I have never really flown a plane before, but my friend has shown what to do and how to do it with his large scale planes. I was looking at the Parkzone J-3 Cub from Horizon Hobby (info at http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=PKZ1100) and i really like the piper cub, the simplicity of putting this plane together, and how it includes all the batteries and the charger that I need, and also how inexpensive it it. My friend suggested that I dont get it simply because it was electric and that it doesnt have airlerons (spelling). What would you suggest, this plane or smething else. Also, is there a way I can use a larger capacity battery, a 600 mah pack doesnt seem like much. Would it be possible to use a battery pack used for r/c cars, or a receiver pack used for one? i know this is a lot to read, but im new and i want to learn some things.

Sounds like you've made up your mind you're going electric. I've seen that parkzone cub and it's pretty. Flies very nicely too, but it's no beginners airplane. Wouldn't stay pretty long if you tried to learn on it. If you're gonna stay electric, I would suggest something like a slo stick from GWS. Pretty much indestructible, and the electronics you buy for it will transfer over to your next airplane, unlike the P-Z cub. It's gonna be a bit more expensive, because you're gonna have to spring for the airplane, radio, a GWS flight pack, everything you need besides the ariplane and a transmitter and if you want, you can even get a GWS transmitter. All told will probablly run you in the 250-300 dollar range, more than the cub but a much better way to start, especially if the hobby gets a hook in you (and it sounds like it has already).

Welcome to the fun.....


Andy

oh, i forgot to add. it has a mode change flight control software for beginners, it prevents over correction, couples the elevator and rudder control, and the pitch control is lowered to allow you to get used to it. im not sure what all that means, but it sounds as though it helps make your first flights much easier. and if i were to crash, about the only thing it is going to hit is soft hay from our farm fields.

Trouble with hay fields is somewhere there is a rock,not rocks,just one with your name on it,hope you don't find it.
Good luck.

I'm new at the hobby, well, dabbled a couple times (crashed teaching myself, dumb, and built a plane 90% still in my garage, but, I just went through the what plane dilemma.

As I said, I have tried to get into the hobby for a long time. My first real, successful, enjoyable experince came about 2 years ago when I saw the Firebird XL (this model is discontinued, but several firebirds still in production). This is a very basic 2 channel plane that has not 3, but 2 channels. Throttle (which, by the way, is what you should use to go up and down, not elevator), and rudder. To go higher, more throttle, to turn, rudder. After years of yearning, and one terrible attempt at teaching myself a 40 size glow trainer, I finally got a plane that I truly got to enjoy. They are made of styrofoam, and repairs are as simple as some packing tape.

It got a little boring pretty quick, but I think the Firebird's are an excellent plane if you insist on learning alone.

However, if your money allows, I would go buy a 40 size trainer, with a radio and engine. I bought the Nexstar and don't regret it a bit, beautiful plane, engine starts on the first try, and so far, I think it's very easy to fly. However, don't try to learn with a glow trainer, or 4 channel plane of any type, electric or whatever, without an experienced instructor. I learned this the hard way. Slow flying electric "park flyers" like the Firebird, yes, go for it, but the real deal fully flyable aircraft, find a club and get help. You won't regret it!

Tim

GREAT ADVICE from Andy!