I just want to know what will be the better of the two airplanes (ARF)*? I would love a comparison between the two, like... Time to put together? Better flying etc. anything would be helpful, thanks.

Since they're both ARFs from esentially the same company, the building time and quality is probably about the same. I built a Tower Trainer for a student once but have never assembled the Avistar. But I have flown both several times while teaching.

The Avistar has a semi-semetrical wing and less dihedral, and this makes it a little more manueverable. It's a little more like a sport plane than an absolute first-time trainer. The Tower trainer with it's flat airfoil wing can perhaps land a little slower. But actually both fly very well and if you have an instructor helping you, you could start with either one.

Hi,

My first plane was the Avistar ARF.. Even tho it was/is my first build I
did not think it was hard.. Just epoxying the wings together.. Just make
sure of a good fit, adjust as nessary, Mine required no sanding.. Then
the tail feathers also insure they are in alignment hori.and vert. and
also looking from the tail end forward ensure the hori. stab is in line
with the wing, shime as nessary, .. Again mine did not require any
adjustment.. When gluing the rudder in I used an old triangle left
over from the kids school days to in sure it was true.. I broke off
one end to get around the fuse. Guess it would be the same for the
Tower trainer.. It really can be done in under six or so hours I
would guess, But I let my wing sit for a day or so.. I was in a rush,
but I wanted a good bond more.. Plus my club trainer was a BIG
help , He let me build in his shop..

I love how the Avistar flys with its semi-semetrical wing, inverted is
a breeze and it will let you do alot more once your past the basics
verses the tower trainer.. But the tower trainer does right itself better
and lands slower.. I took-off then landed the Tower trainer for a
fellow club member

*** Oh yeah the innards of the plane i.e. rec./servos/linkage, but
that's pretty straight forward.. But then again I had assistance from
my trainer.. That did help..

I started with an Avistar and enjoyed it for over 100 flights before I sold it.
It is a great plane and will do more than any beginner needs.

Thanks guys!, avistar for me

I had the Tower Trainer 40 and altough the dihedral and flat bottom is beneficial at the begining, you will outgrow it in short time. So Avistar seems like a better choice.

I takes full down elevator with Tower Trainer 40 and 40 LA to maintain the inverted flight with high throws. But also Tower Trainer is though and strong.

I have been flying a tower 40 for thr last month or two. It's my second plane(destroyed first one) and love it. I have had to dead stick it into a plowed field a couple of times and have had no damage. Nice looking plane, very bright graphics and I belive it is monokote. It was a pc of cake to put together and was coverd very well.

also forgot to tell you the best part it's only $69.00

I started building the Tower Trainer MKII, yesterday & have a question.

While browsing the "Tech Notes", at Tower, it noted, Additional requirements: ..... Servos: Four Standard (1-Aileron, 1-elevator, 1-Throttle, 1-Rudder)

The use of standard servos was part of the deciding factor for choosing this trainer. I purchased the radio first, then the aircraft, so, I have 4 standard servos.

The Tower Assembly Instructions uses the term "aileron servo". I checked with Futaba website & discovered there is a difference between Futaba Aileron Servo, S9102 & the Futaba "Standard" Servo, S3004.

Which wing mounted servo did you use?

Thank you in advance.


bob

Standard servo will work just fine. It's an aileron servo after you put it in the wing. : )

Years ago, I put together a "Gentle Lady", from scratch, & it took me several enjoyable months to complete, but, I had less trouble with that kit, then I am having with this ARTF.

The tech writers assume a lot about the builder. It appears they are erring on the side of experienced builders instead of those new to RC.

Thank you! I guess, I can get back to scratching my head.

A safe weekend for you & your family.


bob

I used all s3004 servos. I do remember in the instructions that they said to use the stronger servo but that was just a option not necasary though. Hope you enjoy the plane, I love mine so far. If you know somebody with some building experiance you can also build the wing with a little less dihadrel.

It appears, as though, every creature on earth understood once a servo is selected to be mounted in the main wing & assigned duties to control the airlerons, than it ceased being an un-designated servo & would be, here after, known as the official, re-designated, aileron servo & even my dog is grinning & shaking his head, yes!

I'm just happy to be back in RC again. I think re-learning can be more difficult, than learning, in some instances. This may well be one of those instances.

"Dog" is still looking over my shoulder & grinning, so, I guess, there will be no main wing modifications, this time around.

What was the "oops" you experienced on assembly & which engine did you choose?

I used the O.S 46fx out of my nexstar that I destroyed( tried to learn on my own). The only thing you may want to change is the wheels. Putting bigger wheels on will help you get off the ground easier if the grass gets to tall. Let me know how you first flight go's.

Awsome, I got my Avistar out yesterday! Guy took it up and let me take the controls. I flew good. almost got to land it but i was a little high like 5 passes and ran out of gas the last one and guy next to me took it down. I love this airplane, probably won't out fly this one any time soon.

Great! I see your in MN so yesterday would have been the day to fly. I live in WI and yesterday was the only good dry day we have had in almost two weeks and I had to work late so I could not get to the field[&o] Keep it up it only gets better and more addictive.

Hey D:

Funny you should mention building the wing with less dihedral. The measurement technique, suggested, to insure the joiner has set the two wing halves at the proper angle, failed. There should be 5 1/4 inch, from table top to highest point on each wing tip, plus or minus 1/2 inch, with the opposite wing lying flat on the table. I just barely managed 4 inches, although, the measurement from wing tip to wing tip was exactly 61 inches.

I didn't realize the tolerance were so loose. I wouldn't even call those numbers, ball park figures.

I've asked support for help to define the error. This will be my grand daughter's first real model airplane & I really want to make sure, everything is right.

Do you recall what your numbers were?

I was unable to find my instructions. I do remember having the same problem with wing height. I didn't worry about it though since the spar fit tight and everything else was straight and level. It flights great and basic aerobatic maneuvers are not to difficult.

For this application anything more than standard servo's is overkill. The only suggestion i would make is be sure thy are ball bearing servo's. As to what engine. Any decent 45-6 would do. I like Irvine, ThunderTiger Pro, Super Tiger, MVVS to name a few. Buy a decent brand name and you should be fine.

Mark Shuman

If you experienced the same discrepancy, I'm not going to worry about it. Mine is sitting about 10 degrees. Both wing halves & the joiner match up close to perfect.

I should be finished in another hour or so, minus the engine. It won't be flown for, at least, another month.

How about 4 strokes?

i just soloed with my tower 40 trainer yesterday after putting about six flights on it with a buddy box. the guys at my local flying field have been very helpful. i have an old o.s. 45 on it. it flies very well. my landing wasn't pretty but i didn't bounce and nothing broke. i too thought the instructions were a little vague in places but i got it together and then had the guys at the field check over it. they tweaked a couple things and it was flyable. all i can say is good luck and don't be afraid to ask for help.

People with little, or no, RC experience should write the assembly instruction & English should be their first language.

Anyone with a minimum of common sense & the desire to do so should be capable of assembling this aircraft with no difficulty at all. After having labored through my assembly, I can, now, say, it was simple & I could assemble one without the book in a few hours or less.

We appreciate your input, yours has been quite encouraging, thanks.