Hey all, I'm looking to pick up RC plane flying after deciding that helis aren't for me yet. I'm looking for some recommendations for beginner planes. Specifically, I'm looking for a glider-type since they seem to offer a good platform for learning the basics while giving good flight time. Right now I'm looking at the 4 channel Dynam Hawk Sky. However, I welcome any opinions on planes that might be better (though I'm pretty dead set on a glider).

The best trainer (IMHO) is the Butterfly - really a large glider with an engine on it...but it is a kit.

Those types are good for learning on as the engine/motor is up high so bad landings usually don't end up damaging it. I had one like this a long time ago(still have it!) and it took a good beating as a first plane. The one I had was only a 3 channel and I added ailerons later . For a plane like this , 3 channels is good for learning on as ailerons can be tricky to master early on.
Dynam makes decent planes BUT be careful where you buy them from. I would not recommend Nitroplanes as they are difficult to deal with after the sale.
Here is another choice from a reputable manufacturer and supplier. It's only a 3 channel but it's ready for ailerons after you get familar with flying it by adding the servos. It has a folding prop so it will glide better than a plane without a folding prop. The plane is made with Multiplex foam and Multiplex planes are really tough.
secure.hobbyzone.com/rcplanes/hrc13210.html

Try and find someone who flies planes to make sure you have it set-up correctly and to take it up for the first flight ,get it trimmed out and then help you learn to fly it. If there is a club nearby you can go there for help as well. The trick with these planes is the hand launch. It's a good idea to have someone with you to launch the plane for you until you advance a bit and then you can launch it yourself.
After you progress you can move on to a more conventional style plane but this one you will return to as it's a nice lazy-day plane once you have mastered it and moved up the ranks.
Good luck !

The SkyScout just mentioned is also sold as an Easy Star II. And it is a great plane to start out with.

Do already have a transmitter and receiver? If so what do you have?

Todd

That is a GREAT beginner's plane. It has a design similiar to the Multiplex offerings at a far lower price.

I've seen many pilots learn on that.

Remember that even though it is a good beginner's plane you DO need help from someone more experienced. Your plane does not arrive trimmed out and ready to fly ( no matter what advertizing says about ANY plane ).

Find a club, preferablly that offers training... attend a few meetings and see what they do for training... then take it from there.

I don't have a transmitter or receiver, so I'm looking at RTF packages. If I manage to learn to fly I'm sure I'll upgrade to nice equipment in the future, but for now whatever comes with a RTF plane will suffice.

If you have the money you may want to consider buying your transmitter separately from the plane. Reason?? Buddy box compatibility. Everybody on here can give you recommendations as to what the best radio setup would be, and I would be no different in that I would recommend what I use. But the best thing you can do is locate your local club and find out what the trainers there use. By doing this they are more than likely going to have a compatible buddy box setup that they can use to help get you trained. While it's possible to learn by "passing the transmitter" back and forth, I don' recommend it. If you can use a buddy box setup then that is the way to go. If you buy a RTF solution on a trainer there is a good possibility that you won't be able to buddy box at the local club. Doesn't mean you can't learn, but having the same radio brand as the local club will go a long way to getting you successfully in the air. Plus, you will have a ready made knowledge base to help you with your radio questions. While many people to prefer different brands of radios, I have noticed over the years that certain areas tend to have the same types of radios.

Hope this helps

Ken
<br type="_moz" />

RCKen beat me too it...

Yup, consider purchasing a RxR ( receiver ready ) plane instead.

Not only for the reasons he gave, but you'll end up with a better combination that you can use going forward with other planes.

Remember the TX you purchase now may serve you well for many years to come.

Better to spend ( unfortunately far... ) more than you expected and get something capable of handling multiple models, etc... than to kick yourself later for not having heeded this advice.

2.4gHz sets only "talk" to their own kind ( brand ) with the exception of Spektrum & JR, which do talk to each other.

There are no clubs near where I live. I go to Mississippi State University which is in the middle of nowhere. Good for flying, not so much for socialization. I'd have to drive several hours to find any clubs.

Eh, this is near by...

[link=http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubdetails.aspx?club=4784]Click me![/link]

Now it's your turn to beat me to getting the info out!!!!! : D


What he said!!!!!!


Seriously, I can't recommend enough getting help from a club or experienced flyer. There are those that can successfully teach themselves to fly, but those are usually 1 out of a 100 odds in being able to do it. Most times what happens when people try to learn on their own is they wind up with crash after crash and finailly give up out of frustration. By seeking out an experienced pilot to help teach you the odds of your succeeding go incredibly. You don't have to continue to fly with the club after you learn, but it would be well worth the travel time to go to the club as you learn to fly.

It's not that flying an RC plane is some secret magic or anything like that. It's a skill that's not all that difficult to master. The problem with learning on your own is that you usually only have one chance to make a mistake. And those mistakes usually cost you an airplane, or at least a damaged airplane. By seeking out an instructor you remove the mistakes from the equation and you can learn without a mistake costing your an airplane.

Hope this helps.

Ken<br type="_moz" />

Thanks for looking, but that club is way too far away (50 miles). I don't have the money to drive an hour each way often enough to learn, much less the time. I don't doubt that it would help, its just not feasible. I'll see if I can find someone nearer to me, but as far as finding a club unfortunately I'm not lucky enough to be close to one currently.

