I started off flying a few years ago and I enjoy it alot. But I started off with 2 channel electric planes because i had read that they were easier to learn on. Well I learned but only having 2 channels quickly got boring and after a few crashes neither one of my planes will fly. I've been talking to some guys at my lhs and it seems to me that nitro is the way to go. I've been running nitro rc cars for years so I know my way around nitro engines so that wont be a problem. There is a flying field about 20 miles from my house and the guys at the lhs already said they would help me learn to fly a 4 channel plane. There is also a cow pasture about 500 feet from my house that I own that I flew my electric planes in and I was wondering if it would be possible to fly nitro planes there too. Now for the main question, I need some help selecting a plane, there are sooooo many trainers out there that I am pretty confused about which one to get. I'm also on a pretty tight budget, so a nitro plane may be beyond my financial abilities. thanks for the help

Get your buddies at the flying field to help you make a choice. You WILL need their help if you are to learn to fly without many more crashes. Very few people, no matter how much simulator time, car experience, and park flyer foamy crashes they have under their belt, teach themselves to fly. If you have a good field and instructors that close, take advantage of it.

Dr.1

I knew I would need their help learning to fly, I didnt expect to learn on my own.

That's cool, rc. It's just that I see so many trying it on their own and failing with considerable expense and frustration incurred. Didn't want to see you go the same way.

I can recommend these trainers:
The Goldberg Eagles
The SIG Kadets
Tower Hobbies Trainer
Any of the Hobbico trainers EXCEPT that POS, the Nextstar
The Great Planes PT series

Do you want to build or do you want an ARF?

You can fly from your cow pasture, provided it's smooth enough and has enough overfly area. You don't want to be flying over other's property, buildings, animals, etc.

I'm going to give you a REALISTIC estimate of the cost of getting into a .40 size trainer. I'll get a lot of arguement on this, but, in the long run, you'll see I'm right. Working with all new equipment, flight support box and equipment, spare parts, and AMA license (if their field requires it), you're looking at $400-$500 for a .40 size trainer. Now, before you have a heart attack... This is with ALL support equipment you'll need. Starter, glow driver, flight box, spare plugs and props, etc. Of course, if you can find GOOD used stuff, that cost can be cut drastically. Get someone who really knows to look it over before you buy.

Don't get the cheapest engine and radio offered at your LHS or online. Get something you can install in your next several planes. That will greatly spread out the cost.

Dr.1

Welcome to RCU!!!

I've compiled a list of planes that make great trainers. All of them on the list make great trainers and would suit your needs well. Look over the list and see if there is anything that suits your fancy. You can find the list here:

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm]Looking for a trainer, what's available. (Updated 8-14-06)[/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

I think I want to build a kit, i'll be 16 this May, so what I might do is get my parents to buy me the kit for christmas and i'll have several months to build it and i'm going to get a job this summer so I can make to money to pay for the rest of it.

A few bottom line thoughts.
It is more expensive to build a kit than buy an ARF but when building the cost can be spread over the time it takes you to build.
On the cheap a good nitro trainer and field gear will run around $400+
If the budget is real tight there are plenty of used trainers out there for under $100, I have even seen trainers given away through our club (I gave a brand new trainer to a kid down the road that was given to me) Keep your eyes open for these deals.
Flying in a cow pasture should be no problem if it is big enough but it may tick the cows off.

yeah, its not really the overall cost as much as it is the large amounts at one time. So i figured if i build a kit i can spread it out. and the cows wont mind the plane too much, there pretty used to my traxxas T-maxx and dirtbike, 4 wheelers, trucks, etc...

rc_flyer428,

Like Dr1Driver said, your local club will be the best resource for what you should get. They will also know the frequencies that are available most of the time, and you will be able to find an instructor who has experience with certain trainers, so they can recommend the best one for your training. Not that the feedback here is not beneficial, just that there may be one that will fit better than others at your location due to the instructors experience.

Keep in touch and ask as many questions as you can!

will do, thanks for all the help guys.

someone call my name? PMSL

i have a 2 channel and i hate it, never again am i buying a 2 channel aeroplane
A good instructor with a buddy lead is extremely wise, if you lose control of the model he/she can take over and recover it (averting a crash), you can search for an intructor using the RC universe search feature, so i suggest you check it out

i would use a RTF or ARTF, but just because they are cheaper and easier to build (all you have to do is lump all the gear in) and also im lazy, but check out towerhobbies for a good high-wing trainer

finding a instructor wont be any problem at all, i've already talked to the guys at my lhs and they said they would be willing to teach me.

You've just had the wrong 2-channel plane. I've flown 2-channel for over 30 years (and some single channel -rudder only). They fly as good as any other plane - the only difference is you generally have to fly the fuel out of them. Look at what I posted in your other thread. Some of the best flying planes I've had have been 2-channel (not to mention most of the gliders I've had - rudder/elevator and occasionally spoilers).

Hogfllyer

I used to have a two-channel (elevator and rudder) Littlest Stick with a Cox .049 Black Widow. Talk about a wild ride!!!

Dr.1

no no no,

my dual channel was eleccy, it was waaaaaay off balance, it didnt want to pull up and had no variable speed on the motor, so when i dropped the throttle to keep it from stalling it would nosedive and because of no elevators never wanting to come back up, resulating in the "nyaaaa THUD" that we all dread

i could be wrong, it could be that i just had a bad plane, some 2ch's could be ideal for learning but ever since my Jamara Cessna 120 i have NEVER wanted to take to the skies with an RC again

until i saw [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bh1Pd0U-wo&mode=related&search=]THIS[/link]

Cant wait for my SIG kadet!