If anyone has this plane, I would like to know what you think of it. I've been using a sim for about a month now and plan on joining a club and hooking up with an instructor by march. Being that I only have interest in giant scale gas, this trainer seems like a perfect plane to start with.

I do not know the plane but big trainers are better. Easier to see and fly smoothly.

Tom

Before you do anything, contact that club and talk to the instructors there and see if they can work with that plane. As far as I can seem that would be the deciding factor.

CGr

I've been to the clubearlier this yearwhen they had a big bird fly-in. At the end of the day, the club pres had me try out the club trainer on a buddy boxwhich was identical to this plane that im interested in. Same size, same engine too. But I don't understand what you mean by "see if they can work with that plane". Im sure someone there would teach me how to fly it , but I certainly wouldn't let them dictate which plane for me to get unless they are going to buy it for me. Are you saying they might not want to train me if they don't like the plane?

Its about giving the most important person to your success imput on the equipment you will be using as well as buddy box compatbility. It sounds as though you have done that though. Also 'just' finding "someone" is not always the best plan, agine make sure you connect to your new mentor/trainer/instructor/future flying buddy before you buy anything. You will not regrete that decision.

I have heard of maxford but not that airplane. Not real common, do you have a link?

John

An interresting point. You do also need to bear in mind that a club instructor is someone doing that voluntarily. The instructors I have seen are not getting paid for it they do it because they like to do that. Also not being paid for it they can always choose who to help or not and if they are not comfortable flying your plane well then you don't have an instructor. Imade sure I talked to the persons that were going to instruct me in flying. That made sure that the equipment bought was what Ineeded and that they were comfortable helping me. I wouldn't say they dictate what you are buying but it is in your best interrest to give them buy in.

www.maxfordusa.com

I understand what you guys are saying. But I really hate glow engines and small planes.I thought about getting the hangar 9 alpha rtf, but then I have to get all of the support equipment for glow as well. Being that I hate nitro so much and want to fly giant scale anyway, I figured just get a large gas powered trainer. I thought about going to an r/c flight school but that would cost me about $800 when all is said and done. The other point made was compatibility of using a buddy box. Is that really necessary? I think I would rather pass the Tx back and forth. Again this comes down to money that I dont want to spend needlessly on items that I will never use again...like a small nitro trainer and a cheap Tx.

Yes if money is an issue then that is undeniebly neccessary. Your mentor is first to impart knowledge and skills to you as well as help protect your investment. If you refuse to supply the tools to do that with then yes you will likely loose this airplane not to far into your training.

If your mentor does not care if you use a buddy box then you have made an exceedingly poor choice in instructors and this is going to be a very expensive process.

That airplane looks to be a reasonable large trainer with a small gasser. I have mentored several in past years with a similar big trainers from Joe Bridi. What you must realise for example is how much does those props cost, I know but bet you don't and I can imagine what you are gonna say on your first prop strike and the next and the next. When normal trainers the props are a couple of bucks apeice.

This is a very expensive route you have choosen even with cheaper fuel and you need to be aware of that fact; Yup you can do it but key to your dreams will be the right instructor and much more money than if you went the normal stages with a typical trainer.

This seemingly irrational hate of glow powered aircraft that you profess to will close off an entire world of wonderful flying adventures and airplanes, thats sad.

John

SECOND THAT

My first flight was a pass the TXback and forth and was almost a loss of airframe. Ithen went to ebay and bought a second TXfor 5.00 with 3.00 shipping went on tower and bought a cord for 12 I figure that 20.00 saved my plane at least half my training flights and came on handy after that. I bought a new radio and did the same to keep a buddy box setup. I like having a buddy box on maidens of my planes. I work spotters lol Anyway I figure it will be a good investment as after a whileI want to instruct others. I can see a point in going with a big trainer and well you do not like nitroup to you. I caution you that you will have a hard time in helpng others in a few years if you skip nitro. I myself have started learning 4 stroker glow and will progress to gas in a year or so. Ilove the fact that now I can tune and run my nitro engines on my own and feel good about the skills I acquired and have already started passing to others. I help others learn to properly start the engines tune them and set up he airframe. It helps the club instructors as they can fly and then fly the new guys. It is a great feeling seeing guys you helped solo and then start taking even newer guys under the wing. An important thing to remember is this is a hobby enjoy it. don't short cut yourself out of things you might like.

