Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

HEy,
i'm interested in starting the sport. I've been searching throuh towerhobbies for planes. And i want to ask how fast is a 0.5 engine? or a 0.32?

I'm interest in the Great Planes Piper J-3 Cub 40 Kit .40-.61,76.5"
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...1&I=LXJ568&P=0

would that be suitable for a starter?

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

It is very hard to say how fast an engine is unless you are taling about RPM. Looking at an engine by itself the only real speed number you can look at is what RPM a certain engine will spin a certain size prop.

A Cub is probably not the best plane to learn on, not terrible but not great. Cubs tend to have poor ground handling making take-offs more difficult than a trainer. They are generally docile in the air but with their short tail moment they tend to be more pitch sensitive than a trainer as well. Also most people in our club tend to only fly their Cubs when the wind is 8mph or less (which isn't very often).

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

I've been looking through many sites for trainers and planes which are at a affordable price and looks good...I was only capable of find the J3..hehee
any suggestions?

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

For your trainer, you will want something that your not afraid to bang up. It will take alot of abuse from hard landings, take-offs,(flying into the occasional bush) and such. My trainer is a solo .40, and is starting to look like a patchwork quilt. But I'm learning. Loren

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

Also, if you can afford it, get a .60 size plane, the bigger they are, the easier they fly. (Tiger 60)

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

i have got another question but it might me quite silly hehe..

how high can these things fly?
and how much runway it needs to takeoff?

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

They can fly higher than you can see them. How much runway depends on the plane/engine combo. I sincerely hope you have contacted a local club about getting help to learn how to do this. You are NOT likely to be successful on your own. For your first plane I recommend a high wing trainer with a semi-symmetrical airfoil, Like the Kangke Astro or the Avistar. Try to get a package deal on the plane and engine, its usually cheaper than buying one at a time. You should also get a radio with trainer box connections, I recommend something that is Futaba compatible {HITEC, Tower Hobbies, Futaba} because most clubs already have a buddy box of this type. Airtronics and JR are very good radios but most clubs don't have a box for these systems. Join the AMA, follow the rules, and fly at sanctioned fields. Never turn on your transmitter if you are closer than 5 miles to a field, You may cause the crash of somebody's plane.

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

well i'm from asia, in a small crowded city...hehehe and i hardly know anyone who plays them here but i'm planning on ordering online seems cheaper.

btw are there more planes other than the ones posted on Tower hobbies?

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

If you want a trainer from Tower... check this out...
http://www.towerhobbies.com/products/towa1000.html

great trainer and really easy on the pocket book....

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

My $0.02:

Consider a Duraplane .40 trainer. Not especially pretty but *very* tough, fly well and easy to put together.

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

You can always build a spad trainer... The debonair is a great trainer and it costs hardly anything to put together....

Check it out at: www.spadtothebone.com

Question about engine speed NEWBIE
 

It was mentioned in an earlier reply that "You are NOT likely to be successful on your own." .....I would like you to know that I did it 100% by myself and I started out with a trainer having a wingspan of a mear 42 inches. Too many people make it sound like it is impossible to learn on your own. I would have to admit that it may take someone that is mechanically inclined and can think in a technical way, but IT IS POSSIBLE. Someone had to do it all by themself otherwise we would not be here doing it ourselves.

Now, I do think that you should start with a flat bottom high wing plane, something that has a fair amount of dihedral in the wing. Almost anything labelled as a trainer would work. The bigger the better, and cost wise you will be in the same ball park with a 40 size or a 60 size, so get the 60. If you are serious about staying in this fine hobby, get a decent 6 channel radio with high/low rates. Standard servos and hardware will be fine, if you can maybe even get an ultimate combo from TOWER.

The trainer that I have now is the GREAT PLANES PT60. It has been a "GREAT PLANE." I did the kit version because I like to build. When I was getting started, the guy I bought the kit from told me NOT to do the best job building it because I WILL crash and sooner or later it will become ugly anyway.......NOT.....I took my time and did a very good job on it and I think that has a lot to do with the success.

I truely hope this helps.
Jeff Cottrell