Hello all....I am looking to get into flying glow planes....I will not pretend to know what I am talking about cause I don't....I have been around it and know a very little about the rc planes....I need help on a good trainer and motor to get started.....I have flown electrics and I love it....now I am ready for bigger and better.......I love the WWII fighter planes...Most guys laugh and ignore my ambitutions on what I want to do.....I have even painted the foam electric planes and got a good response on those....I want to design too....lol....I am such a girl....I want everything.....can someone give me ideas please?!? Thanks

Hi.

Sort of all depends on how much money you want to spend on that good trainer. There are a lot of great RTF's (Ready to Fly) out there, one that I used and highly recommend is the Hobbico NexSTAR Select. What's nice about it is that it comes with engine (OS 46), radio (Futaba 4 channel non-computer), and the computer simulator that helps you learn to fly basics before going out to the field. It also has a few built in gizmo's that you can use.. your decision. It has wing tip spoilers and brakes that both work great and are real useful for a new pilot in training. I didn't use the AFS (Automatic Flight Stabilization) so I won't comment on that except to say that it has that too. One nice thing is that it is slightly bigger than most trainers. That makes it easier to see, and iss a bit more relaxed while flying.. seems to fly easier, floats better.. I dunno, but it seems easier to fly. I had a Tower 40 trainer and it flew ok, but the NexSTAR was easier to fly.

Then, when you get there (out at the field), it is always best to work with an instructor on a buddy box until you are savy enough to solo. Then, another nice thing with the NexSTAR, is that it can be modified to make it a tad bit more of a complex flyer. There is a whole forum string here on RCU on modifying the NexSTAR to make it do more.

Yep, there are others for sure. Midwest makes a couple that are great trainers, as does Goldberg, and others. But, one thing I can truly recommend is the NexSTAR Select. You can get the whole thing for around $350 or so, goes on sale for that often. Tower Hobbies, for instance has them in stock.

DS

Welcome KyFlyChick.

I am relatively new to R/C planes but share your passion for WWII fighter planes. Once day I will have a scale F4U Corsair to fly.

Heed my advice: Don't rush into it! Take your time and fly with an instructor and a beginner (trainer) plane. I have a NexStar and love it, and others will give you their opinions on trainers in which they like. I bought the NexStar kit which had the plane, engine, radio, receiver, etc. It was put together in about 30 minutes and all that was needed was the field box (fuel, starter, igniter, etc). There are several trainers out there so do your research. Join a club and ask the members their opinions. Also, find out what frequency would be the best to get. Find an instructor you are comfortable with before you think you can go on your own. I know of someone; not me of course who thought they were ready to go on their own and ended up with a pile of sticks and a bruised ego...

Fly safe!
Richard from Indy

Always happy to see girls/women enter the hobby. There are many good trainers to choose from. Several of my students have done very well with the Alpha series of planes. Depending on your budget, I would recommend the ARF version which would allow you to choose your own engine and radio. You sound like you are sure you intend to stay with this so I advise a nice Ball bearing motor and good (not expensive) radio. An OS 40FX or 46AX would both be good motors and a radio like a Futaba 6EXA. Pick a brand popular at your field, especially if you feel you will need to be on a buddy box for a while. Glow planes are different than electric and you will need to adjust. This radio/engine combination can be moved into future planes without being outdated too quickly.

Ditto on the welcome to the hobby, and RCU.

May I ask what part of KY you're in? I called KY home for many years.

I won't add to the trainer/radio question, as those above have covered it well.

Look at the new Hanger 9 TRAINER Mustang, cause you like warbirds. There are several threads on RCU about it.

It's a trainer and should sell for about $400 turn key with really good equipment.

And just so you know, CHICKS WHO FLY ARE THE COOLEST!!!!

