Ok gents. I am almost COMPLETELY new to the RC world. Basically i need an overview and assistance on all of my stuff. I'm kinda like that annoying kid that alwase wants to play.
So here it is. A couple years ago, i got a Corsair nitro (glow plug) RC plane at a raffle. It came with a 6DA Futaba FM transmitter, as well as (get ready for the list of your lives) a hitec RCD 3500 reciever 72 MHz dual conversion, two hitec hs-300 servos, an on/off switch with battery/charge/reciever cables,three battery packs, two for the reciever, and one for the plane, and a charger. a couple of weeks ago i got interested in it again, so i bought a super cub trainer. (electric motor). I had some fun with it , crashed it, replaced some parts, then destroyed it. in my defence it was a REALLY windy day. lessons learned and i canabalized it for all of the stuff out of it. Today I got curious and started looking at the corsair. I pulled the wing section off and to my surprise found a completely functional reciever system with three servos and another on/off switch. The setup is as follows: Futaba FP-R127DF and three Futaba S3004 servos. Now the plane itself isnt in working condition, whitch is good because i probably would've already murdered it, whitch would be bad because it is a REAL rc plane with a wooden internal structure.

My questions: Should i buy a new electronic setup?, where can i go to get this thing fxed, which reciever system should i use, how do i find out if there is a club nearby?

I would LOVE any, and i mean ANY guidance that you can offer. I am open to suggestions.

Thanks, John<br type="_moz" />

You have a lot of questions.....Take your Corsair to your local club and ask your questions there.....You can find local clubs by going to the AMA web site and do a club search (ama= Academy of Model Aeronautics)... Now be prepared to be told to put the Corsair away and fly it as a 3rd airplane. To get another high wing trainer, 4 channel. Learn on it with an Instructor and a buddy box.
The reason I am telling you to ask your questions at the local club is....it's difficult without seeing the Corsair to know for sure exactly what you have.....
Please don't try to fly alone again....especially with the Corsair
Good Luck and welcome to the addicition

My advice would be DON'T buy anything just yet. Start by going to the AMA website, click on "find a club", punch in your zip code, select distance away (10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles,etc), and a list of local clubs will appear. Visit thier websites and select several that look good to you. Contact and visit the clubs of your choice and talk to thier instructor. Get his input on what airplanes he would like to teach you on. Join AMA, join the local club, buy the recomended airplane, and listen to the instructor. This is the path to success! If your Corsair looks nice hang it up in your shop, room, garage or other spot that you can admire it untill your ready to fly it (at least 3 or 4 planes down the road). The servos, RX, and other parts could be "borrowed" to install in an ARF trainer if money dictates that route. Maybe the engine too. Take it with you for your instructor's opinion. All new equipment in the trainer would be nice but let your wallet be your guide. Read all the other threads in this beginers forum and learn from thier experiences, good and bad.

I found a club near my area. I sent the guy an email, and left my contact info. Money is not a large issue. I know that my gear is old as the earth itself. I need to know wht i need to get started. I fully intend on joining the club.

I noticed you never mentioned your motor.
I'd say your electronics are fine for starting out.
Get your self a nice trainer.
I suggest a kadet lt 40 but there are many others out there.
Yes join a club and fly

the motor on the corsair is a 40 or a 44 o.s. i believe. not sure though. I'm going to buy another super cub to start with. thanks for the advice. I may post pics if wanted.

