ok so ive been flying electric for a couple of years now but mainly only little 3 channel planes. i wat to get into nitro planes and was looking for a good trainer. space is not an issue atmy field so any size would be uitable. i was looking at the hobbbico nexstar and hobbistar. wich of those 2 is better and what are other possible choices?

Never flown a nexstar but all the instructors said i picked god (alpha 40) and added that the nexstar flys sooo poorly that it was amazing. They say it is heavy for its sizzed and that according to them it is way off cg whilie the facotry says itws ok to fly liek that most here fly with 2 oz of spinner wight the rx pck under the fuel tank and about another 1 oz glued to the firewall at this point the instrocors say it flies nice and it doesnt drop the tial in a turn but unfortunitly this adds to the wight which was a problem to start with...

I've trained plenty of students using both of the those planes and they both fly just fine. Of the two I prefer the Hobbistar because it is cheaper. The Nexstar has some extras that you will pay for but will end up not using, but it does come with a flight simulator that will help you to practice at home when you're not at the field. But as far as flying goes both trainers are good flying planes and will do just fine for you to learn on.

Hope this helps

Ken

I'd also recommend you don't use a glow fuel with nitro for a trainer. Just added expense and you don't need it.

( Messing with a ground-pounder's head. Nitro is a minor component of glow fuel)

There are a lot of good trainers out there. I'll vouch for the Hobbico Superstar 40. A friend has one that has been beat and generally abused - it even midaired with my GP Big Stik, snapped my wing off, and landed without a scratch and the motor still running. I have helped new pilots with the Avistar and that's a good choice, too. The SIG LT-40 is a workhorse, very gentle. I re-entered the sport a few years ago with a Global RCM 40 with a TT Pro-46 that was a better flier than many of the more sedate trainers (does well inverted).

I just picked up a World Models Skyraider trainer for my grandson for about $70.00. Quality hardware and well built. Threw a Tower .46 engine I had laying around and std Futaba servos and receiver. First flight was terrifice, very good trainer with semi air foil and plenty of wing area and light wing loading.

These are not RTF's, but seem to be a great, low cost way to get into nitro. Seems to be very aerobatic.

Instructions are very sparse and basic, plenty of pictures but not very detailed. If you have a mentor or friend with experience putting ARFS together, you can pick and choose good reliable equipment.

I think I am more excited about getting my grandson on the buddy box with this, than he is.

Good luck with your Nitro endeavor,
Mike Boyd
AMA 7197

thanks i think im leaning tward the hobbistar now however it is more expensive than the nexstar

That's because the Hobbistar is a 60 size trainer that comes with an OS 65 LA engine in it and the Nexstar is a 40 size plane that comes with an OS 46 engine. That's why the Hobbistar is more expensive

Ken

Since you have some experience with the electrics I would recommend the Hangar-9 Arrow. Due to its semisymetrical airfoil will take you one step ahead than the regula trainer. That is just my oppinion!

If you'd like to know what's available out there, I've compiled a list of planes that are good trainers. Any of them on the list will be well suited for learning to fly on. Take a look at it and see if anything else catches your eye.

You can find the list here

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

Hope this helps

Ken

Shameless plug for Thunder Tiger RTF training package:

http://www.thundertiger4u.com/tiger-...bo-p-7326.html

Package includes:
-Tiger Trainer MKII
-Thunder Tiger GP-42 glow engine
-propeller and spinner
-Hitec Laser 4 radio package with servos/receiver/battery/switch pre-installed

At $270, this is a very high-quality trainer package, and should easily meet the $150 minimum for free shipping from thundertiger4u.com

I learned to fly on a Nexstar, and I always thought it flew fine. It did tend to balloon a bit while turning when it was windy, though.

Wolrd models sky raider.... cheap and good

or the thunder tiger mentioned above

I have a nexstar with a 61 an a 11x6 prop. The best trainer ever, flys great. No rubber bands, has the best landing gear that puts up with abuse time an time agin. Did i mention it actally looks like a plane. not a 4x4 with covering..

Wasn't aware they'd had a recent redesign.

You're still spinning a .46 size prop even though you've overengined it (that is, if you ment to type "61"). Can probably loop that baby without touching the elevator. Try a 12X7 or an 11X8, though I'm not sure why you'd need the added thrust.

what about the hobbistar it already comes with the nice .65 os engine and has a better radio but i would preffer a rtf just because ive never worked on gas planes before