of the "cheaper" items such as FM receivers, Cheap switches or cheap servo extensions on a larger plane (actually, I don't use them on small planes either but plenty of people do). How do you know about what the best quality item to use is? - ask on the forums and ask around at the local field. This knowledge takes time to accrue. Giants have such things as gas engines and interference issues to deal with. They are easy to deal with once you know how but it is getting the know-how that is the first step.

I would suggest that when you are ready to take the step into a larger plane, get a nice easy flyer first , maybe something like the Kangke Monocoupe which flies "just like a trainer" or if you want ot do it from a kit - a Giant Telemaster (even easier to fly). It would also be a good idea to take an intermediate step with something around the 1.20 size.

We got into giants for the first ime just a few short years ago and nowadays almost never fly anything below 26cc - usually no smaller than 50cc. - We are that addicted to them.

That is a shame that the tiger 60 was destroyed. It is a much nicer plane than the one you are building now.

Giant planes fly nicer than the smaller ones of course, but like aussiesteve said, giant scale is very, very, unforgiving when it comes to building mistakes and/or mechanical and electrcal failures.
Even though you may quickly gain the skills to fly one of these giant planes, I would encourage you to take your time and learn the ropes of building with the smaller stuff first. A giant scale crash is very costly as compared to a .40 or .60 size hole in the ground.

Years ago, I taught flying to a guy who wanted to advance quickly to giant scale, and he did, but he crashed up his fair share of planes getting there. He had the $$ and he never gave up though. He flys 40% planes in IMAC now. He's a much better pilot than I.

Mike

All I can say is......... WOW!!!!!!! Thanks for everybody's response. I just tried the simulator. Crashing all the time. But I did manage to keep it in the air for a while. This is a awesome hobby and obviously takes talent in all fields of this hobby. In regards to $$$$$$$$ thanks to my business I have a little bit extra to spend for my interests. Was into collecting Colt firearms mostly snake guns. Pythons and Diamondbacks. But now I beleive with time this will be more rewarding. I will continue to practice with the simulator which works great. It seems this is a big asset to getting started in this hobby. Will keep everyone posted as to my progress in all aspects of my venture. Thanks again to all.

Mitch,I was in your shoes 2 yrs ago. I has took me that long just to work up to 120 size planes. All these guy are right on target with their advice.Get plenty of time on your simulator and trainer. Read everything you can about how a plane flies. Build a few kits not arfs. Its good you built one, build a few more of different types. I just completed my G&L hobbies fiberglass kit , 120 size Extra 300 with a Zenoah g20 .I also have the Seagull 120 ultimate biplane. My next goal is a 28% somthing, not sure what its going to be though. Take baby steps in this hobby unless you are made of money and not married. Big planes = big bucks and very unhappy wives.

Wanted to trade, One four bedroom house with one car garage, will trade for one bedroom house with four car garage.

Ha! When I was looking for a house, I wanted a small one with a big garage, and found one! What I bought has a big detached garage (I have 3 cars in it, and airplane stuff in every corner, space, and in the rafters) and a small (low maintenance) yard. The house has 2 bedrooms & a full basement, but the spare bedroom and the basement & attic are full of plane items.

Giant scale planes sure take up space. I love the way they fly, but I keep smaller ones around too.

Best wishes,
Dave Olson

Have built a couple of kits in the past. Really enjoy building them. As far as the house and garage situation. I guess I got a head start on that. 4 car garage with plenty of room for my "stuff". Who cares how big the house itself is. It's the garage size is what's important. LOL.

I'll still stick by my belief that ones first big plane and gasser combo should be the Giant Big Stik and some 40-50cc gasser of your choice (I went with the CRRC Pro 45 w/adv ignition and have been very happy-Western Hobby is very helpful when you have questions and they are in the USA). Mine has so many miles on it, I think the covering is wearing thin. Bigger is better and once you get rid of those little grease pumper glow engines you will be thrilled.

I think Cedar Hobbies has a 98 incher that would be a nice entry into gassers.[sm=thumbup.gif]

If you can get it back and forth to the field in whatever you are driving (oh yeah, gotta think about those things now). I have G62 that would go nicely in it!

Think of it like fishing. A bluefish might only be able to bite your finger off if you mess up but once you start fishing for great whites well you might get your whole arm bit off or worse from the same mistake. I have seen some smart people do some pretty dumb things with rc airplanes esp newer people (including myself ). Usualy because theres alot going on or they are still nervous or just didnt realise the result that was about to happen. Not only is it alot cheaper to get your learning done on smaller planes its also much safer, for you and everyone else around.

And damn u people with 4 car garages and trucks&trailers. Im stuck in an apartment with an audi a4 as my only way to haul my planes around so im pretty much stuck with 1.2 size for the time being

I think that you could find many giant scale aircraft that you would not have any problems with as a 3 or 4th aircraft. Maybe even your 2nd. Not every giant scale gasser is a 3d capable aerobat. The only differance is they are bigger. Gas has a bit of a learning curve but from the beginning probably easier that glow to learn. Most of us have made the transition from glow to gas which for me took a little studying. Check this out http://www.bridiairplanes.com/hangar/bigbee.html

If you want to build an airplane then i would take a look at OMP Hybrid Edge it will fly like a trainer but with a 92 span. When you are ready for the other stuff Knife edges and 3d it will do it all with ease. I built one and it is the best flying aircraft i have owned or flown and i have flown comp arf yaks and countless more.