Well, I think i'll take everyone's advice here. I don't want to waste any money and I certainly don't want to get discouraged again as I did when Iwas 16 and tried flying on my own. Crashed three planes (two arf's and one built by my lhs)in the same day. Now at 43, im ready to try again. So with said, it probably would be better if I talk to one of the instructors at the club and see what they would recommend. And after I learn, then I can step up to what I want. I'll always have the little glow trainer and equipment there to teach someone else in the future.

You will be amazed as to how you feel about that little glow powered trainer in about two years when you are looking for a relaxing day at the field without challenges. Just a comfortable day of flying.

We have all sorts of aircraft (no jets, though.. grass field) in our club, yet the most common are folks flying their basic aircraft. Some have taken their trainers and converted them to tow planes to to gliders up to altitude.. so that little glow trainer can and will provide you with some enjoyment even after you have learned to fly it.

My point about clubs and instructors was well explained by other posters, so I won't elaborate any further except to say that I am an instructor and I would not get into a situation with an aircraft that I did not know or understand. Since I don't go gas, not yet any way, I don't know how to set one up nor know the flying characteristics of one. I would know pretty quickly after putting one up and flying it a short time, but it would have to be set up properly by someone present at the field that is familiar with the setup and flying characteristics of a gas powered plane.

CGr.

Congratulations you just got over the hump and made some wise decisions, I wish you well. Climb that ladder one rung at a time and don,t skip any so there will not be any gaps in your knowledge/skills and the sky is the limit.

John

Thank you gentlemen!!

I bought a Maxford Mentor with the 26 CC 2 stroke gas engine in July.  It assembled easily and it flies beautifully.  very slow for learning and will do simple aerobatics.

I would not buy their prop, wheels or switches next time.

I used some Spektrum servos that I had, they were stronger than the ones that were offered as an option.  I bought some 5" Sullivan wheels and Dubro Axles to fit.  They are bigger and provide smoothe landings than the 3" wheels that came with the plane.  They are also closer in scale to the lane.

I braced the landing gear with picture frame wire.

All in all, a very nice airplane.

I believe Abellrc sells the same 26cc trainer type plane or one like it, but theirs has the cheek pieces to make it look a little better with the motor covered.

Thats cool. I see they have a second version of this plane coming out next month I believe. Nobody knows about my frustrations with glow engines which is why I prefer gas. Plus, this airframe would be a good test bed for engines & servos thatcouldgo into a more expensive plane.

Yes they do. I just took a look and it seems to be a winner...especially at $200 shipped!!!

I must have missed it. I just looked at the gas trainers on their site (abellrc) and couldn't find any. There are planty of PNP types for that price, but not with a 26cc engine on it.

I also have a Mentor- G on order and am looking forward to flying it. I trained on a SIG Kadet Senior two years ago. It is a great plane if you can find one. Like you, I was looking to enter the hobby with as little expense as was reasonable, but I did what others suggested and went to a club instructor to discuss potential planes. He had several Kadets that he uses and said it was great as a trainer and could be used for other things.

I migrated to a low wing trainer after about a year (Goldburg Tiger 60), and love it. It is a great 2nd plane. I now am transitioning to gas from glow. Make sure you have someone at your field with a ton of gas expertese, because 50 people will give you 50 different suggestions as to how to do everything. You need to find someone you trust. That will take time.<br type="_moz" />

Whats the deal between gas and glow that I should find someone with a ton of gas experience? I certainly know how to get the gas engines running sweet.

My suggestion regarding Gas experience was based on your buying the Mentor-G with the gas engine. Tuning is a bit different, starting is a bit different, plumbing is a bit different. Glow engines do not require as much break-in as gas, and I find simpler to tune. That's just my experience. There is a great thread here on RCU regarding gas engines for newbies that I've read through several time, and printed for further reference.

Good luck.

whats the difference between the 26i and he 26r engine. on Maxfords site. cant figure it out.

0.25 more Hp and two ounces less weight for the $20 more expensive GP26R.  The "R" has a rear carb vs. the "I"'s side carb.</p>

thanks Charlie P