Hello, I am new to the rc world and this forum. I have three boys 13, 11, 7. My 11 year old just got a $40.00 rc electric plane and loves it(as do I ). I want to get him a better plane so we can spend more time together but i do not know anything about them. the one he has comes from Wal-mart and has no elevation controle and is very simple. But he flys it better than I did my firdt time. We both like helicopters but I have not seen any for beginers. Can someone help me make a choice on either a durable good plane or a heli. I do not want to spend too much cash at first in case he does not stay with it.
thanks

I guess its time again for:
ctdahle's standard "What plane should I buy" recommendation.

1) Learn About RC Read about getting
started in RC at this site: http://www.rcflightunlimited.com/

2) Learn About Aerodynamics Before you start flying, buy a copy of Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langweische.
http://www.tatteredcover.com/NASApp/...sbn=0070362408

This is the best book on PRACTICAL Aerodynamics ever written. It will teach you how and why airplanes do what they do in clear and easy to read language.

3) Build a simple airplane For about 2 bucks you can buy an AMA Cub or "Delta Dart". This amazing little rubber powered airplane can be constructed in about 15 minutes, and teach you some wonderful things about how to construct, trim and fly a model airplane. If you are helping your son or daughter get started in RC, buy him or her a Delta Dart first. If the model does not bring a smile to junior's face, model airplanes are probably not the right hobby.

4) Purchase your equipment You should be able to put together a good economy priced set up for flying gas powered RC for UNDER $350.

a) AIRFRAME There are a number of good airplanes out there, but for an easy building, sturdy, light weight, airplane that will carry you from beginning errors to beginning aerobatics, there is not a better choice than the Sig Kadet LT-25. This model will not only teach you some vital skills needed to repair, maintain, and fly your future models, it is a model that is truly a joy to construct with nearly all of the parts accurately laser cut and ready to install.


b) ENGINE The engines that are generally available in the market, OS, Thunder Tiger, SupreTigre, MDS, Tower, Irvine, etc, are all pretty good. They all have idiosyncracies, but there are not any that are "bad". If you are flying at an altitude higher than 6000 feet, it is a good idea to up your engine size slightly (a 46 instead of a 40, or a 32 instead of a 25), but it is not necessary. Remember that your goal is to learn to fly, and your first engine is going to take a lot of abuse. It may well be unusable after your first plane is worn out, so it is really a waste to buy a top of the line, high performance engine.

c) RADIO I generally recommend a basic four channel radio for beginners. This is the most economical way to go for several important reasons. First, the initial outlay is quite low. Second, most 4 channel rigs come with a seven channel reciever that is identical to the one supplied with the more expensive 6 and eight channel radios. Third whether you buy a four channel radio or a six channel radio, when you are ready to equip a second airplane you will want to buy a second flight pack. The cost of a flight pack is very close to the price of a complete four channel radio, in fact a number of modelers have found it cheaper to purchase a full four channel rig and discard the extra transmitter than to buy a flight pack only.

Whatever you do, do not buy anything less than a 4 channel radio, the two and three channel radios are very limiting. The four channel radios will fly most airplanes that are on the market.

Of the 4 channel radios, they are all basically the same in terms of price and quality, look to spend about $120-140.

If you are going to get a six, don't mess around with the bottom of the line, get one of the ones with multi model memory, otherwise there is no point in going beyond the basic 4 channel jobbie. Prices have stabilized recently. A good computer 6 from Futaba, JR, Airtronics or Hitec will cost you around $250. When you are ready to equip a second airplane, an additional flight pack compatible with either a four or six channel radio will cost between $120 and $160.

5) Join the AMA The AMA insures you for up to 2.5 million dollars if you kill someone with your airplane. This is important to protect your estate, or your parents if you are sued for wrongful death, but more importantly, it is to make sure that if you kill me with your airplane, my wife will not have to live in a refrigerator box and my kids will still get to go to college.

6) Track down your local club and join If you cant find a local club, call the AMA and find out the name of a local AMA member that will help you. I'm serious about this, DEMAND that the AMA put new flyers in touch with experienced modelers. Once you start getting your AMA magazine, find out who your local VP's or Assistant VP's are (they are listed in the back of the magazine) and call them to find someone in your area to help you, it is worth a long distance call to find a local modeler, and it is worth a two hour drive to have an experienced modeler help you trim out your first airplane.

Good Luck with your RC adventure

edited for format changes

thanks for all the info, looks like i have my work cut out for me. I was even thinking of electric planes.

Electric planes have reached a point where, at least in the trainer category, they have the performance of a gas powered model, however, the start up cost is much higher. Also, there is not the depth of experience out there with the electric models yet. A few clubs have an electric guru that can help you with the ins and outs of the electric models, but for the most part, glow fueled models still rule the roost.

I am just getting my feet wet in the electric world myself and am finding that even with 30 or so years of model flying under my belt, I am starting out fresh in a lot of areas.

Also, Muddiver, I am a fourth grade teacher by trade and I can say with a lot of confidence that an 11 year old should be able to build an LT-25 without much trouble. He will need help from mom or dad, but only in a coaching sort of way. The instructions and illustrations in the building manual are very clear, and should not present a reading problem for an 11 year old.

I've walked a number of parents through this over the internet, so if you need help, don't hesitate to use the PM function that this website has made available.

thanks alot. The internet sure has helped alot of people share ideas and info. I am going to look into a club around my area. w have a local small airport , they might have some guys there.
thanks again and i am sure i will be chatting with you again.

Hi muddriver. If your looking to jump in to the hobby pretty cheap, like I did, here is my suggestion.


If you want to build. Check out the Tower Trainer 40 Kit, its around $50, it builds very easy, and pretty fast, 1-2 weeks. It has held up well on a few of my noseover landings. The radio and engine for it was cheap too, an Airtronics VG400 ($119) and Thunder Tiger GP-42 ($50) then there are the other things, like fuel, glow starter, glow plugs, props, and other field equipment. If you do decide to build, you will need some building tools also, CA glue, xacto knives, sandpaper, etc. For an extra $50 you can get the same plane, but ARF... which would be easier than building. They are very easy to fly too, perdictible and forgiving. Just get whatever is in your price range.

All in All, I have about $300 in my Tower Trainer.

The new Hanger 9 Alpha Trainer is more RTF than ARF and looks like a very nice deal with the plane, engine and radio already installed. It is always good to learn how to build so you can understand why what you're flying flys the way it does but this Hanger 9 plane would allow you to get into the air with a competent instructor in VERY little time.

See Horizon Hobby for more info. Chief Aircraft offers the same deal but with free shipping and no tax. $309 shipped with everything!

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...475&pc=HAN2475

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/Models/Model.html (you will have to navigate to the link but it is easy to find)

ctdahle's advice is right on the nose. But everyone in this hobby has their own opinion, and the one thing I would say differently is to check out your local club before doing anything.

The easiest way to find them is to look for hobby shops that specialize in R/C airplanes. There should be some in the yellow pages providing you're not too far in the boonies. Ask them where the local club flies and what days they're usually out there. Then go visit them. Chances are, they may even let you have a little stick time on one of their airplanes.

Once you see them fly, you'll know if it's what you're looking for.

Although 40-60 size it what most of us recommend for starting.