Hi there

i currently have 3 rc cars and im beggining to get a bit bored with them.
so i have decided to go with a plane
my budget is $800 CDN

i would like to go with a nice plane in the begging so i will never have to upgrade

what would you suggest?

Thanks

I've compiled a list of planes that make good first, and second, planes. Take a look at the list and see if anything suits you.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm] Looking for a trainer, what's available. (Updated 12-19-06) [/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

Well, you're going to have to upgrade. It's highly unlikely that you will be able to learn to fly on a plane (successfully) that will keep you happy forever.
Look here http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm for a list of training aircraft. You're already into models so you should know of the various mail order and lhs facilities. FIND a local club or at least an experienced pilot/instructor to teach you how to fly.

so first a training one

how long does it ussualy take someone to become "good"

and i would perfer a non electric one

That is an individual thing. Anywhere from days to years depending upon aptitude and how often you fly and how serious you take the endeavor. Typical for solo would be a couple of months, weeks if training is intense. From there it would depend on YOUR definition of "GOOD". Not trying to give run-around or be cute but many variables.

There is no need to go electric unless that is what YOU want. I feel a Nitro engine plane is better anyway.

That depends on the individual. You will be learning a new skill.

I have seen people solo after as little as 3 lessons/sessions with an instructor, then again I know of a couple of people that still haven't soled after 18 months of being at the field at least twice a week.

Becoming "good", like most things, takes practice.

Also, do you mean "good" as the ability to successfully fly an aerobatic plane ? "Good" as the ability to fly a competition type pattern, or "good" as the ability to successfully compete against someone like Chip Hyde ?

If you mean good as the ability to successfully compete against someone like Chip Hyde, you are probably talking years.

The average at our field is "most of the summer" to solo. By that I mean start coming out every weekend that its not raining or too windy in June and by about the middle of August or September most have passed their solo test. Fuel wise it works out to about 2 1/2 gallons. The reasons that a few don't finish to solo are: too unreliable an engine(Super Tigers act finicky at our field and the carb barrel jams). OS or Thunder Tiger are are a good choice. Trying to use planes that aren't trainers or are too advanced such as an Avistar. Some can learn on them, others find the plane too frisky. Over powering a trainer (mounting an OS 46FX on an LT25, makes the plane keep cruising along even at idle and won't allow the plane to lose altitude to land). Using small underpowered electric trainers. Can only be flown in very light winds. Is small making it harder to see what the plane is doing and has shorter flights than glow fuel. Also difficult to get the smaller planes up to takeoff speed on a grass runway. Requires either a recharge or battery replacement at the end of each flight. Hope this helps.

When I first started this hobby, I was like you, and I thought that I would get one good plane and I would be set for life. Wrong!!! Unfortunatley, or Fortunately I guess I am now hopelesly addicted I would start with a trainer plane like an LT-40 (which can be found in the links above) and then later moving up to more advanced planes. With so many different models out there you will find yourself always wanting more.
As far as learning to fly, I think that you should learn fairly quickly because you have rc car experience. You probably won't have troubles with the reversed controls when coming towards yourself, and your reflexes are probably pretty quick. But you still need to get with an instructor because he will be able to teach you more than you will ever need to know. Learning with an instructor is also is the method of training with the highest success rate.

Good Luck and have Fun!,

LT-40

I started out somewhat the same. Had a car and one day it was nice and calm out. My buddy (we used to fly control line Coxes in high school) said, "we should get a plane!" It had been a while since we had flown, but we could afford it much better than when we were kids. I got a four channel, 40 sized trainer and promptly tent-pegged it. I didn't have a simulator at the time, I'm also a long distance from the nearest field/instructor, so I got a park flyer and put an .049 on it. This was slow enough to allow me to react and get familiar with the aileron/elevator stick. It was also light enough to avoid heavy damage upon impact. After I felt comfortable with it I went back to my repaired trainer. Eureka! This time when I took off, I knew what to do and was able to solo on my own! [8D] Ross

I think your wish to "go with a nice plane in the begging (sic) so i will never have to upgrade" is misguided. You need to start with a trainer, or something like one (e.g. Big Stik) before you move on to more advanced models. Do you think the Blue Angels took their first flying lessons in F/A-18's?

Once you've mastered the trainer, then you can incrementally move up to the next level. Hold off on getting that 40% Extra until you have some experience under your belt unless you have very deep pockets.

A simulator is also a big help and can save you a lot of money, even after you've mastered the basics.

I agree with you on the simulator. I got FS ONE for Christmas. I am just starting out in the hobby and was at the airfield training the other day. I had never flown a plane before and my trainer was amazed at how well I flew. I would highly recommend getting a simulator program. Yeah it is $209 but it will save you a ton of money in the long run. It has helis, turbine, trainers, and etc. I am a big fan of the simulator