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BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

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Old 09-23-2010 | 07:44 PM
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Default BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

Hey guys! Ok so i am a total noob to rc planes but i do have a nitro buggy... but thats besides the point. What i would like to know is what you guys suggest the best electric plane to learn on is. I do not plan on learning from an instructor or a flight simulator. I was looking into a Hobby Zone Super Cub LP or maybe aChampso i would also like some input on that as well... So yeah! If you have any other suggestions feel free to post em!
Old 09-23-2010 | 07:57 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

I have the cub and its a great plane to learn on. Its what i taught myself to fly with. I will tell you that it is somewhat underpowered to me but still a good beginner plane. the hardest thing for me to learn was the landing because the controls seem reversed so tha is something to be aware of. Good luck.
Old 09-23-2010 | 07:58 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

Ok thanks! Do you have any other suggestions for it?
Old 09-23-2010 | 08:11 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

The ACT switch, I keep mine in the off position. always fly it a few mistake high at first and as your confidence grows get lower. The reason for leaving it off is because when it takes over, you lose complete control. My first reaction was always keep trying to control it so when it came back to my control, it threw it back out. The cycle would continue until it stalled and it would hit the ground. After I decided to turn it off for good, I have not crashed it since. Its up to you but the ACT is not for me. Read the manual and it tells you the conditions in which it will take over. Also unless you have a very smooth runway, you will be hand launching it.
Old 09-23-2010 | 09:16 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

The Avistar is a great trainer. Most instructors at our field recommends it.
Old 09-23-2010 | 09:31 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

get a foamy from hobby city an epp one you can crash it and it dont break always remember this is a very unforgiving hobby, one good crash and you are taking home a super market bag of bits and use a sim if you can
Old 09-23-2010 | 09:36 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

A lot of guys have learned with the Slo-Stick type electrics. They fly much slower than a .40 sized glow powered trainer and are very easy to repair. They are lighter and slower and do less damage to themselves when something goes wrong.
There will always be time later to explore the more expensive and complex glow engine powered trainers if you decide that's the way you want to go.
Old 09-23-2010 | 09:38 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

I've always found that the best anything is the one I didn't choose.
Old 09-23-2010 | 11:17 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

The super cub is OK. The hardest part of teaching yourself will be setting it up and trimming it correctly. Otherwise your fighting it so much you won't really know what to do . Even if it is just one time get with an experienced flyer for the first flight if you can. Read everthing that is in the STICKIES at the top of this forum several times so at least you have an idea where to start.
Old 09-24-2010 | 06:06 AM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON


ORIGINAL: OzMo

The super cub is OK. The hardest part of teaching yourself will be setting it up and trimming it correctly. Otherwise your fighting it so much you won't really know what to do . Even if it is just one time get with an experienced flyer for the first flight if you can. Read everthing that is in the STICKIES at the top of this forum several times so at least you have an idea where to start.

Hes 100% right. Ive fought setup forever and atill have trouble at times. There's nothing like getting your plane up and realizing that shes either tailor nose heavy, or your control surfaces are out. The fight will begin as soon as the wheels leave the ground and it can be a full 12 rounds or a KO in the first.
Old 09-24-2010 | 03:02 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

I started with an Apprentice 15e electric from Eflight. It flies nicely and is a nice foamie.
Old 09-24-2010 | 03:11 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

Well are there any easier planes to learn on than the Super Cub? WITHOUT an instructor? there are no flying clubs around my area...
Old 09-24-2010 | 05:09 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON


ORIGINAL: dantheman237

Well are there any easier planes to learn on than the Super Cub? WITHOUT an instructor? there are no flying clubs around my area...
The Apprentice basically flies itself! It is Very easy to fly and a nice looking plane.
I also have this plane and it is very easy to fly as wellfor a beginner....The best part is this one is $139 RTF!!
Old 09-24-2010 | 05:39 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

is that 4 channel?
Old 09-24-2010 | 06:33 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

G'day

I recently taught a bloke to fly by email. He bought a Super Cub and a Radian powered glider. It ended up being the Radian glider that taught him to fly because it knows how to fly.

Foam gliders are great for learning. They are tough, reasonably easy to repair and cheap. They are mostly three channel. This is not a problem so long as you set them up with the rudder on the right (aileron) stick. Then the transition to four channels is a non event as you will have learned the reflex for flying with ailerons without realising it.

After he mastered the Radian (and repairing it) he moved on to the Super Cub and was able to fly it almost immediately. He has since graduated to a Corsair and Me 109.

One of the things that really helped him was fibre glass packing tape. I suggested he get some and put thin strips along the wing leading and trailing edges and also along both sides of the fuse and underheath too. This adds a lot of strength for very little weight and makes the model far more likely to survive crashes. It is good for repairs too. Another friend is currently learning with a Multiplex Easy Star (great plane if you replace the standard can motor with a cheap brushless). On its second flight he spectacularly pranged it and it looked like a complete mess but a little glue and lots of tape and it is now flying really well again. It does look pretty terrible though.

One of the big advantages of the Easy Star is that it is a "pusher" with the engine behind the wing. In the event of a prang, the engine and prop are protected and unlikely to be damaged.
Old 09-24-2010 | 06:41 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

Hmm... i might try that! thanks!
Old 09-24-2010 | 09:47 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON


ORIGINAL: dantheman237

is that 4 channel?

Yes, they both are. The Apprentice is very good to learn on!
Old 09-24-2010 | 10:36 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

Yeah but its not $259 rtf though... Idk the cheapest one mentioned here is the super cub... and the champ... haha
Old 09-24-2010 | 10:37 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

*$159
Old 09-26-2010 | 10:05 PM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON



Barnone....Avistar, add a BB engine and increase throws and BAM great 2nd plane to. I found years ago from training newbies myself a plane with alot of dihedral just plane sucks to learn to land with. Any wind at all wants to tip the craft over.

For the past 3 years I have been reccomending the Avistar to all of the clubs newbies and they just love the way it flies. Easy to build, and it has no problem doing beginner arobatics when the pilot is ready.</p>
Old 09-27-2010 | 06:01 AM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON

I learned on a SAPAC Wilga. Moved onto a Glow engined trainer thereafter.

Most high wing planes are decent as trainers
Old 09-27-2010 | 06:33 AM
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Default RE: BEST PLANE TO LEARN ON


ORIGINAL: SMOKEFAN



Barnone....Avistar, add a BB engine and increase throws and BAM great 2nd plane to. I found years ago from training newbies myself a plane with alot of dihedral just plane sucks to learn to land with. Any wind at all wants to tip the craft over.

For the past 3 years I have been reccomending the Avistar to all of the clubs newbies and they just love the way it flies. Easy to build, and it has no problem doing beginner arobatics when the pilot is ready.</p>
The Avistar is a great, versatile plane. But to learn on one without an instructor is not a great idea. Stick with an electric foamy like the Super Cub until you get a feel for things and save the Avistar for a second plane. If you can't find an instructor, see if you can find a simulator. It's a LOT easier to hit the reset button than to buy a new plane.

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