Crazkilljoy, jetmech05 and I both gave you basically the same advice. Sounds like your going the follow it, good. Now to answer your "what am I going to need " question...... a good name brand high wing trainer in a 60 or 40 size (60" to 70" wing span powered by a .46 to .65 two stroke glow or .50 to .80 four stroke glow engine). If you are buying new equipment the radio system should be the newer 2.4 type not the older 72 mhz system. Used 72mhz is still servicable equipment if priced right. Airplanes such as a Sig LT-40, Tower Hobby 40 or 60 trainers, Hobbico Hobbystar 60, Horizon Hobby Alfa 40, any of the Sig Kaydets, Thunder tiger trainers, etc. are what's needed for success. Expect to spend $350-$500 depending on what your instructor and you select. You will also need a jug of fuel @$18-$22, a fuel pump to fuel the engine manual or electric @$10-$20, a glow ignitor for starting @$10-$20, and an assortment of small tools in some kind of tool box. A field box/caddy with an on board battery system (for electric starter) is nice but not manditory @ another $100-$150. $500-$650 total will get you going ,unless if you bargin shop. IMHO don't buy a "no name" internet low price airplane, stick with the better brand name stuff. Also IMHO don't get sucked in on one of those slick looking Progressive Trainer System P-51/f-22 planes. A real high wing conventional trainer is the smart buy. The previous general info on planes and equipment is my opinion, but I am not going to be your instructor so talk to the guy who is going to work with you before you buy.

thanks, guys. I will buy a HIGH wing trainer, though i think it'll be electric.

Electric is fine. I thought you were leaning toward glow because the Corsair is glow. Expect to pay about $100 more for a comparable electric powered trainer over a glow powered trainer. Example:Tower Hobby sells the Hobbico Nexstar electric RTF (68.5"wingspan) for $499.98 and the glow powered version RTF (68.75" wingspan) for $399.99. The extra battery needed for an electric (you will want at least two for back to back flights) is about a trade off in cost for no glow fuel or pump equipment, so just a little more going in for an electric plane. Your choice, good luck. BTY, the Nexstar, either one, is a good looking, big, easy to see in the air model. Some Nexstar packages come with a simulator for your PC too. Check them out.

I wouldn't suggest electric unless you really just want the convenience. If you do go electric, skip the Super Cub and get a .40 size trainer that's electric (will likely require a simple conversion) .I'll give a huge +1 to the advice to get with a club, but I'll also say that you shouldn't buy anything at all until you've met with an instructor and attended training at least once. Many club instructors have trainer planes they use for teaching, so you can get a feel for what one flies like before spending your money. I'll also suggest that you consider offering your Corsair up for trade. If you really like it then by all means go ahead and save it to fly later, but quite a few more advanced pilots would trade you a nice sport model or trainer for it. BTW, a sport model by definition has the forgiving nature of a trainer with better maneuverability and usually much better wind handling. It's the classic second plane, but if you come across an Ugly Stick or a 4 Star, I've seen a number of guys do just fine with them as a primary trainer working with an instructor.

http://www.hobbytown.com/Shop/-Super-Cub-DSM-RTF/<div>
</div><div>   I just figured that something like this would be easier to maintain and fly. This is the same as the one i wrecked.</div><div>the first time, i actually fixed it. The parts were CHEAP. The fuse was only 12.99. I will be getting a small nitro trainer though. </div><div>For the moment I'd just like to not have to spend the money on a starter, fuel, glow plug warmer, and all the other runnign expenses. </div><div>Once I know that I'm going to be into it for a while, I'll buy a mid-wing. I'd just rather that if i crash it, its gonna be cheap and easy to fix.</div><div>
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First you said "money is not a large issue" then you said "I'd just like to not have to spend the money on a starter, fuel, glow plug warmer, and all the other running expenses". Then you said "I will buy a high wing trainer, though I think it'll be electric." Followed by"I'll be getting a small nitro trainer" and "I'll buy a mid-wing" !!! Are you confused or is it me?? Last advice from me....slow down, think this out, don't go off half cocked in the wrong direction (or several directions at once), read again what I and several others experinced flyers have offered as advice. Jester s1 correctly stated that some club instructors have trainers they use for teaching. We have all said similer things in an attempt to help you avoid the pitfalls that a beginer can have. We can only advise and try to guide you, but at some point the old saying that "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" applys. Best of luck, flying can be fun, but not if you crash needlessly and waste a bunch of money.

Go to the begginers forum, the first or second thread in there is RCKen's complete guide to a begginer. It should be called Flying RC for dummies. You are going to learn a lot there BEFORE you go and meet your instructor.
As everybody else is advising if you keep trying alone you will get frustrated and quit

learn to fly the way you intend to fly.....

