which is the best trainer and why?

I learned on a PT-40 powered with a 40 FX and I think it is the best trainer. It flies at a good learning speed, it does not stall very easily, floats on the landings, take-offs suck b/c of that stupid nose gear but all trainers are like that (I am not a big tricycle gear fan in case you all didn't notice) It is an all around great flying plane.

I'm doing a review on the NexSTAR and so far I would put it into the "best" category. It is innovative and has everything a beginner would want and then some. I test flew it this past weekend. It is smooth, stable and great for anybody learning. I should have the review complete soon. The video and pictures are done and will be posted along with the review.

Here is an earlier thread about the NEXSTAR.....I cant say enough about that airplane. Its the best thing ever made for beginners.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1263046/mpage_1/key_nexstar/anchor/tm.htm#1263046]NEXSTAR THREAD[/link]

It is (or at least mine was) two different airplanes - the one with the speed flaps was rock solid and a great trainer....took them off and the same plane became MUCH more aerobatic and senstitive. Haven't flown it without the wing's 'spin control' nor with the AFS 'on'....

Jerry

Any update on that review??

there are plenty of great trainer, but in my opinion the best one is the SIG KADET LT 40

Snowwave, just look at the videos on the NEXSTAR website....you will be amazed. The Active Flight Stabilization (AFS) is like having your own personal instructor with you at all times. It also comes with its own sim that you can practice on your computer. Absolutely amazing!.

[link=http://www.hobbiconexstar.com/]http://www.hobbiconexstar.com/[/link]

The trainer that you'll find to be the best is the one you end up soloing in! All of a sudden, it will be the one You take off, You can land, You can do your first loop with...
It may look like hell after a few dozen flights and not so good landings, but once you master it, that old trainer, no matter who made it, will be the one.

Jesse

I soloed over 25 years ago and when I got to see the Nexstar fly I was very impressed. I am willing to predict lots of beginners learning on a very short time if not the same day on that aircraft.

Good adive all, nexSTAR looks like a great deal, for about 399 it comes complete, what will be additional things Ill need to invest in. I think prolly AMA fees at $58, and a 2 hour lesson at $50, so what else will I need to invest into the nexSTAR. Thanks for the advice, cant wait for the moderators review !

Cant wait for the review, ADMIN how much longer, sorry for being so annoying but I am excited to check out your pictures and videos as well as review ! [8D]

RC ADMIN thanks for the PM, I am strongly looking at the nexSTAR and my first trainer ! Ill follow up that report after I get my lessons with my nexSTART in about 2 or 3 weeks !

i started with the superstar40 (rtf) as my trainer - if the nexstart is as good or better then that then you'll enjoy the experience - after reading the ad for it..i may get one just to start with learning with flaps

snowwave,
Yes, $58 for AMA plus some amount for club dues, but I do not know of any club that charges for flight instruction (you learn for free). If you're looking at a club that charges $25 an hour, run! [:@]

You WILL need to add flight equipment, here's a list:
Some type of "flight box". (A plastic tool box of appropriate size and design works well. Some good ones at Lowe’s or Home Depot.) A gallon of 10% glow fuel. A fuel pump, manual or electric and at least 3 feet of glow fuel line. A glow igniter with charger. Although not 'necessary', I highly recommend a 12 volt starter for the engine, because most new engines are quite hard to start with a "chicken stick", and it’s one more headache you don’t need when beginning.

If you buy a 'self contained' glow ignitor and starter, and a manual fuel pump, you won't need to buy a separate 12 volt battery with charger, nor a "power panel" to connect everything. (And you won't have cords dangling around your prop when trying to start the engine.)

Then, get a few props of slightly different diameters and pitch (in the recommended range). The engine directions should give you a range of appropriate sizes for your engine. One or two extra glow plugs should last you through the learning process.

There will be a lot of little incidental things too, but those you can pick up a little at a time when needed. Things like a covering iron and heat gun to tighten the covering on your trainer will be needed eventually (like for repairs after that first crash), but don't sweat that stuff now. Buy the trainer and field equipment, join the AMA and a club, and get to it!
Dennis-

The review is 99% done. Final edits and spell checks and we'll get it going. I know many are anxious to see it. Hopefully this week or next week latest!

thanks for the update !

For those impressed by the claims for the AFS auto pilot included in the Nexstar package, you might note that you could buy both a Superstar RTF and and an FMA Co-pilot for less money. The AFS included with the Nexstar appears to a revised version of the Futaba PA-2. I have used both (PA-2 and Co-Pilot) and can assure you that the FMA product is far superior to the Futaba one.

