Hello All,

I am a pre-noob that has been thinking about getting into this hobby for about 30 years. Yeah, I know, that is a lot of thinking, but Iam career and family oriented, so really didn't have the time. Now that the family is grown and has kids of their own, I am getting serious on this.

The grandkids got me an Estes Viper for Christmas and I have really had a blast learning how to fly it and have now made an appointment with a loccal club to fly a "real" plane this weekend. Been reading in this and other forums about good trainer planes, and have asked at my local RC shop. And I will be discussing the first plane with the guy this weekend. Information overload!

The guy at the hobby shop recommended the RTFChamp. It is what he started with 6 months ago. It's inexpensive, $80,and pretty durable I guess. And it can be flown about anywhere there is more than closest size room. Question is, can it handle more than a light breeze. I know the Viper can't and the Champ doesn't have much more mass, 1.3 oz v 1 oz.

I'm thinking something like the Super Cub might be a better choice. It's still a trainer, but is much larger, and the RTF comes with the same Spektrum DX4 radio. Should be able to handle a bit more wind than the Champ. I also found a site with plans for adding ailerons, when the time comes, which will make it a 4 channel. Another thought I have is buying the DX5e and getting the BNF version of whatever plane I get.

Any thoughts on the larger trainer and going with an upgraded Tx?

A somewhat heavier airplane expands the weather conditions you can fly in. Those tiny ultra light things nees a pretty calm day.

Find a Hobby shop that has a simulator and test drive .  Its Free!

Didn't know that. I will have to check with the local shop and see if they have the sim. Thanks!

The Super Cub is a neat first airplane and definitely will expand the weather you can fly in over anything micro sized. But if you are planning to get into bigger planes, whether nitro or electric, and especially if you will be working with an instructor initially, I'd say skip the Super Cub and go straight to a sport plane like an Ugly Stick. You already have some basic orientation and control skills, so the only learning curve would be to handle the faster speed and response. If the plan is to stick with park flyers though, do go ahead and get something that's 4 channel. It will greatly expand on the maneuvers you can do and and the wind you can fly in. It also will keep you from having to relearn control once you move on to higher performing planes.

You need to give some thought to who you are going to listen to and that should be in every case the person who is to be your mentor/instructor. That is going to be the person who is most responsible for your succeess a realization of your dream.

To leave him out of this critical decision is the biggest mistake so many make.

John

Thanks for the advise. I will be flying buddy with a guy from the local club on Saturday, E-Flight Apprentice 15e, and will get his advise and council after he sees how well or poorly I can handle that plane.

Please post your comments after flying, as the Appremtice is what I have. My instructor though, is letting me use and train on the club plane. Hobbico Nexstar.

The Apprentice is a decent trainer, and big enough it can be flown in modest wind without much problem. Its still a light foamy and doesn't have a lot of penetration, so you don't want to get caught too far downwind on really breezy days.

Everything John said. Plus at this stage you have to decide what type of power source you would like. Today we have so many options to choose from. I have one friend that started out with glow power then moved up to gas. Today he has gone 100% Electric, even in his giant scale warbirds. I have two old students that started out with glow then to gas and now they too have some really nice small electrics. Like myself they enjoy all three power sources. It's a lot of long term thinking but it's something you can decide as your learning. I teach with a glow powered trainer using a four stroke engine. I stress to the student that the four stroke glow and gas engines are my favorite but it's still up to them what they end up with. Most end up with all three at some point and some stick with just one type. As long as the fun factor is there it's just a choice thing. Just something to start looking at when your at the field and start giving some thought to.

i am new

got a sim, then a parkzone cub then a t-28

i fly in parks

put together a glow 63 inch trainer....but am finding out the club scene is not for me

i got this far alone.....so going to the distance alone

<div style="text-align: left">Thanks for the input. I had a CL gas F4U a million years ago and remember the mess and the noise and the cut fingers and frustration getting the thing started, especially on cool days. Had a blast with it, but have pretty much settled on EP for me for now and the future.Spare and higher mAh rating batteries should give the flying time I am after for each session. EP will also let me fly at the local middle and high school fields, with the right size plane, without incurring the wrath of the locals because of the noise.</div>

I guess, after reading another post, I should let you know the kind of flying I am planning to do. Seems to be pretty important on the kind of first plane to get.

First of all, I want to learn how to fly, but I don't want to just go round-n-round. So after gaining a little competence at controlling takeoff, level flight and landing, I want to get into some mild aerobatics, loops, rolls, barrel rolls, chandelles, etc. Now from what i have read, and remember I have only flown control line and my little Viper (throttle and differential thrust) I think I should go with a four channel set up from the get go.

