Does anyone have view's on the best trainer (not ARTF) built up for a beginner,ie easy to build and fly. I have been looking at either a Sig Kadet LT40 or a Laser Model Ibis and would be interested to hear from anyone who has built one and learned to fly,or learning to fly.Thanks

Hi
i bought a laser model Ibis Kit, and its the best trainer ive seen, its strong, light, fast and trustly, it can be built in n o more than one week, and the wood quality is very high., I have other trainer, the tower trainer 40, and my ibis is better than this, from my point of view, the ibis is the best trainer of the world .

dont most trainers fly the same????????????

Not all trainers fly the same. They all fly somewhat similarly... but some have higher stall speed than others. Some are better at aerobatics. Some have higher maximum airspeed. There is a HUGE difference in how a Dynaflite Butterfly (HUGE SLOW 99 inch span 3 channel trainer for .09 to .20) flys vs a Kadet MK II (or whatever number they are up to now... relatively heavy appx 55 inch span 3 or 4 channel for .25 to .40) and then there's the Avistar. (and the old version GP-PT which had semisymetrical airfoil and would fly just about like the Avistar...)

The Kadet LT-40 will be a nice slow flying trainer. Its an easy to build lazer-cut kit. (much easier than the Kadet MK II or the box of sticks kits like the Kadet Sr) You would almost assuradly not be dissapointed with it except when you try for aerobatics. (it isn't a Somethin' Extra. but a Somethin' Extra isn't a trainer...)

I agree fully with FH. The SIG Kadet LT-40 is one great trainer. Great wood,instructions and plans. You will not be sorry you bought one. The kit also comes with things that others do not. As I recall it comes with fuel tank and wheels. Everything but the covering and glue. I may be wrong, so if I am please someone jump in. SIG kits are some of the best out there. The LT is also just a skosh bigger than other typical trainers. So it is easy to see. It helps out alot when learning. I have never heard of the Ibis trainer. So I will not comment on it. It may be a good one. I just do not know. Good luck with whichever one you get. And congratulations on the desire to build one.

Mark Shuman

I agree that the LT-40 or LT-40 ARF are the best trainers out there. The extra 10" of wing make a significant difference in stability. Our club has 7 LT-40 trainers---the reason, after years of trying everything else (including Nextstar) the LT-40 is the best. Put an OS .46AX on it and it will also allow you to do the beginning aerobatics. We have guys who do amazing things with their LT-40's, loops, rolls, inverted, knife edge (of sorts), etc.

How about the CG Eagle 2? My understanding is that it is an old design but a solid plane. The guys at the local field swore by these. Now I cant tell you how it flies, mine still needs to be covered. The quality of the wood is real nice and the laser cut parts make it pretty simple. I have had some problems matching parts to the plans, there are a few fairly signifigant changes in dimension on some of them. Other than that it seems to look like a nice plane.

Sig LT 40!!! It was my first, and it is a very good building & Flying plane. I put an 40LA on mine, but if I had it to do again I would have went with a 46FX or similar, or even better a 4 stroker!! I promise you won't be dissapointed with this set up.

LT-40

Easy to build. Great flying plane. I've flown several other trainers and LT-40 is the most stable. Don't waste your money on anything else.

I had an LT 40 also. Its so big you can get it way the hell up in the air in safe zone and still see it fine.

Leadballon, there is nothing wrong with the Eagle. It is a great trainer. Don't sweat it. You will like it just fine.

Mark Shuman

sig kadet is the best trainer. my dad bought one , he learned on it in 1970, then in 1995-1998 i learned on it.

As an Instructor I have trained flyers on other trainers such as the Midwest Malibu. As someone stated all the trainers fly similiar but I found that the LT40 has the best ground handlying of the lot. My trainer was an LT40 and after I got my wings I was trying out different things. I found out that with an FX40 engine and an 10-5 MAS prop I could hang on the prop at 3/4 throttle and then go to full throttle and start climbing! Pretty cool to see that huge plane just sitting there with the nose pointing up and not moving! If I was to advise someone as to what trainer to get today I would probably tell them to get an Avistar. Its light, inexpensive, sturdy, will fly fast or slow and with the semi-sym. wing can handle the windy conditions better.

I seldom weigh in on these type discussions because I become the 'voice in the wilderness', but here goes...I started with a .049 and a 2-meter sailplane. Slow, inexpensive and easy to mentally keep up with low-pressure flying. You will still learn the basic hand-eye stuff without flying faster than you can think. You are quickly able to fly solo, which is important for the beginner, since it's inevitable that you'll go out sometime when there's no one to help you. I then went to my SST .40 (see my avitar). I fly with an instructor, but this plane has tought me to be subtle, and not over-control. It is basically a stick-type, but it looks better. Like a stick, it is an excellent flyer and very aerobatic...Way beyond what I'd be flying for a trainer if i didn't have the early sailplane experience first.