Edit: I'll be heading home to WV for a month over summer and there are 2 RC clubs within 5 miles of my home. I might be able to get at least a little instruction then, so I'll definitely be looking into that.<br type="_moz" />

If the club is too far for a normal drive, call them up and explain your distance problem.

Most clubs are quite welcoming. You may be able to get someone to meet you at the club for a FEW private sessions to get you going.

After you have the basics down you can try to fly on local private lands ( never on public lands or parks without checking restrictions and with the park maintainers first ).

While the drive may seem onerous, you'll realize after the second trip it is more than well worth it with what you pick up and learn that would have cost you $$$ otherwise.

The drive is MUCH cheaper than the crashed planes... you'll see.

Get this little falcon ARF from the link below. Get an inexpensive but reliable 6 channel tx. You can grow into it in three days. Get a simulator for your computer.<div></div><div><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; border-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium; ">http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&amp;I=LZ1147</span></div>

It's pretty hard to beat the hobbyzone Super Cub LP, flies like a glider when the motor isshut off.

I was actually looking at the Super Cub LP earlier. It looks like a nice plane and seems to fly well in the videos I've watched.

I agree with vinylcafe The supercub l.p. is a great first plane. Very forgivable and very repairable. It's just a 3 channel but I With a 3 channel because when you add ailerons into the mix things can get complicated real quick

But I would get the supercub dam not the lp it's the same plane with different radio and the radio is substantially better with the dsm

While 50 miles seems like a long drive , and it is quite a long drive you will be surprized how short it seems after you get the " BUG " Suddenly 50 miles wont be such a long drive...When I first started in this wonderfull hobby I drove close to 50 miles twice a week every week for yrs ..Flying sites were few and far between back then , We also had the lake though ..When you get to know a few of the guys at the club and get an instructor there may be sombody that lives close to where you are that has a flying site on there own property..You just never know till you check it out..You will save yourself a lot of time and money in repairs ..You dont need to buy anything to start with..Just go to the nearest club and check it out..Some clubs have their own trainer that they will let you use to introduce you to flying and then they might advise you as to what to buy and where to buy it , something that fits with what your needs are and what is pratical etc.

Hi there,<div>
</div><div>I'd like to second (or third, or fourth...) the Supercub as a great beginner model. It's almost entirely ready to go out of the box, but most importantly (at least in my mind), it's very repairable. Tons of support online, and I guarantee that whatever club you find, there will be someone there with experience with the model. </div><div>
</div><div>Best of luck,</div><div>
</div><div>Graeme</div>

Where do you live in WV? I know several RC guys there. todd

Near Huntington.
<br type="_moz" />

All of the suggestions are good. I would suggest however that you consider getting a RC simulator, especially in your situation. It will give you a chance to learn some basics especially the coordination involved, especially when you are unable to hook up with a club/instructor. There are other simulators out there and some packages include one, but Realflight is popular:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXCREN&P=ML Also, you could get an earlier version on ebay and later upgrade, but be sure to get version 4 or above. Like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Real-flight-...item1c30fc166f which includes the controller.

Many of the planes now are flying electric, but keep in mind that you could also, now or later, choose to go with nitro type engines. I do not fly electric, but recommend it to those wanting to learn how to fly and who do not want to go nitro. With electric you will need to maintain your batteries. With nitro you will need fuel, starter, glo plug driver, etcetera. Whichever you choose, it is very important that you keep your fingers away from the propellor when you either arm (electric) the motor or start (nitro) the engine. Another advantage to the package kits out there is that they also include the charger for the batteries, assuming an electrically powered aircraft, see link below.

I agree that its better to get a transmitter separately, however some of the trainer packages out there include one and you could always get one later. Its important to know that the current technology is 2.4Ghz and the earlier version is 72Mhz. The 2.4Ghz is the standard now. I have started friends on systems like this one which includes everything and even an onboard training system to help you to learn. http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...os-rtf-HBZ7700
I also recommended that they get a RC simulator.

If you have a desire to build then there are some RC airplane kits out there that are stick and glue, ARFs, and RTF. I like your choice on a sailplane type. My first plane, which I still have, was the Wanderer a glider. Some time later I spotted a partially built fuselage inside the garage at a garage sale and asked about it. He said that he didn't think he would finish it so I ended up buying it even though it wasn't included in his garage sale. It was a Great Planes PT-40. It included a new OS40 engine and paid $40.00. I built it and learned how to fly with it. I still have that as well. You could also get an ARF, almost ready to fly, or RTF which you can figure out.

Anyway what ever way that you decide to go, I too recommend joining a club at some point if possible, if not you might try contacting some of the clubs in your area and there is a good chance that there could be a member of the club nearby you who would be willing to get you started.

Best wishes.

Looks like you may be going at this by yourself for the most part. I would recommend against the Super Cub. In my opinion and from experience trying to teach new pilots who went and bought them , the plane is not a good first plane. Yes it repairs easily and therein lies the rub. You WILL be throwing money at it as you crash it or rough land it as the parts don't hold up that well. prop shaft, gear box, cowl, etc... After awhile it adds up.
I would stick with your initial pick or one like it as you will get much more mileage out of that type of plane with less money thrown at it to keep it airworthy and then you can move up to a larger plane like the Apprentice 15 or similar.

Where First Sergeant Lipton from the Band of Brothers was from!!!!!!

Ken
<br type="_moz" />