Hello-
I am new to these boards and to R/C aircraft...I haven't yet bought a plane but I plan to; first I'd like to ask a few questions, and I'd appreciate any input.

I have never flown an R/C aircraft, but I've attempted to gather some information, even so, some of my questions may seem silly, or obvious.

My first question, should I get a gas or electric plane? Recently on Ebay.com I found a beautiful Cessna 182 Skylane w/ radio controller and engine that went for $162, but it was gas... Also I decided it would be best to wait and figure out what's best to start off with..

My next question, of all the readily available ARFs which is the best for a beginner to purchase? (I'll warn you, I have my heart set on a Cessna...) Also, I'd like to stay under $200..

Ok, and, where is the best place to purchase a plane? Online, such as Ebay.com, or Hobby-Lobby.com? Or should I look local? Thanks for any input, it's greatly appreciated,

Max

The $200 limit is a bit tight, unless you can find a good deal on used equipment. (not all used stuff is junk... but you have to be careful.)

You'll quickly outgrow any radio short of 4 channels. Its a pain to find out that you should have spent $20 more to save $120 on upgrading. (that's about the difference in buying a 3 Ch with NiCds and a 4 ch which WILL have NiCds.)

Gas vs electric... mainly a personal choice now. The quality of electric drive units is getting pretty good now. Its possible to get essentially the same performance as from a glow powered model.

Glow models continuously need feeding, and fuel is a bit expensive. Electric drive systems will have you buying batteries (you'll constantly want better, lighter, higher capacity batteries, and they do keep improving...) plus the charger(s) to support them.

Electric models are cleaner and quieter. But there's a better selection of glow powered models. (Later, you can learn what it takes to convert a glow model to electric... not hard for me after 30 yrs building airplanes.)

There are several different Cessna ARF's on the market... some are decent, some are nearly junk... be careful. The Kyosho appx 3 ft span styrofoam model (Electric, comes with 3 ch radio as a complete RTF setup) almost requires you to be an advanced pilot to be able to fly it. (once its set up right, it doesn't fly badly... but its NOT a good trainer!)

There's several on-line hobby supply "stores." Tower Hobbies is pretty good. Chief Aircraft (they sell full scale aircraft and instrumentation too...) is also good. I can't comment on the others... haven't dealt with them enough.(one good or bad experience doesn't mean a lot. On-line companies make 100's of sales on a slow day.) You do have to be careful about E-Bay deals. (read the fine/hidden [white text on white background...] print on the "I am Silly" guy... up to $350.00 shipping on some items!)

If you are lucky enough to have a local hobby dealer.. check there. The price is usually about the same as with shipping from the on-line dealer. Its a good thing to be able to drive 5 min to get a spare prop or glowplug so you can fly the same day. (My local shop is 5 mi away... 2 mi from one flying field. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] )

Information overload... visit: http://webpages.charter.net/rcfu/ Read his beginner's info pages. Bookmark the site its got LOTS of good info.

Before you settle on one kind of aircraft find out if there is a club near you. Do they have instructors? Where is their field? Do they have a chance to lose it due to noise? If you are lucky enough to have a hobby shop within 30 miles you are fortunate. The hobby shop owner will know about any club, their flying facilties and whether or not you can get instruction. He will also probably have a good selection of kits and supplies. fhhuber is right about the radio. He is also right about the initial investment. Don't buy cheap. Remember you can always use a good radio in another airplane later. I bought a Slow Stick from Horizon Hobby. It is a good electriic and I have $188 invested in it ready to fly. I also have other electrics and several glow planes. I'm lucky, I don't have to make a permanent choice. No matter what you choose you will probably ad the other type later on as you become a good pilot.

Thanks for all your help! Anymore input is welcome, and sorry for the exceedingly late reply,

Max

I don't know if anyone is still reading this, but here is my advice......

LET SOMEONE TEACH YOU TO FLY!!!! -

My brother learned the hard (and very, very, very expensive way) and I learned the easy way. Let a local flying field teach you. The older guys out there are always willing to get someone into flying. I spent a full summer driving an hour (one way) to have some guy teach me for an hour every other saturday if I was lucky. But it was definatly worth it. My brother has gone through hundreds (maybe near thousands) of dollars worth of planes because he was never taught. He learned - the hard way.

I had my trainer for nearly two full years before I sold it for something bigger and better. And thats my two cents.

I think that a simple high wing .40 size gas trainer is a good bet. the hobbico avistar 40 slect is a great plane it includes everything neded to fly. including radio, and engine. you really can't get anything for uder $200 unless you get somthing used. the avistar is $400. also you must keep in mind that the $160 price tag on the ebay model almost definatly is only for the airplane and not the engine, radio, and other nessitys. you need to be prepared to spend $400. that is basicly the limit for new products. I would sugest going to a local hobby shop to talk to someone there and ask some questions. go with a Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) model and then move up to spending a year on building your own model. once you talk to someone at your hobbyshop you can then go to RCM.com or hobbypeople.net or buysomthing at the shop. I qouldn't sugest ebay for somthing like this, too big a pakage, too much money, you will probably need to buy other equipment, and it might turn out that the airplane dosn't fly.

I am new to the Hobbie as well, and have only been flying for a couple of weeks now. For my first plane, I chose the Extra Easy 2 from Hanger 9, for a couple of reasons. Firts it is an RTF, within 30 minutes you can have it in the air. Comes with engine pre-installed and already broke in a factory, also has limiters so engine cannot be adjusted out of wack. Radio was pre-installed as well, come with JR XF421 5 channel radio. Plane handles very well, easy takeoffs, and slow landings. Wings are 69", and has lots of Dehydral. Also has hands off if you get into trouble. Some say hands off is bad, because you get to use to it, but sure makes it easier on the wallet. The only problem I have had with this plane so far is flying it on windy days. Due to the large wing and great dehydral, I assume this is where my problem is coming from, makes handeling hard. I am looking at my next plane already, have looked around alot, and have made my mind up on getting the New Funtana by Hanger 9., and transfer my engine, ( Evolution .40 Power Trainer system), and radio over to it. Any thoughts on this is appreciated, and hope my little experience so far, can help a little.

I am a new insructor just begining to teach . I have flown two or three so called trainers that students brought to the field and must say I am not overly impressed. That is compared to my own personal favorate, the GP Ugly stik 40. I have an ARF that was given to me after a serious crash and I rebuilt it and it is the best flying plane I nave owned to date. Very responsive and stable. Is much easier to handle than the "trainers" I have been flying. I plan to start my grandson out on it today. There are at least two other ugly stiks on the field and they are all very impresive in there ease of handleing[ one being flown by a student of another instuctor]