I was given a plane by my aunt who's husband died a year ago. I've done a little research and know that this isn't an ideal trainer but it's all I have. I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts were as to how this thing would fly. It is a 40 size from great planes. It has a 40la motor in it.

Welcome to RCU. Great place with a lot of good people, all willing to give advice and opinions.

The Cessna isn't a terrific trainer, but if you can find an instructor willing to try, you may do okay with it.

Here's the AMA's website. They have a "Club Locater" page, just plug in your state or your Zip Code to find one close by. http://www.modelair.org/

You'll need AMA membership for most clubs (for the liability insurance), plus club membership. Total of $100 or so, plus field support equipment, like a glow igniter with charger, fuel pump, 10% nitro fuel and extra fuel line (at least 3 feet), a 12 volt starter with 12 volt battery makes engine starting much easier, and extra glow plug and a couple extra props (10 X 6 or 11 X 5). Another $80 to $100.

Try Tower Hobbies (or your local hobby shop) for these items. http://www.towerhobbies.com/

Good luck,
Dennis-

Hi glow it, as Dennis has said, if the instructor has good experience a Cessna can be used. I was letting some cousins have a crack at flying my planes. My LT25 got a hole in the wing where the covering got overheated and became brittle. I also had a Cessna 182 at the field so I put that up in the air and let them try it. At lower throttle settings it flew slow enough to learn with. Occasionly they would stall it and get it into a spin. I had lots of altitude so it was easy to get the plane flying and let them try it again. In some ways I think it was easier for them because the Cessna handled the wind a bit better than the LT. Now you just need to find an instructor. [8D]

the LA is the cheapest lowest power type availible for that size.scale plane usualy have more drag . it may not fly well at all depending on how much scale features are on the plane. expect this plane to be less rugged than basic trainers.

Well I got to see it fly yesterday. I contacted a local club and was referred to an instructor. We met yesterday and went over the club rules and policies. He then looked my plane over and changed a few things around. He then flew it. He said it flew very scale-like and that I would have to be careful not to stall it on take off because of the little motor being too weak to pull it out of trouble in a hurry. I haven't buddy boxed yet but will soon. I bought real flight to help get me ready for buddy boxing. I still need to get a lot of equipment. The instructor suggested I cycle the batteries in my plane because the voltage droped too quick according to him. I'm considering getting a trainer and saving the little cessna for later. I saw some other people landing their trainers and they were quite a bit slower than my cessna coming in.

I wouldn't recommend you fly that plane unless you don't plan to buy a second plane. I have that same plane but from giantscaleplanes and it is a beautiful plane. I had a Magnum (ASP) 61rfs fourstroker in there and it wasn't that powerful but on par with the 40la I would think. The thing is, one bad landing and you're looking at broken fiberglass. The cowl will likely be damaged and one or more of the wheel pants will also. The two struts for the wings may also tear off.

I would recommend that you start with a trainer and preserve the Cessna for when you are a better flyer. The 40la would be a great beginner engine. This way you learn how to fly, how to repair on something that is not only easier to fly but easier to repair.

Then buy a nice 4 stroke engine for that Cessna... come on, it's pretty enough to deserve it.

i agree with forestroke, this plane (i just crashed and lost it) can be difficult to fly because its so scale. it lands with more speed than i expected. i had a 46 magnum in it. mine crashed while performing the " aerobatic manuvers" that this plane is supposed to be capable of!! only ARF i didn't pour epoxy over to beef it up!! ps GP is making good of it for a decent price. not extremely decent but with this much lost any helps!!!!!!!!![&o]