Ok, I think I have been convinced not to go the cheap route. Based upon what I have read, I really can't go wrong with the Hobbico Superstar Select MKII.

What is the difference between the Superstar and the Avistar?

Mike

mlarson9024,
Take your time!! Go it slow and do it the right way out of the gate and it will pay dividends in overall enjoyment for both you and your son. Like I and a few others mentioned go to the field talk to people. The "Old-Timers" love helping new people to the hobby (I mean that is the most sincere way). Also like someone else mentioned, get some stick time on a club trainer. Get a feel for a plane. If you go with glow, sounds like you are leaning that way, look at getting an ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) for your first plane. I love my Hobbico Avistar. Easy to assemble AWESOME handling. Very predictable. I had mine together in a few nights. If you are a "newbie" I would not recommend trying to build a plane right out the gate (just my opinion though). ARF's are great if you are short on time and want to get in the air quicker. Take care and good luck.

Superstar has more dihedral in the wing making it more stable. I also believe the Superstar has a more flat wing shape making is more predicatable in the air. The Avistar has a semi-symetrical wing which allows more maneuverability. It has has less dihedral in the wing making it a bit quicker. The Avistar is categorized as a Advanced Trainer. Hopefully I explained it right if not someone please correct me.

That is a good choice. My only reservation is the engine, the 40LA isn't exactly a powerhouse. It will fly the trainer just fine, but you'll be looking for a better engine when you start to move up.

Take a look at this one:

http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=HAN2475

Same basic airplane, but it comes with a JR Radio (just a different brand, but as good as Futaba... sort of a Ford/Chevy thing) but the big difference is that the Alpha comes with a VERY good engine. (I just did a review on this engine which will be posted as soon as the new RCU site is on line) This engine will be able to power any 40 size plane you decide to move up to.

Thanks for the recommendation.

I think I saw this plane at a Hbbbytown USA. I don't recall what the price was. They did point me at a local club called Grassfield RC in Brooklyn Park.

As things progress, does one move engines from one plane to the next.

Most of the guys here are suggesting glo power. Some of them have no experance with electric . I have done both plus gliders and MUCH prefer electric. I used to work in a hobby shop and sold about 90% electric. My suggestion is first find an instructor (usually at a club) then buy whatever he recommends.( most likley it will be .40 sized glo) By the time you are ready for a second plane you will know enough about all of this to decide how to progress in this hobby.

yes most guys do move their engine up to the next plane unless they have a sponsor or really deep pockets!!! i move the engine radio and everything, except the fuel tank and the wheels!
just i am on a really tight budget so you know how that goes!


john

Another great Hobby Shop to check out is Hobby Warehouse (7120 Chicago Avenue - Minneapolis, MN _55423) They are not too far from the Mall of America. Great guys, and fabulous prices!

I don't go to the cities without stopping in (even if I don't need anything!)

Mike (Minnflyer) and many others have given good advice here. The one thing I would highly recommend is speaking with an instructor first.

For training purposes they will want to use a buddy box (connecting two transmitters (Tx) together via a cord), the Tx's have to be compatable in order to do this. So if you buy apackage with a JR radio system, and your instructor only has Futaba, it makes things difficult.

There are dozens of ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) trainers out there. An ARF allows you to get the plane, engine and radio equipment separately, but take a bit of assembly work. (Probably 30 to 40 hours with no experience).

There are also RTF's (Ready to Fly) trainers as in Minn's link. These come with plane virtually complete, with engine installed as well as radio equipment (installed). You should be flight ready (except for charging batteries) with 4 to 6 hours.

But again, try to match your future instructor's radio equipment.

By the way, welcome to RCU and the great world of RC flying. It's one of the best things you could do for and with your son. The vast majority of people in this hobby/sport are great!

Just my opinion,
Dennis-

one more thing! join the AMA, they do good things for r/c as a hobby and a sport and it gives you a nice insurance package too.
i also got my son a membership, it only costs a dollar for him and you should have seen his eyes light up when he got that card that said "lisence" on it! he is 12 btw but anyway we are both covered by insurance and we can fly at any club site around the country!

just an all around good idea in my opinion

john

Good point John,

Virtually every club in the country will require that you belong to the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics). They are the "Glue" that binds all of us modelers together. More importantly, they provide the insurance that a club will require.

You won't need it right away, but you'll have to join eventually. Dues are less than $60 / year, and that will include both of you.

