Looking for some input on what's the best trainer to buy and why. My local hobby store has hanger9's alpha and arrow and hobbicos nextstar. well that's all he had on display. i didn't ask if he had any others. and i'm afraid if i buy a trainer with a flat bottom wing i'll get bored to fast. thanks for any inputs.

The arrow has a semi-symmetrical wing, and would be more fun after solo. I'd go for it. Hanger 9 is good stuff. The only drawback is the radio that comes with it (if it's the RTF version), but you can always replace that later on--And, contrary to what some will tell you, you don't loose any money getting a cheap radio now and a better one later. In fact, I got a cheap radio with mine, later bought a 6 channel computer radio, then just recently upgraded again. Sold my computer radio, and still haven't lost any money. Alpha is a good plane, it's what I learned on, but I now have a semi airfoil on the alpha fuse, and it's a lot more fun (although I fly it very seldom, since I have 5 others to fly now that are a lot more fun. The nexstar is overpriced. It comes with a bunch of junk that your instructor will just make you take off before he teaches you anyway, so don't waste your money. The sim that it comes with only has the nextstar on it, so if it's a sim you want, go out and buy one that will serve you down the road. (by the way, I highly recommend buying a sim--get the G2, you can get it cheap now that G3 has come out).
Good luck.

All 3 are good planes and you can always sell them to a new guy if/when you get bored with it. If you are willing to do a little assembly, go with an ARF. This will allow YOU to choose plane, radio and engine. With the right purchases, you can continue to move the equipment into future airplanes as you gain experience. You can then sell or retain the older planes at YOUR option. With a computer radio transmitter you can program for several planes and only purchase the airborne equipment (saves money and you stay familiar with 1 transmitter type). Find a local club and get some advise from the instructors there as to brands and type of equipment you will be "buddying" up with for training.

Hi,

You have good advice already. If you type an inquiry into the search you will be inundated by those who have asked this question in the past. My two cents worth:

I would suggest that you find a club and an instructor (vital!!!) and follow their advice as to what to buy, nearly all the current trainer models are good IMHO. Certainly the ones I have helped peole with.

If this is the hobby for you I would start building a kit shortly after solo and always have a project on the building board. This way you will always have something to fly, (even after the dreaded prang), and you will pick up some skills in building and repair that you will ultimatley need.

A mentor who can assist with building, trimming, engine tuning etc is invaluable. Most people don't mind being asked questions and are happy to assist if approached politely and when they arn't obviously busy with their own models.

Good Luck,

Colin

SIG Kadet Senior ARF with a .61 two stroke or a .72 to .91 four stroke. I just finished mine and converted it to a tail dragger with a Saito .91. The only draw back is trying to locate one right now. Good Luck!!!

Virtually all of the standard 40-size trainers will do the job -- you pretty much can't lose, regardless of which trainer you choose. The RTF packages are great if you are a bit thin on time, or building skills -- they also come with acceptable engines and radios. ARFs are a bit cheaper, but you have to outfit them yourself & you will be confused by the very wide range of opinions that you will get here. Your local hobby shop will almost certainly give you good advice & possibly some physical help as well.

Have fun.

does any one konw if the hanger 9 alpha trainer is any good my uncle said it is good but he also said the sig kadet lt 40 is the best trainer on the market and he is probably the best pilot in ohio does any one know if these planes are any good

Basically most of the high wing Trainers are good Planes to learn on. Hangar 9, Sig, Great Planes,Lanier all make good popular Trainers. There is probally not any one specific Trainer that could be considered the best even though alot of people are always happy to share their particular preference. The main thing is to just make sure you buy one from a company with a good reputation for making good Planes like those stated above. Stay away from some the Manufacturers with the not-so good reputation. I would name a few, but I don't want to get anyone fired up here. BasicallyI wouldn't worry about buying from any of the Manufacturers stated above. They all make a pretty good Trainer. Just a few popular favorites that I will mention that you can check out if you have not allready done so. Sig Kadet LT-40, H9 Alpha Trainer .40 or .60, H9 Arrow(sem wing), Lanier Explorer, Tower Hobbies .40 or .60 Trainer, Great Planes PT-40, Hobbico Selects, Superstar or Nexstar. These are not all, but any of these would do just fine. Any of the Planes listed above will hold up as well as can be expected, and there is plenty of ample info available about these Planes should you ever have to perform any repairs or mods. Just figure out a budget, and go looking for the best deal would be the best information I could offer.

Both Planes you have mentioned are fine flyers! I have owned both the Alpha and a Lt-40 and can honestly say that either would be a fine choice! Basically it is as simple as, do you want a red and white trainer, or a black/red and white Trainer? Both are good sized and highly visable in the air. The one bonus I can give to the Alpha is that the RTF Alpha .40 is really bargained priced for what you get. The Evolution engine that comes with the RTF Alpha is a good dependable strong running engine that would go well into your second Plane like a Sig 4 star, or Great Planes Super Sportster, etc.

ok thanks does the sig kadet lt 40 only come in arf or does it come in rtf

I instruct at my club and have had several students on the Alpha 40. They have done very well. It is a good plane. If you have the time, skills and cash go with an ARF and upgrade a little.IMHO Don't know about Sig, sorry.

ok thanks

what club are you the instructer of

The LT 40 comes in ARF and kits form I have built two of the ARF's in the last month one for myself and one for my uncle they are easy to build and fly great, their alittle larger than most 40 sized trainers which makes them easy to see. You can use any 40 sized engine, the two I spoke of have Saito-56's in them. You can't go wrong with an LT 40.

PTS: You are going to fly the wings off that Kadet Sr. with a 91 FS on it! I owned one of these planes and had an Evolution 46 2S on it and it flew just fine. These birds are not made for speed or aerobatics. I sold the plane to my dad and he put a Saito 72 FS on it and it was WAY too much power! He now has a Saito 56 FS on it and it's just right. I'd be careful if I were you and do NOT run that thing wide open!

The Kadets are all good aircraft. They almost take away the ARF (Almost Ready to Fail) factor.

I thought I would put my 2 cent's into it since this is about the only think I know about so far.

I have the Arrow and am really pleased. it flies great right out of the box it took me about 25 minutes to assemble it and handles well for a trainer, I don't have alot of experience with this but with the larger ailerons it rolls faster and more controlled then some with smaller surface area trainer out there.
and it's really tuff....I lawn darted mine shortly after I solo'ed..broke out the fire wall smashed up the wing ( I think I used to many rubber bands on it) and broke the whole front of the plane.
with about $5 in wood and some time and glue I had it flying again that weekend even better.
the evolution engine is great it has a flywheel from the factory that allows it to run more smoothly and best of all for people like me that can't tune nitro engines it has stops so you can only get it so far out of tune. this is really nice since you cant get the engine so far out that it will cause damage.
and best of all it came with a simulator and training cord. so you can learn on your PC then not have to wait for some one else to get a buddy cord to train you.
all and all I wouldn't buy another plane to train on given a chance totally happy with the Arrow.