Hi all, I am just getting started. I haven't even bought a plane yet. I was looking at FlyZone Speed Pilot EP RTF at Towerhobbies.com for $99.99. Is this a good plane for a beginner or can you suggest a better one? I live in Coraopolis, PA, I would also need a instructor (guru) to teach me Anyone willing to help me??

I don't know anything about this plane. I will say it does not look promising. I am not one for the little foam toys.
With that said,if that is what you are wanting, go ahead. Something is better than nothing.
I commend you on looking for a guru to teach the do's and don'ts.

Definitely find a local club and go hang out for a couple Sundays... learn who the instructors are,
get with them, see what they recommend, etc... I'm sure you'll find someone willing,
possibly even *eager* to help get another RC'er in the air as painlessly as possible

Personally... I'd recommend getting a .40 or .60 sized, 4-channel, glow powered trainer.
Above all, I'd recommend finding that guru before proceeding.

The hobby's a blast, but having an experienced hand helping you out makes it more fun, faster.

Good luck!

Hi Sal,
From where you are, I think the closest flying field is on the State
Game Lands over by Bavington off of 22/30. The club that flys there is Greater Pittsburgh A.R.C.S. The flying field is open to the public. From my experience visitors are always welcome, though you will need AMA membership to fly there. Here is a link to the club website. There is a map and directions to the field there as well as other good info on the club. I'm a newbie myself and I've
found the people out there to be more than helpful. Thursday night is beginner night at the field and that is when you would be most likely to find an instructor a the field.

Hope to see you out there,

Mike

OOPs, forgot the link to ARCS web site.

Here 'tis.

http://home.attbi.com/~pgharcs/

Mike

Hi Mike, thanks for the info, I got the map for the ARCS. Around what time should I come on thursday?

Sal.

ARCS, Most people in the past have shown up after work on Thursdays. Keep in mind that darkness sets in might early now. I fly at the ARCS also. Weekends are also another good time to catch people out there. They hold there club meetings the 4th Thursday of the month at the Imperial Community center. You might want to Call Dean Schaffer, he live in Corraoplois also and see if he can hook you up with a few names of people so you can see when peoiple will be out there. I know DOug Schneide was one of the pople doning traing on Thursdays. See if you can get his number and make sure he will be there.

Thanks Doug, I'll try to be there this thursday....hope to see you all there. But first I need advise on what to buy.......I don't want to spend a whole lot cause I am just starting out. I was thinking about this one, let me know what you think. Thanks.

http://towerhobbies.com/products/hobbico/hcaa2012.html

Sal.....that plane your looking at is a 2 channel electric. I dont think on that transmitter there would be any way to hook it up to a buddy box.

Don't buy any thing until going to the club and talking with some flyers and watching what they are using,now if you must throw money away,I'll give my address,need more fuel.
Have a goodun,John.

Sal, I fly at the ARCS also, and also at a field in Midway, PA. If you're serious about getting into the hobby, I would suggest a glow-powered trainer...Tower hobbies sells a decent Hobbico trainer package for about $299...(you'll need field support equipment also) An electric like you're looking at has different control movements than any glow-powered model will....so what may happen is you might have to re-learn if you move up to a glow model...a good idea is to head out to the field before you buy anything, and just observe and talk to people for a day.....you'll get a much better idea of what you want.

Mike

I'm not sure what you are looking to spend, but I would look into a .40 size trainer. You can get the complete RTF pacages for around $300.00. One thing I've learned in the past is it cost to much to buy inexpensive things. You will end up with a 40 size plane in the future anyway. Buy it now and learn on it rather than having to re-learn by going from Electric to glow. If you go to a meeting you can also talk to Mark Diulous, He owns the Local hobby shop in Bloomfield. THeir number is 412-687-2386. You'll likely get Charlene and she's real helpful.

Good luck.

In my opinion, the $99 electric is NOT the way to go. However bumping your initial estimate 3 plus times probably wasn't what you were hoping for either.

