Hello adc
I taught a fellow how to fly this summer using a Nextstar and it proved to be a solid, sensible plane. I don’t know why a select few feel the need to bash it. Rudder is needed for a smooth turn but if you couple the rudder and the ailerons with a ‘Y’ connector it turns much nicer. The speed brakes that came with it were possibly not the best idea and the flight stabilization system is not always helpful. If good looks are important it is one of the best looking trainers I've seen, not a box with wings. The 46 that comes with the ARF when tunes properly has all the authority needed. The covering is not Mono kote but rather a cheap substitute, the striping peels of quickly.

haha nothing other than whats described. its a kickass plane

Rudder is needed for a smooth turn but if you couple the rudder and the ailerons with a ‘Y’ connector it turns much nicer. The speed brakes that came with it were possibly not the best idea and the flight stabilization system is not always helpful. The covering is not Mono kote but rather a cheap substitute, the striping peels of quickly.

And you ask why some of us bash it? Because it's an ill-conceived POS, that's why. None of the other venerable, QUALITY trainers out there: Hobbico's, Tower's, Eagles, PT-40s, Kadets, and several others - need all the extra junk (which, as you admit, doesn't work) the Nextstar has thrown on it . They have all trained 1000s of newbies successfully.

Dr.1

I dont understand all the hate on the nexstar....And Im speaking from experience. I have flown both. I own a tower trainer 40, and Im currently training to fly on the schools nexstar http://2ndrcflightschool.com

It has all the "bells and whistles" installed and it flies beautifully. All of these people trashing the nexstar are just old fashioned. Want you to have to learn like they did. The nexstar is a fantastic rock steady airplane and definitely predictable as someone mentioned. And without a doubt the best looking trainer. This plane will teach ANYONE to fly. I can promise you that

Really? Set it on a table and just listen to all the knowledge it will impart to you. It is such an intelligent airplane is it? I think not. It is a tool and IT will teach you nothing. Your instructor may use it as a TOOL in teaching you how to fly. This is made more difficult by some of the gimmicks that Hobbico has offered on the plane IMO. I have flown it in all variations and instructed in them as well (except tail dragger). The gimmicks are NOT needed and MAY lead to bad habits. The plane flies well enough so I feel no reason to bash the basic plane as long as the landing gear doesn't fall off. I do PREFER that my students fly without the gimmicks but will allow the wing cuffs. If they really want the other stuff, then they can find another instructor as I just don't have the time to break bad habits.

As for putting a Y-harness between the ailerons and the rudder? Give me a break. We got over doing crap like that decades ago. Just learn to use the sticks properly. If you connect the Rudder to the ailerons that also connects the nose steering to the ailerons. So what is the left stick for now? Making noise? Just the engine? Just learn it the right way. That's what you are out there for and quit using GIMMICKS to take shortcuts. GIMMICKS do not equate to knowledge or skills.

Now let's stop whining about "the plane this" or "the plane that" and just go learn how to actually fly. It's not rocket science after-all.

I have heard many positive reviews on the Nexstar--it seems to be an awesome plane. But I was wondering if it would be good for a person like me who has not flown a gas rc airplane before, but has had much experience with electric trainers like the Aerobird Challenger and Megatech Airstrike. I have also perfected flights with the Cessna 182 on rc simulators. Would the Nexstar be too easy for me or would it be just the right level to start on for gas airplanes?

I think you would be good with a Nexstar. There is still a lot to learn. A lot about running Nitro equipment and Nitro planes do everything generally in a larger and FASTER scale. You might consider an ARF and buy the plane cheaper. That way you can spend the money saved on a better radio if you wish. Not much more assy work.

Well said bruce I got my nexstar when they first came out .I burned 24 gallons of fuel in my nexstar the first year.Since then I have flown towers trainers' PT-40s, Kadets, and several others and the nexstar flys just as well as the others.And as bruce said they are a tool Get them trimmed out good. They all fly like trainers.I still take my nexstar to the field every now and then for some layed back flying.As for the bells and whistles used the tips and the flaps for a couple flights.And the best tool is the RealFlight flying simulator after a few fun hours on the sim I soloed my first flight and have never looked back.

BTW - one reason I mentioned the ARF is because that way you don't pay for the gimmicks that you don't IMO really need.

Hey guys I know that this forum has not been running for a pretty long time, but I had a quick comment. If anyone is new to glow planes, I totally recommend this plane, the Nexstar. This plane has been through so many crashes, I just got some balsa epoxy and fixed her fixed her up. Really awsome plane. I also recommend that you turn off the AFS because it will not teach you anything and makes flying boring.
Well hopefully we get this forum going!

-Adisn

I'm new to this and have only flown my Nexstar three times, but I like it a lot. I have not flown any others to compare it to though. I flew with the speed brakes off.

