Hello,

I am new the RC Airplanes. I have had a gas R.C Car though. I am looking to buy a Sig Kadet LT-40. I was curious if there is any information i should know like, is it a really forgivable plane, what is the cheapist way to buy it, (RTF ARF or build it on my own) I am pretty much looking for the cheapest way to get into the hobby, I also have a Firebird XL. And if i were to crash it... does it just like disinagrate into 1000000 pieces or are they easly repairible? Because i dont think i can afford a 200 crash if i come back with the engine in one hand and the plane in the other, or are the planes very very easly rebuilt.. I hope so... All feed back would be great!!!!!111

Thanks,

Tanner

You ask some good questions. The LT-40 is a great trainer and is one of popular trainers out there. As for price, I think often times an ARF is slightly cheaper in the long run, though I have never bought one. As for crash damage, they come in all kinds. I have seen planes cartwheel down the runway with very little damage. If you nose dive in from 300 ft under full power, usually you end up with a bunch of toothpick sized pieces. All depends.

Before the debates on "cheapest" kick off, I think the really cheapest way has little to do with the type of plane you buy.

The cheapest way to learn to fly is with an instructor. With an instructor and flying within your capabilities the RISK of a catastrophic crash is low (not zero, but low).

i agree with Ghostbear. Cheapest not always and usually isn't the best. An instructor is a must. That being said, I would recommend building the plane from a kit. You get to know the plane intimatly and if/when you crash repair will be alot less daunting a task.

Victor

If you have the time build the kit. Not much difference in $$ but you will gain in experience.

If/when you crash it usually only costs less than $20 to rebuild. The expense comes when you bang up your engine or radio equipment. As long as you gather up all the little pieces they fit back together like a jigsaw puzzle. If some of the pieces are really mangled or lost it only takes a little wood to cut a new one. Some reinforcement may be necessary in critical areas but usually the glue joint is stronger than the wood. It will break in a different place the next time Add a little covering and you're back in business.

oh wow i thought if i crashed it it would be 300 bucks because i am 13 years old i have been very interested in it but is it practical for a person my age, i no a few people in the Local RC club. But like i was saying is it practicle for my age money wise? I have about 400 bucks a plane, i am looking at the Sig and the club has a thing that during the winter you pay like 200 bucks and you go there 2 times a week and they build the kit wiht you...

I would save the money and build it myself. If it helps you spirit any
I built my first plane when i was eleven and it turned out great.
It was a areostar 40 from midwest. I learnd how to fly on this plane.
The memorys are still in my head(all of them)LOL.

The LT-40 is a pretty easy kit to build. If i had the kits today back when
i first started to build(eleven yrs old) I would have been a model building
machine. I build more now than i did then. Kits has come a long way
towards the ease of building.

Build it. You'll get to know your plane better and you'll see how and where to put the reinforcements in the even of a crash. I just crashed my LT-40 (oh yeah, GET AN INSTRUCTOR HAHA) and I'm rebuilding my plane right now. Actually, I'm gonna try to get some pics up here as soon as Im finished with it, (and get the camera developed). Building it helped me know how to fix it, since you know, I ignored everyones advice and flew it by myself haha.

oh yeah, get an instructor!

I'd just like to add my voice to the chorus of advice here:

1. Get an instructor. It's a lot of fun, you'll make some great friends, and you'll have an enormously better chance of having your plane in one piece at the end of the process

2. Build the LT-40 from the kit. It's a really simple build, so if you get a kick out of putting things together and working with wood then this kit is a great introduction. There's nothing quite like seeing something you built from the plans up leave the ground and go soaring into the sky Also, when you build from the kit you become far more confident in both repairing and modifying your aircraft. When you start feeling comfortable with the '40 you'll probably want to perform some of the more common modifications on it, such as replacing the landing gear, switching to wing bolts instead of rubber bands, and the ever popular tail-dragger modification. Don't be in too much of a hurry to do these though

3. Get an instructor.

4. Have fun! It's a great hobby, and one it seems that can offer you endless challenges no matter what your experience level!

5. Get an instructor


Cheers, and good luck!

Neil.

By all means build from the kit. Sig has an exceptional instruction book, all the extras you will need are included in the kit. Be sure to read the book through at least a couple of times before you start. Remember #11 blades are very sharp, and CA has its cautions. Read the instructions on the bottle. Don't be afraid to use a little extra glue, that big wing will more than carry what ever you do. Also consider getting a 46 size engine such as the Magnum 46 LXS. I found on my LT-40s that a 40 size was a bit small. If you have access to a Club, get help with the building, there are usually several members that are very willing to help you. When the plane is complete have your instructor check it out. Good luck and welcome to a great hobby.