I would go electric simply because it is hassle free making it easy and quick to take out to a field and fly. Simplicity, ease of use, and stability is key imo for a trainer. Nothing nicer than an electric to meet those needs and later on with experience you can go to a nitro based plane and gain the knowledge/experience to tune/maintain a nitro motor.
With a trainer you need to learn to take off, track/align with designated runway, land, and be able to recover from any mistake/wind. Also should join a club and must fly with an instructor to save money and time.

I learned on a glider and I love gliders. IMO they are far easier to fly since they can slice through the wind and are very stable. But many gliders do not have landing gear (in the 1100-1600mm wingspan range) however you need to slow down as much as possible for a belly landing.

I just flew my first landing gear equipped plane this past weekend and found it to be rather easy. However because I have flown alone and learned alone I never learned tracking and sharing air space comfortably with other pilots. Saturday was my first attempt with lots of pilots present and I was too nervous. I was nervous about everyone around me and it really impacted my piloting skills to the point where I was jittery, and over correcting my plane, and luckily I had a forum member/club member present to advise me and i had a fairly smooth first landing in the grass since i couldnt track with runway that well... I came back to the field on sunday with no one around and was able to get an hours worth of take off, tracking, and landing back to bad (i think over 40 landings). I found my flight performance to be so controlled, relaxed, smooth, and landings to be far easier with no one else flying. For this reason I highly suggest you learn to fly at a club. It makes it a lot easier, right now i'm having some difficulty adjusting but I'm getting better.

If you want a glider then may I suggest (i know i've been recommending this a lot) the AXN Clouds Fly. Pretty cheap and with all the electronics you need it is under a 100 bucks. But it has no landing gear. It is stable for first time flier and a larger prop can provide some speed later on.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

put a 30amp esc in it and some servos and you are good to go!
It is extremely durable. I've crashed it numerous times and it still works and flies well. If you break a wing on this plane then a balsa plane would have been demolished.


But I am noticing almost all of the planes are sold out at hobbyking... I guess its the season/good weather.

As for a plane with landing gear this one is pretty nice too.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...er_Balsa_.html
I'm going to buy one when in stock to help a friend learn to fly.

this is just my opinion, there are many good type of trainers both based on airplane design and power system. My opinion is pretty much from what I experienced as a solo pilot in training.

Also a nexstar EP plane is nice too but a little pricier, they also have a nitro version too. And As other have stated if you go/join a club you may be able to score some deals from newer pilots that are looking to move up from a trainer. I suggest you look into that first before buying anything online.

IMHO, bad choice. Foam - breaks easily. 25 ozs - 5MPH wind max. No ailerons - speaks for itself.

BTW, a mid-wing usually does not have dihederal and you want dihedral in a firstlow-wing plane. The 4-star series or the Tiger II/60 are great second planes.

I'm going to clear up a common misconception here. Electric is not cheaper. It also doesn't require less knowledge. Given any airframe bigger than a .25 size, if you compare the cost of a motor, speed controller, 3 batteries (don't even consider buying fewer than that), a wattmeter (can make one for about $6 though) and an adequate charger and power supply you'll be invested significantly more than on an engine, fuel tank, starter and battery, glow driver, and a couple jugs of fuel. Not to mention that if you put the wrong prop on a glow engine it will lug and not pull the plane very well, whereas you put the wrong prop on an electric things overheat and go poof. Plenty of people go electric exclusively these days, so decide what your ultimate goal is and start with that kind of power system so you don't have to rebuy all of your support equipment.

Now comparing a .40 size glow powered trainer to the Hobby Zone Super Cub, sure the Super Cub is cheaper. It's a much smaller plane and far less capable. As you've seen already, it can't handle any significant wind and is not maneuverable enough to do much beyond fly in circles. So if you want to use the components from the Super Cub to outfit another one go ahead, but understand that you'll be very limited on the days you can safely fly.

