Hi all,
My first post here! i'm visiting detroit, went to Larry's and prop shops but couldn't find the trainers some of you have recommended here, such as Kadet LT40 or the Tiger 60 but i found this one:
super frontier senior 46
Do you guys recommend that i buy it?
I'm going to join a club and go through training with instructor, would i be wasting money by buying a trainer? or should i just buy a regular one since i'm going to be with a trainer?

Thanks,<br type="_moz" />

The LT 40 is a fine airplane to learn on. Stick with trainer planes and an instructor, then move on to more difficult planes. You will save a lot of money if you have an instructor with you.
The Super Frontier Senior is a large plane, easy to see and control. It looks like the Sig Senior Kadet, which is the best trainer, but they don't have them in stock anymore. The larger the wingspan on a trainer, the easier it is to see and fly.I am not familiar with the SuperFrontier, but it looks fine for a trainer.

Get back to that hobby shop right now and buy it right now before its gone.

The original Sig Kadet Senior arf and the Nitro Planes Super Senior are the same airplanes. Its likely the Nitro Planes version has a hardware package of reduced quality. The World Models Super Frontier is a clone and possibly produced in the same factory as the other two. Its chief difference is a different color scheme and markings, agine the hardware package may vary.

The Kaydets were designed by the late great hall of fame'er Claude McCullough. That entire series including the Lt-40 (that one was designed by Mike Gretz) were superb trainers with the Kaydet Senior arguably the most successful trainer in the history of RC aircraft.

Here is one of my two Super Seniors that I use for training primary students and training instructors. These days I prefer using my own equipment for this including the radios. The other is being readied for some cross country work this spring. This one is powered beautifully for this mission with an OS .35AX.

I also have a original kit version of the Senior Kaydet built up as a four engine airplane that has been flying for close to ten years now I think.

John

Another very good Hobby Shop is Flightline Hobbies in Lake Orion. About a 45 min drive from Larrys. Larrys specializes in cars and is limited on planes. Flightline specilizes in planes. Good people. Here is there web site.

http://www.flightlinehobby.us/

Tom

Thank you all very much,

tacx, i'm going to check this store tomorrow.

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 11px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; ">FLAPHappy, what i liked about thefrontier from what i have been gathering online is not having the rubber bands to hold the wings but bolts and it's made from plywood.

John, I will check the other store tomorrow then will go buy it after if the other store doesn't have good trainers.

what would normaly get damaged? i would like to buy some parts to take with me to Canada? anything else i should be buying?

This is the website for the airplane.
http://www.theworldmodels.com/para/p...?airplaneid=49<br type="_moz" /></span>

Yes that is the same airframe as the Sig Kaydet Senior arf and the Nitro Planes Super Senior with different covering and likey differances in the hardware package.

As far as the best trainer the point is there are none better than either of the three. By the way all three have bolted wings. Only the Sig kit built version has the rubber banded wing.

John

Rubber bands are to let the wing come off when you hit the ground. Tears up less of the plane in a bad landing. That and less cost of building are why the trainers have them.

As far as extra parts. I would get at least one extra prop. Nothing worse than getting to the field, and on the first flight, you break a prop with a bad landing. Then you have to sit a watch everyone else fly for the rest of the day. Maybe a spare cowl. They usually are pretty easy to break. But, even if you have to order one it won't stop you from flying.

I'd get spare props and glow plugs, and maybe a few spare screws and misc hardware, but not airframe parts. The World Models ARFs, and most others, are made mostly from very thin lite plywood. It makes a strong light airframe, but it is not durable if you crash. Since you'll have an instructor that should not happen but you never know.

Many planes meet their demise soon after the student solos and is testing new things and stretching his limits.

After you've learned to fly, if the plane is a little banged up, you might think about a few parts to pretty it up.

<font size="2">will do thanks guys.</font><div><font size="2">
</font><div><font size="2">Those parts are not model specific, correct?</font></div><div><font size="2">
</font></div><div><font size="2">As far as engine and radio control what should i buy?</font></div><div><font size="2">The recommended engine is 2 stroke 0.46 and <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">4-channel radio w/ 5 standard servos (Optional aileron control), i'm thinking to go with 4-channel or what would you guys recommend for beginner, i guess in the long run 5 channels is better!</span></font></div></div><div><font size="2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">
</span></font></div><div><font size="2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">should i go with OS or evolution engine or anything else you guys recommend?</span></font></div>

</span>
good point, never thought of it.

