I read the trainer airplane kits and I decided that i want to use this one :http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...LXJ555&P=7for my first ever build.


What tools/parts do I need to buy to build theairplane? I have already chosen this: transmitter with 4 servos, but feel free to recommend something else.<a href="http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&amp;I=LXEFJ459&amp;P=8">http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&amp;I=LXEFJ459&amp;P=8<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">

</span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Thanks alot </span></u><br type="_moz" /></a>

Alot of the time, kits like these have manuals you can flip through that list the basic tools you will need to build this particular kit. Looking at the manual for this kit says you will need these things:

Thin and Medium CA
30 Minute epoxy
xacto knife with a pack of #11 blades
a zona saw with a good blade on it
T-pins
wax paper
masking tape

some kind of drill for drilling holes: You will also need these sizes in drill bits: 1/16", 5/64" (or #47), 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", #10 (or 13/64"), 15/64" (or 7/32"),1/4", 17/64"

Pliers
Scissors
Straightedge
String
Masking tape
Screwdrivers (Phillips and Flat Blade)
And a Bar sander


The manual I am getting this information from is located here (on page 5):
http://manuals.hobbico.com/gpm/gpma0...anual-v1_2.pdf

These are just a lot of the basic things youll need to complete a kit like this. If you decide to build more kits, you will be for the most part set to go because these tools are things that you can use for almost any build.

I'd definitely recommend another radio. A 2.4 Ghz computer radio won't cost much more, but it will make fine tuning your airplanes a lot easier and allow you to use the same transmitter for multiple airplanes. With that basic transmitter, you'll be shopping for another one as soon as you're ready to own a second plane. I have the Airtronics RDS8000 and can vouch for its value. The Spectrum DX6i is another option at close to the same price.

As for tools, as a bare minimum, you'll need a flat building board (nearly flat isn't good enough. It has to be perfect), a few dozen push pins, various sanding blocks and sandpaper, a big and small square, assorted clamps, an Xacto knife and lots of blades, a razor saw, a drill (preferably drill press), assorted screwdrivers and allen wrenches, CA glue and 1 hr epoxy, and a covering iron and heat gun. Alternately, you could buy an ARF trainer for about the same money you'll spend building a kit and save the kit building experience for your second or third airplane after you really know what it takes to have a nice flying airplane.

+1. For anyone just starting out in modeling today I advise buying a 2.4 radio. It just makes sense to start out with the modern equipment. Most tools required to build that plane can be found in most homes. I used to raid my dads tool box and my moms sewing box for pins. There isn't a lot that requires buying right away. You can find a lot of stuff at the arts and crafts store like T-pins. I buy bunches of things at the dollar store and Harbor Freight but only as needed. Things like clamps and cheap tools.

Gene, your comment about Harbor Freight is great. I received a flier on Email a couple day back for some really neat 4" beam clamps reduced down to only $7.60 from $9 something. Neat little clamps that every one should have a bunch of. The problem with the add was that I bought a dozen of them from Harbor freight a few months back for $12. Not each but for the dozen.Watch the specials and you can get a lot of really serviceable build tools from them.

Don

If you can afford it, I would recommend building the PT-40 over the PT-20. Larger planes are easier to learn on because they are: 1. easier to see, and 2. less affected by wind. The same radio gear can be used for either, but you'll need a larger engine for the PT-40.
The PT series of planes have been around for a long time and they are very good trainers. The design is slightly dated, however. The wings were designed back before buddyboxes were common. Instructors and students had to pass the transmitter back and forth, so having a plane that would right itself to wings level flight was a good thing. Today, buddyboxes are the prefered method of teaching. This makes the need for that high dihedral wing obsolete. IMO even the lower dihedral option in that kit is too much. More dihedral makes the plane harder to taxi without tipping over, especially in a crosswind and , quite frankly, just doesn't look very good ( though looks are secondary to function in a trainer plane). I've suggested to new builders to use half the dihedral called for in the "sport" wing option. Joining the wing halves at a lower angle,however, requires the builder to make new wing joiner parts so your woodworking ability should be taken into account before following this suggested modification.
It should also be noted that this is just my opinion. I'm sure others will be telling you that you should follow the directions exactly and will have a multitude of valid reasons to build the high dihedral wing. That is why you should discuss it with the person or people that are going to be teaching you. Build the plane the way they suggest.

Don, Harbor Freight has a store over by Nice Twice so I often just stop by on my way to or from the hobby shop just to see what they have I can't live without. I have about 6 of those clamps. I removed the roll pin stop so they open a bunch more then when new. They have a lot of stuff I use. So does the Dollar Store. If you only paid 99 cents for a tool you don't mind it when someone borrows it at the field and forgets to return it. I even buy the three pack of CA there so I have some CA in my flight box.
Knight, what Dread said is true, the 40 is a much easier plane to see and fly plus it is better to remove a bit of that lift out of the wing. Because my eyes are getting a bit fuzzy the bigger planes are just easier to see. I like ailerons in a trainer and have been using the 60 size planes to teach with.

Ditto to what dredhea said

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXCAS1&P=ML This is the trainer I have been using that I got from my dad years ago. The plane fly's real easy however I did crash it due to loss of battery power. I had another one just like it still in the box. I put it together last night and it was pretty simple. Allen wrenches, screw drivers, razor blade, scissor, pencil, tape measure, 175 reading glasses, you'll need some kind of a small saw (a hack saw blade would work good), drill, & a few small bits. I have to get some glue and eproxy today.

I tend to disagree with this line of thought for one simple reason; IF YOU CRASH IT, YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO REPAIR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
While the ARC and ARF planes do get you into the air faster, learning to build a plane from the beginning will be a serious benefit later. If there is a local flying club, see if you can have someone WITH BUILDING EXPERIENCE help build the plane so you know it's done right. I, for one, don't trust the ARFs because I can't verify it was built straight and square until after it arrives and then it's too late since most places won't take back an openned box and you're stuck with it

im not sure of you thought of this or not but you need
(off the top of my head)
monokote or some form of covering film (2 rolls)
a heat gun AND a covering iron.....trust me its worth it to have both makes covering so much easier
a fuel tank (4 oz)
wheels (3 of them)
Wheel collars, these hold the wheels in place (unless you know how to solder...just solder a nut on the landing gear)
fuel tubeing
glow plugs (i would buy 2 more)
props i think a 9x4 is a good 25 prop?? not sure on that one (Master Air Screw props are great for beginners, they are hard to break)
super glue or wood glue....i recommend super glue to start with (medium ca) and wood glue later (cause its cheaper)
t pins
excto knife and 100 blades (you will prob use about 10 for each plane you build)
rubber bands
those are the parts you need to build the plane


to fly it you need a
glow ignitor
starter
fuel pump
and of course fuel
and i recommend getting help....makes it much easier and less expensive...tuneing the engines is hard when you have never used one but easy once you get the hang of it

I agree 100%, but if he crashes he has a KIT[:@][>:] Really kits are SUPER learning tools. But it can be your second or third plane if $ is no problem. If $ is a problem kits are cheaper AND gives you the ability to customize.

Trash bag inside the tail of the plane.

SO what did you go with?

       "GOLF"