Hi. One post by tideflyer asked about the Avistar. I would like to buy an Avistar ARF as a second plane (first plane is Superstar electric w/3 channel radio). I also need a 4 channel radio with buddy system, so this would work for me. This ARF comes with a .40 LA. Is this a dependable engine or should upgrade to something else? One gent told me to look at the Tower traner ARF w/ Tower ballbearing engine. What do you guys think?? Thanks, Mike

It's a good package -- the Avistar flies quite well with a 40 LA, although more power is even better --- it's your choice.

Since you can already fly, the Aviatar is a significantly better choice than the Tower trainer, regardless of powerplant.

I'd get the Avistar with the OS .40FX or .46 AX. Both are powerful, ball bearing engines that are very reliable and user-friendly.

Dr.1

Thanks britbrat. I sort of misled you. Yes, I can fly, and do fairly well, but I still have to learn to land & take off. Problem is, my Superstar EP has a futaba 3 channel with no buddy box set-up. I think it makes the instructors a little nervous. Much better if I have a buddy system radio. I could use it with both planes. Regards. Mike

Thank you, Dr1. Yes, it seems like you guys like the Avistar. Sincerely. Mike

Mike, in my opinion, you`ll love the Avistar. I started off with a 40LA on mine but put a an OS 46FX on it. MUCH better in my opinion. I fly other low wing models but still enjoy very much flying my Avistar. Once you have a bit of experience, it makes a great Sunday flyer that will do all the basic sport flying aerobatics.

The avistar is a great plane, but the LA 40 is... well, it's a good engine, but it doesn't have Ball Bearings, which robs a good deal of power. For just a little more money you can get a Thunder Tiger 46 pro, or an Evolution 46. Both have Ball Bearings and are excellent engines.

I'm currently flying an Avistar with a Thunder Tiger .46 Pro and I believe this is a fantastic combo. Plenty of power and very reliable. This would be my vote.

John

Thanks TideFlyer and MinnFlyer. So far, everyone seems to like the Avistar. The nice part is that the Futaba 4v-f radio could (I think) be also used with my Super star EP (w/o ailerons). That way I can hook up with the instructor on either plane. My 3 channel Futaba has no buddy jacks. I guess that if I bought the Tower trainer, I would be stuck with two planes with full dihedral. The avistar would be a step up in aerobatics after I get better. I see why you all like the Avistar. Makes sense. Take care. Mike

I flew my Avistar for 3 years and loved it. Fixed the wing so many times I don't remember how many times. Its final demise was the last crash and I just didn't want fix the wing, it had more glue in it than balsa by that time. I flew it with the Thunder Tiger GP 42, and it flew just fine, even on windy days (20mph+). It wouldn't hop off the ground like other Avistars with 46s in them or fly unlimited verticals. The TT GP42 is very similar to the OS 40 LA, bushed no bearings. I think either is a good choice. They are good little motors that are dependable. A 46 for a few extra bucks will give a real punch to the performance, but will also burn more fuel. You might want to look at the GMS 47. I just bought two and installed one on a Tower Trainer. Plenty of power, starts easy seems dependable and they're a little easier on the wallet. Go with a 46 if you can afford it, it will fly just fine with a bushed 40 like a TT GP42. An additional note---> I learned on a Sig Senior Kadet powered by a TT GP42. Yeah it was slow, but it flies just fine.

Good flights to you,

Tom

Great Mike, have a ball with your Avistar, Happy Landings and remember, ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED ARE YOUR FRIENDS!!

Thanks Tom. Great info and I appreciate it. If I get the Avister it will be the ARF so I am pretty much stuck with the .40 LA for a short time. I just want to use that engine for training w/instructor. After I get my confidence, (after many broken parts fixed) I will quickly move up to one of the engines you mentioned. I will print and keep your info on file. Best regards. Mike

I have a .46 la on a lt-40. It flies good and was a reliable starter once tuned. a .42 la should do well on the avistar, as I remember its a slightly smaller plane than the lt so the engine should pull it through the air nicely. this engine is not the performance line it is the economy line from a higher end brand. most every engine tries to copy O.S. 2 stroke engine design. the tower purple top motor is a ball bearing motor and will have a little more power becuase of the bearings. for your second plane but first 4 chanel plane the la will be fine, get it and enjoy it. you will be moveing on in a couple of months I think. then you can worry about performance engienes and higher performance airframes.

just for right now, if you want reliable, low cost 4 chanel radios get a JR quatro. they are good no frills radios. leave buying a computer radio till next flying season when you will be about ready to move up to a sport plane thing. they might come out with a better deal on computer radios next year and you wont need any more than 4 chanel simple radio for this plane.

What's a 42 LA?

Do you mean a TT 42 GP?

