Hello all. A couple of years ago I tried to get into RC airplanes - I purchased a Paragon Kit - all of the peripherals and got no where. The plane was too fast (60mph for starters)– too unforgiving and required that I stand by an expert who could quickly take the controls before the plane was buried. The plane has been sitting on the shelf ever since. I was thinking that an electric plane might be the way to go: I wouldn’t need to go to a special field, it wouldn’t be so fast, and hopefully, it would be more forgiving… and if it did crash, I’d be able to fix it more easily.

First, is my understanding correct? And, if so, would you have suggestions on the best plane to purchase. Also, I have a Futaba FP-T4NBF. Can this be used for an electric plane or is it just easier to start from scrartch?

Thanks for your help!

Balto

I would take a serious look at the SIG LT-40 as it's one of the best trainers out there, and a lot easier to fly then the paragon. I, and a whole bunch of others have taught many people to fly with the LT-40, it flies slow and gives you plenty of time to think which is what you need when learning. A good instructor on a buddy box is also a must. The radio you have will be fine for electric as there's really no difference except you have an electric motor instead of a regular engine.

Best way to learn to fly is join a flying club,the instructors and pilots will give you more than enough help.

Try this site for starters: http://www.rcflightunlimited.com


Jerry

Visit our beginners section and get a little different prospective.
http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/novice.htm

Balto,

If you have the time/money/patients, find a club with a good instructor. If you don't have a club/instructor, go with a park flyer, or electric sailplane combo, and go back to the Paragon later. It will cost more to re-buy everything, but you'll still have it, and the Paragon in the future.-Much more economical in the long run. If you have someone who has flown before,- (relative/co-worker/friend,) that has some idea of what's what, get an electric sailplane, and go for it. If you are strictly on your own, GOOD LUCK!! This is how I learned to fly-Cox powered sailplane, by myself, in a 16 acre open field! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless you have no other choice, (although I DID learn the finer points of the hobby- building, rebuilding, rebuilding again, Heh Heh )
It was a form of Super High Intensity Training I don't wish on anyone, but also a sence of EXTREME accomplishment. (I'm not slowing down 16 years later!)

Jetts

I also go along with the Sig LT-40 route. You still need an instructor, but it will be much easier to learn on.

there ya'll go again " get the sig 40,get the sig 40"
1st thing he says is he DOESNT have/want to go to a "special field" ..... balto check into GWS or Wattage they have some nice electrics which ever you like, your radio will work but you;ll need a micro servo setup and esc and receiver, for electrics and batt paks and a charger, I fly in the schoolyard 2 blocks from my house all the time....... oh and btw

Dont get the sig LT 40......I just had to say it.. Rog

ps dont know about wattage but you can buy every replacement part for a GWS plane if you happen to crash and that helps to make it much less intimidating, because you obviously want to learn..

R.O.G-R.O.G.-R.O.G. Go man go!
Yes!

Jetts

If you decide to go gas, I just flew a 3 channel rudder version of a combat plane designed for a new class called SSC (slow survivable combat). It's ugly, it's slow, it's tough and it's cheap...but...it flies awesome, took all of about an hour and a half to build for about $7.00

The first comment made once it was airborne was that it couldn't be beat for a budget bash around trainer.

There is more on it in the combat forum.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...750&forumid=74]

DON'T LET ANY ONE DISCURIGE YOU GET A GOD TRAINER, AND INSTRUCTOR AND ENJOY THE SPORT HOBBY OR WHAT .WE DO THIS FOR FUN AND RELAX.
FLY SAFE

DON'T LET ANY ONE DISCURIGE YOU GET A GOD TRAINER,

just where do you get a god trainer.?
just kiddin , he's right dont get discouraged , but like I said, no wait,, that would be a great idea for a trainer $10 bucks worth of material you build it in a day, you buy the stuff you need for a "real(kit or ARF) plane" anyway cause you gotta have it to fly anything... you dont worry about crashing it cause the next one will cost lest and build faster(u already did it once)and will be even more fun.........they should make a $10 plane called the "crapola trainer"
good site TATTOO but I couldnt read the fine print, shoot maybe I'll go make one myself, I got a .15 with nothin to do....Rog

Balto

There are many electric slow flyers that meet your criteria. Tigermoth, Slow Stick, Merlin... Many others.

The biggest thing you should know about electrics vs. glow is that about the only thing they have in common (equipment wise) is the radio.

I started out with a Merlin and moved to a glow trainer. I spent about the same amount on both planes. I think there are advantages and disadvantages to either type of plane.

The biggest disadvantage of the slow flyers (and remember, there are many electrics that are fast, aerobatic, etc.) is that they get boring fairly quickly. The biggest advantages are that you CAN teach yourself to fly them, and you don't have to go to a flying field. My daughter and I still take the Merlin over to the local middle school every so often.

That's not to say that glow planes are not fun. A properly set up LT-40 (like mine) flies pretty slow and with a few lessons you can probably be good enough to takeoff and land by yourself. Also, I've found flying at the club with a group of guys to (often) be more fun than being alone at the middle school.

All that being said, if you want to get the same zealousness with regard to electrics that you see here with glow, try:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forum...?s=&forumid=11

But please, please don't forget RC Universe. Its definately got a large and helpful following.

GB

Thanks, all, for the most helpful comments!

Real Flight G2 flight sim. Great help in overcoming "dumb thumbs".