I've using a trainer for a while now, clearview RC sim. I found this beginner plane (interestingly both in real life and on the sim) Iwas thinking of getting and have two questions about it.

Here it is:
http://www.nitroplanes.com/60a-dy892...y-rtf-24g.html

I like the looks of it, it flies well on clearview and according to the stats it uses a 3s20c 1800mAh battery.

Does anyone have this plane? If so would a 2200mAh battery work in it without completly throwing everything off balance? Interestingly Ihave some 1300mAh 30C batteries that can output the same Amps as the recommended battery so I could use them if I can't use a 2200mAh. I eventually want to get an A-10 airhog whichuses 2200mAh batteries, this way Idon't have to buy a bunch of different capacity batteries.

Input?</p>

If you can fly that on the sim.. that would be a nice trainer plane.  As far as the battery throwing off the CG or center of gravity, it depends where the battery is located.  I'm assuming in this model it could be  or just front of the CG based on the motor location.  Going from 1800 to 2200 will make a bit of difference but more likely in the compartment area. A 2200 just may not fit.

Just read the comments, Nick on Sept 6 says he's flying 2200 mah and getting 40 mins on 1/4 to 1/2 throtte so you should be good. Doesn;'t say if he had to modify the battery compartment or not.   He says there's 30g of weight in the nose (roughly 1 oucne). so you could remove some that (if you can get to it) when you put the larger battery in.

Everyone rates it highly... i say go for it.

Powered gliders are usually good trainers. This one has a rating of skill level"Competent" (two up from Novice) so I am guessing it has a relativelyhot landing speed. It is also not going to self-correct if you let go of the sticks at enough altitude.

Take it slow and, if possible, have a proficient pilot trim it out for you.

It really should be listed "for the utter novice" not "competent".

Usually they get this backward and rate advanced planes as beginner craft.... not so this time.

They got it wrong AGAIN, but this time in the wrong direction.


It actually does self correct as in flight the wings have a bit of dihedral and the presence of upswept tips.

As a trainer it's a pretty good intro, and the price is right.

As noted it can use standard packs producing long flight times.

I learned to fly on the Hawk Sky and it's a terrific trainer. The plane will recover on its own, just center the right stick and power down. You do need a little altitude. In the summer, you can slowly circle around and when you find a thermal, center the right stick, cut power and you have a great sailplane. I also have the Hawk Sky it on my Clearview sim. I currently fly it with a 2200 mAh Blue Lipo battery. It fits fine and does not alter the C.G.

Thanks you all for the replies, I would have replied sooner but my email was putting the subscription notifications into my spam folder, yikes!

I'm glad to hear the consensus is that it's a good plane, I thought it looked good myself. Eventually, I would love to get into flying an A-10 Warthog like the one from nitro planes for $119. That also, I have been good at flying on the sim but I will definetly wait for a while until I get the Hawk sky down solid.

Any input on the quality of the radio? It says it's a 2.4Ghz and looks decent at least, I have a spectrum from my Blade SR heli that I could use since I have an extra receiver but I have to pair it to one receiver at a time. Eventually, I'll get a more universal radio.

Just do a couple of range checks with the provided radio before you fly.

You should be fine with that.

Later, if you decide to stay in the hobby, get the best possible radio you can afford, even if it means that you'll have to save up for it.

One good radio can see you through dozens of planes.

Novices tend to skimp on the radio, which is a big mistake.

Don't think, "I'll never need so many channels" ( you WILL! And having them will save you money!), "I'll never use those fancy features" (YOU WILL!!!) and "it's too much to pay $400.00 for a TX... ( no not when you consider that a good TX may serve you for well over a DECADE and you'll not be tempted to buy another! ).

I made the mistake of starting out with the cheap TX's and I still regret it. Over the years I've progressively upgraded the radio.
Had I taken the money I spent on the endless line up upgrades and put it into ONE radio, I would have a $1500.00 top of the line monster with money saved.

A good multichannel ( 8 or so ) computer controlled radio with a lot of model memory slots will handle many planes. My current TX handles 50+, so it's become the only TX I now use... ( remember I still have my collection... )


Once you purchase a TX you are pretty much locked into that manufacturer as well... so the initial choice is very important.

Ok, I have another question:

Once, I have gotten completely used to flying with the above listed trainer I really want to get an A-10 warthog, so which of these is better?

http://www.bananahobby.com/1860.html

Also, what kind of transmitter does this one come with? And does it have rudders?


OR

This A-10
http://www.nitroplanes.com/60a-dy893...n-rtf-72m.html


Thanks for the help!

The BH one has retracts which is much "cooler" IMHO...

However I would caution you NOT to jump into that as your second plane.

You want an intermediate type plane before jumping into any form of EDF.

Your next plane should be a low wing trainer type plane, with aerobatic capabilities to keep your interest.


Also before you jump into EDF's you should ideally settle on your long term TX and invest in a good one.

Then stop picking up RTF planes with cheap TX's....

A good TX is not cheap, but it will handle multiple plane configurations and be capable of switching from one to another.
It will also last you a LONG time so the money you spend will be a good long term investment.

Oh, I know how important a Tx is. I have been running 50, 60, 70mph FE boats and it is good to have a good Tx. Once, I get the hang of things with the trainer and am sure I want to stick with this I will be looking into one for sure.

For some reason I just really like the look of the A-10s, that's why I've been planning ahead of time what I want.

Before you get an A-10 from banana hobby, check some of the other forums on their customer service.   Interesting and depressing reading.

Well, I can only guess that by your statement it probably is pretty bad. Personally, I like the features and looks of the BH one better but I imagine the customer service is better at nitroplanes. But just incase, Does anyone know of another place to get a good A-10 in a reasonable price range without a Tx/Rx preferably?


One a side note, I was looking at the A-10 from hobbyking originally which is the same price as the nitroplanes one but the nitroplanes one is better foam. As I'm sure you all know the Customer service from hobbyking leaves something to be desired so if I wasn't expecting any kind of realy support anyway am I missing much ordering from BH?

As with all Asian ARF's & RTF's... your first hard crash with the A-10 will be your last, due to lack of parts or their expense.

It's usually cheaper and more expendient to get a whole new airframe.

If you need customer service ( for anything other than shipment damage ) or parts, get a plane from another ( normally more expensive but more supportive ) vendor such as Tower or Horizon.

You are best off saving the inexpensive Asian ARF/RTF when you are the point that crashes are almost a thing of the past.... and you have established a good set of repair & fabrication skills...

Hint: It's much easier to make missing parts out of Balsa or Ply, than it is to fabricate a missing foam part.... and the former looks as good as new!

Hmmm, good advice opjose, I never considered making a part that way but I imagine it would work fine.
I just spent the last hour looking over the posts on BH and its bad enough I won't be ordering from them. But Maybe someone will still know of a decent A-10 I could get ahold of ARTR or not that's okay.

Actually my meaning was that Balsa planes are MUCH easier to repair than foam planes, contrary to what the vendors often espouse and newbies re-echo.