I'm looking for the best trainer out there but I have a few criteria:
1.) Cost less the $180.00
2.) Electric
3.) RTF or BNF
4.) Easy to fix and replace parts
5.) Be able to take mild wind
6.) Be new, not used
I have done a lot of looking and have yet to find one that fits these criteria.
Thanks in advance

Jeff<br type="_moz" />

This needs to be very easy to learn on.

Hi Jeff,

Multiplex Easy Star http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=RF&search3=Go.

I have seen a few people teach themselves with this model, it is very robust, flys and thermals amazingly well and easy to repair. However it is only three channel the step up to the next level is larger than from an aileron trainer.

Cheers,

Colin

G'day I will put my vote with the Easy Star too but with a couple of mods. The Radian is good too.

Out of the box its performance is pretty dismal but a cheap 150 watt brushless motor will really get things going. Fly it with the original motor initially as it is probably safer with less power and less likely to get into trouble. They once you can fly it, upgrade the motor and ESC.

Also, if you connect the rudder servo to what would normally be the aileron channel, the conversion from three channel to four channel is very easy.

I taught a bloke to fly a Radian (very similar but not quite as tough but with a better power setup) by email so it can be done. He is about 1200km from me.

The big advantage of glider type models as first models is that they can almost fly themselves and this gives you lots of time to think what you need to do. Faster planes with four channels need to be flown all the time and don't give you much time to think and react. If you have someone to help you, and you are using a buddy cord, this probably is less important but by your self it really is very important.

Good luck only spending $180 in this hobby. Ha!
The only thing I can think of that fits most of your criteria is a supercub that I think is made by parkzone. It's in your price range and VERY durable. Ive seen my dad do all kinds of thing to his and pick it back up and fly it. It's only a 3 channel and it doesn't handle much wind.....5 - 8 mph. But it is really easy to fly. Good luck in your search.

Meets all the criteria. EVERYTHING you need is in the box.

Super Cub LP RTF

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ7300

ARF Kadet Seniorita electric version on EBay for $124.99 shipped.

Likes to climb in wind but most trainers do. Very easy to fly.

Tom

Thanks for the help guys. Any other suggestions?

You will be really limiting yourself to very few flyable days with this set up. You can still go electric, but I'd consider getting something of a .40 size equivalent so you can handle some 10-15 mph winds. Something that's going to weigh 4 to 6 lbs. As far as durability, if you learn with an instructor you won't really have to worry about it too much. I can think of 9 flying fields in Chicagoland.

I've seen a lot of people come out to the field with small, foamie, underpowered "phantom" weight airplanes. They don't so much "fly" them as they do manage them...i.e. just focus on keeping them upwind so they don't have to walk 400 yards when the battery dies.

The other option is to go the indoor route...nothing wrong with that. With that your options really increase for a plane, and you can really fly them instead of just battle the wind.

Agreed with ArcticCatRider. It is so easy to want to do the hobby cheap but a beginner needs a good airplane to make up for his poor skills. The Super Cub is as good as it gets in the sub-$200 category, but as stated above it doesn't handle wind well. An experienced pilot can fly it in wind under 15 mph probably, but a beginner will lose it in that. The difference between it and a .40 size 4 ch trainer or sport plane is night and day.

So how many windless days do you guys have around Chicago each year?

Please don't confuse a "trainer" type aircraft with a teach-yourself-to-fly aircraft...

As suggested earlier: the Multiplex Easy Star is an excellent teach-yourself-to-fly aircraft. I've attached a picture of a retired model, for viewing.
You can also learn with the Wild Hawk (Jr. Hawk) from Nitro Models or Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/general...ane-94774.html
Or, fly a GWS Slow Stick, which is sometimes available with the electronics included: http://www.gwsus.com/english/product...ow%20stick.htm
Most HobbyZone products, includingtheforementioned SuperCub,are also decent for learning: http://www.hobbyzonesports.com/Products/Start.aspx
The Parkzone Slo V is a good option, too: http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Def...ProdID=PKZ1300

A powered glider will handle more windthan a slow flyer; but,please understandthat any rudder-only /3-channel airplane has difficulty landing with a cross wind.

Good Luck,
Scott

Thanks for all of the help guys