I bought my nexstar the first year they came out .And I still have it and I have run 14 gallons of fuel through it. I fly it a few times a year for some layed back flying.But now I'm into the 3D flying. Now I have 2 ucando 46 size, A EF edge 540,and a Mojo 40 size.

Does anybody know what is a good size prop for power not speed, for the Nexstar?

the stock prop that comes witht the plane is a 11/5 it is the recomended prop for the OS46fxi, any prop from 11/4 to 11/7 would be ideal for the engine. when I first got my nextar I busted a few of the stock ones so I got some APC 11/5's there pretty good props for the NEXTAR.
I also ordered some stock ones from tower there pretty cheap at 1.99 and are the recomended ones for the plane http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGAK9&P=M the red tips help with keeping a eye out for the prop arc.

I've tried several props on the NextStar with OS .46 AX. I think the stock Hobbico 11 X 5 seem to work the best, and are quite cheap. I've even used them on other trainers with good success. Being a 5" pitch also helps to keep the speed down which is good for a trainer.

Hogflyer

I bought about 2 dozen of the stock 11x5 red tipped props and use them on other peoples 40 sized trainers with real good results.It done well on the MustangPTS too.At 1.99 each,you can't go wrong.The flex they have in them does slow you down nicely when you pull the throttle back.

But does that Stock prop still have unlimited vertical??

With the stock engine there is NO prop that will provide unlimited vertical. If you want unlimited vertical, buy a full scale F-15 but even that has limits.

Guys what do you think is a good glow plane that I can build my self for the first time build after the nexstar, and have no troubles??

Your criteria are too strict. How about...a little trouble?

That depends on whether or not you successfully solo'd on the Nexstar...

If you crashed the Nexstar and want a good airframe to finish training with:

Hangar 9 Solo Star/Solo Sport/Solo Strike ARF
Seagull Models Arising Star ARF
Tower Hobbies Tower Trainer .40 MkII ARF
World Models Sky Raider Mach I ARF

If you successfully solo'd and are looking for an easy to assemble second aircraft:

Thunder Tiger Tiger Stick .40 ARF
World Models Sky Raider Mach II ARF
Phoenix Models Dolphin .40 ARF

These are all great, inexpensive airframes that should go together quickly and exactly as per instructions.

If you're really building challenged and you want a bolt-together airframe as a replacement primary trainer:

Global Hobbies RCM Trainer .40 ARF
Thunder Tiger Tiger Trainer .40 Mk II ARF

These two airframes require no gluing and bolt together very quickly.

Good shopping and good luck.

What radio are you going to use?Do you want an ARF?Are you going to use the engine out of your nexstar.

Actually the Tower 40 is just the Model number of the plane. It comes with the Tower .46 Pro engine on it & a good pipe! In fact if you put the Tower pipe on the OS engine that comes with the Nexstar you will get a noticeable increase in power. The OS is a great engine, ( I have both of these Trainers) but the Tower .46 out-poweres the OS .46 hands down. I also had no problems whatsoever in getting it broke in & properly tuned. It still runs smooth & strong as does the OS. They are both into their second year of service now with no problems or lack of power. So yes you can put the Tower engine in more advanced model down the road. As for the NexStar, yes it is more pricey & the AFS is definitely an unneccessary training aid that will only get you in trouble. I see alot people suggest pulling it out of the aircraft alltogether. I would not reccomend this as it requires re balancing the plane. I just turned my all the off & now it flys just fine with no effect on the balance of the plane. I did use the airbrakes & droops for the first few flights until I got comfortable with both the plane & my abailities then took them both off leaving me with a perfectly good Trainer. I also found the sim very helpful in that I lost my instructors & ended up having to go it alone. This is where the NexStar shines IMO. If a person is in a situation where he or she is forced to learn on their own ( even though it is not the prescibed method) The NexStar is the ticket!!
It worked for me very well & after I got proficient with the NexStar then my Tower was much easier for me to handle. It is quite a bit hotter & faster than the stock NexStar so it was a handfull for me at first. After I put it away for a few weeks while I learned on the NexStar I was then able to handle the Tower much better & still have fun with it today!!

There are also some simple mods you can do to the NexStar after you get good with it that will make it much faster & much more nimble as well, curing the "Dog Factor"[sm=wink_smile.gif]

So don't let anyone burst your bubble, You can great fun with the NexStar as well as any other Trainer out there! God Luck.

As for what else you need for the NexStar, it is the same as any other plane in that respect. Just need all the usual flight gear. Fuel, glow ignitor, chicken stick or electric starter, glow plug wrench. These minimul items will get you up & flying.

Thanks for all those plane , and no I will not be stripping out the parts from my nexstar to put into another plane. I will just order all my parts then have to order one of those planes recommended to me. Thanks for the help.

Is there any how to fix the dihedral wing and make it nice and flat so I can get some faster speeds ??

Hey guys I just ordered those nexstar red tip props. You guys think they are any good??