Does that make sense? Or am I missing something?

I started a few months ago with a Super Cub, and its a great first plane to have! I have flown it in winds of up to 15mph and it's coped well, and don't let anyone tell you it can't do aerobatics ;-) I've since gained a Wot4e and a T-28 too.......
With regards to simulators....the best experience is going into the great outdoors! I found there was such a difference between a sim and the 'real thing' that i am unsure as to whether it's an advantage or not?!?
Have fun and let us know how you get on!
Claire

Promoted to Noob Saturday.

Cap'n I am certian you will like the Apprentice! My instructor suggested either the Apprentice or the NextStar. In his opinion they are on par with each other.

My first attempt at flying, I really struggled with keeping control of the plane. Then another member came over to fly the plane and let me "feel" the control stick movements.After about 15 seconds with him controlling, he said it was no wonder I was having so much trouble, the trims where all wacko. He flew a couple of circuits and got the trims set and handed back a completely different plane. I had a sembalence of control! Well, at least I wasn't yawing and pitching all over the place. And it was fun!

A bit of advice for any other noob, fly your plane at something less that half throttle when your beginning. Half throttle on the Apprentice is about 20MPH and I was fly there and a bit more and frequently simply did not have time to process what was going on and what needed to be done. At a slowerr speed, I don't think the instructor would have had to taken over as often as he did. Put the ego aside, and learn how to move the sticks for different situations. I struggled with the turns, because I didn't input enough, then would over compensate trying to tighten the turn. Especially those coming toward me. But you know what?I didn't play lawn dart with the plane, and I am happy about that.

Now I have the fever for real and can't wait to get my plane, AMA membership and join the club and learn to fly.

I would definately recommend going 4 channel from the beginning. The Apprentice 15e is a good trainer for electric. Many of my students use them. They are good up to about 10 mph wind. Beyond that, students tend to stand down because its too much trouble concentrating on learning to fly. After you've soloed and are competent, the plane can handle up to 15mph winds. But its not much fun to fly in that kind of wind. My recommendations generally follow:
Electric - Alpha 450 and Apprentice 15e
Glow - Hobbistar 60 and Alpha 40

I try to keep them away from the Nexstar. The landing gear is not very durable. If you hit something, it rips out the mount and you're done for the day with repairs. This happens more than you might think. We also remove all that self help flying equipment. It just gets in the way and hinders your real learning.
The wire landing gear on most trainers is best because it just bends. You bend it back to shape and you're ready to go again.
Ewdin

Thanks Edwin. I have decided to go with the Apprentice, it was already on my list and is what the instructor recommended.

YEP this guy is going to invest some of his time for your learning, free. He will not be very happy to fight a teeny light plane in the wind. Generally a 40" to 70" wing span, high wing, trainer is acceptable...to me, but I am not your instructor so ASK
IF you would be learning indoors everything changes. The trainer plane then needs to fit the flying site. Again ASK
The guy(s) teaching you will appreciate this and take you much more seriously. It is unfortunate but there are people who use up these rare people's time and do not follow advice well. Most instructers have to choose who they can teach as their time is as limited as anyone elses.
Now go ask and get ready to have a LOT OF FUN![8D]

Late entry: Just saw that you went with the Apprentice. I have taught students on them and they were very good trainers IMHO.

Remember that you MUST check local park regulations about flying planes there.

Most city public parks DO NOT permit this activity, or regulate it greatly.

Whenever you fly in a big city park, you draw attention and children. If you ever hit anyone or come close to doing so, you may find yourself the target of a nice heafty lawsuit especially if the park prohibits flying rc planes there, no matter the size of the plane... ( yes even those toy Airhogs... ).


If you are going it alone it is best to do so on private lands, or larger non-city parks that have enough space to permit the activity.

Note however that in our area such parks usually have ties to clubs, and you are required to be a club member before flying there if only for insurance and safety purposes.

Play it safe and check things out first.

I knew a guy who also said the club seen was not for him. Was not a good pilot and wound up putting a hole in a school roof. Well $1000 later he quit the hobby. Had he been with a club, this would not have happened. I understand clubs are not for everyone, but most of the time it is the better bet to establish good flying skills and habbits. Being around others with varying skill levels shows you how much you have learned and how much you have yet to learn.

Also if you are not in a club and an AMA member, flying on public property such as parks and such, make sure your home owners insurance covers you or you could be in a bad way if you do hit someone.