Ok you guys were so helpful the last time I posted and now I have one more question for ya....I have narrowed it down to 4 RTF planes for dear husband for Christmas (he has never owned one or flown before). So here goes....

The first two are obviously more expensive but the come with free lessons and instruction and stuff....they are:
Avistar Select ($369.95)
Nexstart Select ($419.95)

The other two are a lot less expensice but come with no instruction...
Aerobird Extreme ($180.00)
Parkzone Cub ($180.00)

So what do you think are the cheaper ones a better deal or would we end up spending that much on lessons? Or are we better of with the more expensive or are we just wasting our money. Ok enough questions.....thanks in advance for your help!

Hillary

those are two entirely different classes of planes... the aerobird is something he can take to a park and fly successfully without lessons or instruction. the other two are nitro fuel powered planes which MUST be flown at a club, private land, or somewhere it is explicitly allowed. they can't be flown in a city park safely.

as far as instruction, it should be free no matter which you get. if not keep looking, there are lots of rc'ers more then happy to help someone get airborne. you probably will have to be an AMA member and also maybe a club member though, which are costs you will have to add on to the fuel models.

also, the aerobird and parkzone are not upgradeable for future use. once it is destroyed or he wants to move on he has to start over. the avistar and nextstar all have common engines/transmitters/electronics that can be moved to a different plane.


my personal advice... get the aerobird (they fly great!) and that will give him a very good introduction into the hobby and an idea if he wants to continue with it.

Hi Hillary -- nice to hear the progress report. I agree with most of smokingcraters comments, but I will offer a counter proposal -- Go with the glo-engine models (Avistar/Nexstar), they offer a much broader range of flight capabilities & if he really gets the bug (most likely the case), they will take him much farther. If money is a serious issue (it often is), get the Avistar -- it is somewhat cheaper & more fun to fly, although a bit more touchy in its handling -- kind of a trainer hot-rod. The Nexstar is a serious training package, with a simulator & a very comprehensive array of aerodynamic training aids. It is easier to fly & will give him a better chance of success with glo-engine models, but it is not an exciting ride in its stock form.

Both the Avistar & Nexstar can be easily modified later on, and can be made into really exciting airplanes that an owner will keep for years (assuming survival).

Thanks guys for your responses although I must laugh as you both gave opposite opinions! Aghhhhh This is what I get for trying to be a good wife and get him a good present ( I hate decisions Thanks again

Hillary

That's what opinions are for

I have to say that the best thing you can do is this...

Put $400 dollars or so aside, and present hubby with a small box with a picture of an airplane in it.

then let him decide which type he wants.

the reason for this is that if he wants to fly Glow planes (The two more expensive ones) you may be totally wasting the money on the Park Fliers.

And Vice Versa.

I remember a few years ago, my girlfriend presented me with a small box and said "This is your "big" gift this year" (I was disappointed cause I was expecting an airplane) Inside the box was a picture of the plane I wanted. the gist of it was, now I could go buy it wherever I could get the best deal.

I WAS DELIGHTED!!!

If it is something he is interested in and will stick with, go with one of the first two. If it is something he is going to be interested in for the 10 or 15 minutes till he crashes it, go with one of the second.

As stated, they are really not the same. The first two are re-usable RC planes that he can learn on and move on and use the engine and radio again on other planes. The other two are more less disposable planes that he may have fun with for a short time, but won't stick with the hobby long flying them.

Just my observations from watching people fly both.

Hillary, you may want to shop Tower Hobbies. They have both trainers and EP's for quite a bit less than you quoted. Their trainer is much less as well. The Nexstar comes with a much better engine, for use in later airplanes, once he solos. It also comes with a limited addition simulator, so he can practice on the computer at home, before his first lesson. If you have a good club nearby, you may want to stop by on a weekend and talk to some of the local talent, lessons, and so on. Many want to start with glow engines, because they are larger and can fly in wind. Others learn on small Electrics, if there is a gym that allows clubs to fly inside. Luckily we have both in San Antonio. If your location has both, then your decision is difficult, If there is only a large outside field, with plenty of room, then go with the glow.