HELP!!!! I want to start into this sport, it look fun. Should I get one of the more expensive Fuel trainers or should I get an electric slow flyer. Which kit would you suggest?

That's a tough question to answer for someone that doesn't know you. You need to decide how much you want to get in to this hobby. Think honestly about how involved you get in anything you do. If you're the type of person that usually gets in to something and gets bored with it pretty quickly, you'll want to go cheap. The next part of that equation is that in order to get an electric that will provide the thrills of a glow, you'll end up spending about the same amount of money, although you won't need as much support equipment. I'm a glow guy, but I'd love to get a little electric slow flyer to putter around the park and relax with.

The end decision is up to you, but I will offer some advice about advice. Remember that anything anybody tells you is colored by what THEY like. I lean toward glow because I fly glow, not because it's better.

I fly both. I started 2yrs ago with a BLT from Great Plains. The sp28 motor soon made it boring, so I put a sp400 on it. Soon this too got boring. Started looking at plans, and educated myself on basic model aerodynamics. Everything now is scratch built. Built a few like the E3D from http://www.gwmp.net/e3d/default.htm .
Soon I was tired of: short flights, what size batteries, what gearbox, sh@##y gearboxes, expensive brushless motors, longevity of can motors, building lite so you can add 12-32 oz of batteries...!
So, I bought a OS .15 LA, and thought I might try slimy, glow, fuel. I put this on my sp400 sport model. Wow! nearly ripped the wings off. That vertical I was so desperatly seeking was there. I got exhaust diverters, so now my planes are barley coated. Not a negative experience at all. I still have the sp400 sport models, and the larger fun-fly models --at the park. No one seems to mind. But now, I spend most of my time flying glo. Build them a lot stronger, they come out heavier, but those little 2 strokes, if proped right, are verry strong.
OH, noise was something else I wasn't too hip about. I built "mousse can pipes" for all my engines lots more power and a lot less noise.
I hope this helps,
--Rick

Fuel. You asked Any inexpensive .40 size trainer, any good .40 or .46 motor, any FM or certified AM 4-channel radio will get you hooked. Beg or borrow what you need to get it running! Don't spend to much in case you have a bad experience.

You started out right, you here asking questions, good luck

What's the average flight time on a battery? Is it like 6 mts?

It depends, sp400 stuff, 8-10 600Mah nicads --full throttle fun flying- 3+ min, If I use throttle management 5-6 min. Bigger stuff, where weight isn't as much of a problem (like the E3D), with throttle management 6-10 min. One advantage is, you can shutdown the motor, thermal, and then restart it. Another disadvantage is, APC E-props are almost $4 for smaller ones, and 1 prop strike and your out 4 bucks. I switched to glow props of the same size at almost 1/2 the cost. A little less effecient, but I'm not buying a prop after everyother flight.
--Rick

I got hooked on a Soarstar parkflyer. Cost $250 shipped to my door and came with everything I needed (other than some glue and AA batteries) to get me airborne. I managed to teach myself how to fly (after many many crashes) and got hooked. I then moved to glow and haven't looked back on electrics since. If I had to do all over again, I'd probably do it the same. There's a real sense of accomplishment in teaching yourself how to fly...

BTW, I use 1600mAh Radio Shack NiMH packs in my Soarstar. A little decrease in power, a little more weight, but good for 7-8 minutes of WOT flying. I've been able to get over 20 minutes of flight with throttle management.

So whats the flight time for a GLOW plane?

How big of a tank do you want to carry? However, an ounce of fuel generates way more energy than an ounce of battery.

See I dont know. Im so new to everything Im just rather.................Lost. Im seeing flight times here and there it's kind of depressing seeing a flight time of like 10 mts.........................

Another thought, I was thinking about getting an electric model with a high level radio controller, so, when I upgrad'd to a new model I wouldnt have to upgrade my controller as well.

