I am looking for a first RC airplane. I am 33 and have never flown RC planes before. I have flown free-flight planes and rockets, though. I am specifically looking for electric because the largest fields in the area are county-owned and don't permit nitro planes. I also am looking for a plane that looks fairly realistic. I've come up with the following and would appreciate any comments . . .

Parkzone J-3 Cub (first choice but is it too advanced?)
Phase 3 Cub 370 Trainer
Great Planes Electrifly PT-Electric
Great Planes ElectriCUB
Great Planes Electrifly Piper Cub EP Park Flyer

Or should I keep looking for a field and get the Hobbico Nexstar 46 combo? I've read that nitro planes need larger fields than electric . . . how large is large? There is a non-county field a few blocks away large enough for 3 baseball and 2 soccer fields. Is that enough for a beginner with the Nexstar?

Thanks for any comments you can provide. This board has already helped me a lot . . . I was going to buy the MegaTech Freedom Flyer until I read comments here!

Jason Gauthier
Maryland

I'm not going to recommend a plane as I fly very little electric but I am going to recommend that you try to get in contact with a local club and talk to them about what you are interested in. They can give you a better idea of what you can/should do in your area besides the help they can give you is priceless ( and saves you money ). What ever you do I suggest that you have someone ( an instructor ) assist you with at least the first few flights, it's not as Easy as it looks. Good Luck!!! ENJOY !!! RED

I do plan on contacting/joining the local club. However, it is about 15-20 miles away. I may go to their field from time to time, but most of my flying will be at the field close by. If the nitro planes can be flown on my nearby field (mentioned in first post), my choice would probably be much easier.

For nitro, I was told to look at the Hanger 9 Alpha Trainers in addition to the Nexstar.

Jason

I went the foamy way and got myself a GWS E-Starter. For me, doing it alone, it was a bit fast even after practice on a simulator. If you have experienced help, it should work well.

I would recommend getting the electrifly pt. i believe that it should be small enough to fly at your local field, but do not attempt to do so until you have flown it with an instructor. Go through the whole training program, and don't attempt to fly it on your own without the aid of an insructor until that instructor cuts you loose. You could also get the nexstar combo, learn with that at your club, then get another park flyer for down the street. Best of both worlds.

Go to your LHS and find the nearest club, go to a meeting and talk with them. These people for the most part have been flying for many years and in some cases may just have a club owned trainer that you can learn on. You will also want to join the AMA due to the insurance not to mention the great amount of information you gain by reading the mag.

Hi JGauthier,

I have P51 Mustang of Hangar 9 as my first trainer, Im 34 years old, never flew any plane, I did practice on simulator and flew P51 mustang, did 3 flights with help of senior scale flyer, 2nd and 3rd flight I did good. Then after I had to switch on high wing trainer, switched servos, engine on 40 size high wing trainer by the recommendations of senior flyer. I would suggest first find out the field and talk to your club guys, field should be open enough I think nearly 2 to 4 miles diameter. Best option is nitro/glo plane, and alpha series of hangar 9 is best with same .46 2C Evolution PTS engine and JR's Quattro radio. Its a combo with a good price, Best of luck to you and go for Nitro.

Mody