I am planning on getting a simulator, but that will have to wait until I return to WV and can bring my Windows PC back with me. My Mac laptop just won't handle decent graphics (and if I'm going to use a simulator, I demand good graphics!).

I am also still pretty set on a glider, not just because its easy to fly but its gotta be less nerve wracking in general than a twitchier plane.

You got it! I actually live about 25 minutes east of Huntington in Culloden (when I'm not in MS, of course).
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The Multiplex clones like the Wild Hawk is a MUCH better choice than the Cub, particularly if you are not getting help from others.

They don't need modifications for aileron controls, are far more rugged, can't nose over and break a prop, and the lack of having to deal with landing gear is a big plus.

Later they make decent small camera platforms.

21 ounces and 54 inches.  Does the wind blow where you live?  Even 5 MPH?

NOTHING beats a good, 40 size balsa trainer.  You want air time, not sitting around for months waitng for a day with no wind.  Heck, I bought a 35 inch foam Yak 54 2 years ago and only lfow it a very few times because of the winds here in Connecticut.  And I've been flying for mearly 20 years.  Even my 43 inch balsa bi-plane was much easier to fly.

It seems to me like balsa would be a real pain to repair compared to styrofoam.

If you have proper training then a balsa plane is the way to go. If not then yes it is more prone to damage than a foamie.   I would say again ,to stick with the plan of getting a high engine pusher/glider. After you master that you can decide if you want to stay with electric or move over to glow power. Then you move into a larger wingspan plane (around 55-60 inches) and fly that. The  larger plane will allow you to fly in windy conditions, easier to see, and overall handles much better than these small planes. At that time you can make the choice to get a better transmitter as well if this is something you will stick with.

I total agree with the super cub route. It is a great beginner plane. If you are not going to learn at a club this plane is great. Order extra wing struts, cowl, props. Buy some CA glue and accelerator, you are going to need it. I have glued many of them back together for people. A hint for this plane is do not use full throttle on takeoff and use small inputs on the control sticks. Do not let it fly too far away from you and take it easy. Large control inputs will put it straight into the ground. Turn off the ACT. It should stand for Automatic Crash Technology. Stick with it and in a little while you will be having fun.

Park zone t-28

Despite what many may think, the PZT-28 Trojan is NOT a suitable plane for abeginner. It is, after all, a warbird and needs to be flown like one. If the newbie has access to a club and instructor, then I would say that it is possible to learn on a PZ Trojan. A great 4 channel trainer would be the 53" wingspan Hobbyzone Glasair Sportsman. I have seen a beginner fly one at our field and they are pretty nice. It does come with the "Virtual Instructor" (VI) technology but that can be switched off once the newbie gets comfortable with the plane. It also has the AS3X 3 axis stabalization built in. I'm stil on the fence about AS3X, but my experience with the HZ Firebird Stratos has convinced me that the VI does work.

Another good 4 channel plane would be the Ares Gamma 370 Pro bought with the non-aileron equipped wing from the original Gamma 370. The newbie can install the non-aileron wing on the Gamma 370 Pro and use it as a 3 channel until they get comfortable with the plane. The Pro version of the Gamma 370 comes with a brushless system installed. Once able to fly the 3 channel wing well, then the newbie can install the 4 channel aileron wing. You would be basically getting 2 planes in one for around $130.00. Less RX and TX of course.

Actually quite the opposite is true.

Styrofoam seems easy to repair because a bit of white glue bonds the pieces together.

The problem is that only "lucky" damage is repairable. All to often those foam beads go flying off into the wind leaving large gaps.

You quickly end up with a plane that looks like Frankenstein, and weights far more than the original.

With balsa you can fabricate your own replacement parts long after the manufacturers stop producing the plane and replacement parts.

Covering is easy to replace, and the end result is that there are 30 year old balsa planes flying today that look brand new!

With foamies, you'll get a few seasons at best.

primalmu

With the Wild Hawk or similiar plane you will NOT need any of this nonsense.

Chuck's suggestions are also good. I don't disagree with what he posted.


******** has some great videos of absolute novices flying ( and crashing ) the Multiplex clones for the first time.

The lack of gear, high prop, rugged nose, etc. results in a plane you can pick up and fly after a crash.

The replacement parts on the Supercub ( e.g. the wing ) are more expensive than a whole replacement ARF kit (fuselage and wing set plus everything else) for the Wild Hawk, etc.

The Multiplex clones fare well in winds and are adaptable as camera platforms.

Some guys have revamped the electronics and turned them into 100mph flyers, something that would disintegrate a Supercub.

I consider the Multiplex clones "THE" planes to get for those who must do it alone.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I'm definitely still pretty set on one of the gliders to start off with. Opjose, thanks for the info regarding the balsa planes. My initial concern with balsa is that if my first flight results in a catastrophic crash then I may very well trash a significant portion of the plane. However, if I learn to fly well I'll definitely look into a balsa plane in the future due to the ability to fabricate my own parts.

Remember that this is true no matter if the plane is made of foam OR balsa! That is something the marketing hype overlooks as do those who buy into it.


As someone once told me, learn to fix the pilot not the plane.

At least with the Multiplex clone ( glider ), the part that breaks off most often is the nose cone and it tends to do so in one piece that is easy to glue back in.

Unfortunately Tower discontinued their "indestructable" "foam flex" planes this year.

Let us know how it goes.