And one last thing. Don't plan to crash. That's the number one mistake of beginners (for other posters, please note how that word is spelled). You crashed your Super Cub because you flew in wind that the plane couldn't handle and let an inexperienced pilot at the sticks. In short, you did the hobby the wrong way. But if you do the hobby the right way (appropriate plane in appropriate flying weather with a knowledgeable instructor) crashes are actually quite rare. And with balsa models total loss crashes are even rarer still. I had a bonehead moment two weeks ago and nipped a tree with my trainer (was getting ready to instruct and had a group of student watching- Doh!). It cost me about $1 to fix the broken nose in about 2 hours time. The planes that crash well generally don't fly well, so plan to fly and avail yourself of the proper instruction so as to avoid crashing.

First I'll say I'm not against joining a club however believe it or not you can teach yourself to fly. I taught myself how to fly both fixed and rotary wing models. You will however encounter two major obstacles which are a longer learning curve and increased cost.

If the intent is to learn to fly that glow powered Corsair then don,t try to side step the mentor/instructor equation and forget starting with electric. That will only increase the time and money expended as you climb that learning curve.

Always if you goal is glow powered equipment and later large gas then start with a glow powered trainer. I get so many who attemped with small electric and by themselves who failed when their goal was larger glow aircraft in the first place. Their needless expenditure of money at times shocking is and for no real gain.

To the original poster: Get help if that means joining the ama and a local club then do it. Use an appropriate trainer airplane and equipment, If you goal is that Corsair then start with a glow trainer.

Last but not least allow your mentor/instructor to help you with exactly what equipment is appropriate to use.

Do these things and you Will reach your goals/dreams with the least frustrations, certainly the least expenditure of money.

John

Iconcur. The knowledge is equivalent if not more involved (if you get into the nitty-gritty of circuit design). Certainly the investment is equivalent. Ifly gas and glow and haven't done much in electric flight as it is a doubling of expense (for the required chargers and peripherals: either six batteries or a 12V quick charger). The airframes are now equivelent in the balsa &amp;ply built sizes. It's just the little park flyer models that are cheaper.

I'm not sure what it takes to tune and maintain an electric motor, but some of the gas and glow techniques do require a set of knowledge. If you have a chainsaw, weedtrimmer or lawn tractorand can maintain it yourself you're ahead of the curve. It is no harder than programming an ESC Iimagine. Just different. Ienjoy playing with small engines and find that activity(and the sound of gasoline models) missing from electric. If you don't like thatcomponent thenIguess it loses some luster.

Iadmit Iprefer magneto ignition becausethere is less electrical froo-fraw to mess with. The fewer batteries Ihave to keep an eye on for charge the better. If you have a battery eliminator ESCIguess that's also a handy deal. One battery packper aircraft is complicated enough for me.

I'll be short and to the point. All three stiles ofpowered RC flying (gas,glow, electric) have similar butstill different safety concerns from each other. Before you decide on which turns you on more ,research the safety, and storageissues to start. A friend of mine (experienced flyer of ten years)wascharging up his lipo batteries, and walkedin the houseto get another cup of coffee. When he came back out ..... his garage was on fire. RC flying is a blast, your going to make a lot ofnew friends and want to spend all the time you can with them. But get in the habit of thinking "what if" , what if I do this, or what will happen if I do that. More people have been injuredinthis sport because they had a "brain fart", or decided thatthey'll never getdinged, or that safty just dosen't apply to them. Take a number andwait your turn on that one. In the mean time slow down, make asound decision on how youneed to proceed (get helpwith that) with your training, selection, maintenance, storage, and flying. You do the things, and follow the sound adviceyour peers here have beengiving you and you won't believe how much fun your going to have. Stay safe, and enjoy the flying. It's just going to get better.

Jim

I guess if you ask a question and dont get the answers you want you come back a year later hoping for different answers. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10..._1/key_/tm.htm

Ooppsss, busted[X(]

But I came back knowing that i needed to join a club and that i wasnt going to fly the corsair. new perspective. see?<div>
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FLIGHT SIMULATOR.... best money you can spend..

Oh and that is the same answer you would have got last year when you asked the same question.