Gday guys
This is my first post in this what looks to be a very active and well set up forum/
I am looking to get into r/c aircraft... Flying the real ones just isnt enough for me.
I have an old aircraft i got given ages ago with a ASP 46 engine and 4 channel Sanwa Vangaurd Am radio set. The engine is hard to start and when it does it stalls after short period of time. Ive spent many hrs fidling with the needle valve and throttle screws but it doesnt help. The radio is in pristine condition but a mate told me AM radios arent any good for planes because most of those cheap r/c cars you buy for kids use AM radios which could cause interference when flying. Is it worth keeping any of these parts.

Secondly i need a new plane .. the body on the current one is in very poor condition. The local hobby store is doing a deal for 330 AUD which includes the boomerang trainer plane with a OS 40 LA engine and Hitech 4 channel radio. But then i saw the seagull PC( which looks awsome and grabbed my attention. Is it worth going for the PC9 or will it be too fast and hard to learn on. And will my prior 100 so hrs in real planes count for anything.


Thanks for your time guys.

Neil

Hi neil, welcome to to the hobby just try to control yourself with the buying until you are flyin! the pc9 is a low wing plane witch doesn't make for a good beginner , that would make a good second plane once you got the basics down,hold back that urge to by it now. I myself bought the hobico nexstar witch comes with software for the comp and would do it all over again. it was worth the 399.00 i spent, and highly recommend this plane to any beginner.you will get some pros an cons from this but thats my story,ive been flying from december of this year after my son bought me a aero bird electric for Christmas and its blossomed from there i got the bug! and i owe my success to flying from the sofware with the nexstar. if and what you chose just make sure you control the urge to fly on your own, Heres A PIC OR TO OF MY NEXSTAR AND MY SEAGULL EXTRA 300 [link=http://www.midmad.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=7148]CLICK ME[/link] O AND BY THE WAY I WOULDNT USE THAT RADIO EITHER

nmaybury , it is good to have you.
I would recommend that you start with the trainer.
You will outgrow it quickly but it will allow you to learn and make mistakes for a modest price. Once you get better, you can move up to more advanced planes.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask/post

NEIL Heres some more pics as well of my cub and nexstar, my wife said if i buy another plane shes going to divorce me, man im sure going to miss her [link=http://www.midmad.com/images/airplanes/022904/html/index.htm]click me[/link]

Start with the trainer. The PC9 will flip over in an instant which is what you want for sport flying but very scary to watch when you are trying to learn. I found that the theory learned from flying full sized planes didn't help until after I passed my wings test. Then I had enough time to think and do things that the other pilots wouldn't dream of. Such as taking off into the wind and then turning around and landing with the wind. The PC9 will make a great 2nd plane!

Stick with the trainer, you will learn much more quickly (and keep the airplane intact). I flew full scale jets and, other than the knowledge of flight dynamics, it didn't help much with model flying initially. It does help later on, when you get a bit more practiced & decide to start messing with aerobatics..

If you are really interested I would avoid the .40LA unless you are just wanting to use this engine on your trainer. A .46-.52 ball bearing is a much more capable engine.

Nmaybury, have you checked out the SPAD forum yet? there are several good designs for a trainer and they are virtually indestructible. Being in Perth you should have access to all the materials needed to build one.

Do they sell Hangar 9 over where you are at? I've seen a Funtana, Twist and a few others that are really nice. Their Solo, Alpha and Arrow might be just as nice? Some others would have to comment on that. I'm thinking that if my trainer meets an early death I might try that Arrow. Go for a nice trainer. You'll thank yourself later. I'd go for a flat bottom airfoil and build the wing flat without dihedral. You'll get nice slow approaches but it won't want to right itself so much, ie: it will fly better.

I agree with britbrat, being a pilot does help cause you already know the concept of flight, but that's about it. One big difference flying RC is that your not sitting in the cockpit . It's going to be confusing for you at first when your plane is coming at you, aileron input is going to be backwards to you. Once you get that down you should have no problems.

Good luck!
Chris.

Go with the deal at the hobby shop. And I am sure that a city the size of Perth has an RC club. Join it and find an instructor.
There is nothing wrong with the OS40LA. It runs well and is easy to start. Mine has NEVER quit on me in flight. Hitec is a well respected radio manufacturer.
It sound like the hobby shop has a good deal going for a beginner such as yourself.
Get it and go flying!!

I went from a Nexstar to a PC9..

Let me say, I LOVE the PC9.. It is definantly fun to fly, but I am glad I started with the nexstar.. They both have .46 size engines, but the PC9 is a different animal.. Learn the basics on the Nexstar, you'll be glad you did..

Then you can keep the Nexstar if you want, or you will not have any trouble selling it to a new student.. I personally take both out flying.. When I want to just cruise around, I take the Nexstar up. To practice also, landings, touch and goes, even to see how the wind is. Eventually I'll put a camera on it for the heck of it..

Hey cheers heaps guys for your help.
I wasnt wrong about this forum at al.. everyone is willing to give a helping hand to tohers.
Well the decision was made to go get the deal from the hobby store.. Even got more then i bargained .. it came wif nicads and absolutely everything else. I pulled open the box earlier today and started on it allready... done about 3 hrs on it so far and got maybe 2 more to go.. all servos and engine were allready installed.

Well i cant wait to get out to the local field. Already rang the guy up and he was very helpful and said to come down this weekend and there should be someone to give me a hand.

One more question i have is what should i take down with me to the field. I know i def need glow plug heater, electric starter, some basic tools like knife and screw driver... and of course the fuel. Anything else for my first outing?

Thanks again guys and ill let yas know how it goes later this week..

Neil

Maybe this goes without saying but bring a large hat. Your Aussie type hats are the preferred type at our club. You can't fly the plane if the sun gets in your eyes and you can't see it! Another thing, Your plane will have to be checked over and test flown. Combine that with some training flights and you are looking at probably 2 hours minimum for the first day. So bring a cooler and at least 2 litres of something cold and wet such as H2O, pop, fruit juice or something similiar (not beer). After the first day your instructor will advise you on what else to bring.[8D