I'm resposible for finding a Electric Plane to buy my mom's BF for christmas. What are some good ones that aren't too expensive?

I had a Firebird XL and it was good, but it's not that realistic in how it looks.

You would probably be better off asking this question in the electric plane section.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/default.asp?forumid=227

The biggest expense in Electrics is the electrics. Motor, ESC, Battery can easily cost you over 100 bucks, and more depending on what you decide to get. The electric forum is probably the best place to ask this though. You have to decide if you want a foamie (profile plane) or a wood light-weight model, or a fuel - electric conversion.. Prices will vary from about 30 bucks for the foamie (plus electrics of course) to over 200 bucks for the wood models, and everywhere in-between.

Tower Hobbies or Horizon Hobby (both have web sites) (for example.. there are others of course) can give you a pretty good idea what's available for just about any price range. Just be aware, many models come with brushed motors that are not worth using for any decent performance.

DS.

If you want ANY form of realistic...the cheapest ,coolest looks to be the Focus 400 at Polks Hobby (yeah dotcom) its on sale at $120 for plane,servos installed, brushless,esc, lipo, and charger...no radio..Imex has the same set up with radio for $219...if he wants to play in the front yard then go to Target and get an airhog aeroace, the most fun $30 will buy.....Rog

Multiplex EasyStar. Its the absolute best trainer.

[sm=thumbup.gif] Multiplex Easystar. Absolute best electric trainer out there. Get some 8 cell 1/2A battery packs and a decent charger and go to town.

Six Keys to Success for new e-flyers
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355208


READY TO FLY STARTER PLANES - Electric Parkflyers
No building - they practically fly right out of the box. These also
glide well so you can thermal soarwith them under the right conditions.
They are in no particular order.


Slow-V from Parkzone - $140 -
I have flown the slo-V.
Best flown in still to 3 mph breeze. This is the best choice for
people who only have a small space to fly or who have an indoor
place to fly, such as a large gym or similar space.
http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/pro...p?prod=PKZ1300
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2074785/tm.htm
Review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=426
Video
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo...240x180_nb.wmv
Night fly module on a Slo-V
http://rc-galaxy.com/messageboard/mb...ViewMsg&num=-8


T-Hawk - RTF - Excellent Value - $150-170
This company is really putting together some outstanding
packages. I have flown the T-Hawk. Excellent first plane.
Get the Extreme value package. It comes with an extra wing,
tail and battery. This plane stands up to hard landings
Can be flown on 27 MHz or 72 MHz
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawk3chrtf.html
T-Hawk - Without Radio - add your radio and receiver
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/wittran.html
T-Hawk Buddy Box 72 MHz trainer system - $279
This is really unique!
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/t72rtfpatrpa.html
T-Hawk Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...ighlight=THawk
Videos
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawkvideos.html


Easy Star - RTF - $180
I have flown the Easy Star - Great plane for new flyers!
Super tough foam. Good parkflyer and a good glider
In the US the RTF package comes with a 72 MHz radio
system that can be used to fly other planes
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240025.asp
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXFXV0&P=ML
Easy Star - ARF - Add you own radio gear
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240009.asp
Build Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350408
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=459096
Videos
http://plawner.org/video/easygo.wmv
http://plawner.org/video/easystar.wmv
Mods, upgrades and more
http://www.mpx-easystar.de/
Add Ailerons - Start at post 195
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...&page=13&pp=15
Travel Box
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...5&goto=newpost


HobbyZone Super Cub - $159
This is the only semi-scale plane on my list. I have not flown this
one but the flood of excellent reports leads me to recommend
it to new flyers. If you REALLY need a plane that looks like
something people would be in, this is the one I will recommend.
It takes the same Xport accesories as other HobbyZone and ParkZone
planes so you can drop bombs, parachutes and attach other accesories
to extend your fun. There has a steerable tail wheel so
you can effectively taxi the plane. Great for ROG launches.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ7100
Photos and Videos
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ7100
Other Excellent Video - Hi res for high speed connect users
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...25#post6040744
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showa...mentid=1051938
manual
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo...ualCropped.pdf
Discussions on the Forums
http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/s...21#post2130521
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...44#post6385310
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=550899


Aerobird Challenger - RTF Electric - $110 -
I started on an Aerobird RTF. I have over 600 flights on my Aerobirds. I
also thermal and slope soar this plane. Flies well and stands up to hard
landings. Their add on fun accessories for night flying, air to air combat
and drop module add to the fun! The combat module makes a great lost
plane locator, even if you don't plan to fly combat. Great keep in the car
plane - take off the wing and it goes back in the box fully assembled.
Most can't do that!
http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_planes_h...challenger.htm
Review
http://www.hobbyzonesports.com/Disco...ID=1289#Page01
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147621
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/aerobird_video.html
http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_videos/a...nger_loops.wmv


Hobbico Sky Fly - $100
I owned one of these. Second best landing gear and ground
handling of the planes I list here. If you have a hard runway, this is
a good choice for ROG and runway landings.
Hobbico suggests only a 500 foot range to be careful how far out
you fly this plane. 500 feet should be enough for most people.
This is the least aerobatic of the planes listed.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXKLV7&P=ML
Video
http://video1.hobbico.com/gallery/hc...961-deluxe.mpg
Review
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=489248
Discussion thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...t=493271&pp=15
Recommended wing reinforcement by mdp17681
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...8&postcount=16


Hobbico Red Hawk $70
This is a very low cost 3 channel plane. It is good for low wind conditions
but lacks the strong response. It is a good value for the price, especially
when compared to the 2 channel planes seen at this price. It looks very
much like the Aerobird Challenger, listed above, but is not as responsive
or aerobatic in stock form. Select this one on price, not performance.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXKLV8&P=ML
Reports
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=131


ESSENTIAL ADD-ONS AND POINTS TO CONSIDER

When evaluating costs, add the following items to your list.

For the Aerobird, Red Hawk and the Sky Fly
1 Spare wing and tail ($15-25) and 1extra battery pack (about $20 each)

The T-Hawk comes with spare wing, tail and two battery packs,
so factor that into the price and you will see it is closer in price
than it first appears.

For the Slo-V, two extra props and 1 gearbox seem to come in handy
as this is a front motor plane and these parts really take the damage
of nose in crashes. Don't know about other parts. The others are
pushers so props are less at risk. Add that extra battery pack.

For the Super Cub, get an extra 7 cell battery and a couple of spare props.
($25-$30 total). No need for a spare wing right away and you may never need
one.

The Easy Star - add-on battery packs should be at least 7 cell 900 MAh
2/3A or 4/5A battery packs, about $25 each.

If you have an 8 cell charger you can go to 8 cells, 9.6V, on the Easy
Star, but no more or you will burn up the motor. Be sure to check the
balance with the different battery packs.

The Easy Star, and the T-Hawk use standard modular electronics.
Makes it easy to replace parts or to upgrade the motor at a future date, if
you wish. The Easy Star RTF uses a standard 72 mhz radio equipment in North
America. The T-Hawk has a 72 MHz radio option as well as a buddy box
option. Or you can buy it without the radio and reciever and use your own.
All the others are 27 MHz.

I was just wondering if you had experience with the Focus 400 and can you tell me about what skill level it is to fly?

thanks,
David


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If you want ANY form of realistic...the cheapest ,coolest looks to be the Focus 400 at Polks Hobby (yeah dotcom) its on sale at $120 for plane,servos installed, brushless,esc, lipo, and charger...no radio..Imex has the same set up with radio for $219...if he wants to play in the front yard then go to Target and get an airhog aeroace, the most fun $30 will buy.....Rog
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