Currently I'm flying an aerobird challenger (which I do not reccommend to start with). I've found quite a few things in the aerobird that I'm not very happy with. Feeling that it's time to move up, I'm faced with the 3 or 4 channel question. Should someone new to R/C, just graduating from the most basic of trainers jump right into a plane capable of A/E/R/T control or should one stick with a more basic model that only offers E/R/T?

R = rudder
E = elevator
etc...

Unless money is a factor, go 4 channel for sure.

gus

I agree with gus. you save yourself some money and time if you go with the 4-channel trainer.

hammonsr,

That depends on you if you are intrested in small electric parkflyers and attempting to learn on your own there are plenty of good 3 ch planes out there that might suit your needs Or if your goal is to progress to higher performance (either glow or electric) planes getting a 4ch trainer and instructor might be a quicker and less expensive way of achieving your goal.

You need to ask yourself what type of plane do I want to be flying after I learn. That answer in part should drive your decision on type of plane.

You also have to look at this as a learning experience each type of plane can teach you something. I personally love flying my GWS tigermoth in the backyard and as far as aerobatics go I'd say it the least aerobatic out of all my planes yet I find myself grabbing that one to fly off the backdeck more and more.

If you are still unsure go visit a club they might let you have a try at a 4ch trainer then you can compare it to your areobird.

Gus, n8thesk8 and Crashem,
Very much appreciate the responses. I'm sure it's all together possible to teach yourself just about anything. My only concern is the practicality in teaching myself to fly a 4 channel plane. There are a couple of flying clubs here in town, however, my job will soon take me away for quite a while. Finding an english speaking instructor where I'm headed will surely be quite the challenge. I'm leaning towards the 4 channel for reasons of longevity. This aerobird from here on out will be of no use other than the occassional urge to fly it here and there. Other than that, I've exhausted all the "learning" that I personally think I can attain from this particualr model. Goal is to step up to something more complex that I can learn from without having spent $200 - $300 on something that won't teach me much more than the aerobird. Is it then a wise decision to "teach myself" to fly a 4 channel platform? Also, is that a practical decision to undertake without the presence of an instructor? Long term goal is to move up to the larger glow models. Thanks again for all the info.

hammonsr,

Here is my opinion on your response.

Teaching yourself to fly can be a time consuming,costly,dangerous and frustrating way to enter this hobby.....
Could you do it??? Most likely!! Should you do it?? ONLY YOU can answer it!!!!!!!!!

You state you want to progress towards Larger Glow powered models... Then I would start with a glow powered trainer as far as which brand/model I don't think it matters much when you are being taught by an instructor.

If finding an instructor will present a challenge A simulator might be a good way to start.

If you can learn before your job takes you "away" thats the route I would go. BTW if you're going overseas your radio gear may not be legal??? Different countries reseve different bands for RC use... You might want to check before you buy anything

To give some substance to my advice about 4 channel...

assuming you waht to go to glow planes... and do aerobatics, etc. at some point in the future.

Planes on 3 channels require substantial dihedral in the wing which is good for stability, but not so good for "fun". Rudder controls yaw, and roll axis of plane. When you yaw, the plane rolls as well. This is practical for a plane without ailerons...

With ailerons though, the wings have less dihedral, and the rudder as a significanly smaller impact on the roll axis.

Further, most beginners do not need to worry about rudder in the air. Apart from cross-wind landings, take-offs, there is little need for rudder at all (in the air). Rudder on life-size airplanes is only *really* used to keep the passengers from getting air-sick, and to gain a small amount of efficiency in turns (I will get flamed for that...).

Where the rudder IS used is on the ground, and that is only becuase your nose/tail wheel is coupled directly to the rudder.

So, for a beginner, a 4 channel radio means that on the ground, you steer with rudder, in the air, you steer with aileron/elevator. For a 3 channel, you steer with rudder in the air, and on the ground.


Basically, there really is no *that* much more to flying 4 channel as opposed to 3 channel when you start. The real benefic comes from the fact that when you do get better, you do not have to re-learn your whole in-air control input selection.

gus

I learned with a 3-channel and then had to un-learn the rudde when going to a four channel. Of course, I'm not as afraid of the rudder having learned with it in the beginning for turns.

My vote though is definetly 4 channel ....