which one would be better for a beginner. I have read that the aircore can be heavy and sometimes flys well not so well, but is this due to human error building or what? I want a good plane to train on and yet not have to pack it away when I can solo.

all help is greatly appreciated,
Dave D.

The Alpha is a very good airplane. Many guys have used them at our club, and love them. This would be my choice.

Just because you can and do solo, does not mean you have to give up your trainer. The Alpha will do about anything you want it to do. Many of the older guys who have been flying for years on end, still dig out a trainer and continue to amaze me.

Too many pilots think as soon as they solo they need a sport plane to move on. Not the case. I am just about to take an advanced pilots test in with our club using my LT 40. It will perform all of the manuvers and more just fine. Fact is, you will end up a better pilot by flying your trainer longer. You will also end up with many less broken planes in your hanger.

Hope this helps...

Ditto on the Alpha. The Coroplast planes are more durable, but you'll like flying the Alpha better.

Alpha.

Should I get the RTF or the ARF, I like the idea of buying a better controler than the one that comes with it. And what would be a good engine for the alpha?

Thanks for the help,
dave

Given a choice, I'd suggest the Alpha, at $280.00. No real decision here.

But, there are several others to consider. The Hangar 9 Xtra Easy II has a larger wing (the better to see you with) and a real JR 5 channel radio, It's $380.00.

Also, they have the Arrow, basically an Alpha with a semi-symmetrical wing, for a little sportier aerobatics. Also about $280.00

All 3 Hangar 9 planes are very complete and can actually be used as "trainers". They all have the correct flying abilities that a good trainer should have.

I concur, the Alpha. The aircore aircraft I have seen were unimpressive.

Mr Pettit gives good thoughts for you to consider.

Personally, I love the Aircore trainer. I started with a balsa trainer, but switched to the Aircore after a couple of minor crashes which each took me hours to repair. It just didn't seem the punishment fit the crime. After switching, I loved every minute of training, and was sorry to give the plane up when I outgrew it. I believe the Aircore is the most crash resistant plane you can buy. You can build a Spad that is equally crash resistant but it takes some work and deviation from the standard designs.

The high point of my Aircore days was when I got shot down at a training session, and the perp came over reaching for his wallet, and I was so glad to be able to say, "No problem, it will fly again in 10 minutes."

That's the plus side. On the downside:
1. The Aircore is a KIT, not an ARF. While nowhere near as hard to build as a balsa kit, it's still a kit, and as such you can't compare it with the Alpha, which I believe is practically flyable out of the box. In particular, building an Aircore wing takes some building skills.

2. An Aircore is relatively heavy. With a ball-bearing .46 (recommended) you're looking at 6.5 pounds. Some folks will argue that the extra pound or so it has over a balsa trainer makes it less sky-worthy. I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference. To me, as a beginner it seemed to fly just like my balsa trainer.

3. There's still some residual coro-hostility out there. If your instructor doesn't like the Aircore, you may get off on the wrong foot. If you have really thin skin, at some fields you'll feel more comfortable with the Alpha (until you crash).

As far as the issue of keeping the trainer after you solo, the others might be right that the Alpha may fit better (if it still exists at the time you solo). With the Aircore, not long after you solo, the Aircore will start to feel sluggish and lumbering and you'll want a more agile plane. But with the Aircore, you'll be comfortable building with coro, and you can build a Spad DPS for about $20 in materials which will easily take you to the next level of flying skills.

Good luck. PM me if you have any specific questions.

I myself went for the H9 Extra Easy II. It had everything but the flight box and fuel (which I already had). The bonus was that I could use this 5 channel controller for two different models (2 model memory). I really can't see myself getting more than two models starting out. Sure when I really get into it and have 5 planes then I will upgrade. But for now I can fly the Xtra Eazy 2 while I build my second plane (a Spad).

I have the Hangar 9 Easy 2 VRTF (not the same as the Xtra Easy 2--no radio gear or motor. I use a Futaba 6X).

Hangar 9 just came out with a new trainer, the Arrow, that has a semi-symettrical wing. You may wish to consider this.

www.horizonhobby.com

To tell the truth, I am new, but have done some research. I do not have a plane, but if you are also starting out, according to what some experienced people say, the Goldberg Eagle 2 Arf and the Midwest aerobat are also good.

I don't like the Xtra Easy because of the radio. The Xtra Easy is basically the Alpha with a bigger wingspan and a 5-ch radio. Why no go 6ch instead? It saves u $$ in the long run, and also has more model memory.

I am one of those people who have an aversion towards coroplast, in a kit. Basically, the Aircore is a spad.

