Hey all,
I was just wondering if any of you had gone from a trainer to something like a 1/4 scale. I know thats quite the jump. I have been flying off and on for about 2 years(only crashed once...and just recently too, but not bad) but I am still on my trainer(Avistar). I really want a cessna 182 that I think Hanar 9 makes. Ive read reviews on it and it seems to not do too bad. Are they much harder to fly, or are they just a hell of a lot biggerLOL. That particular cessna is another high winged airplane so in that sense I would think flying would be simular.

Anywho...I guess I was just wondering. More than likely I should just work my way up...But i just thought flying that would be awesome, and I am confident in my skill of flying but maybe I should wait. Maybe just go with the .40-.60 sized cessna.

just seeing what ya guys thought.

-Dustin

Dustin,

Just about every scale looking Cessna I have ever come across flies just like the real thing. The are nice looking but they can be a handful if you are not careful. I would plan on one for your third or fourth plane. Flaps are usually a must for this particular plane as it's stall speed is somewhat higher than most other planes do to the wing loading.

Another thing is not all high wing planes are trainers or even fly like them. Take a look at the wing drops on the H9 Cessna, just like the real thing and they are there to stop wing tip stalls (added lift on the outboard end of the wing)

I am sorry, this is probably not what you really wanted to hear but I would hate to see you do all the work the H9 Cessna requires only to plant it

Actually bigger fly's better. A 1/4 scale cessna would probally be more stable then a .40 to .60 size cessna. Usually size is a money thing. Its not that bigger fly's harder, its that bigger cost more money! So if you have the money to invest in something like a 1/4 scale cessna rather than a .40 -.60 size cessna, then in reality you will be getting the more stable, visually slower, and easier to see Aircraft.

I want to add here. As Bill said above, a cessna is not a Trainer. So whether you get a little one or big one, you will still have to have the skill it takes to pilot one. Bill is also correct that this might be a better 3rd or 4th Plane if you are still flying a Trainer.

A 1/4-scale Cessna will be easier to fly than a .40-size, but I agree with Bubba. The Cessna will seem quite fast compared to the Avistar, especially on take-off and landing, and getting too slow on final could easily be disastrous. You could fly it, but you'd be back in learning mode for awhile, with an expensive plane at stake.

I'm going to have to throw my hat into the same ring on this one. Whether it's a 46-60 size or a 1/4 scale, a Cessna isn't a good choice for a second plane. As Bill said, you're going to need to learn how to use flaps for a Cessna and that is a skill that does take some getting used to. Agreed on the point that a high wing does not equal tame as a trainer. Some high wing planes like a Decathlon are all out acrobats that are used in competition. I'd recommend getting a 4-star or a tiger 2 and get some flying time in. Once your skills improve then you can think about going to your Cessna.

Ken

alright guys..thanks. When I think about it in reality I probably wouldnt want to jump up to a 1/4 scale that quick. Like I said I am confident in my flying skill...but I should still work my way up to that point. Just seein what you guys thought

Thanks for your impute

-Dustin

You've already resolved this, but here's a couple more observations.

Sacle ANY size will be a step from the Avistar (which is a fine trainer). Not impossible, but something to be approached cautiously. Remember, scale landing gear won't survive much abuse. Landings that trainers shake off, or bounce away from, will shear away scale gear or drive it into the fuselage.

1/4 scale is no more difficult to fly, and actually are less effected by the same winds and easier to see. BUT, if you take a dirt knap you're out 4X the $ (servos more expensive, engine more expensive, airframe more expensive . . . only the receiver is in the same price range as the .40 and .60 size planes.

Something like a Sig 4*120 may be a great step towards 1/4 scale if you have a need for a big plane. It's still IMAA legal and a good second plane, too.

If you are really a good pilot on the 40 sized trainer, meaning you tell the plane where to go and you land it without doing the Bunny Hop and its always a good slow 3 point landing then there is a very high likelyhood you can fly the 25% Cessna. Still its a likelyhood only. Bets not to go for something that big that fast. Better off going with some nice agile low wing trainer fist. Perhaps a WM SS40, its more agile than your 4* or Tiger II. I learnt it the hard way ... always wanted the 182 but after a couple of years flying I got the WM EP Cessna 182, man it flies like the big thing ... will stall on you if you are not careful. Its no high wing trainer for sure. The H9 Cessna is very purtee ...

Giant models tend to be rather unforgiving of pilot error. A bounced landing will mean repairs will have to be made before the next flight. Stalls need more altitude for recovery. Their flight is more scale like and so are their crashes.

If small is so terrible for flying, then why are birds, flying insects, and flying mammals, mostly tiny?

Because if your trying to fly YOURSELF without the ability to just add fuel, it needs to be efficient...and a smaller, lighter object being flown through the same size air molecules is easier to keep up...

RJM,

While I understand what you are saying, it's just way too technical for my brain this early in the morning [&:]

The original starter of the thread has responded but there are some very good point being delivered here since then.

Maybe a good choice for him to get ready for the scale Cessna might be the Hangar 9 Value series 40 size Cessna. While I have no experience with this plane. I was just reading through the manual online, and it looks like it's a dressed up trainer with similiar characteristics to the World Models Skyraider series. More aerobatic, light weight. He still gets a similiar look to the scale model and most of the handling of a trainer but more aerobatic than the scale Cessna (Wing shape is semi-symetrical)

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...ProdID=HAN1600

Just a thought!!!

MOst members of my club all agree that a cessna is not a fun plane to fly. Unless your a die-hard fan of the cessna, and you happen to have a private pilots lisence and able to fly one, and own one. THen go for the H9 CEssna. IT looks great, and functions ALOT like the real thing. A simpler version of the CEssna would be from Great PLanes. THey have a beautiful small, .46 sized cessna, that looks great and isnt as big and doesnt really need as much attnetion to detail as teh H9. Its a lot of building though. HAve fun with it.

hey thanks for all the replys guys...I think im gunna do the smart..."responsible" thing and work my way up. I really love the look of the cessna's and plan to become a pilot after college(acually its in the works now, while I'm majoring in aviation maintenence...i guess we'll see how the cookie crumbles"...But anyway, Thanks a bunch

-Dustin