Good first plane?????
06-13-2004 | 10:48 AM
#1
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From: san clemente,
CA
Good first plane?????
I am new to rc planes but really want to get one. budget is limited to about 350. I was hoping for something in the range of a .4-.6 that wouldn't be to hard to learn to fly on but will be able some aerobatics. I had been looking at the gp Cub but have read that it gets real boring. Any opinions would be great.
06-13-2004 | 11:50 AM
#3
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RE: Good first plane?????
My first plane was the Great Planes PT40. It is regarded as one of the best trainers available. It is stable and well mannered. Build the kit version (don't get the ARF) and build it with the sport wing option (it gives you 2 ways to build it). Put an OS46LA on it and you will have a plane mild enough to learn on and sporty enough to learn basic aerobatics on when you are ready. If you can afford it, get a 6 channel radio. You will only use 4 on the trainer, but on your next plane you will have 2 more channels available for retracts, smoke, etc.
06-13-2004 | 04:59 PM
#4
My Feedback: (4)
RE: Good first plane?????
Okay, I'm going to give you my standard line....
Find a local club and go pay a visit to the flying field on any nice Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Tell people that you're interested and ask if anyone knows of someone that might be selling a used trainer. (I've helped a couple people buy really decent trainers, including the radio equipment and engine for $200 or less.) Join the AMA and the club, and get an instructor.
Don't forget that once you buy a trainer, engine and radio, you still need at least a $150 to $200 for all the misc. support equipment, AMA and club memberships.
The only real choice to going the club route is buying an electric Park flyer. A good one is the Aerobird Commander, and sells for about $150 complete with radio, motor and battery charger. It IS possible to learn with a lighter, slower electric. Trying to go it alone with a glow plane will likely result in a pile of sticks after a 30 second attempt at flight.
Here's a link to the AMA's website. They have a "Club Locater" page where you can plug in a ZIp Code and find a number of clubs fairly close by. http://www.modelair.org/
Dennis-
Find a local club and go pay a visit to the flying field on any nice Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Tell people that you're interested and ask if anyone knows of someone that might be selling a used trainer. (I've helped a couple people buy really decent trainers, including the radio equipment and engine for $200 or less.) Join the AMA and the club, and get an instructor.
Don't forget that once you buy a trainer, engine and radio, you still need at least a $150 to $200 for all the misc. support equipment, AMA and club memberships.
The only real choice to going the club route is buying an electric Park flyer. A good one is the Aerobird Commander, and sells for about $150 complete with radio, motor and battery charger. It IS possible to learn with a lighter, slower electric. Trying to go it alone with a glow plane will likely result in a pile of sticks after a 30 second attempt at flight.
Here's a link to the AMA's website. They have a "Club Locater" page where you can plug in a ZIp Code and find a number of clubs fairly close by. http://www.modelair.org/
Dennis-
06-13-2004 | 05:32 PM
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From: Slidell, LA
RE: Good first plane?????
First of all, heed DB`s advice. Second, IMHO, a Cub is NOT a good primary trainer. I think you`ll find that anyone who says they`re " bored " with a Cub has been flying a while. I`d recommend one of the classics that have trained thousands ( LT-40, PT-40, Eagle, Avistar if you have a good instructor and maybe some sim time, etc. ).
06-17-2004 | 05:13 AM
#7
My Feedback: (2)
RE: Good first plane?????
ORIGINAL: DBCherry
Okay, I'm going to give you my standard line....
Find a local club and go pay a visit to the flying field on any nice Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Tell people that you're interested and ask if anyone knows of someone that might be selling a used trainer. (I've helped a couple people buy really decent trainers, including the radio equipment and engine for $200 or less.) Join the AMA and the club, and get an instructor.
Don't forget that once you buy a trainer, engine and radio, you still need at least a $150 to $200 for all the misc. support equipment, AMA and club memberships.
The only real choice to going the club route is buying an electric Park flyer. A good one is the Aerobird Commander, and sells for about $150 complete with radio, motor and battery charger. It IS possible to learn with a lighter, slower electric. Trying to go it alone with a glow plane will likely result in a pile of sticks after a 30 second attempt at flight.
Here's a link to the AMA's website. They have a "Club Locater" page where you can plug in a ZIp Code and find a number of clubs fairly close by. http://www.modelair.org/
Dennis-
Okay, I'm going to give you my standard line....
Find a local club and go pay a visit to the flying field on any nice Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Tell people that you're interested and ask if anyone knows of someone that might be selling a used trainer. (I've helped a couple people buy really decent trainers, including the radio equipment and engine for $200 or less.) Join the AMA and the club, and get an instructor.
Don't forget that once you buy a trainer, engine and radio, you still need at least a $150 to $200 for all the misc. support equipment, AMA and club memberships.
The only real choice to going the club route is buying an electric Park flyer. A good one is the Aerobird Commander, and sells for about $150 complete with radio, motor and battery charger. It IS possible to learn with a lighter, slower electric. Trying to go it alone with a glow plane will likely result in a pile of sticks after a 30 second attempt at flight.
Here's a link to the AMA's website. They have a "Club Locater" page where you can plug in a ZIp Code and find a number of clubs fairly close by. http://www.modelair.org/
Dennis-
By the way the Aerobird Challenger is the plane I think Dennis meant to reference. It is a three channel RTF electric. I started on an Aerobird. The Commander is a two channel plane. Very easy to fly but I would recommend a minimum of three channels so that you have full elevator control. The commander is rudder/throttle only and is very easy to lose in the wind.
Find a club, get some help, enjoy a lifetime of fun and community.
06-17-2004 | 07:02 AM
#8
RE: Good first plane?????
You can get a complete ready to fly (About a hour of assembly is needed) Avistar trainer that has a Futaba 4VF radio and an OS 40LA engine from [link=http://www.brownshobbyshop.com]Brown's Hobby's[/link] for $399.
