Hello!

I have been into r/c cars for quite a while now and for some reason got the urge the other day to try airplanes...
I currently have a Hobby Zone Fighterbird that i have not yet been able to fly with out crashing (I've only flown it once, but broke parts while crashing) ... but i will be taking in out for a fly on friday.

When I do master this flying skill someday, i was wondering what the first step in getting into a higher level of airplanes.

I was wondering what plane you would recommend for someone who is a beginner but knows the basics of flying.

This is what I'd be looking for
1.) A mostly RTF plane, that includes servos, radio, transmitter, etc... And requires little building.
2.) I would like to not spend more than $200... but am looking for a plane within $100-$150.
3.) Electric! I would like to stay with electric planes for quite a while, as I am very tired of tuning with nitros.

Thanks for the help!

$200 for a none firebird type RTF will be tough to find. used maybe. new probably not. since you will have to buy a new radio (the firebird one will not work with most others i hear) a new receiver and a plane, battery, speed control, servos, etc you are really looking closer to $300, arf form. i dont think therei s a whole lot of rtf electrics that are non firebird style just becuase they are really easy to build and go together in a day or two.

This is the best thing you can get.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXJKU3**&P=7

Its a 4 channel trainer, with ailerons, electric, RTF. The only thing that wouldnt be good for you is the price. However, your expectations as to how much money you will spend are unrealistic. Simply put, this is the cheapest, best way to get into the hobby. There simply are now realy good, effective trainers for the price range you have listed. The Hobby Zone type planes are not condusive to proper training. Also, you will need an instructor to PROPERLY teach you how to fly. Also recommend joining the AMA and finding a club to join and fly it. This is really the best most effective way to get into the hobby.

Hey evader, whatcha doing in the airplane forum? JK

Anywho, your looking at a cool $300-500 to get started.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you JOIN AMA AND FIND A RC AIRPLANE CLUB. Most, if not all clubs over instruction for free. Flying will be much more enjoyable. [8D]

That said, I'd suggest a nitro airplane. Most are real easy to tune and run...not like RC car engines at all...you just go more by sound than temp...in fact, there hasn't been one guy I've seen at the club that has a temp gauge. Also, most electrics hate wind over 3-5MPH.

If you are still wanting electric, its gonna be hard to find one like Spaceclam said.

also, I'd arf it for your airplane...that way, you have some building experience when the airplane needs repairs.

Basic trainer setup:

Hobbico Super/Avi/star, GP PT-40, Sig Kadet,...
Engine: OS 46 should pull it along nicely
Radio: Futaba Skysport 4/6, 4EXA, 6EXAS, 7CHP,...JR XP6102, 8103, 9303 (whoa nelly! ), 10X...try to buy the best radio you can if you plan to stay in airplanes/helis
Field eq: Chicken stick and/or electric starter, glow plug ignitor, fuel, fuel pump, 12v gel cell battery, etc...all depends on what you prefer.

Most important part is to be safe, and HAVE FUN!!!

Hi there Evader, I hope I don't come accross as being pushy but if the Hobbico Superstar Ep is of interest to you I have a new and unflown one for sale. If interest you can send me a PM, thanks in advance.

a foamy would actually be even cheaper. you are talking as little as $20 for the kit.
your biggest single expense will be your radio. if you plan on staying in the rc world, i would highly suggest getting a comptuer radio, and they can be had for quite cheap. it expedites setup, and gives you loads of functions you will probably want later on. if you end up leaving, a computer radio will be much easier to sell, and radio gear (except servos) usually retains it's value well. you dont need a computer radio, but i would reccomend it.

Get a Nexstar it is complete with radio and engine installed. Yes go to your local flying field and get an instructor. Do it right from the start and you will have much more fun....


www.aircrafthobbies.com

you dont need a nexstar either. they are great trainers, but people learned to fly on "normal" trainers for years with great success. you can learn foamies quickly and easily and cheaply, you could go electric non foamy for cheaper than a nexstar, or you can buy in a combo for cheaper than a nexstar. with a buddy box, you could learn on jets or helis if you wanted to, although i would not reccomend it.

what means more to you? the ready to fly condition or the cost? if all you want is ready to fly, you wont have too many choices after you get past your first aircraft, whatever that may be.

what ever the case, a buddy box is by far the best way to learn, so whatever you get, a buddy box should be in order. see if the local club has one you could use.

the first order of business though is to go to the local club, and see what gear everyone is using. usually there is a general trend, like most of the club will be airtronics, or most of the club will be futaba or hitec. you want a radio that will work with theirs for training purposes unless you want to buy a buddy box too.

First-find a local club, and/or an experienced r/c pilot to assist you with your Fighterbird. The fact that it is only throttle and rudder control may be a bit of a handicap compared to more conventional controls, but they do fly fine.

Next-staying within electric is fine, if that's what you desire--anyone who tells you otherwise is simply trying to force their opinion on you. Electrics have evolved to a point where they can perform just as well as glow/gas, albeit at a sometimes higher price tag.

$200 will just barely get you a basic re-usable 4 channel radio, an ARF electric trainer and flight pack if you shop around, however, I suggest you take a look at the Parkzone lineup. For $150 or less, you could get the Slo-V or J-3 Cub complete with 27mHz radio, battery pack, and charger. I have experience with their Stryker and Cub, and while they're not the same as more advanced kits and radios, they're a good value for the buck and they do fly well. Either the J-3 or Slo-V would be able to take you further than the Firebird ever will, and you should easily be able to learn on either plane, provided you stay with my first suggestion and GET EXPERIENCED HELP!

I did not realize they are making an electric version of the Nexstar. Can you provide a link?

After many years of RC cars I recently decided I wanted to fly. I also wanted to teach myself. I got the Parkzone J3 cub. Its in your price range. For $200 you can get the rtf plane, extra battery, a spare prop, and you'll still have enough left for a six pack of your favorite beverage. I flew it fine on the first attempt with no assistance. It hand launchs with ease. Heck it almost flys itself. Just be nice and easy on the stick and cruise around at like half throttle. Its even easy to land, but it don't like grass at all. The wheels are small, so it'll land better on pavement. Windy conditions aren't very fun, but I guess thats to be expected. By my 4th flight I learned that with a little bit of a dive I can do a loop. At half throttle I bet that I get close to 10 minutes of flight time. I've never timed it. I just judge when to land by how much "pull" the plane still has. So after around 20 flights now I'm real comfortable flying it. So for what my opinion is worth, I'd suggest the Cub.

it can be done, but the idea was to move past the firebird type stuff i thought...