Hey all,

Need to get back in to the hobby the right way. I left with two projects unfijnished, an old 90's Hangar 9 J-3 Cub and more recently, SIG's Kadet trainer. Both were going to be built with an O.S. 46 engine in mind. But unfortunately some parts for the Cub went missing and are no longer being made. And while I hope I can get it to fly someday (and improve my woodworking skills in the process), it just isn't looking very feasible right now. As far as the trainer goes, SIG's customer service has been pretty non-existent as a few parts arived broken and my fabrication skills are pretty lackluster and so I've also had to write that project off. So that being said, I'd like someone to recommend me a project I can finish with some customer support and has flying characteristics that are relatively forgiving. I have built and flew some small EDFs and EPP Foamies and while those are fun, my ultimate goal is to (eventually) build some 35% scale stuff from EF/3DHS and get into the whole IMAC thing. So yeah, any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Easy question to answer. First, get your flying skills back. Get the $200 HobbyZone Aeroscout 2S Ready to Fly 1.1 meter airplane (transmitter included). Yes, it is made of foam and is ugly, but is has a fantastic range of flying capabilities. It handles wind very well, both in the air and on the ground. The pusher prop doesn't get broken. The three SAFE modes (Beginner, Intermediate, Unlimited) with its AS3X stability system built into the receiver allows it to be switched by the transmitter from very gentle for beginners to quite aggressive as desired. It will fly the entire AMA Novice pattern sequence. Mine can take off, roll inverted at 5 feet and then push up into a half outside loop to level flight with no problems. It will climb in knife edge flight. The point rolls with the AS3X are crisp and clean. It can be forced to snap roll with properly timed control inputs and CG settings. Landings and touch and go's are endlessly enjoyable. It will fly 8 minutes on a 3S-2200 mah LiPo battery. It has a great glide and can come close to soaring if the thermals are reasonably strong. I got 26 minutes out of a 3S-2200 mah battery on a day with decent thermals and using minimal throttle. I bought mine to use as a club trainer, but have ended up flying it more than any of my other 15 flyable planes, including my $1,000 gassers. The Aeroscout is the plane I grab to fly when the wind is variable 15 gusting to 20 and I don't want to risk my gassers. The Aeroscout will get your skills polished up in short order and minimal cost.

Second, join a club that has experienced builders. That is getting more difficult these days, but most clubs that have 20 plus members usually will have an old timer or two that knows how to build and could help you through a good ARF build. There are many decent ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) models that have the major components built up from balsa wood and covered but you will have to do the final assembly. This can take 15 to 20 hours to hinge the control surfaces, install the radio and servos, engine/motor, fuel tank/battery, switches, attaching flight surfaces, landing gear etc. An example would be the Hangar 9 Tiger 30 (90" span for 30 to 35cc gas engines). The kit would be $400, about $325 for a 35cc engine, about $800 for a receiver, satellite receiver, 6 high torque servos and a power expander board... yup over $1500 for a flying 35cc gasser.

Third, after mastering ARF, then try simpler balsa builds. Finding good balsa kits can be tough, so consider scratch building from plans available from the AMA, or AeroFred.com or some of the other plans sharing sites. Again, see step two above for the old timers to help you build it. Your O.S.46 engine is a popular size engine which powers planes that can easily be converted to run on electric motors/electronic speed controll/battery systems. Lots of choices. Although they can go much larger, I generally limit my electric planes to .46 size or smaller due to the high cost of the larger batteries. I'll go up to a .60 two cycle or 1.20 size 4-cycle glow engine, and larger than that I use gassers. A 3S-2200 mah battery can be had for under $20, whereas a 6S-6000 mah LiPo costs about $125 and it will take about four of them to keep you flying at the field while the other three are recharging... just do the math and glow fuel at $30 per gallon won't seem quite so bad and $4 per gallon gasoline is even better.

Good luck.

I just got back into the hobby and started flying again a few months ago, I had moved to an area where the AMA field was literally a mile from my house. It was too much to drive by it and not get out there on the field. I was rusty on my my flying skills since it had been since the 90's the last time I flew. I had just finished an Ultra Sport 60 I converted to electric w/retracts but was scared to fly it because it had been so long. Hesitant to take that chance, about a year ago I picked up a Trainer 40 Carl Goldberg Eagle 2 with a Super Tiger 45 on it. I had to do a little minor patch work and rebuild the engine, but all is well and I've been flying it. I'm about a half gallon away on the Eagle 2 before I try the UltraSport 60 out.

I'd go after finishing that Sig Kadet you have, if you have the plans you should be able to complete it. The building skills is just as important as flying, that way you can easily fix minor dust ups like a hard landing etc. The flying characterics of the Kadet should be on par with other Trainer 40 in the same class like my Eagle 2. Once you master the Kadet getting into faster semitrical wing planes like an Ultra Stik or 3D's should be as easy transition. If you want to 'build' 35% scale stuff tackle that Kadet first. Patience, little at a time, is all you need with building.. It took me quite a while to finish the UltraSport.