Hello everyone.
I wanted to know what you guys think is a good trainer to start off with.
Or would you guys suggest that I should get an electric and practice on that. If so which one?

I recommend a "40" sized trainer with a glow engine (not electric). These have plenty of power to fly well and thousands of us learned this way. Especially if you have access to an experienced flyer that can help you get the plane set up and get the engine started and running right. Many of the low-cost electic planes are small and very difficult to fly (as compared to the larger more powerful "40" sized trainer.

Budget for the complete setup (plane, engine and radio) is about $350.

Do you know what 40 would be a good plane that I could still fly for a couple years after?

DMcQuinn offered some good advice.

I learned on an Aerobird, 150 bucks. Its cheap and it taught me to fly. And DMcQuinn is correct, my glow trainer was much easier to fly. I don't know if it is park flyers in general, or it may be that the aerobird is very cheaply made.

But, the aerobird can take a beating. I have literally smashed it into the ground several times at high speeds. Worse that happens is a broken wing (which usually can be taped up) or a broken prop.

If you plan to join a club or get someone to help I would go with a glo plane. But if you want to mess around on your own and learn, a cheap foam electric is the way to go. You can't really crash a balsa wood glow plane without destroying it.

Wings

You obviously haven't been "bitten" by the rc plane bug have you?

After you have, you will be wanting a new plane every two weeks! Every day!

Honestly, I think you will get bored of any trainer after two years.


Wings

The Sig LT 40 is the trainer that I used and recommend highly. It is one of the largest planes in the 40 size class making it easy to see. Sig does an excellent job with the manual and helping a new modeler get started. They include a guide to the basics of RC that I still refer to. Buy a kit and dig in. Welcome to the hobby.

do you think that the hanger 9 alpha trainer is an ok starter plane or how bout the alpha 60 rtf trainer?

Almost any trainer will be fine, just pick one that you like. They all fly pretty much equally.

Just be sure to find an instructor to teach you, or your first, and likely last, flight will be about 10 seconds.

Welcome to RCU and good luck,
Dennis-

Best value for your buck and a top quality plane is the new World Sky Raider 1 and any 40 to 46 size engine like OS or Thunder Tiger.

You have opened a pretty big box here. You will have many answers that will be just as good as others. So here's mine:
Avistar with an OS46fx (well now it is a 46AX) but they are the same. I really liked flying it and it will still be a blast to fly even after you move on to your second plane.

Let the floodgates open....

Basically, high wing, solid engine, dihedral in the wing, usually a trike landing gear, but a tail dragger will work just as well, and a good radio (I started with a 6 channel Jr662). By the way, I am not trying to sell you JR, OS, or anything in particular. I just know that the Avistar was a good beginner for me. And there are a lot of others on this site that will agree.

Cranky,
Any of the planes mentioned would be good, just make sure you get with a trainer. Although there have been a few cases where a person has taught themselves to fly, the majority that try it end up cracking their plane up, getting frustrated, and quitting. Make your life much easier, and find a local flying field where you should be able to find someone to train you. I would also second the recommendation for the Avistar. I have flown several trainers. I have found that the Avistar is a good when to learn on, and will also allow you to do some basic acrobatics. It will hold your interest a little longer than the standard trainer. I would also recommend getting something with a .46 on it if you are going with a .40 sized trainer. An OS .46 AX is a pretty good engine from what I've heard, and when you finally get bored with whatever trainer you choose, you can move the .46 onto something a little more exciting, so it can save you some bucks in the long run. Good luck, and welcome to the hobby.

Allan

AH

just about any of the ARF trainers fly OK, or if dont mind building a good, tough, cheap plane www.spadtothebone.com

engines

TT46Pro or if you have spare $$OS 46FX

radio NON computer Hitec laser 4 or 6, computer HiTec Flash 4 or 5 or for the extra $$ Eclipse 7

Like hookedonrc said" the floodgates are open", how about the RCM Global trainer, durable and very easy to assemble

I have an EVO 46. Its about 30 bucks cheaper than the fx. There was an ad in the AMA mag that said the evo was the most powerful .46 engine.

I don't know why you would want to pay the extra money, anyone have any reason?


Wings