I live in the NW suburbs of Mpls and belong to the Grassfield club you mentioned.. Come on up tonight, Tuesday's are beginners night and you'll probably see some 40-sized glow trainers in action. I'm hoping to be there with my Avistar (barring last minute honey-dos).

Personally, I loved my little Aerobird as a very fun way to start in this hobby (until I lost it in some early-morning fog and left it deep in the Wisconsin woods somewhere). About $170 complete, buy it right at Hobbytown on Brooklyn Blvd.. All electric, you can fly it at the soccer fields off Zane (north of 85th) and not worry about club dues, etc. Great way to start. If you go that route I'd be willing to meet up at the park sometime to help you on your first flight.

-Greg

I think the best advice is the reverse of what you said in your first post.

Start RC for YOU and then bring in the 10 year old.

Your 10 year old may get bored after two sessions, then you have to explain to your wife why you bought all that junk. Of course, he might get hooked and probably will out fly you from the very beginning.

If you get started for YOU, then you don't have to worry about the possibilty of him getting bored.

The glow vs. electric debate won't end. However, this is a glow oriented site. If you want to hear the other side of the argument go to http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forum...p?s=&forumid=8

Thanks for the continued information and input. I will try to get up to Grassfields tonight (barring somethings unforeseen). What time do things kick-off?

As for my son's interest, I could be wrong, but he has talked about flying since he was 2 or 3. Ask him about college and the answer is the US AFA. I know how with some kids (even him on some topics) it is one thing today and another tomorrow. I think it would be a great hobby to do together.

Thanks Again for all the information.

The other thing is if u get in it before him u could buddy box with him that seems like it would be a great bonding moment lol plus when he crashes he probobly won't know how to fix it correctly or not have the patience for it. I wish i could have flown when i was his age. boy i'm getting jealous lol i had to mow lawns for my airplane.

Off topic- I flew my SSPRO2 in 40 mph winds today :-0

Likely to be people at the field starting at 6:00/6:30..

It's kind of slow these days (dang hot!, and people seem to fly more in may/june than in july/august) so it's hard to be sure how many will show. But worth a shot.

See ya there!
-Greg

Sounds like you're getting off on the right foot.

And I wasn't trying to discourage your supporting your son's interest, but making yourself the primary hobbyist, might have several advantages, primarily justifying spending all the money you're going to WANT to spend once you get going. :-)

Well for a "cheap" first plane would probably be a fighterbird or firebird xl. Both of them are $130 and under and a perfect first RTF park flyer. Their 2 channel (left/right, throttle makes you go up and down) so with out the elevator channel it teaches you to fly close so when you battery dies you wont land a mile away and will teach you how to set up your approach.

yeah but they suck in the wind!

john

Hi,
I strongly recomend the Hobbyzone Outlaw. Yes it is basic, durable and enexpensive. You should NOT spend a bunch of money on a nice trainer plane, unless you know how to fly and will be training him. Nothing will get you out of the sport quicker than spending $330 bucks for a 26 second flight! This happen to me years ago. I retired my RC plane interest for years because of it.
OK here are the facts.
The Outlaw plane comes complete with radio, batteries, charger, instructional V-CD, and is ready to fly as soon as you charge the battery. ONLY $40 bucks!!!! A great place to start! He will be able to fly this thing without any help! You just want to make sure you find a BIG open area on a NO wind day!

Check out my website, "RC plane crash club" for more info. We try all kinds of crazy modifactions. Also I have a free FMS flight sim link!

http://groups.msn.com/HobbyzoneRCPl...hClubunofficial

Procra...,
YOur link doesn't work.

this should work...I hope.
http://groups.msn.com/HobbyzoneRCPla...Clubunofficial

If you find both of you are very interested, as someone already suggested, go out and buy a nice kit and build it with your son to teach you and him the basics that will prove usefull later. I would suggest a glow engine plane from a .40 to a .80 maybe even a scale. You might not be ready to fly it for a number of months but you will have fun putting it together and it will make a nice show peice, i know i have made a number of scale planes that look awesome just sitting on the table. Scale WWII birds is my addiction. Nice kits range from about 150-300 for decent ones then of course an engine but you wont need that until you are ready to fly it. But once you are ready to take it out, it gives you a certain amount of pride to see something you built lift up off the ground and smoothly climb. Definetly more satisfaction than a pre-built model. Also, i know you want to go electric because of the price, but just as i write this, a couple of glow engine planes, a .25 texan full built with everything including a controller is going for $200-$300. So keep your options open.
I have seen other really nice ones go on ebay too for about 300 with everything. Thats how i personally started.