Hi all,

I have posted in the past about a begining airplane and I have found someone who would teach me how to fly, I was wondering if the smoothee slow fly from mountain models was a good starter plane, I want to build the plan but I have been told the balsa is not a good starter plane so the smoothee looks like a good mix.

Thanks,
Ace

Who told you balsa built planes are not good for beginners? WRONG.
You said you have an instructor ready to help you.
Look at Kens list, there are a whole slew of good trainers. Most, if not all, are of balsa construction.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm
PS: to answer your question about the Smoothie. Looks like an ok airplane but won't handle wind very well and the cost to get it in the air would be somewhere close to a Ready To Fly glow model.

http://www.mountainmodels.com/produc...roducts_id=223
My opinion of this plane is that it is little more than a childs toy. I have to agree with missleman on choosing a better plane but it also depends upon your budget.
Drop by a local club and watch other beginners and get a better feel for the hobby. Find a club at http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx
best of luck

Like I said, I have found someone who could teach me, I have a budget of about $400 max and I'd like electric, just less hastle. I dont have a huge field thats too close accept when soccer is out of season then I have one two field wide but when its not the closest one is 40 mins away so I cant really get a large glow fuel plane. Thanks for the info.

Your budget is large enough that you could go with an electric trainer RTF package.

There are plenty out there that will keep you around your total.

Here's a nice one

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXNVC0**&P=ML

You could also put a RTF combination together yourself and save a bit more.

Ok, thanks but as I said I'd really like to build it, I know that this does not fit what i wanted but i was wondering if it would be good for learning the priniciples of flying then moving up to a real plane http://zx81.isl.uiuc.edu/camilleg/rcfly/aeroace10.html . I'm still open to sugestions for planes.

There are several clubs that appear to be right in your area.
http://www.modelaircraft.org/ClubZip...x?z=33931&d=25
take a look at the list above if you are in zip 33931 like Ft Myers Beach is supposed to be.
A 40 size glow plane trainer is still your best bet IMO, unless you are carrying it on a bicycle or something like that.
Even the ARF opjose listed didn't include the battery packs for the propusion system (motor). The Sig LT-40 would be a great kit to build and I believe they make an electric adaptation if you insist. check under www.sigmfg.com

As for the Aeroace10, these little planes like this can be harder to fly than a proper trainer and are still little more than a place to throw money away at. IMO/sorry

Hey, The LT 40 does look like a great plane but the main reaon I wanted electric was I dont have a huge field to fly in. I realize that for first time I'd need to go to a field but eventualy I'd like to be able to fly at a park with out the risk of hurting some one or destroying something.

Stepping stones my friend.
Get yourself a 40 size trainer (set it up electric if you like, your budget fits) and learn at a proper field. It will take a while to get you flying well enough to fly in smaller spaces. By then you can get a smaller plane (even if you have to sell your trainer)
I wrecked several electrics early on and finally got with a club and a proper glow trainer. I am now to a point that I can fly my small electrics in my back yard (2-1/2 acres) I couldn't have reached this point without the training at the club field or a bunch of wasted money on demolished airplanes.
PS: ARF is cheaper than building it youself. Start with a cheap ARF like a $65 tower trainer for example and build your second plane while you are learning to fly your trainer.
Note: These are only suggestions based on my own experiences. It certainly is not the only route to take.

Not to run you off or anything like that but why don't you try one of the electric forums?
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_227/tt.htm
There are sub-forums on training and electric conversions.
RCU also has a sister website called www.wattflyer.com which is dedicated to electric flight.

This forum tends to lean (but is not restricted to) glow a/c. We'll continue to try to help but also want to open as many avenues as we can for you.

Thats a matter of opinon but they make a great mess to finish with![sm=lol.gif]

Even small electrics can cause a lot of damage...

I have a bunch of stitches in my arm that remind me of this every day.

Planes and the general public don't mix, that is what the flying fields are for.

The very cheap planes will not teach you to fly properly and you will get more out of your money if you throw it into the trash directly. That way you will not have to unlearn the bad habits.

Yeah a glow is a great way to start, especially a trainer. They are slow and relatively easy to regain control of. Not so those tiny electrics.

You CAN do an electric trainer as I posted, the battery packs for that guy are not that much more money.


But as others have suggested you'll save a bundle if you put this stuff together yourself...

e.g. buy your radio and plane seperately.... such as an ARF glow or electric trainer.

Ask questions about what works with what first and you'll get good recommendations here.

You'll also learn a lot in the process.

Right this looks like more hassle than it's worth because you are getting started and haven't done this before, but the voice of experience is talking in all of the above posts.

Notice that they are collectively trying to stear you in a particular direction, for VERY GOOD REASONS, we've all been where you are.

You need not repeat our mistakes, as you are starting to do.

Obviously you haven't flown a Mountain models plane yet.

Nothing more than a childs toy!? I'd be willing to bet just about anything that you'd change your opinion if you flew one. These planes fly absolutely wonderful. The junk in Wally World, ok, that's a child toy, but these planes are just as good and better than any gas plane out there. This comes from someone who flys everything from 1/2A to 1/3 scale, gas and electric.

Back to the original question, for learning how to fly, start with the Mountain Models Magpie. It's one heck of a tough plane. Don't listen to this crud of having to learn on a .40 size trainer.

Do a google search on the Magpie and you'll find lots of information on it.

Definitely try to find a local club or flyers group to help you out if you can because that's the best way to learn.

Brian
Mountain Models Groupie