Hi to all.... I'm just starting out with RC planes. I have a Hanger9 Cessna skylane182 with a Saito 4stoke. I would like to put a feild box together to take for my first instructional in a couple of weeks. I don't have anything but the plane and the rc. I was looking for a list of everything that I will need. I'm kind of a stickler for quality... so I don't mind spending the money to get the best of what I'll need. I just have no idea where to start and what companies make the best products. Thanks for any help.....

I could be wrong but this might not be the plane to start with! What wingspan and engine size!

Wow I need to have your job. I agree though about getting good quality stuff.
Some of the things I can think of:
-A high tork starter Hangar 9 and Hobbico are some good ones
-A glow starter " "
-fuel probably 15% 4 stroke
-screwdriver with different end attachments
-tape scotch and duct ya never know
-extra glow plugs probably O.S. F
-glow plug wrench
-fuel pump electric or hand
-spare nuts and bolts
-glue all sorts
-a good set of allen wrenches
-hobby knife with spare SHARP blades


This is enough to get you in the air and I can't think of any other goodies but I am sure plenty of others will. My biggest piece of advise to you is to get an experienced person to help you, that plane is really not a true trainer plane. I hope this helps some and I hope you enjoy it.

1st, welcome to RCU, great place with a lot of friendly people.

I too would question the Cessna as a trainer, but if your instructor is willing to spend the extra time....

For building, or assembly:
Glues: 30 minute and 5 minute epoxy, with something to mix it on and with, (old plastic lids and wooden coffee stirrers, plus small plumbers' acid brushes). Thin CA. (Not "Superglue".) You can substitute wood glue for the CA, but it adds time to the build.

Tools: XActo knife and extra number 11 blades. (Buy a box of 100, it's cheaper and you'll use them.) Razor saw; Kona or XActo. Kona is better. Steel straight edge, 18". A ruler will work but.... Sanding block and various grits of sandpaper. (80, 120, 200, 400.) Screw drivers, small and medium sizes, both flat and phillips types. Pliers, needle nose and regular. (At least one pair with side cutters for wire.) A good set of Allen or hex wrenches. (IMO, Ball drivers are a bit better if you can find a good set.) A "Dremel" type rotary tool will help a lot if you can shell out the extra dollars.

Covering tools: A sealing iron. A Trim iron will help too if you can swing both. A Heat gun made for covering. (Blow dryers don't really get hot enough.) More of those #11 blades for your XActo knife if you didn't buy the box of 100. (Not needed for an ARF, except for repairs.)

Check the kit (or ARF) contents. Most will have a list of extras you'll need to buy; like wheels, fuel tank (& size), fuel line, etc...

Field Equipment:
Some type of "flight box". (A plastic tool box of appropriate size and design works well. Some good ones at Lowe’s or Home Depot. A gallon of 10% fuel (forget 4 stroke fuel, all I ever use is two stroke), a fuel pump, manual or electric and fuel line (3 feet minimum),. A glow igniter with charger. Although not 'necessary', I highly recommend a 12 volt starter for the engine, because most new engines are quite hard to start with a “chicken stick�, and it’s one more headache you don’t need when beginning.

If you buy a 'self contained' glow ignitor and starter (I use 2 6 cell RC car packs wied together for 14.4 volts), and a manual fuel pump, you won't need to buy a 12 volt battery with charger, nor a "power panel" to connect everything. (And you won't have cords dangling around your prop when trying to start the engine.)

Then, get a few props of slightly different diameters and pitch (in the recommended range). The engine directions should give you a range of appropriate sizes for your engine. One or two extra glow plugs should last you through the learning process.

Good luck and have fun.
Dennis-

Welcome!

There are several really good threads already that have all of the information you're looking for...

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Field_Kit_%22Must_Have%22_List/m_1941761/tm.htm]Field Kit necessities[/link]

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/%2AHomemade_Field_Box%2A/m_2186349/tm.htm]Homemade Field Boxes[/link]

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_167247/mpage_1/key_field%2Cbox%2Chell/tm.htm]The Field Box from HELL![/link]

If you'd rather buy than build, Tower Hobbies has a wide selection -- [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=field+box&FVPCODE=RF]Field Boxes from Tower Hobbies[/link]

Good luck with your plane!

great... Thanks to all..... I know that the plane is not a good trainer, but I got the deal of a lifetime on the whole kit and I fly one just like it in real life.... That's really why I bought it... I have a good club that I'm going to join and they have instructors to help. I just want to make it a little easier on them and be prepared.... Thanks agian....

Is this the 96" $569 plane? If so, you are insane to use this plane as your trainer! Get a $100 ARF trainer and a .46 engine. If you have a nice plane it isn't going to look nice by the time you get done learning to fly. Keep it on the shelf until you are very confident in your abilities. Just last week I tore the landing gear off my trainer. Would hurt to do that on a really nice plane.

No...this is only 72", but ya it is a beautiful plane. Is it really that hard to fly these planes, I'm not doubting you, I'm just spective.... Any event, I still need to put a feild box together rite?

Lets see, Mcdaniel nilighter (for lighting the glow plug). Sullivan High Torque or Dynatron starter (I have the Hi Torque). A fuel tank and pump. Any tank will do, You could just use the fuel bottle, A Dave Brown Six shooter pump is nice. Some spare props. The usual tools, Pliers Hex keys wrenches where applicable, screwdrivers. Spare plugs (OS type "F" with the Saito). I always carry some spare fuel tubing, nuts bolts clevises and the like. A battery, a 7ah gell cell is nice. An expanded scale volt meter to check your flight pack wiyh appropriate leads. And a flight box. Here it is personal preference. You can buy a prebuilt one or a kit and do it yourself. The SIG boxes looked nice that I have seen. These are just some suggestions.

Mark Shuman

Get a trainer!

Michael