If so, that one is the equivalent of the OS 46 LA --- not that it matters, because he has a 40 LA already.

yeah mikeflyzz, you can't go wrong with a bushed 40 in an Avistar. You can still have a great flying plane. It might not have the punch in performance that a bearing 46 will give you. But I had a great time flying my Avistar with the TT GP-42, even on high wind days. Once I had it tuned correctly, with a 10-6 APC prop, it flew really great. There were only a few minor times I wished I had a 46/47 in it, but it wasn't the engine problem. Noticed some knocking and it really needed a new glow plug. I tend to run mine too long, they get carboned up, and they should be replaced. But a bushed 40 works just fine and you will learn lots from that plane. I eventually was doing mild aerobatics, loops, rolls, stall turns, inverted flight, cuban eights with my Avistar. That is why so many of us love the plane, its good. I'd love to have another one, just for fun. A 46/47 bearing motor just gives you what I call a "punch" in performance. Great to experience if you can have it, but not absolutely needed to have fun. I know a lot of guys put down the bushed motors as being cheap or maybe a beginners motor, but I've found them to be dependable, long lasting and great performers, as well as economical. Just a note, I did have to put the reciever battery behind the rear wing dowel former, and had to add some tail weight. Get your CG as close to the recommended CG location. They fly best that way. Good flying to you.

Tom

Mikeflyzz,

This is personal opinion but I would suggest looking at more than just a 4 channel radio. If you fly on a regular basis your skills may get you to the point in another year where you are starting to look at more aerobatic planes. It is really nice to have the extra channels to run dual aileron servos. A basic 4 channel will do the job now but later on you will be wanting more capabilities in your radio and buying something with more than 4 channels now will save you money down the road. If you want to keep the cost down you may even check with your local club. Chances are someone in the club has a used 6+ channel radio they would like to sell.

FlyerBry

Mike, the Avi is a wonderful bird, and will fly well on the .40LA, but as has been noted it could be underpowered as your skills grow. From the context, I think you are looking at one of the combo packages from Tower, right? If I might suggest you try putting a custom package together - a Futaba 6XA radio, and a ball bearing .46-.48 sized engine. You'll find the Avi will land at trainer speeds, and is an excellent windy day flyer. I recommend them as a primary trainer instead of the heavy-dihedral birds as it is stable but has a much wider flight envelope. I flew mine, and still do, but found the OS .40FP (yup...I've had one since the FP days!) to not have enough kick once I learned the basics. Re-engined with a MDS .48 and once I got that engine broken in (which was a pain, I must admit), the performance was fabulous!

Thanks a bunch Tom, FlyerBry, Sarges, & Paladin. That is a lot of good info to digest. You guys seem to agree that the .40 LA is a good trainer engine albeit a bit underpowered, but that is O.K. As for the six channel, I may try to work that in with the RTF package (if that is possible). The whole thing in a nutshell is $279.99 for the Avistar RTF w/$25.00 gift certificate at Tower, is very hard to pass up for a novice. And I sure don't need another dihedral trainer since I already have one. Also some of these trainers are approaching $400.00 Upgrades kind of scare me because I may have a major crash. The 6 channel is great. That I will always have, but I think I will wait till I get my "wings" and then upgrade to another engine would be no problem (If I still have all of the Avistar left in one piece). I am going to make up a list and leave it lying around. Maybe Santa-wifey-poo will place one under the tree this year. Have a good one. Mike

Got my first Avistar for free due to a friends crash. I rebuilt the nose section and reinforced the wing halves with fiberglass tape. Converted it to a bolt on wing. I then converted it to a taildragger. I hung a K&B screamin' 48 on her with a TZ 11X7.5 prop and let the fun begin... Very docile airplane that requires more attention than a basic trainer. Very aerobatic, with some tweeking of the control throws and CG. There isnt much you cannot do with this airplane. Fly mostly at half throttle. Two weeks ago it met its demise. The wing balsa sheeting (which I have discovered is HOT GLUED as is most of the airplane and a lot of ARFs) gave up and the wing departed the airplane at about 100 feet on final approach. I am nearing completion of another Avistar that I have been piecing together from new parts found on 3bay. The same old K&B will provide power and I am sure that this one will be as much fun.
-Tom

A buddy of mine just bought that combo and I test-flew it for him. It's a nice package. Personally, I'd rather have a slightly stronger engine (like a Thunder Tiger .40 or .46 Pro) but you really don't need it.

Enjoy the Avistar for the great-flying airplane that it is and save the upgrade money for later when you decide what airplane, engines and equipment you'd like to have next.

Good flying,
desmobob

mikeflyzz.. Hello... As all said above, The Avistar is a great advance starting trainer
and works good with the combo.... I started with the Avistar arf and a 46la, I also
flew a friends combo with the 40la.... My overall response were all better with the
bigger engine... Hands down! I switched to the 46FX... And soooo much better!! If
you can swing it... Go for the bigger engine... It will not only allow you to do more
but it can assist to save you on those not so good apporches/landings/recovery!!!
Plus the engine will be better suited for future planes:-).. (Cost a bit more, but can
save you in the long run).. Whatever choice, It's hard to go wrong with the Avistar!!

You said that you flew good with your EP.. I have one too... This may go against the
grain, and you should consult any instructors you may have... But have you thought
about an areobatic trainer?? Like the 4*'s or sportsters?? The 4*60 was my second
plane... First plane I bought tho... I wanted to start off with it, but my instructor would
have no part of it... So I got the avistar.... After all was said and done, he did admit
that I should have went with the 4*.... It's a tail dragger.... But in my opinnon it lands
and flys way eaiser than my Avistar and it will keep you on it alot longer.. Just a
Thought since you said you flew good.... Good luck!! Have Fun!! Money... Ohh you'll
spend money