better trainer
 

I got a skyfly for Christmas and learned to fly, land and control fairly well. But, it seems very weak in the control dept(fishing line, etc.)
I'm looking for a better trainer with pushrods and better response, 4 channel with ailerons to be more precise. Has to be still easy to fly, tough and wider the better.
Any suggestions please.

RE: better trainer
 

Sig LT-40 is the best trainer.
That's my story, and I sticking to it.

RE: better trainer
 

Granted that you truly can fly a set pattern (meaning a circuit around
your field, taking off going away from and landing coming
toward yourself) land with complete confidence and know how
to effectively trim the model, there should
be no reason not to treat yourself to a nice .40 class nitro or electric
4-channel trainer. All of them are pretty good but, I would honestly
stick with the park flyers for a little while longer and move up to an Aerobid Extreme
or something in that category (bigger and a little faster).

Sig LT-40
Carl Golberg Eagle 2- What I used after flying Firebirds and Aerobirds for a couple of years.
Alpha Trainer .40
Kyosho Calmato Trainer
Hobbico Superstar or Nexstar...

All good first nitro/aileron step-up planes.

These planes have a flat-bottomed airfoil with plenty of wing
dihedral. If you get into a bind, these planes can be flown much like
your Skyfly, with 3 channels- rudder, elevator and throttle. You won't be able to
land effectively with rudder only but, ailerons will be almost second nature
to you if you've mastered a 3-channel. Just make sure your winds are a little
low and ask an instructor or experienced flyer to trim it out and to show
you how and why he or she did it.

Welcome to the sport and have fun!

P.S. Don't forget to fly at least "three mistakes high" at first until you get the hang
of your model.

RE: better trainer
 

It sounds to me that you want another Ready-to-Fly (RTF) electric that you can fly by yourself, but something a little larger and more aerobatic.

I think the Park Flyer R/C Begin-Air is probably the plane that you're looking for:

http://www.parkflyers.com/html/begin-air.html

While similar in size and design to your Sky Fly, the Begin-Air features a more powerful motor and 4-channel control with ailerons. The Begin-Air will be faster and more responsive than your Sky Fly, and it should be able to handle moderately breezy wind conditions better as well. The ailerons will allow you to control the plane with more authority, and to try additional stunts with the plane.

If you're enjoying the fun and challenge of R/C flight, however, and you think this is something you'd seriously like to learn and improve at, looking at a "club sized" trainer that is either glow or electric powered could be the better investment.

Larger aircraft (those bigger than "parkflyers" like the Sky Fly or the Begin-Air) are typically flown at R/C flying clubs. The good news is their are ten AMA chartered flying clubs within 25 miles of Florence, KY. Even if you live in a rural area and you have hundreds of acres you can fly from without worrying about hitting a house or car, going to a club will help you learn and enjoy the hobby a lot more than just flying alone.

You'll get to see all kinds of different flying models, different categories of R/C flight, and most clubs have a flight instruction program where an experienced pilot can help you select your ideal glow-powered trainer and guide you with regard to flying, operating, maintaining, and repairing an advanced R/C plane. Just talking to other pilots who get as much of a hoot from flying R/C planes as you do is part of the fun, as well.

If you want to hang out by yourself and throw an airplane around a park or an empty field, the Begin-Air from Park Flyers R/C is your next natural step. If you really want a better look at what this hobby has to offer, and you'd eventually like to be able to fly when the wind is blowing faster than 5mph, check out some of the local flying clubs in your area and see if they have anything going on that might interest you:

CINCY JETS
5.04 miles 4433 JACK BEETZ 3223 RIDGETOP WAY
EDGEWOOD KY 41017-3246
Phone: 859-344-9860
Email: Email
Url: III No

FLYING CARDINALS OF NORTHERN KY INC
5.64 miles 863 DENNIE SKAGGS 800 DOBBIN CT
HEBRON KY 41048-9776
Phone: 859.586.8059
Email: Email
Url: www.flyingcardinals.org VI No

ROSS AREA FLYERS
15.64 miles 2137 PAUL RYBOLT PO BOX 531175
CINCINNATI OH 45253
Phone: 513-300-6103
Email: Email
Url: III No

CINCINNATI AEROMODELERS INC
15.64 miles 496 MICHAEL KOONS PO BOX 58513
CINCINNATI OH 45258-0513
Phone: 513/941-7742
Email: Email
Url: WWW.SKYTEAMUSA.COM III No