Electrics are OK, but a little expensive for the power you get. typical prices:
$120 rapid charger
$40 battery(s) (and you need more than one)
$40 speed control
$10-$70 for a motor

What you get: A tiny fraction of a HP for 10 anemic minutes of flight


If you go Glow fuel:

$109 for OS .46 (good motor too)
$15 for a glow driver
$15 for a fuel pump
$12 for a gallon of fuel
60$ for a starter and battery (optional)

what you get 1.6 HP!! (?) 20 minute flights (or more) and no waiting between for bats to charge or cool off.

If the plane you get calls for a 40-46 Skip the .40 go for a .46 The .40 will just barely pull most standard 40 sized planes. The .46 makes takeoffs short and sweet, it will be more suitable for your second plane.

David,

Good idea to get a high level controller.

i started with a couple cheap ones. They were fun for a little while, but for what i payed on the two that i no longer use, i could have gotten a good computer radio that i still would use.

I would recommend gas. Flight durations are longer and there is more power for the instructor to recover (gain altitude) from a mistake. Get a computer radio. The JR 421 is only $180 or so. With a computer radio it is easy to desensitize a control surface or make a minor adjustment.

Ofcourse, this is just my opinion!

...and a darn good opinion it is AQ.

(I have two of the JR 421's now)

David, you have to decide which you feel more comfortable with. But try not to let all the propaganda put you off.

Sure a battery is more expensive than a gallon of fuel. It also lasts for a year or two, you have to keep buying more fuel. You don't have to spend $120 on a charger, e.g. the Hitec CG 340 costs a lot less than that.

You might think that 10 min is a short flight but it's actually plenty long enough when you're concentrating hard trying to learn. If you check at a club you'll find that most of the people with the glow engines and big tanks don't actually fly much longer than 10 minutes.

The most important factor, not mentioned yet, is how YOU intend to learn. If you're going to find a club and get instruction (recommended !) you might as well go for a standard 40 size glow trainer like everybody else. It's likely the instructor will be most comfortable with this setup so it avoids getting mixed up with lots of electric prejudice too early. If you are considering learning on your own get a small electric that will fly slow enough to give you a chance to work out what's going on and will also be slow and light enough so you are less likely to damage anyone or anything in the inevitable crashes.

Steve

Step 1) Walk into your Local Hobby Shop

Step 2) Ask the guy behind the counter where the local flying field is

Step 3) Go there

Step 4) Watch the planes, Talk to the guys (they're ugly, but friendly) Ask questions (but don't ask if you can fly their planes) Tell them you're interested in learning to fly. Chances are they have a club trainer that they will let you try.

Step 5) Go back to Local Hobby Shop and re-aquaint yourself with the man you will be giving half of your paycheck to for the rest of your life

I'll second the "Find the local Flying Field and find out what they recommend". Do this before you spend a dime. There is where you will get your best help on deciding what to purchase.


I fly both electric and glow.

In the "for what its worth section" I would recommend glow to learn on. Typically a glow trainer is bigger (this means its easier to see), and has a better power to weight ratio (this means you can use the motor to get out of trouble). And you will get into trouble. Most everyone at the flying field will also probably have experience with glow aircraft. You also can get long flight times. I agree 10 minutes is a long time, but I have seen people learning to fly get into it and burn up that time before they know it. With a 10 oz. tank on a 40 size trainer and flying at 3/4 throttle you should get 15 minutes or more easily. Then all you have to do is refuel and fly again. Not wait until the battery cools down and then recharge. (or have several battery packs). Another advantage to glow is because they are bigger (and heavier) than most electric trainers, they tend to be more stable in windy conditions. I do fly my electrics in windy conditions, but i'm not trying to learn to fly either.

Where I live there is no-one else I know attempting electric flight seriously. (If there is anyone I would really like to meet them). Where I live I would not recommend electric to someone to learn to fly.

But, whatever you decide to choose, go to the flying field and follow their advice. (this is before you spend any money)

Good Luck and welcome to the hobby.