Whats a "trainer" everyone talks about? Its obvious by asking that question that im new to this whole hobby.

A trainer is just that, a plane that is used usually to train someone new to the hobby. They usually have a high wing, meaing the wing is mounted high on the body, most of the time on the top of the fuselage which improves the planes stability in the air. Flight characteristics are a little more gentle than other planes for more advanced pilots.

A trainer is a plane that is realativly easy to fly. It teaches you all the basics of flight. Most always are high wings and have a good amount of dihedral in the wing. They are usually made for beginner pilots.

SG

EDIT, Man too slow[]

P.S. My personal favorite is the SIG Kadet Lt-40 in case you wanted to look one up.

i learned on a goldberg eagle many years ago. some things to look for in a trainer are a flat bottom wing that is mounted above the fuselage, a descent amount of dehydral, but not too much. sturdy wood construction is a plus, cuz your going to bang it around, and that is easily repairable. im not sure if im sold on all that progressive learning equipment that comes off as you learn, and auto pilots that level the aircraft when you let go of the sticks. i like the old school trainers with basic electronics to teach people on.

The first is a trainer. The Second is not a trainer. Trainers are typicaly boxy looking, relatively inexpensive, and labeled as a "Trainer". As mentioned, the Sig LT-40 is an awsome trainer (that is the one in the first pic) If you are planing to enter this hobby, then be sure to start with a trainer. Enjoy!

LT-40

I've put together a list of good trainers that can be used to learn how to fly. Take a look at it and you'll get a pretty good idea what a trainer is, and looks like.

You can find this list here:

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

Ken

hanger 9 alpha is what i learned on it is also a good trainer

[link]http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HAN2475[/link]

Its ok we were all there once

This is a really good place to ask questions and if you have more questions you can always go to you local field or hobby shop they can help you also.


chris

Trainers are typically capable of relatively slow, forgiving, docile, stable, semi-selfcorrecting flight that is very predictable. Many trainers CAN be tweaked for more speed and agility when you are ready for it though and some always remain trainers. Of course, even a trainer can be plowed mercilessly[:@] into the ground or a tree so you still should get an instructor.

When you do decide what trainer to buy make sure you get a" trainer".............to teach you ! Meaning a trained person at your local flying field to show you the ropes. It will save you a lot of disapointment....too many people new to the hobby get discouraged when trying to learn on thier own.[:@]

Ray

i used a tower trainer

Kreg,
Kreg,
No matter what aircraft you decide on as a trainer, I will provide this advice. First, get a R/C Flight Simulator for your PC. I prefer the Great Planes G2/G3 Flight Sims. This is about a $199.99 investment retail, probably much cheaper on E-Bay. Practice flying all the aircraft on the sim. You are provided with three views; Typical R/C "From the Ground" view, "Behind the Aircraft View" (best to see how movement of the sticks on the transmitter moves the control surfaces on the aircraft to make it maneuver), and the "In the Cockpit" view. Practice on the flight sim until you can take off, fly and land with all the aircraft. You'll find that different aircraft have variations that you need to be aware of. I tell my students to become proficient with the P-51 Mustang. This is a cool looking airplane that although is not for beginners is neat in appearance and maintains the attention of the student. My last two students followed this method and once at the field, both soloed on their fourth lesson with the Avistar 40 trainer. The nicel thing about the Avistar 40 is that it has a semi-synetricl airfoil built into the wing. This allows for better meneuvering in the air and is a very stable aircraft. The Avistar 40 retails at my Local Hobby Shop with engine and radio pre-installed for $279.99. You can also find many used Avistar 40 trainers for sale often times here on RCU and on E-Bay. One final note on the flight sim; I have been flying for over fourteen years. I own a lot of Warbirds. I practice all the time on my G2 flight sim. This keeps me sharp. I can also go on line in the program and fly with others world wide. I can either Host a session and allow others to fly at my site or I can go to someone else's site and fly with others. I am often complemented at the field for my ability to keep my aircraft down the middle of the runway, both on take off and landing sequences. I reply that my sim practice is what makes me proficient. Check out my gallery her on RCU. Also check out my "Top Flite C-47 Normandy Tribute" in the Warbirds Forums here on RCU. Good Luck and Happy Landings.

I'm a beginner too, and started with a Great Planes PT-40. I agree with the suggestion of getting in a lot of simulator time. Also you might consider starting with an electric park flyer. After several incidents with my trainer, I got a GWS Slow Stick. The advantage is that the plane flies very slowly, giving you plenty of time to practice turns, lining up approaches, getting used to the controls being reversed when the plane is coming at you, etc. You can fly it on a baseball field (the infield makes a great TO and landing area), but a soccer field is better for newbies. Downside is that you need a calm day or go out just after dawn. It is a lot of fun to fly - I upgraded mine with a 7.4 V LiPo and a more powerful brushless motor. It has given me the confidence to go back to a 40 sized glow powered trainer with a new instructor.
For ratings of beginner electrics, try the last pages of this site:
http://www.plawner.net/3/1st_plane/
The Slow Stick is rather fragile - if you go the electric route, look into ones with pusher props - will save a lot of bent gearshafts and broken props.

Bob Hansman

On the topic of simulators...

FMS is pretty good value for money because it is free. It does not have all the realism you might get for $$$ but it gives the point-of-view, or orientation, that seems to be a major challenge to a beginner.

I did not get the Alpha 8.5 version to run on my new XP PC but the older Beta 7 seems to be equally at home on my XP as it was on 98SE.

I think a trainer is a plane like wing dragon or flying dragon, slow stick gws these are electric though.

I agree with the above post.... But My 15 yr old went solo in 4 hrs training on the tiger 40 low wing trainer converted to a tail dragger. He did have an instructor. I will keep him on this plane for another year till he can do touch and goes, loops, rolls ect with his eyes closed. The flight instructor said these planes fly better than some of the high wing trainers and I tend to agree. But thats my opinion