Up till now I've only had a flight with my clubs trainer. Haven't a clue what it is, but I always think that big is better.
More weight ; less bouncy in gusty conditions,
Larger Wing ; More lift, less speed, slower stall etc.
Bigger Engine ; for the instructor to pull me out of trouble.
Bigger Plane ; Can see it easier.

I've bought a Piper Cub J4, with a .61 engine, and a 79" Wingspan.

I know from what I've read that the tpye of plane is ideal, but what about the size.

I'm trying to do this right, I want to walk before I run, but I still want an F4 II as soon as poss.

The size is good!
The bigger the better statement is true.
(but I wouldn't buy an expensive first plane )

My experence is that a bigger plane will give you more reaction time if you have a problem.

Cheers again guys, nice to know I'm going down the right road.

Don't know what all the exchange rates are, but I paid £200 for the plane, 2 Tx, (1x 4 channel, 1x 6 channel), all servos, Rx etc. Nicads, chargers. I think I did really well.
It was on ebay, and no-one bid on it because the seller said, shipping was a problem, he was right, but I'm getting there.

I can't wait. Hope this weekends' weather is good, cos I'm GOING FLYING.

THe bug has bitten.

Where in Scotland are you living?

By the way, "Welcome to the Hobby"...I took it up 7 months ago when I was living in New Orleans and the bug has certainly bitten. I'm flying EVERY weekend and can't think of a better hobby other than my other past-time - scuba.

Take Care and keep us informed on your progress....


www.flyingscotsman.org

Hi, FLying Scotsman.
I've just checked out your web site, the similarities are scary.
ATC, RAF, Flying chipmunks, etc. I've even flown out of Edinburgh myself. I was previously attached to 2368 Squadron (Aberdeen) , and then became one of the founder members of 877 Squadron (Inverurie). Happy Times.
Still in Inverurie. I'm giving up on my other great passsion (golf) to fund this, as like yourself I've wanted to do this since I was about 13.

I'll keep you all advised on my progress, which as far as this last weekend was concerned, was a complete washout.

I found that anything over a 65" wingspan is easy to see, even for a low wing which is what you want for a trainer. I do have a problem with using a Cub for a trainer however. The Cubs can be a little unpredicatable when landing. A touch too slow and and it'll tip and go down. Cubs don't like to fly fast or do aerobatics which means that you couldn't pass our basic wings test with a Cub. Steering on the runway on most Cubs is also a challenge as it ground loops easily. A sig LT40 is a better choice with a 70" wingspan but you I don't know if you want to boither getting a nother plane now.

All comments about the bigger planes is correct. Isn't the Cub a tail dragger?

If you've never tried one, this will add an additional level of excitement to your take offs. Start off slow!

Scotsman.... Scuba, huh? Me too. Love it!

Mike

I would say sell the CUB ... and Get a Decathlon or a Citabria Pro!

Both have great trainer like characteristics ... especially when it comes to landing ... both have 80" wingspans ...

Goldberg's Decatholon is an ARF ... Balsa USA's is a Build-Up.

What makes these so great ... cuase once you learn to fly ... they can be setup to be quite more fun aerobatically. And they are much better looking!

Yes I am biased ... Cubs are clark Y airfoils .... and do not fly great inverted!

and my "pro" will knive edge, hover (with the right pilot on the sticks) but you can walk it in for a landing when you done being crazy and add to the fact it floats like a glider ... well a heavy glider ....

D_DAWG...that's a beautiful plane you have there.

Thank you

It flies every bit as good as she looks, upright and inverted

It weighs 11 and a half pounds with an Enya 1.55 "R" 4 stroker as its power plant. This provides a wide power range and any trick you can do ... only limited by the size of the pilots gonads.

I highly rate this plane ... and I have quite alot of planes ... the Citabria Pro is my best "all around" favorite. Due to its size, power and flight characteristics.

A timid big gentle giant ... or with "extremely high rates" a high wing parasol that thinks its a CAP 232!

yet, lands like a feather ... even in High winds ... stable and predictable ... I would say its more aerobatic than my Super Chipmunk ... or atleast its more exciting to watch ...

I would say that while a Cub is a great choice, I would definitely clip the wings. A scale cub wing was great for the original full size version where a lot of wing was needed to compensate for a small engine, but that big wing (IMHO) doesn't work well on a model. It's too much wing for that plane, whereas, the clipped wing version still floats like a dream, but also let's you have some fun with the plane. It also removes the full size wing's bad tendency of creating adverse yaw.

stick with the cub .. i learned on a hanger 9 80" cub and that thing was fun ... so what if it gound loops easy ... it will teach you to work the rudder on takoff more so when you get a diffrent plane you will feel like your cheating.

aerobatics? I could do illemans, split Ss, rolls, loops, stall turns, flat spins, hammerheads, and inverted flight with my cub what more do you need to start off with (ok.. no outside loops due to the flat bottom wing)

another good thing about the cub is it will teach you to land correctly .. you dont "land" a cub .. you "let it land" if you force it.. it noses over... but if you hold it just above the ground until it settles you get great looking 3 point landings.

clipping the wing is a good idea for when you get a bit better.. it will make it react a bit more for aerobatics and such and it will land a bit faster (one problem with my cub is on landing i had to be almost stopped to touch down . it just kept gliding and gliding and gliding. Before its demise (radio failure) i was temped to put a drag chute on it just to land )

it will always be just that ... A CUB ...

but since you already have one and for a decent price ... fly it ...

too bad your not my area though ... I'd let you fly my "pro" ...

then you would know why I praise it ... It is BALSA USA's best kept secret.

you never see lots of them around (unlike the CUB, lots of them and all of them YELLER! ... kidding) ... but I have changed a few flyers minds about the "parasol winged beast" and we now have a few members building up some ...

and its name says it all "Citabria Airbatic Pro" ... why have a plane that you will get tired of when you can have one you'll grow old with and never get tired of?

Like I said, I have lots of planes ... but my "Pro" always finds its way to the field with me.

On the down side ... the wing can be a hassle puting on and off and installing the struts can be fun some times ... but Its one wing less hassle than a biplane!

Thanks fo rall the replies, I've taken them all onboard, especially what to expect on landings.
Keep them coming, as the more information I have the better.

power is your friend ... learn to land under power ....

Meaning: chop your power to let the plane slow to landing speed... then add just enough power to maintain it ... this will have you thumb ready to apply more it you need to abort ...

(biggest mistake I see is many pilots ... include seasoned pilots ...
chop the throttle and just let the plane come down ...while landing under power gives you more control of your landing plus maintains possitive pressure over your flying surfaces ... less chance of S.O.L.(Stall on landing))

Secondly:

Keep the wheel side to the ground! inverted landings break canopies! props! and Tailfeathers! ... although fun to watch when do gracefully

Yes, found out the hard way ... when ask how low can I go ... inverted! answer ... That Low!

Well Mr. D_Dawg, you convinced me about the BUSA Citabria Pro....I just ordered it.

I don't think I'll ever achieve a paint job as perfect as yours, but I'll learn something trying!

Thanks for turning me on to it, I can't wait to start!

I would recommend atleast a 120 four stroke ...

but put as big of a motor in it you can aford ... I would say a 150.

but seen them fly with a 90 ... I like to have power when needed and its nice to know you dont have to fly wide open to keep it in the air!

I am sure you will love it ... IMHO

as one Dave to another ...

I agree w/ the statement bigger is better. It handles wind better, is more stable, etc. However, bigger does mean there is more to lose.

Happy flying,

torque_roll

tried to post a piccie, but its not working