I really like my Avistar. My brother has Nexstar and really likes it as well.

take a look a the alpha 60.

I 2nd the Alpha60
I completed my first solo today with mine and it fly's great
The instructor and everyone at the field were impressed with how it was built and handled
Good luck with what ever choice you make.

No RC model I have ever touched flies as easily as a Dynaflite Butterfly. Handlaunched, it is big, slow and gentle. I have let small children fly mine without any sweat or struggle. It doesn't do much other than fly (though it will loop), but if you are teaching an absolutely naive beginner it has every quality neede. You could even teach yourself, alone, to fly RC with this one.

If you don't start with at least a 40 size glow plane, you are just adding another step in the learning curve to get into this hobby. Standard 40 size trainers cruise about 40 mpg. Sport planes are around 60 mph and have much quicker response times. You have to be able to handle a standard trainer easily before you can move on to sport or scale planes. I think starting with anything slower is a waste of time. [8D]

My preferences for .40 size glo trainers (in order of preference), as based on direct experience as an instructor:

For learning to fly from scratch --- Hobbico Nexstar, Hobbico Superstar/Sig LT-40 (equal), Tower Hobies 40/GP PT-40 (equal), Hobbico Avistar, Tiger Trainer 40, CG Eagle2, Aircore 40

For those who have some experience (or are "naturals") --- Hobbico Avistar, H9 Arrow

Things to avoid for absolute beginners -- low-wing types, SPADs & other stik-types.

Things to avoid for all beginners --- warbirds of any description, pattern type sport fliers, biplanes.

I trained on a CG Eagle 2 and it is a great plane to train on. But, IMO, it is not as good as the LT-40 for a real beginner. One of the biggest differences I noticed is that the ailrons react better at low speeds, like landing, on the LT-40 than the Eagle 2. This seems like no big deal now, but to a person just starting out, a slower speed landing is a lot easier, and less stressful, than one that you have to keep your speed up. And I think, if my memory is correct, the Eagle has less dihedriel than the LT-40, which will allow you to perform low-level acrobatics better. And, the Eagle 2 will get you used to the higher speed landings that you will need to master before your second plane. Bottom line is you can not go wrong with the LT-40 or Eagle 2 for your first .40 size plane. I would recommend you go with a .40 size, you tend to spend less $$ than the .60 size planes. That way until you get good, you won't be spending a ton of money to get into this hobby. Bottom line is you probably can't go wrong with either, or some of the other trainers out there, but between the two mentioned, the LT-40 will have you soloing first, but the Eagle 2 will exetend the excitement to where you will be more comfortable the first time you fly your second plane.

Byrdman

Im sorry but in my opinion the best trainer whislt ARTF is

The READY 2 (from ARC Italia)

fully plastic and is CRASH PROOF! Floats like a gem and ive spun one better than some IMAC planes. Perfect plane.

I have the Ibis from Laser Models. It was the first model I built/flew and although it took me over a year to build (motivation issues) I learned how to fly on it and it continues to be my favorite for sentimental reasons. For a high wing trainer it seemed to impress a lot of the folks at the field with some of the things it does. I put an OS .46FX on it and which may be a little over the top for this plane. I started getting cocky with it and put it in a full throttle dive and the stabilizer snapped. I was able to get it down without destroying it and most of the repairs are done and I hope to fly it again in the next couple of weeks. I think Laser Models is gone now so you might not ever see this one again. Too bad, its a great plane.

If you want to check out the Ready 2 and other plastic planes along with the Midwest line --- go to falcon-trading.com. They can also lead you to kits of the Aero star or ARF's. See if you can get an instructor now and let him assist you with a proper trainer. ENJOY!!!!

Red

Well........


There you go WINGMAN sounds like most everyone here recommends the lt40. this trainer was also recommended to me by my instructor. havent learned to fly yet cuz i'm not done building it. I had bought the kit. it cost me around $90 minus the glue,covering,radio,servos,hobby tools etc.....! but it does come with all hardware,fuel tank, and wheels. And so far.......it is very easy to build and the instructions are X-CELLENT ! For first time ever building a plane of this kind/size.........i'm having loads of fun and learning quite alot about the flying world. Can't wait to learn how to fly it I have had electric planes a couple yrs ago like the FIREBIRD XL but wasn't at all impressed. Flown my friends MERLIN and liked it alot. Great beginner plane but didnt want to buy one cuz had already bought the LT40! The engine however........i did not go with the ones that most of you suggested. My instructor recommended the "SUPER TIGER 51". He said that it would be a perfect match for the LT40. And at half throttle..........it would be all the power i would ever need to fly it without any problems!

One thing i would like to see is some video of the LT40 in flight. I have searched the net but have had no luck! do any of you have any VIDEOS posted ?