Hi Folks,
At one time, I had built two trainers, flew them a few times at a club with a training buddy, but lost interest after a few too many mishaps and the distance to the club. After getting a heli for Christmas (MCX2), I decided to see if the radios and receivers from the old trainers would still take a charge, which they did. My question is: should I expect the engines to still operate? If so, what would I need to do to get them in running order? I would assume lots of lubrication. These have been sitting for probably close to 10-12 years. I would also think that maybe I should upgrade the electronics to 2.4 ghz. Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

Jim<br type="_moz" />

I would soak the engines in a coffee can filled with denatured alcohol over night. Then lube them up real good with a quality oil. Spin them by hand a few times. Replace the fuel lines for the tanks with new fuel line, even the line inside the tank. While the tank is apart, check the stopper and rinse the tank with the alcohol. Put everything back together. Use a new glow plug and see if they start.

The radio need to be gold stickered, so you may need to check that if you want to use them.

If you are asking about getting a new radio, it is like asking what is better Ford, Chevy, Dodge and so on. I fly with Airtronics and have not had an issue. Most radio now will work with the helicopter and planes so you can use (1) Tx and have many Rx's. With getting a new radio, if you think you may stick with it, you can shop around and get them from $100.00 on up.

If you watch your sales, these go on sale for around $150.00 or so.

http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php...y-rds8000.html

Another one

http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php...o-w-rx600.html

And a budget radio

http://www.hobbypeople.net/index.php...-air-sd5g.html

The changes in RC have been drastic over the years. Lots of new good stuff out there.

Buzz.

Thanks Buzz,

I'm ready to get a good radio and another heli, since I plan on sticking with that at least; I'd like to get the planes back in the air also. I know heli skills don't necessarily transfer over to planes, but at least some of the orientation training should help. I'm looking at the Spektrum Dx 7 or 8 radio. I would have to change the receiver out in the planes, but at least one radio could serve all 4 models.

Thanks again<br type="_moz" />

I use a DX7 Spectrum and have been very pleased with it for 2 years. I see that the latest have made some improvements that may or may not interest you. You probably know more about the differences between a heli and plane radio so let you consider that.. My advice is to buy only full range RX's.

Nothing wrong with using old equipment as long everything works. If your engines aren't frozen then I'd think they would run. If it were me, I'd change the Glow Plug and put a few squirts Mystery or After Run oil in the cylinder. I'd let the engine run for a while before cranking up the throttle.

The President of my Club had planes sit that long in his heated basement, and when he brought one of them up last year. It started right up for him. Radio wise if everything works, then there's no problem using what you have.

I'm a bigger fan of the 72mHz radios. To me a 2.4 isn't a proven upgrade because the Market is pushing for us to switch to 2.4 because of the FCC preasure to free up the airwaves for mobile phones. Mobile phones have a "Wink, Wink" relationship with the FCC.

Plus all that was written about 2.4, I only trust them for indoor flying dispite the nice features a 2.4 radio has. JMPO and JMPE


Pete

Pete, that's some great information; I kind of wondered why, in my absence, the radios had changed. I have 2 Futabas that I got with the trainers. Heck, if I can find a new battery pack for my one plane's receiver, I'll just stick with that, then. I'll probably still go with the DX7 or 8 for my helis, though. I guess I'll be opening up the checkbook soon. Good thing I can stop at just one... yeah right.

The carb will almost always stick after sitting for long periods of time, few drops of after run oil in the cylinder a fresh plug and they should start right up.

A few months back I was in the same exact boat you are in. Except instead of busting out what I have sitting in the basement i bought a Parkzone electric but went with the 6 chanel spektrum and a BNF. After a couple trips to the field the nitro planes were back up and running, and slowly converting the FM to the 2.4. The electric is nice to get back into the hobby and easy for making a quick flight two in the evening.

Thanks MERLIN; getting back in slowly with an electric is not a bad idea. Which Parkzone do you have, if you don't mind me asking, and more importantly, is it suitable as a forgiving trainer? I live in the country and have room to fly on my land, so I plan on doing this pretty much solo.

I would toss the reciever batterys and buy new, after 10 years they can not possibly be anyway near there original state. I would also pay close attention to the tx battery, you may find that your batterys take a charge but after aflight or two the voltage drops off quickly and without warning. Not saying this will happen, but there is a good chance and I would be wary.

Second on replacing the batteries. It's doubtful they are still good enough to give full reliability.

Hey Oberst, which cell phones operate on 72mhz? I've never seen one of heard of one, nor are there any in development. You might need to check the facts on your conspiracy theories a little closer.

