I am new to r/c flying but wanted to learn how. I am planning on getting one soon. I have no clue were to start. What is a nice quality electric airplane thats easy to learn to fly. I am willing to spend around 150. LEt me know any advice.

Thanks
Matt

nah go with a .40 size glow trainer instead of electric. Glow engines are so much more fun.

Go to www.towerhobbies.com and under aircraft go to .20-.50 ARF TRIANER. Hobbico makes good ones and to get started fast you can buy an RTF (ready to fly). Im sure people will post what planes are good or not. I personally like the Hobbico Nexstar because it flys great slow and is an RTF.

If you choose to get just and ARF (almost ready to fly) as oppose to an RTF, then you will need to buy everything seperate and have a little building involved

1st - pick an airplane. Like i said hobbico makes good ones but there are many others that im sure people will recommend a lot to you, but go with with and ARF or and RTF.

2nd - What size engine is required will be listed under the airplane you buy. Some good brands are O.S., heard tower hobbies engines are good, thungder tiger, magnum, etc etc.

3rd - You need a radio (the remote). You have several options. The standard is a 4 channel with 4 servos. if you are looking to buy a bigger better plan in the future then i would go with a 6 channel, that way you can just buy servos instead of a whole new system. Popular brands are Futaba, Hitec , airtronics, and tower makes a few but the 4 channel i have by them is kinda cheapy but it works.

another option is that you can buy a combo which comes with the ARF, engine, and the radio but you still have to install it yourself and build. the RTF is only a few things to do. Our Nexstar was done ina few minutes. screwed on the wing, rudder and elevator, charged batteries and fueled it up. sooo easy =D

Once you are done with getting your plane ready you need a Field Box. This is what you take to the field that carries you starter (turns the prop to start the engine) a glow plug (sparks the engine, i recommend a wireless battery one) fuel and a fuel pump (either electric or hand one eiter works) and all you tools. (few extra props are handy and some glue lol) some good brands are hobbico and great planes.

now you are set. read you intructions before building, and find out what tools you need for ur plane to build (if any), read about ur engine how it works, and how you set your radio up.

Im still considered new to the sport but trust me i think weve all been in ur shoes and i was just like you, except didnt have this site to ask =D

good luck and ask questions!! oh ya! and go with your budget. but remember you dont need to buy it all in one shot. you can buy the plane, build it, buy the radio, install it, buy the engine fly it lol or something like that. thats what i u do now that ive gotten a job (im 17), buy little by little on each check.

~Matt

Alright, i was in your shoes 4 years ago when i started. I wanted to spend less than 200$. I looked through Hobby-lobby's park fliers, but was unimpressed. So i saved up $400 and got a Thunder Tiger Trainer (Ready to fly), and it was very, very worth it. Personally, i think the fuel engines are so much more fun. You really feel the power (And hear it too!). You have more options, and can fly in more wind... blah...blah. If you are able to save up another $300, i would do it. Then of course join a club, because they will help you with the rest. Great hobby, $$$$$$ though

Okay I am probably now intersted in a RTF Glow Airplane. So If want to order my first one soon, what are some of the good ones and what should I keep in mind when buying one. Also how much space do you need to fly the planes? Will it be easy for me to just take off and land it? Also I dont really want to spend 300 on somthing I never tried and may not totally end up loving. Thanks Again
Matt

Matt,
It's good that you want to try the hobby, but also know that you only want to spend X amount in case you don't like it.
Here's a good one to try the hobby with, that comes with a good 3 channel radio. "Sky Skooter Pro 2 - available at Tower hobbies on sale for 149.99 and comes with EVERYTHING you will need to get started. Plane takes 20 mins. to "assemble". Comes with the plane, radio, battery, charger, instructions, ect.
A lot of the other little cheepie electrics don't have a very good radio, and in fact, most of them come with a radio that is more like a car, or boat radio.
If you decide you like it, then you can always get a Hangar 9 "Alpha" ready to fly plane for 399.99 (.40 size glow powered, with all the basic stuff), You will still need to pick up a few items if you go that route, like a glow plug igniter, some fuel, ect.
Also, as far as learning to fly these, it's best if you can find someone to help, (use the "finding an instructor" part of this site) Although with the sky skooter, and other "park flyer" type electrics, your chances of self teaching are MUCH greater. They aren't THAT easy to fly until you've done it a few times, just like anything else.
Oh yeah, the sky skooter will fly in the area of a baseball field.
Always remember: If you think the plane is going to fly out of site, or you really can't tell what's going on with it, just cut the throttle.
Good luck, have FUN, and keep at it.

Jetts

BEFORE YOU ORDER ANYTHING, check this out with your local club. AMA has a program that allows a person to fly for 30 days. THE CLUB provides the trainer, radio, fuel, etc. The purpose of the program is to allow people to try flying RC planes before making any financial investment.

As I said above, check this out with your local club. Not every club offers this program.

If the program is available, try flying. If you decide you like it, talk to the instructor and see what they suggest for a plane, engine, radio, etc. Many clubs are also offering training on electrics these days.

Even if the program is not available, again, check at the club, often a member will have a used trainer setup for sale at about 1/2 (or less) of the cost of a new setup.

In any case, I strongly suggest having an instructor. Clubs provide free instructions. When trying to teach yourself to fly, the first flight is USUALLY less than 30 seconds and normally results in damage to the plane (frequently "rekitting" it).

Hope this helps.

Matt,
Here's a link to the AMA's website. They have a "Club Locater" page where you can plug in your Zip Code and get a list of clubs within an easy driving distance. (There's more of us out there than you can imagine. )

Go to the club's field on a sunny (not too windy) Saturday or Sunday and watch. Ask some questions, tell people that you're interested in trying it. Most of the clubs are very friendly and more than happy to help out a new guy. And yes, some clubs have a club trainer and will get you up to see what you think.

I have also helped a couple of new guys find local people selling trainer packages cheap. I got one guy started with trainer, radio equipment, engine and a couple spare props for $150, and it was a great trainer.

Good luck, have fun, and welcome to RCU!
Dennis-

whres the link? lol yeah i forgot about clubs having a trainer =D definetley do that and see if you like it!

Excellent advice Campy! Wish they would have had that when I got started, but all they had at the local clubs was attitude......nice that things have changed!

Ooops, sorry! http://www.modelair.org/