First off, I'm extremely glad I found the site and forums. Already in just a couple minutes I love it.

Second, I am just getting into RC Planes, I haven't bought one yet. A friend and I are both looking at the Hobbyzone Challenger because of it's RTF and the modules that will make it more fun for us right now. I don't want to put down a lot of money if I don't like it either. I know alot of people here would probably recommend spending just a bit more and getting a better model and radio and such, but since I'm just a newbie I want to start off small. If anyone could give some insights on the Challenger model itself made by HobbyZone or newbie advice in general for a first time flyer, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks a ton guys/gals!

You'll get more info that you want to hear over in the electric and parkflyer forums,,in beginners they will steer you toward .40 size trainers "not that theres anything wrong with that"..just a thought...so where in NC?....Rog

Ahh thanks, I'll check over in those forums. I'm near Greenville btw, not that far from Burlington.

My first RC plane was the Aerobird Challenger by Hobbyzone. I still have it, but I thought that a pod-and-stick, v-tail design was too difficult to keep trimmed out and flying straight for a first plane. I smashed up my Aerobird Challenger quite a bit before I figured out how to get it to fly.

I think a plane with a traditional "t-tail" design like a Hobbico Flyzone Mini Ventura or Ventura would be a better first plane. They are easier to keep trimmed correctly. The Parkzone Slow-V has a v-tail, but would also probably be a better choice for a first airplane. The Parkzone J3 Cub and Super Decath aren't recommended for beginners, but I believe they'd be much easier to keep trimmed for smooth flying than my Aerobird Challenger was.

The foam v-tail and stick-and-pod body on the Aerobird Challenger were very difficult to keep lined up for proper flying. The "stick" portion of the body would angle down from the pod and make the plane almost impossible to get to climb. The tail "elevons" were trimmed with fishing line and very small screws that adjusted the tension on them. When these would slip out of place, the plane would only steer toward the side that still held tension, and spiraling out of control was very common.

The best inexpensive plane is probably the Mini Ventura. The traditional tail and the solid fuselage avoid the pitfalls that I delt with on my Aerobird Challenger. At $89.99, it's also less expensive than the Aerobird Challenger. I've read feedback from many folks who have purchased the Aerobird Challenger and flew it successfully as a first plane, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I simply wish I'd gotten something that was easier to keep flying straight ahead.

do you know anything about motorcycles? years ago i was told not to get a 450 i didnt listen within the year i was on a 750. cost me more money that way. whats the point you ask
if you really want to do rc go with a 40 size glow trainner find a club that teaches newbies and save the money you'd spend on the electric
jusy my opinion
good luck

The real question is what do you want to get out of the hobby? If your just looking for a bit of fun, the aerobirds would be a good start. If your looking for a more serious involvement in the hobby, go with the .40 size trainer and find a club with an instructor. Lots of people are going the parkflyer route, and theres nothing wrong with that. The aerobird is a very easy to fly ship in this regard, but it doesn't offer alot when you get profecient at flying it. Some of the other parkflyers will do basic aerobatics, ask for recomendations in the parkflyer forum.