The basic problem with the PA-2 is that it works correctly ONLY in overcast sky conditions, and my experience with it was in southern Arizona where it is usually clear blue sky. Even the manual on the Nexstar, which can be downloaded from the Hobbico web site, notes this same limitation. On the other hand, the FMA Co-Pilot works fine in any type weather, clear or cloudy.

The limited version of the Simulator and other features of the Nexstar package might make it the best option for many, but anyone considering the Nexstar for its AFS should first take a close look at the FMA Co-Pilot, IMHO.

By the way, don't expect the review on this website (or from any other commerical source) to point out limitations such as the one noted above. Major advertiser's products always get very positive reviews.

Actually the review in the latest Model Airplane news said something about the plane wanting to fly into the sun on bright days, but they also said it wasn't much of a problem.

Allan

In my experience with PA-2, it was indeed a problem, so much so that it made the PA-2 useless. By the way, did the magazine also have a paid ad for the Nexstar? If so, what did you expect them to say?

My experience was with with the PA-2, not the AFS, but they are both made by Futaba and both appear to be based on the same sensor unit. Has anyone (consumer, not salesperson) had any actual experience with the Nexstar's AFS on a clear day? If so, your information would be better guide to other RCers than either my opinion or that of any commerical reviewer.

Jean, I just think that the overall design of the Nexstar is quite amazing. They have incorporated so many safety features into on aircraft I think it will steepen the learning curve of any beginner.
I witness a father teaching his son on it with no buddy box. Anytime the boy would over correct something the father would say "let it go" and he let go of the sticks just to see the airplane leveling itself and continue flying.
Also the LE droop allows it to have soft stalls with no tip falling tendencies. I have been flying for 28 years and trainers normally dont impress anyone flying that long but the innovations included on this one, although they are not really NEW, are something not to be overlooked. They can immensely help the average newcomer to solo a lot faster.






my .05 cents.....keep the change

My review very much echoes what cappio777 says above. Also, just because Hobbico is an advertiser here doesn't make me sugarcoat anything. This plane is a winner.

The sad thing about doing reviews sometimes is that if you slam a product everyone thinks your being honest but if you rave about a product that truly deserves to get the kudos you get accused of bowing to advertising dollars which sway your opinion. This I will admit annoys the heck out of me.

I'm here to say that on RCU this is not the case whether some choose to believe it or not. I've called 'em as I see them from the beginning. I've done reviews where I've crashed on the first flight and shown it with pictures. I've pointed out plenty of flaws on reviews and so have the other writers on RCU. Many writers have asked me how to "handle" certain negatives and my instructions are to just tell it the way it is. In the end, honesty will get you further.

If you buy any ARF or kit that we reviewed and after building it go read our review and then dispute what we have written I would like to know about it. If anything negative was omitted it was because our model didn't have the problem or the opinion of the writer might vary from another persons (we all know how many opinions are stated on this site). You might also find that we pointed out problems that you didn't even have!

That aside I reiterate that the NexSTAR is an innovative trainer and the current leader of the pack. I would normally never do a trainer review since I'm into 3D flying these days but this one was so cool that I did in fact take it on and spent alot of time doing the review so beginners could learn about this plane and what it has to offer, which by the way, includes a success guarantee from Hobbico.

Last...there is no single dominant advertiser on RCU that we would cater to because we fear losing a significant portion of our ad revenue. Nobody pays more than a 5% on their own of our total revenue so we have no dependence on any single vendor. In many areas of this site there is a waiting list so if somebody dropped they would be replaced the next day. To those who care and want to accuse us of sugar coating things please do some research and you will find that I have already let a handful of advertisers walk or even refused their money if it violated our principles of serving the modeler. Take that FWIW.

Well Said !

"If you build it, it will fly"

I RECENTLY BEGAN LESSONS WITH OUR CLUB INSTRUCTOR, I FLEW HIS SIG LT-40
FIRST, IT IS LARGE, 70" WINGSPAN, EASY TO SEE, AND VERY FORGIVING, I BOUGHT
THE H-9 XTRA EASY 2 FROM HANGAR 9, IT IS 69" SPAN, AND HAS THE EVOLUTION ENGINE
THAT HAS BEEN A BLESSING AS IT STARTS EASILY AND RUNS VERY SMOOTHLY RIGHT
OUT OF THE BOX, AND HAS A JR COMPUTER RADIO INSTALLED, THE $379 PRICE IS A
LITTLE HIGH, BUT IT FLIES GREAT, AND YOU CAN USE THE RADIO ON ANOTHER MODEL.

Same goes for the Hobbico nexSTAR, for about the same price you get a radio and engine that can be used in your next plane, as well as a flight simulator which is good for those windy and rainy days you want to keep practicing. My lessons next week will be with the Hangar 9 Extra Easy 2 as well as my hobbico nexSTAR.

"If you build it, it will fly"