[&:]I am just wondering what you think the best 4 channel elivon trainer is. It would be awesome if you guys could help me out.
Thanx guys, and gals!

I had that same question myself last year and couldn't get anybody to agree. So I ended up purchasing the top 2, the Hobbico Nexstar and the Hanger 9 PTS. IMO the hands down choice is the Hanger 9 PTS. Super stable with the factory supplied drag devises and once they are removed a pretty good little sport plane.

Tower trainer

thats like asking which is better, ford, chevy, honda, toyota, etc etc etc

I built the kadet lt-25 and had good results with it. its a very forgiving plane and believe it or not, when you kick in the hi rates, is quite aerobatic for what it is.
as far as building this plane, you couldnt ask for a better kit. all the parts fit together, and only requires a little sanding here and there. most of the assembly is like glueing two popsicle sticks together!
if i were you, id think about getting the kadet lt-25 (its a taildragger, but the ground handeling is very forgiving)

SIG Kadet Senior

RCKen has a thread made specifically to help answer this question. Check it out and see if it helps some..

my $.02, the sig senior ( big plane, more of a floater though), the avistar (semi symetric wing gives you basic aerobatics), and the arrow (just a nice plane)


The PTS is a nice plane, and if you have a real good person to instruct you and would not be heartbroken if somethign happened, then it might be for you. You must remember that it is still a warbird and warbirds are not, by design, good trainers. The mods that are shipped with it make it fly better, but there is no exception then a traditional trainer.

Now, if you can spare the cash getting a high wing and the PTS is not a bad idea. Spend a few flights ont he high wing to get used to it, and then switch over.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm] Looking for a trainer, what's available. (Updated 10-3-06) [/link]

Ken

[bRCKen][/b], you did your homework with that post. That's the first time I've seen it and it's excellent info for the beginner. Maybe you should consider making it a "STICKY" post in the beginners forum. just a thought.

Rod

Heli Rod,
It is a sticky already.

Ken

DUH!....LOL[sm=bananahead.gif]

Rod

I like the Hobbico Avistar. It is a good trainer, but also is a good aerobatic plane. I am a beginner and I am learing to fly now. I bought that plane because I can learn on it as a trainer, but also after I get good. I can use it to learn neat tricks that other trainers cannot do.

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StoneDeaf

This one amazes most new people in the hobby, but every trainer on that list can do quite a bit of aerobatics. Some just have to work a bit harder, but they'll all do it. IMHO everybody needs to keep their trainers and take them back out every now and then to fly aerobatics on. I still take mine out. For me, it actually helps me to fly them on the trainer because you have to technically correct for the maneuvers to work on it. It's all pilot skill on the trainer, not a fantastic plane making up for poor technique!!!

Ken

Sorry. I meant most other trainers.
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SToneDeaf

Stonedeaf,
Sorry, didn't mean for you to think I was putting you down. Because that's not what I was doing. I see this all the time with new pilots. They think that a trainer won't do much in the way of aerobatics, and I love seeing the look in their eyes when you take their trainer and put it through the paces of some pretty advanced aerobatics. I'm not saying this is you, but too many pilots abandon their trainers too soon because they don't think that it's capable of advanced aerobatics. I encourage them to stay on the trainer and learn to fly aerobatics on them, they'll be rewarded when they move on to a 2nd and 3rd plane because they will be able to perform the maneuvers better because of the practice they had on their trainers.

Ken

Not only do trainers fly well and are capable of a lot of aerobatics, their down right FUN! It's nice to be able to just relax and enjoy the flight. take off and landings are a blast. I like to do take off and landing while staying within the field boundaries (field is surrounded by trees in every direction).

I'm in the process of building a Sig Kadet Senior, one of the greatest flying trainers there is, but to add variation, I'm putting twin 4 stroke engines on it along with ailerons and flaps....just for a FUN ship to relax with.

Rod

thanks guys

I did not take that the wrong way Ken. I understand what you meant.
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StoneDeaf

Just exactly which trainer is it that you think can't do what manuever?

MOST trainers will do MOST maneuvers although some of them (8 point rolls) may not look quite as pretty. Many times it's just a matter of adjusting throws, CG and technique.

I used the Sig senior ARF as a trainer and found that with the .46 fx is wasn't the fastest plane but was very easy flying and gave you time to think about what you were doing. on the landings it will float as long as you need it to. Actually today with an 8mph headwind
if felt and looked like the senior was stuck in one place on her final approach. I then flew my Pt-40 for the first time and as it wasn't as forgiving as the Senior it flew with alot of the same characteristics. long glide and easy flying. although it is alot faster. After I came in a young boy with a tower RTF trainer came out and was flying that. I noticed that with my limited flight experience that both my trainers and others I have seen can do alot of aerobatics. you just have to get up a few mistakes high and try it. as ken and bruce have both said some of the manuevers may not be pretty when done by beginners, but the trainer is capable of some fun flying and will do just what there name impies TRAIN you to fly RC airplanes.

I have heard or read from other people that alot of trainers could not to aerobatics. I got the Avistar because I read it could to aerobatics that most trainers could not do. I am not sure if I read it wrong or I misread stuff. I am still a novice pilot and i still have a lot to learn so I do not want to give anybody bad information. Whoops! lol
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StoneDeaf

what about the aero voyager as a electric trainer, i'll probably get the nextstar for a gas trainer.
awesome tips guys, thanks alot!

http://www.towerhobbies.com/products.../hcaa1981.html
You can learn SOME things from it. I'm not much of an electric enthusiast though so it's hard for me to encourage. I'd rather see you put the money into a Tower Trainer or anther Nitro plane myself and with an instructor of course.

I have to stongly agree with bruce, I started a few years ago with a firebird XL, similar to the areo voyager, but it's 2 channel. I was going to learn some basics on that and then step into nitro. Four years later I finally soloed my nitro trainer, I ended up sticking with cars because the firebird was too finicky and if there was any wind I could barely fly it, also it was downright hard to get the hang of
and I figured bigger nitro planes would be much harder. I finally decided to try again with a Sig Senior and I was able to solo in just a few sessions. The larger nitro trainers are much more forgiving and with the help of a good instructor you will have no problem learning to fly.

Whatever you choose please take these guys advice and join a club and get an instructor, not only do you learn faster with less problems you may just meet some really nice people. I was priveledged to meet Ron Lockhart this weekend he and Dave lockhart both nationally recognized pattern competitors are members of our club. See you never know who you will meet.

i would like to join one but i dont know of any around me, i've heard of some, but looked online and couldn't find any.[]