I'm still not sure whether to get a RTF kit for the Avistar or an ARF kit and get the engine and radio separate (i WILL get the ARF if I can afford it), but i want to know what prop size is good for the Avistar with a .46 engine. Tower hobbies says that a 10x6 is too small. ALSO while I'm putting up yet another post, what tools will i need if i decide to get the ARF avistar? How much more will i need to do compared to assembling the RTF avistar kit? I know this issue has been beaten into the dirt, but what props are better more for trainers? I just stumbled across the issue of prop balancing and lord, you can't find a straight anwer for that one!! Maybe i should just spend the extra 20 and get a prop balancer as well!!

smoothyfp,

From the sound of this post and I few of the others I'd say you're getting information overload!!!!!

My suggestion is to stop asking questions here and start asking them at the club you plan on joining!!!! This place has a lot of info the tricky part is figuring out which advice to take and which to ignore

BTW I've used 10x6 on the Older OS .46 SF with no problems. you could also try an 11x5 my personal favorite.

I also prefer an 11x5 prop for a .40-.48 size motor.

check out this prop chart!

[link=http://www.masterairscrew.com/techbull.asp#A]Prop Chart[/link]

Hi smoothyyfp.... I would use an 11x6 on the 46.. Thats what I used
on my Avistar/46LA.. And the prop I was useing on my 46FX until I
switched to a 12.25X3.75 to play more on my Dazzler..
I guess the RTF Avistar is a good buy for all the gear.. But if you want
to invest in a better radio now, I do not believe the price difference
would be all that much more if you look around.. You'll really just
need the epoxy(30min) and some CA and a hobby knife.. For the ARF
Then getting the wing together and let sit for a day or so to dry..Thats
what I did.. Test fit the joiner/wings before epoxing, sand parts as
needed..But you do want a tight fit, have a rag/paper towers and
alcohol ready to clean off excess epoxy. I used clamps and a rubber
band setup from wing tip to tip to hold tightly together.. Then you can
use epoxy or carpenters glue on the tail feathers.. Same here on
adjustment and alignment with main wing.. Then add your engine and
radio gear. Set your control throws to the low rate and CG per your
manual.. A good prop balancer is good.. But I just got the finger
balancer and it works great for me.. Main thing is just take your time
and all should come out OK..

When I learned, I had an OS .46FX with a MAS 11x7 which was the best combo for it. I would say any prop ranging from 11x5-7 would be fine. For trainers, speed is not needed. I would probably go with a MAS 11x5 or 6, then try a 11x7 if the motor can turn it. The MAS 11x7 would be a little faster prop than the MAS 11x5 or 6, but with any trainer, throttle control is very important.

Notice I only recommend MAS (Master AirScrew) props. I am a club instructor now and I only use APC props now, but for learning MAS are the best. APC props will break too easily while learning to land. So for training purposes stay with a MAS prop. Will cost less in the end.

[quote]ORIGINAL: Crashem

smoothyfp,

From the sound of this post and I few of the others I'd say you're getting information overload!!!!!

My suggestion is to stop asking questions here and start asking them at the club you plan on joining!!!! This place has a lot of info the tricky part is figuring out which advice to take and which to ignore

I think you're right. I really do appreciate everyone's help on this site. It has helped teach me a lot about getting into the hobby, but.....i do get a LOT of conflicting answers on a lot of things. I'm going out to the club field again today for my second lesson on the club trainer (which is a tail dragger, so I'm even more anxious about getting my own tricycle style trainer!!) and so i will hopefully get some more straightforward answers to my questions. But at least i got a fairly good consensus on prop size. thanks everyone!!

or this one....

Your trainer will slow down for landing approach much better with an 11X5 than with an 11X7.

Just my $0.02.

Don't bother balancing.
Go with an 11 X 5 prop.
An ARF usually takes a complete newbie about 40 hours to assemble, a RTF about 6. But with the RTF you have to take what they give you for radio and engine. Which do you want?

Generally speaking, go the easy route while getting started. If prop balancing was critical, everyone would be saying balance it!