My vote is just that! I learnd on the alpha and my two instructors both said that it was a great plane..the radio thing: yes its only a 4ch but most planes only use 4ch's...I'''''''''ve been flying mine for 8 months, along with my other planes..I'm still learning so i love to fly it...well I learnd that being 1" lower than runway is no way to treat the mains...now fixing my mistake....for the price you really can't go wrong..spooner

Okay, I know that i am gonna take a ribbing from a lot of people about this, but I must say that either one will do for a trainer!! The Alpha, will give you some better performance due to its lighter weight, and with a good instructor you should never have to worry about crashing it.

That being said!!! I must admit that the airplane that I train more people on than anything else is SPAD!!! Simple Plastic Airplane Design!!! I have a high wing airplane design that I have made, and most people will have an easier time learning the basics on it than anything else! The reasoning behind it, is that once they realize that the airplane can withstand just about anything, their learning curve comes much faster.

You see, most first time pilot have a GREAT fear of CRASHING!!! Good instructors help make that fear less obstructive, but it is still there. I train most of my students on my SPAD until they area ready for solo. I will then generally let them solo and make a few post solo flights with it until they feel comfortable. I then give them a flight or 2 on the buddy cord with their airplane to get them acclimated to the performance of it. Most of the time, if a former student or club member wants to fly the bird, I had them the transmitter and wish them fun!

All I generally ask of my students, or club members, is that the put gas back in it. If during a crash, I generally only hold the responsible for replacement of the servos, and things of that nature. If they rash it hard enough to break the PVC or Corroplast, I generally have so much fun ribbing them on it that it is worth the $10 for me to fix!!!

I have had my SPAD for to many students to count, and through MANY crashes! The absolute worse one was a crash the ... BLEW UP 4 SERVOS and "REKITTED" and OLD K&B.40. Total cost of replacement was $80. The person responsible was yours truly! Trying to do inverted limbo over a paved runway can be detrimental to your aircrafts life span!!!!

Anyway, whichever trainer you decide on, find a good club and GOOD instructor!! You will be amazed how much easier and enjoyable your flights are!!

Thanks,

Reg

Oh no, we have another SPAD (Stupid Plastic Aeronautical Disaster) guy!

Just kidding. Spads are definately an option. They are fun and cheap, like so many of the women I used to date. They also have a limited appeal. Check them out, you may like them.

Of course, you may like women with no substance too.

That's one of the best ones I've heard yet! One of these days we need to hold a Spad acronym contest

BTW, since it was brought up... more info on Spads is here http://www.spadtothebone.com

Also, Here is my opinion on starting out as a newbie with a Spad
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_91.../tm.htm#911058

Hey! And let's hear it for fun inexpensive women! MinnFlyer, you can have the high maintenance expensive ones. Like Spads, I've found simple, low maintenance, direct, what-you-see-is-what you get women to be the best. Like Spads, they are reliable, get the job done, and on the infrequent times they crash, they are easily repaired.

The balsa kits are easier to fly. But I am like a few of the other guys, after messing up a few I went to the spads and also some of the foam combat planes just for durability. Don't worry about parking a trainer, you will need more than one! Even if you defy the odds, and learn how to fly with only one a properly flying trainer is always a joy to fly.[sm=pirate.gif]

I started the journey with an Aircore (not the trainer... the Colt) and I did build it unsupervised so one day I just arrived at the field with my coroplast "monster".. after all the members cried "NAY.. that abbomination would never compete wit our beautiful balsa/ply fliers..." One of them was brave enough to look thing over and take her to the skies..."it does fly decent" HE said and then put it through its paces..
I started to learn then (no buddy box) and then is where things started to change...for the Colt; one day I was way too far away, got confused and planted it full bore on a palm tree.. went to retrieve it looking for the worst....; but the worst was a loose clevis and a crumple on the wing.
After several cartwheels, fake take-offs crash landings and such, one day we had three accidents on tha same day... a member who seldom came lost control of his cessna.. tore teh empennage out and some ribs in the wing... an extra lost a wheel and careened to a stop (asphalt runway) amidst flyng debri.. and i got bittten by a tree that jumped in front and grabbed my plane... sure enoguh i went down picked up the plane cleaned the dust, refueled and took off while the other two were packing out.....
That Colt properly balanced flew very wwell at one point my instructor trimmed and set the transmitter on the floor for about wo minutes while the Colt did lazy circles above... UNfortunately I lost it.. dumbthumbed it inot the swamp to the north of the field and to this day has not been found RIP
Since then I have crossed over to the balsa-plywood world, but now that my sons (12 and 11) are ready to solo on their eagle II, we are looking into a colt type plane for a 2nd plane (SPAD or Aircore) so don't be afraid of them coroplast ones they are different but are resistant which is a BIG plus for newbies