You might want to look at the 'For Sale' items here or perhaps the club might have a used trainer and radio for sale. You'll probably find a suitable set up for a price tag that's somewhere in the middle and if you find that you love the hobby (you probably will) then you can plan your next purchase with a bit of experience and hopefully some good advice from an instructor or other club members.

If I could add one more thing; a radio with a trainer (buddy box) port is great but ask the guys at the club which ones they support. You can't connect just any brand radios together.

Good Luck and have fun,
C.P.

Thanks Mike and Doug. I can spend upto 300, the only thing I am worried about is, what if I don't find an instructor, i'll end up crashing it . I'll come to the field this thursday. Do you think I can meet someone who can be my instructor, that way I can ask him/her what to buy. And should I sign up for AMA membership now, or should I do that after i get my plane. Thanks again.

AMA is definately a good thing. It gives you liability insurance. However, it is my understanding (please verify this first) that if you use a buddy box and the instructor has AMA coverage then you are also covered.

I am all excited about getting started......

I know the feeling....

I've been using a computer simulator for a few weeks (RealFlight G2) and this past weekend I took my trainer out to my local club and they checked it out, put me on a buddy box and it flew for the first time!

Very exciting!!!

Which trainer do you have??

Sal_11,

I've been flying electrics and glow since March, and soloed my LT-40 in early June. While I like both, supporting both types of airplanes can get very expensive.

If you are looking at electrics, try this site:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/index.php?topic=ezone

It is very "in" to electric flying. RCUniverse is much more into glow.

Keep in mind that some people (gasp) never fly glow planes and are quite happy.

My point is to not let the glow-bias around here make your decision for you.

GB

Global Hobbies Right Flyer 40T

I have the original which is out of production now. The replacement is the Right Flyer Mark II. It's available at HobbyPeople.net This plane with a .40 size engine is listed in their catalog for $149 but you'll still need a radio.

Also, in the Oct. issue of Model Airplane News I saw an advertisement for U.S. AirCore. It's a 40 size trainer as well and they include a video with building and flying tips but what caught my eye was there guarantee. If you crash and destroy the plane before you learn how to fly it they will replace it - FREE

You'll have to call them to find out the details and how much it costs (800)682-8948 mention code 0235J

Cyberpilot,

Congrats on getting your plane in the air.

How did yours fly?

First off, get out to the club, find an Instructor and listen to what he suggests. US Aircore airplanes are made out of what looks like cardboard dipped in heavy wax. The planes are very durable but are not not the best flyers due to the weight. There are other trainers out there that fly better and also have the crash guarantee. The Tower Hobbies trainer 40 comes to mind and I think Hobbico has one as well. With proper instruction, crashes should be very rare but if the plane does need repairs, the balsa airplanes are much easier to glue back together than the cheap foam airplanes.

Hi Sal, welcome aboard...
Stay away from the foam models for now..If you want the ful experience of modeling you should build your first plane from a kit
and experience the pride of your efforts. If thats not your thing , a tower trainer is a pretty good start, remember ,tthe larger the plane , the easyer it is to fly. Go to the nearest r/c club and one of those guys will probably have a trainer complete with engine for around 50 bucks , and will be happy to help you out.
good luck... remember "DON'T FLY IF YOUR GONNA CRY"

I do not like the air core planes as trainers,as Fastky sez,they are heavy so need to fly faster ,take off is longer,glide is shorter,speed is less, plane is like a brick,get a balsa trainer,be it kit or arf,with luck someone at the lhs or field will have a complete system for sale, with a buddy box and decent instructor,there should not be any serious crashes.
Have a goodun,John.

Sal,

I'll e-mail you tonight with Doug S's number and also someone else I know is usually out there on Thursdays. I don't have my club roster with me here at work. You can call Doug and see if he will be there. I usually fly when able to on Wednesday nights at a different field. Doug's a good guy and he should be able to help you out. I would offer to help but this time of year my flying time is very limited.

Send me an e-mail to remind me just in case I forget.