OK my problem is i got a piper cub and bought everything for it radio engine and servos.I figured it would be an OK trainer since I all ready have some two channel experence.Well since i got everything built and installed I figured I would go to the LHS " local hobby store" and get some fuel to break in the engine and start it up.But when I went to pay for the fuel I got talking to the clerk and told him it was my first plane. He said that pipers were nasty planes and had horrible handeling.Then he motioned me over to the hobbyco NEXTSTAR. I noticed that it was the most expencive trainer their and told me to buy it.

I guess what I am trying to ask is Does the piper cub have nasty caricterisics and is it a bad trainer.If so since I allready have invested alot of $$$ in my piper my "hobby alowece is a liitle low" if you know what I mean then is their another fairly cheap trainer but still of good Quality out their? If so please tell I could really use some help right now.

Sorry 4 the spelling in a hurry[sm=thumbup.gif]

I recommend the Balsa USA Stick 40+. It is an excellent trainer and is relatively inexcpensive. It is easy to build, easy to fly, and tough as nails. There is a review of it on my web page and you can click the company logo at the top of the page and go to Balsa USA's web page for more information.

Piper Cubs can be very difficult to get into the air. They have a tendency to ground loop unless you're very good with the rudder. Once in the air they fly well, but require coordinating some rudder in the turns. I wouldn't recommend one as a trainer because of the ground handling thing.

You didn't say which engine and radio you bought for the Cub, or what size it is, but if it's a 40 size engine and standard radio equipment I'd suggest going to the Tower Hobbies website and looking at their 40 size ARF trainer. It shouldn't cost more than about $90 shipped, and will go together pretty quickly.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXCAS2&P=0

Good Luck,
Dennis-

The best deal you'll probably find will be from someone at your local club. Here's a listing of local clubs near you. [link=http://www.modelaircraft.org/templates/ama/ClubZipLocator.aspx?z=66061]Clubs near 66061 Click Me![/link] You can also probably pick-up a well used & abused but very functional instructor for cheap there while you're at it.... - Joe

Sounds good but is it a kit or ARF because I would much rather have an ARF but I know they cost more.I would build a kit but I would like to learn soon and it would probably take a couple months to build at my building rate and I am building two other kits that I bought a long time ago to fly once I learn.
But it still rasies the question of whether the Cub is a bad flyer is that true?

Joe sounds good but those clubs in that list get pretty far away pretty fast.So It doesn't look like I have a Lot to choose from since a lot of those are free flight and glider clubs.

Thanks for the list but I already had a club in mind

There is alot of cheap ARF trainers out there and I have yet to see one that doesn't fly very well they all work great I know some people hate some and love others ut most of them are fine for trainers. Just get one that will accept your radio and motor and have fun that the real joy of this hobby. Like I said they all fly pretty well adnd will do the job!

Some cubs have nasty stall characteristics. A lot of beginners try to hold the nose up in a stall instead of letting it drop and end up in a snap roll. Cubs don't make great trainers, but if it's what you've got and you get a good instructor you can learn with it.

i am a newb.. but for what its worth you can get the Hobbico Avistar arf for 99.99 its a great trainer.. it will loop,spin and i just learned how to fly upside down today in it... just my .02 there are plenty of experinced pilots here.. listen to em

Hi rc12,cubs aren't to hard to fly if you are experenced,they need more rudder control than most also they don't recover to level as a trainer. If you have a instructor then I suggest giving it a try,If you are trying with out a instructor my advice is to get another plane,one that is for first time pilots.Even with a trainer learning with out and instructor can be a bad experience,time and money,[:-]

You still haven't said what size engine you have.

If you have a 40 or better, there are several good ARF's on the market for under $100.

If money is really tight, try www.spadtothebone.com Cheap, damn near indestructable, and once you learn how to fly, you can put your Cub in the air and put your Spad on your lawn and run for Mayor

Thanx alot for all of your guys help I don't know if the clerk was trying to take advantage of me since I am 12 or just stongly recomended it.I have a .25 size cub with a 48 inch ws. Thank you for all the help I think this is the only place where I can be taken seriously since I am a kid.

Try a SIG Kadet LT20. I believe that is what they call it. Goldberg and Great Planes also make 20 size trainers. With the 25 you already have I would use the radio and motor out of the Cub. I would buy a kit because I don'y think you can get an ARF 25 size trainer. I do not do ARF's so I kinda glide past them. Hopefully someone here can point out an ARF for you. Best of luck in your endevors.

Mark Shuman

I didn't hear anyone ask you what kinda cub you have? What type of wing? Honestly if I were you I'd join a club and fly the Cub! Why invest in a trainer when you have a plane already? Then you can get a sport plane for your next one! Someone at the club might let you use and old trainer also. If you are hard up for money I'd definetly get into the local club before spending more money. Have fun!

i'd have to agree with spokman, if you can utilize someone elses trainer,(paying for gas yourself), then it is a great way to learn. the cub is easy to fly, once you have down the basic controls and concepts of r/c flight.
but it makes a poor trainer. how much money do you have available? alpha's run about $300 for everything{arf-engine(mounted),servos(pre installed),gas tank(pre installed),radio, landing gear, etc..

in other words it's ready to go. usually they run $300 or a little less. i picked mine up for $240 new in the box from my LHS. that plane trained me twice(years apart), and go with an instructor.

the best route if available it to use someone elses trainer, then less stuff to buy, and you are almost garunteed to have an instructor!!! lol.

welcome to the wonderful world of r/c flying. it is good that you are getting into it at a young age. i got into it when i was 14, and am still loving it. you'll be a pro by the time you hit my age. keep practicing, keep flying, and never get too discouraged with you abilities. it takes a long time to fly well, and most people never master flying r/c, but it is still fun to try!

I think I will be useing my Grandpa's Trainer I think It is a Super Tiger 40 Trainer. He is the one that got me involved in the hobby since he has done it all his life. He has been out of the hobby for about ten years and want's to get back in, so we are going to join a club together. He said he needs an instructor too since he has been out of it for so long.Luckaliy my uncul is in the hobby contiuisly and has a ton of planes and belongs to a club. He could be my instructor but he lives about 200 miles away [] . Thank All of you for all the advise