When ( not if ) you auger in that second, third, maybe even fourth plane, you might be surprised at the negative effect it might have on your confidence. That`s especially so if, upon honest reflection, it`s apparent that you " dumb thumbed " it back to kit form. You might also be surprised at the rehabilitative value of being able to break out the trusty `ol LT-40, Avistar, Superstar. etc., etc, etc, and fly some relaxed, basic aerobatics followed up by two or three nice landings. Yes, I`m talking from experience. 4*40 is in multiple pieces ( got too low, too slow, and couldn`t recover ). Flew several flights with my Avistar and it really made me feel better.

I am new, so I may be mistaken, but another good use for a trainer would be to donate it either to your local flying club or someone who wants to get into the hobby but can't afford it. Depending on how I like my future club I plan on eventually donating my NEXstar to them.

i am using mine as a camera platform.

Not at all. I've been flying for 9 years now and I still have my original trainer. Yes, it has been wrecked, and repaired and put back in the air. Stuff happens and planes crash. I've been to a point in the past where the only plane I've had flying was my trainer, so I loaded it up and went out and flew it. If it comes down to not having anything to fly I'd rather be flying my trainer. Sometimes I take the trainer out just to fly it (about once a month or so) and I have a blast flying it.

I have a couple trainers yet and always fly one first a couple times in the spring to make sure my thumbs are still smart enough to handle things before I try the P-51. I also usually take one to the field each time along with my buddy cord and an extra transmitter in case a newcomer or visitor shows up and would like a lesson.

Donating/selling your trainer is most assuredly a good thing to do to promote the hobby. I`m in no way trying to advocate selfishness by any means, just opining that trainers have a function after basic flight instruction is over, one of which is to help us get back in the air with confidence after a mishap.

If my trainer is still in one piece (or less than a thousand, anyway) when I'm done with it, I plan to donate it as well (see Pay it Forward thread).

It'd be interesting to track, to see how many people can get started in R/C using the same trainer, passed along by friends online. Hmmm.



Ray out

BAMAFLY,
Trust me, I totally agree with you on helping the hobby. But I have a little bit more selfous reason for keeping my trainer. My father and I have been involved with modeling in one form or fashion my entire life, but we never got into RC planes. He had bought a Tower Trainer and was going to learn, but he passed away from cancer before he could learn. I took the trainer and learned to fly. I dedicated my first solo flight to my dad. I keep my trainer because of him, and everytime I fly my trainer I pause on the runway before taking off, look up, and say "Dad, this is for you. I know you're up there watching."

That's my real reason for keeping my trainer.

I always keep a pair of trainers in my stable. I recently traded one of a pair of modified 10 yr old Superstars, for a used Avistar. It will get some mods as well, but it will stay with me, and like its Superstar brother, get plently of air time. Trainers are hugely usefull & relaxing birds. There is also much more challenge in forcing a trainer through complex aerobatic evolutions than there is in doing it with a purpose-built aerobat. Keep your trainer -- eventually your skills will mature enough for you to really fly it.

I will keep my trainer as well. Just good to fly here and then.

It's wierd. Out of all my instructors planes (including, a sukhoi, cub and a couple more) he flies his LT-25 right now.

In the 2 clubs I belong to, there are some guys with many years of modeling and flying experience. And alot of them will bring a trainer along with their other models. Sometimes, you just want a relaxing flight for a change. I still wish I had my H9 Arrow for that purpose.

Dave...

I couldn't get rid of my trainer fast enough (noone wanted it and i didn't have the room for it)...once i saw how the UCD, Funtana and other 3D machines flew i knew thats what i wanted...my UCD comes in for a landing even slower than the trainer and with a Saito .82 it lifts off in about 15ft. All the trainer really did for me was get me interested in this hobby and now i'm hooked.

I started in electric and never really had a glow trainer so I've been holding on to a heavily repaired Dazzler to shake off the rust, However I fly LOTS of trainers, All the newbies go to me first because I have the fast reflexes to save the first time flyer planes. I finally have my thumbs back for this year now I just need to get the calmer wheather before I Maiden my CG Extra. Going flying today to get my fix and wait for the calmer wind... DOH New Eangland.....

Dauntae

Dauntae, hows it going man? Think you got crap for weather? Friday, Saturday and Sunday, windy and rainy here in good old
western PA. Matter of fact, been downright sh***y for the past two weeks!!!! At least I can work on my Sig Kougar finishing the restoration.
Tukkus, I have a U Can Do 46. And you are right, lands easier than a trainer as the dang thing just floats on in. I'm hoping the Seagull Space Walker II I got flies as nice. Just waiting for the weather to give me a break.

Dave...

Ain't that the truth. I left East Brady this morning at 4:30 and it was 37 degrees. By the time I got near Emlenton it was trying to snow. This sux.


Ray out

Biker, you know the lake erie snow belt runs down to about I-80....Oh and just for the fun of it...this weekend looks like a wash-out!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just what we're all lookin for! [:@]

Dave...