Here in Merida i've only seen ONE lady flying, and it's cool because she owns her own hobby shop

I've been trying to get my girlfriend into this, since she seems to be very interested and always wants to go with me to the field and asks a LOT of non-tipical questions which really shows her interest, but she is affraid of it [:@]

I've told her about the buddy box with my instructor and stuff, but she is just affraid of trying

What can i do? I want my girl to fly with me

Kyflychick, you sound like a good recruit for 1/2A flight. For one thing, they are similar to the electrics you fly. Small, must be flown close,etc. They differ by being faster, more aggressive, and more traditional building techniques. A friend just recently made a TA152 with a $6 Cox Surestart. www.coxmodels.com look under specials. Build time was about two weeks and it looked incredible. Plans? He didn't use no stinkin' plans!
They aren't for the faint of heart, or those that are scared of ridicule! I can't count how many times I've been told my models aren't "real" models with "real" engines. 'Course some of them had big price tags...
Check out my site for some free 1/2a plans. That oughta give you and idea of the size/scale you'd be working with. www.ulmer-rc.com
I recommend this size because you made the remark that you're interested in designing your own. I've got a trainer in the works for the Surestart and there's free trainer plans at the top of the 1/2a forum here on RCU.

KYFLYCHICK

What part of KY are you in?

I think you should go ahead and get a proven trainer... Hobbico Superstar, Avistar, Sig Kadet etc etc.. Get a ARF so that you can add your own engine and radio of your choice.

BTW welcome to RCU!

Oh and if your near Paducah were having our annual fly-in on Saturday... The Rc Portion will be starting at 10.. Ask if you need directions.

I live in Tompkinsville, but I have been going to Bowling Green's feild. My Boyfriend of three years is a rc junkie....He is who got me in this...I know he can help me, but it is nice to have outside help and advice. I will take all thought and advice in consideration for what I need to get started....Thanks for helping me....taildragger21 is my boyfriend and I want to be apart of his airplane world....He loves it.. so why should I miss out. If he is going to be at the feild all the time and fly....well I want to fly with him. It is really cool to see what people can do with the rc planes....I just have found it really interesting plus addictive...now he gets to buy all the airplanes he wants so now it is my turn...lol...hope he does not care....now it is time for me to learn....Thanks again all

Hehe Yeah our resident stalker here at RCU found that

All I can say is I am a lucky man!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol...........One day our anniversary gifts are gonna be airplanes!!

Shall we assume her name is Patty?

Hahaha

... Wagstaff?? [:-] Lucky boy! [&o]

Taildragger and KYFlyChick,

Please accept this as an invitation to come down to Nashville any time and fly with us at MTRCS. Looks like you're not too far away.

Sounds great!!!! We will try to make it down sometime.. What part of town are you located at?? Come visit us at bowling green (skymac) anytime as well.. We would be glad to have you.. Thanks, chad

We're down on the SE side of the city. From Bowling Green, it's about a 90 minute drive.

As for Bowling Green, my in-laws live in Louisville, so every so often I head up that way, right through BG. Might have to toss a plane in the truck next time.

I have had experince in putting together the electrics.....I have also helped chad put togther some arf's ...but not by myself....If I am going to fly I want to know everything I can about it...I don't want to lose that my planes to the ground....I have hung out at the airfeild for three years now....Getting to understand some of it and learning little by little...Chad has let me feel the stick a time or two....but i would never have time to learn...Now that time has come....and if we end up moving towards Indy should have a lot more time.....Every Christmas, Anniversery, birthday, and what ever reason I have gotten Chad a plane , feild equip., or what ever he had been wanting. The good thing here for me is if I want a ME109 he better get it for me...lol...I have been really lucky to enjoy something that he loves to do....now we get to share the fun togther....No my name is not Patty, sometimes I think Chad wishes it is...lol...but I think Natasha will do for now.....Thanks again

Natasha, Good name too. just saw Patty mentioned in his posts.

he loves Patty and has a picture with him her and his buddy....it is okay.....I find it funny myself....If I could only be like Patty

how do you insert a pic in the reply????

If you are interested in learning all you can about the planes and eventually design, I would suggest you forget the ARFs and build a kit. This will teach you many of things an arf can't, develop your building skills, stuctural and covering as well as mechanical skills. I would suggest any of the Sig Kadets, I pesonally got into this hobby by building a Sig Seniorita, enjoyed every minute of building it and had something to take a lot of pride in when I was done. It is also one of the slowest and most forgiving trainers available, but can be a lot of fun for years to come. I now have all kinds of planes, bipes, 3D, warbirds, scale and pattern, but won't be without my Seniorita. Welcome and enjoy this hobby, we do. Brian

Click on the "click here to upload" link and select your pic. Here is my Seniorita, on floats.

here is a pic of Patty and here is a pic of me....I have to say so myself but Patty has whooped me in everything.................lol..............