I'd get the OS 46AX http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=OSMG0547&P=0
or Thunder Tiger 46 Pro http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=TTRG1146&P=0

For a trainer plane I'd probably get two or three each of the following prop sizes
11x5 http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=MASQ1336&P=0
11x6 http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=MASQ1337&P=0
12x4 http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=MASQ1359&P=7

You may need a prop reamer. Fox http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=FOXQ1500&P=1 makes a good one

I'd probably buy this radio http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=HRCJ6200&P=0 which comes with two receivers (for plane number 2) and 5 of these servos http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=HRCM3326&P=0

edit
The stuff I listed is not the most, or least, expensive. It may or may not be 'the best' since that is a subjective opinion.

I'm sure you will get plenty of opinions.

Thankscarrellh,

the engine and RC are very expensive, remember i'm a bigenner, i really like to get what you recommended but i would rather buy them for my second model as i'm just learning about this hobby.
Do i have a cheaper option for engine while not sacrificing quality/performance? any good RC less expensive than the one you listed?
<br type="_moz" />

If you want a less expensive engine, you might want to try Supertigre engines. [link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFV72&P=SM[/link] or even less expensive, [link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFV71&P=SM[/link] . Either of these will work. They don't have quite as much power as some of the other engines, but the price is good and they do produce enough for your application. You aren't likely to find anything less expensive unless you buy secondhand, which is usually a viable alternative.

thanks dredhea,
The first one is .51 would it fit on thishttp://www.theworldmodels.com/para/p...?airplaneid=49?

The RC hobby is definitely not cheap. Getting started is a big invextmnent because you haven't yet built up a supply of 'stuff' that applies to all models.

The Super Tigre 40, 45, and 51 are all less expensive than the OS-AX or TT-Pro options. I do not know anyone who uses them, but that does not mean they are not good. Our club is small and OS is the most popular two stroke there.

The Thunder Tiger GP42 and OS46LA are less expensive than the Pro or AX, and are good reliable trainer engines.

A perfectly good starter radio system would be http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=HRCJ34**&P=0
It is the Hitec Laser 4 system on 72 mhz. It is a complete system with 4 servos, nicad batteries, charger, etc for $114
A fifth servo, if you choose to use it (not required on the super frontier), is as little as $8 http://www3.omnimodels.com/cgi-bin/w...I=HRCM1312&P=0
After you're soloed, keep it in the trainer and buy a system with multiple model memory and other functions when it is time to expand your fleet.

The .51 fits the same mount as a 40 or 46. Even the OS-55AX will fit but is is expensive and much more power than a trainer needs. The .40 to .55 are all considered to be in the '40 size' group.

guys, i can't thank you enough for all the info provided here, your time and help is greatly appreciated.

I will have to digest all the info provided here then do more research before i make my final purchase. I'm so gald that i found such a great community.
Thanks again.
<br type="_moz" />

I recently purchased the Frontier Senior, and found that the airframe is very nicely constructed. Has anyone ever converted one to a conventional gear configuration?

John: I noted in your post (Post #3) that you are preparing a plane for cross country? Sounds interesting. I don't want to hijack this thread, so could you explain in a separate thread?

Thanks.

CGr.

Thanks CG yes I will start a thread when I have something far enough along to photograph. The airplane will be a Nitro Planes Super Senior arf with extended wings and on floats. Power will be a ninety fourstroke and it is planned to carry one gallon of fuel.

The planned attempt is sixty two miles as the river flows on the Colorado river from Laughlin Nev. to the London Bridge Lake Havasu Az.

Here is one of my older wheeled XC airplanes:

Jeez... ok.. great stuff there, John. A gallon of fuel.. of course. Not mocking you, just had to think of that a moment and realized that 12 ounces just won't cut it. A lot of planning goes into this.

I was amazed by the one that did the transatlantic thing a couple years ago. Now that must have been some setup.

CGr.

Got it done, looks nice.

hi all,<div>it looks like my only two options now are nexstart select 46 and the hangger 9 alpha 40. Searching the web the alpha 40 is winning, your thoughts?</div><div>The club that i'm planning to join recommended RTF.</div>

Congratulations and will be looking forward to your successful maiden.

bapTize, the Alpha 40 is a fine trainer and I would reccoment it over the Nexstar any day of the week. Only just my opinion.

John