ANDERSON FLYERS R/C CLUB
17.72 miles 3427 WILLIAM DEVORE 3517 DEBOLT RD
CINCINNATI OH 45244
Phone: 513-561-0468
Email: Email
Url: www.andersonflyers.org III No

COMAIR RADIO CONTROL CLUB
17.94 miles 3081 EDGAR TELLMAN 6069 ROBISON RD
CINCINATTI OH 45213
Phone: 513.731.9278
Email: Email
Url: VI No

CINCINNATI SILENT FLYERS
18.32 miles 4508 OTTO KOELEWIJN 9173 TRELAWNEY CT
CINCINNATI OH 45251
Phone: 513-521-2003
Email:
Url: www.electricflyers.com III No

APPLE CORP
23.30 miles 2568 MARLIN FUCHS 5980 SOVEREIGN DR
CINCINNATI OH 45241
Phone: 513-469-0908
Email: Email
Url: III No

169TH BLUE CHIP SQUADRON
23.30 miles 3423 MICHAEL BLUESTEIN 3249 BRAEWOOD DR
CINCINNATI OH 45241-3184
Phone: 513-563-6784
Email: Email
Url: III No

LOVELAND PROPBUSTERS*
24.79 miles 883 WILLIAM REEVES 15 VALLEYVIEW CIR
MILFORD OH 45150
Phone: 513-965-0844
Email: Email
Url: www.lovelandpropbusters.org

Good luck, and good flying!

RE: better trainer
 

Thanks for the info and suggestions. I have a friend who's in a club and he suggested a nextstar glo. I've read some negative about this plane. I really like this plane but a little more money than what I have right now.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXNVC0**&P=ML

I would like a larger plane, 4channel and preferably electric. Glow would be 2nd choice.

RE: better trainer
 

I'm looking hard at the avistar, anyone here have one and would like to share some comments. I did do a search and read that I should be able to fly starting with a buddy box.
How's this setup look?
Avistar arf
O.S .40 LA
Futuba 4YF

RE: better trainer
 

As opposed to the Sig LT-40, this plane is faster, rolls better, goes where you point it, ALL BAD THINGS, in a trainer. Yes you can learn on it, but it's a much better second plane. I tell people if you want me to instruct you buy a LT-40, and convert it to have tail wheel, otherwise get another instructor. That sound harsh, but my feeling is don't ask for me to give up my time if you won't get the best trainer to learn quickly. After 2 flights you should be doing 90% of the flying, after 10 flights you should be doing 95% of the flying, if not you've got the wrong plane or your INSTRUCTOR enjoys flying your plane too much.

Been flying since '73, and I've got plenty of planes, I don't need to fly students planes.

RE: better trainer
 

So which motor for the sig? Tiger 40 or OS 40 LA or OS46 LA?
Is the Futuba 4YF a good choice.
Thanks for your time,
John
This plane right?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXFG19&P=ML

RE: better trainer
 

All those engines will work, I had 14 different engines on mine from a Testers .35 to a OS .60FX two strokes, VT.49, Saito .50, RCV .58 four stroke engines. The two engines I liked best where the LA .40 and the Saito .50, the plane flies on it's wing not the prop, the worst engine was the OS .60, it just overpowered the plane. With the LA .40 you should fly it at halve throttle most the time. You're just starting out so I doubt if you have, or want, a big collection of engines, so I'd say get a .46, it's more suitable for more types airplanes down the road, and will work fine in the LT-40.

The radio will work fine for your needs. The more expensive radios don't help YOU control the plane any better, they would make it easier to set up your plane. The radios that have different model memories would allow you to buy just a flight pack, but if I only had one TX I would want to have another so that if one has a problem, like you forgot it on and the batteries are dead or 3 guys at the field are all on the same freq, you could fly with the other TX.

Do hook up with an instructor, he will save you much grief and time.

The flight sims are also a good investment if you're new, they get you past the aileron reversal problem quickly. I just bought one for myself, at $200 it's much cheaper to learn to hover that replacing my 100cc Yak 54 every time I goof.

RE: better trainer
 

Went and got me a new alpha trainer 40. My lhs had one and I went ahead and got it. Got it all set up and waiting for good weather. So now I'm flying on the sim that came with it.

RE: better trainer
 

Congrats on the Alpha!![8D]

Did you get the RTF package w/ Evolution .46 motor or just the ARF?

That motor will be a great introduction for you to nitro motors.

Have fun with it!