Same is true of most things on RCU. If you're getting a mixed bunch of answers, it means it's not crucial, or no one brand is that much better.
Dennis-

If you are just learning how to fly, forget the fancy props and go with a black, plastic Master Airscrew. They don't break as easily as an APC or a wood prop, especially if you are on a hard surface.

A 10-6 is too small for a .46, in my opinion. The engine revs up a lot and you don't get any better performance from it. Some guys just like the sound of a high revving engine. Generally, the overall best prop is an 11-6, but I sometimes use an 11-5 for a little more climb.

Some people like an 11-7, but it will be harder slowing down than with the lower pitch props. A more powerful .46 (than a plain bearing .40) will also be harder to slow down for landing so a .46 with an 11-7 will be harder for a new flier to land.

For speed go with an 10-7 prop.

One of the reasons plain bearing .40s are more popular on trainers than ball bearing .46s is they are cheaper to replace. People learning tend to bounce their engine off the runway, bury it in the dirt and generally mistreat it by not tuning it correctly. A cheap .40 is easier to replace and they take a lot of abuse.

I have an FX46 and found for most throttle setttings an 11-5 on the 46 was much better than the 11-6. Quicker to rev up when needed, better take off power and more pull to get you out of trouble. How often are you going to be at full throttle trying for max speed anyhow??

I agree with Fastsky. If there is sufficient ground clearance, a 12-4 is a great choice for a trainer with a strong .46 (not an LA), but I don't think it will fit a trike Avistar -- unless it is converted to a taildragger.

Thanks for everyone's help. I was out at the field with the local club yesterday. I didn't get to fly since it was too windy, but I did talk to the president of the club/instructor and he gave me a lot of useful tips. I'm going to go with the Futaba 6exa and he has a 9CAF so we will have matching ends for the trainer cable. I'm going to go with a Thunder Tiger .46 ball bearing engine. And lastly, I'm going with the Hobbico Avistar ARF. My instructor gladly offered to help me put it together. I was also told to go with a Master Airscrew black 11x6 prop for it. Thanks again everyone. I hope to get all of this ordered within the next two weeks, so I will let everyone know how things go.

In my Avistar ARF with an OS 46AX, I found I prefer using an 11x4 or 11x5. I liked the 4 better because I could do so neat stall tricks with it, and I could take off in about 30ft. And I had added an extra 8oz. of lead to balance it, instead of moving the battery. You will love the Avistar. Easy to fly, you can do many great tricks with it, and its just plain fun.

Crashburn69, I also agree that an 11-4 would do the job, but carefull throttle management is needed. An 11-4 is pretty thin for the TT, unless you restrict full throttle use to take-off & the up-lines only -- an Avistar wearing a TT .46 Pro with an 11-4 will dissapear straight up faster than most trainers can fly on the level. An 11-5 is a good choice for that combination & an 11-6 is also good -- they will both hover an Avistar without the risk of overreving on the level.

Buy one of each and try them both. 11X5 and 11X6 Master Airscrew props. Paint the tips with white out. Surprisingly easy and long lasting. Very visible in sunlight.

Good luck and regards.

Britbrat, you are right, but one advantage I find by using the 11x4 it that it limits top speed. And that lessens the chance of folding your wing, when making too hard of a turn. But on the down side, for someone learning, it makes it a little too easy to get out of sticky situations from too low airspeed, and being able to power out of almost any flat stall, with very little altitude to spare.

After reading this whole thread I must say that the APC 10.5x6 is the perfect prop.
Good power good speed and it allows the engine to rev. up quickly when power is needed NOW.

I have an evolution .46 on my Avistar and have tried all of the props mentioned and the 10.5x6 is the best of the bunch.

No Brag just Fact.

Ralph

I'd still recommend a 11x6 or 12x4 for a trainer, even if it is a sport trainer. It is still a trainer and should be treated accordingly. I have trained many and trainers are not designed for speed. Easy laid back flying is that it does best or you take a chance on folding the wings. TOO much dihedral for speed.

Ok, good info here. How about the best prop size for the OS 46 fx on a 3d plane like the Goldberg Ex-treme 540 profile?
Thanks Tommy

12-4 for the Extreme with a .46 FX

12.25x3.75 is my personal favorite but I here the 11x4 works well also (both being APC)