Hi,

I am new to the hobby/sport and was suggested to get started with the http://www.raidentech.com/stev4siiiarf.html which I was told is an unbeatable price for a trainer yet. My question to the forum is can someone share their experience with this trainer, are there any reviews/write ups on it or even a thread about it in the forum. The reason they recommended this trainer basically was for price because if I decide I don't want to do this at least I was not out of pocket a great deal of hard earned cash.

I have an OS MAX 40 FP for it and an old but functional HITEC PRISM 7X TX, with receiver and servos.

Thanks in advance for your guidance

a qucick search brought up this thread [link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3429471/anchors_3429471/mpage_1/key_start%252Cevolution%252Ctrainer/anchor/tm.htm#3429471[/link]

Other threads are out there. Just search for the kit and see what you come up with!

Why don't you send the buyer in the other thread, m3e30, a PM and see if he bought it and what he thought of it AFTER he got it. Never hurts to ask someone who actually got one. Let us know what he has to say here.

Boy thats cheap alright, makes me think of the saying, "you get what you pay for". I've had some experience with Raidentech and they're pretty good to deal with, as long as they have what you ordered in stock. Although, in their description they state weight as 500 grams, that's only 17 oz, that's imposssible. I'm frugal and even I would look at it but wonder if the $40 would be spent more wisely elsewhere. I just put together a Tower 40 ($70) and think it's pretty good, but others would disagree with me. I do have 40+ years of modeling experience so I do have an advantage. If you're a rank "newbie" and just testing the waters to see if you like flying RC Aircraft, you might get discouraged with a really cheap ARF. You might want to look at some of the RTF electric foamie trainers. I'm not saying it's bad, I haven't seen it, but remember cheap can be very agravating (hazardous & crashes due to poor materials and design). One question I have is the covering a MonKote type, for easy repairs.

One thing I"ve learned in my 40+ years of modeling, you can be frugal, but just the cheapest solution can be the poorest solution.

Your 40fp and radio, if in good condition, are a good motor/radio combination to have for a start.

You're wise to ask and do your research. Good flying to you. It's really fun.

Tom

do a search on the SIG Mfg Kadet LT-40 Trainer,,,,,Good solid "Time Proven" Plane. Oh and dont forget to get intouch with a club and instructor. Makes for a most enjoyable beginning in this obsession.

I made the mistake of buying that trainer for a friend who I am helping get in the hobby. First, its a symmetrical wing design (as opposed to a flat bottom wing), very cheap trainer, heavy and poorly made joints/glue etc. ANY other trainer is worth the money besides this one, IMHO.

Hey Flybug, me again from 1/2a...I have that trainer and I have only flown it once...I have many 1/2a planes but this was my first .40 ..it does not have ANY dehidral to it, a flat wing does not have the self righting ability of a regular trainer....I had to contact raidentech about the CG because the instructions made no sense...the plane was actually for sale at $70 when I got it on the bay for like 40 plus 20 for s&h....its pretty well built ...the reason for the only 1 flight..it was a bit squirrely because of the elevator setting was off on the Tx and the trim couldnt take care of it in the air..I landed it fine,,but the battery pak is also bad and since I fly the small stuff I dont have and 600-1000 mAh bats laying around..my biggest is a 250mAh ALWAYS use a Voltwatch in every plane.......Rog
You will recall that I recommended you get in to the air with your .049s..go with the 1/2a trainer or the LS150 I told you about (search on 1/2a forum) Its totally different to throw a small plane that is $5 worth of balsa and watch it fly away,,run it up high and it runs out of fuel after 4-5 minutes and you glide it in for a deadstick belly landing in the grass,,way more fun than stressing over every move of a 5 pound missle(yes to a newbie a trainer with a .40 is a missle)..still my advice is the .049,,pm me maybe I can help get you started ,,I do cut out some kits on my bandsaw....Rog