2.4ghz was developed because the market wanted interference free radios that didn't require frequency control. It hasn't been a perfect transition like everyone hoped, but the bugs are pretty much worked out now. Side benefits are shorter antennas, quicker response times, lighter and more durable electronics, telemetry ability, and (beginning just recently) cheaper systems. There is nothing "wrong" with the old technology as long as the equipment is in good condition. But the market is moving to the new 2.4ghz because it does solve the problems that it was developed to solve and it works.

Planes engines are forever. Batteries are not.
A friend of mine recently gave me 2 planes that were hanging in  his wall as decoration for 10 years. They were in the pool porch, no A/C. The unforgiving Fl sun hitting them for 7-8 hrs a day. One was an OS 46 the other a .5 super tigre.
Well they are both running, or should I say flying. Im not going to lie, it took a couple of days of oil, running iddle, adjusting the low and high needles.
As for the batteries I tossed them both and bought new ones.
The receivers were old 72Mhz so I bought JRs for my Dx6i.
Welcome back to the addiction

Thanks for the information and encouragement. I figured the engines would still be OK after plenty of TLC to get them running. I also have the OS 46 and a Super Tigre. Looks like I'll replace batteries and receivers to go with a new DX8.

Jim<br type="_moz" />

I have the ME-109 and the T28 Trojan. I highly recomend the Trojan this plane is a blast to fly and I would say its as easy or easier than a trainer to fly. I wouldn't recomend the 109 as it was very twisty and sucked when flown less than full power. Friend of mine has the coursair and I would say that is as good as the Trojan low inverted passes at slow speed is possible with both of these only need a little practice. I would recomend the Navy version because the Air Force grey can be hard to see at times. Great setup for starting/getting back in, battery charger and completely assembled.. Like I said if you go with the PZ just get the 6 channel or more model that stores different models.

I don't just spout off to amuse.

I worked for Cingular, then AT&T as a Sales Rep/ Team Lead for 8 years in Syracuse, NY including during the time when the first IPhones were being released. I saw the phones transition to TDMA devices to 3G. I know a little something about the underhand dealings with the FCC. Expanding the airwaves, expand the development of new products that might need other or more bandwaves.

Not conspiracy but common sense. More bandwave access + new tech development= more money.

If 2.4 is so dependable, explain to me why hundreds have had problems with them and some haven't? They have had issues where as the "Binding" would decide to fail during flight. How about all those recalls from Spectrum?

Again it's common sense. There is always a reason why things happen. 72mHz is tried and true where as the 2.4 still has not proven its self. I like many refuse to move out of something that works because a market or powers that be, tell me I have too.

I didn't say they're mobile device that uses the 72mHz, those are your words. I said that the mobile phone industry including my own asked for more room and the FCC worked hand-in-hand in the development of the 2.4 to grant that request. Because of guys like me, the AMA has protected my right to keep the 72mHz. It's the markets that are now trying to push the 2.4 down our throats because they can make more of them at a faster rate and it's cheaper to make and all the while- it pleases the FCC.

We are going off topic because of someone not liking my choice. There's always someone who want's to push a product, and there's always someone who doesn't like the product. People will decide on there own. Correct?

Chew on that for a while.


Pete

Thanks Merlin; I was looking at the T28, but I remember back when I was first trying this, everyone said the only good trainers were high wing. Looking at the information on the T28, it appears tha this is a pretty stable plane.

Jim

Oberst, if you didn't mean to say that the FCC was trying to give the phone companies the 72mhz band then I misunderstood you. I'm sure others did as well because that is exactly what it sounds like you were saying here:

The conversation was about 72mhz vs. 2.4ghz. Given that context, it is natural to take the above statement to mean that the phone companies want the 72mhz band. If that's not what you meant, I don't really understand why you posted anything.

I'll still contend that 2.4ghz was developed because modelers wanted it. I can support that assertion by simply pointing to the huge percentage of modelers who have switched over, even those who had adequate radios already. You bring up another excellent argument in favor of the market moving to 2.4, namely that the 2.4 equipment is cheaper to make. That's a good thing for all of us. Better profits early on for the manufacturers and cheaper products later for us. I don't see a problem here. As for glitches, some flyers had trouble with the first generation of equipment, either voltage related or heat. That will happen when the market is learning a new technology. But to use your logic, 72mhz is no good either because of the thousands of planes that have been shot down by other radios. Thousands more have been lost to faulty and damaged receivers too.

Fly what you want. But we can do without the accusations that the manufacturers are trying to put one over on us with the new technology.