Who is it that's anti-SPAD? I keep hearing the SPAD guys cry about that, but I haven't really seen it. I've seen plenty of attacks and arm-chair psychology (derogatory in nature) directed at balsa guys though.

The only reason I came into this thread or the other one was that there were some pro-SPAD guys who obviously don't know much about balsa spreading bad information which I felt should be corrected. Other than that I don't care about SPADs one way or the other.

Have to agree with you caffeen! I don't have a neg attitude toward any plane of any sort as most guys here don't, but I keep getting it thrown in my face by the spad guys. Its kind of like the gays throwing that in your face. Personally, I don't care how they live, just do it in their own space and don't throw it in my face.

I will probably build a spad too at some point, just not right now.

I have to pipe in here and give a viewpoint from a RC newbie. I started a year ago last September with an LT-40 (that is still alive). Mt first kit was a GP Super Sportster. I finished it last Feb, and crashed it after only about 30 minutes in the air (rebuilt since). I was devestated. The next plane in the air was a 4* 60 ARF. Flew the crap out of it for 3 or 4 months, and ended up nosing it in at full throttle. Total destruction. I was devestated. My confidence level went into the crapper. I shook even flying my LT-40. Then one night I had an epiphany while browsing the SPAD forum right here on RCU. In 2 weeks I had built the first of my Cor-Star 60 series of coroplast planes. It only cost me $20-$30, and about 15 hours of building time. I flew the crap out of it. It built my confidence up, and was a great flyer. For me, the SPAD world kept me in a hobby I was getting very frustrated with. If it wasn't for coroplast, I would have given up.

The reason I stayed in RC:

Nice looking plane deadeye

One of my buddies was having a crashing problem, some pilot error and one radio glitch cost him three planes. He was one of my instructors way back when I was learning to fly, so it came as a surprise when his confidence was all but gone and he was about ready to quit. Then came SPADs, back to flying and having more fun than ever, especially doing combat with the gnats. Just my 2 cents!

Mike in DC: To answer your questions directed at me... I'd say that an overwhelming fear of crashing which prevents RC from being fun is NOT the norm because most don't learn how to fly with SPADs and they get along just fine... empirical evidence. I have a problem with some of the logic behind getting a SPAD if it is used as a substitute for training... which can make the pilot dangerous. It's kinda like learning how to drive a car. Get into a few accidents... what's the solution? Buy a cheaper car more durable car and hit the public streets again until you figure the whole driving thing out or take some driving lessons?

i must say that that cor star 60 is a nice looking plane and i am sorry to hear about the four star i too just lost mine augered it in after losing the elevator but i hasnt shaken my confidance in the least i just sloshed throught the swamp and fought the blackberries to retrieve the wreckage and yes it was a total lose. but what must be learned in order to keep your confidance is to find out what happened and why it happened it really is pretty simple for example if your doing inverted passes at 10 ft and pull up hard yes you crashed but you need to learn from that and not do it again if it was a failure, like mine then learn what failed and try to do better in thhat dept in my case i learned that i cant solder for s**t but has it stopped me no in fact i am going to use the only two parts left to build a new plane those would be the hor. and vert stabs they will fly again.

if flying a spad helps you to over look the crash and learn what you need to from it then more power to you but just understand that it isnt the material that made all these examples better pilots but instead it was the correct mindset again if a cheap plastic plane sets your mind at ease then great just remember that it is all in your mind all along.

and the reason i prefer more traditional materials is for the craftsmanship involved (aside from soldering skills) but i enjoy the woodworking i enjoy the glassing i enjoy the sanding the shaping the modeling the hobby. spads well im not against them just havnt gotten there yet.

and finally it needs to be pointed out that us balsa ppl arent really the ones that post these topics on the begginers forum the last two were from a spadder and were quite beligerent in nature some of the spad folks here have been as well this is a hobby here it is for fun spads dont fly any better or worse than balsa they can be cheaper but dont forget that the plan is the cheap part no matter what you build out of you need a radio and engine if you buy new and spend average to low end its still twoo hundred bucks give or take and yes i have seen a Rx and enginge explode on impact it can and does happen

hmm my two cents turned in to 1.98

and finally it needs to be pointed out that us balsa ppl arent really the ones that post these topics on the begginers forum the last two were from a spadder [/quote]





I don't think he is a Spadder, just a guy wanting to learn to fly.

A good-flying plane is a good-flying plane is a good-flying plane! Materials don't count! You want to fly? Get a good-flying plane. To find out, just peruse the various threads in the Beginner's section, even go back over this one. You'll get a lot of opinions on what models are good-flying planes, and you know what? They're all right!

I've flown scratch-builts, kit builts, ARFs, SPAD-type, and if the plane flies well, the materials don't count. For me, my preference, is a built-up model. It delivers to me what I want. In fact, the last dozen or so models I've owned were either plans-built or resurrected kits that had been through some severe shipping damage. That's my preference. Not one of them was totally unscathed, and a few bought it on the first flight for one reason or another (none my fault of course! )

The only thing that counts for a beginner is a good teacher. Good teacher=shorter training time + better flight skills.

As far as someone saying about "falling in love" with your model, you need to remember the MAIN LAW of R/C: "If you're going to fly them, you're going to tear them up." Models may last for years, but the only way they'll last forever is if they don't fly.

bax

I have seen planes go down while on the bb (trainers) i like the way the deby flies better then any other trainer i have flown.

I don't think he is a Spadder, just a guy wanting to learn to fly.
[/quote]


yes you right. what i meant was the last two threads on this subject prior to this one.
this one is a fair question which deserves a fair answer and there have been some good unbiased answers here but also some that were almost hostile, and no im not saying you or any one else for that matter, just dont see the point in naming names. the question of which is better to learn on balsa or spad the answer is yes, balsa or spad have fun and see you at the field

Sorry, I see your point now, no disrespect intended.

I have built tatoo's spa3dt and it looks like i will need a ton of lead to get the c/g at 6 1/4 where did i go wrong?

Mine balanced out fine, without much adjusting. Check out the following:

1. Are your servos down near the tail?

2. Is the wing in the right spot?

3.Are the Rx and battery tucked in the leading edge of the wing?

4. Did you use 1/16 inch wall tubing?

5. Can you move your landing gear forward?

Basically, is everythng as far forward as it can be?

Jack

EDIT: You would get far more responses in an appropriate forum/thread.