Hi every one,

I'm new and have no experience with RC stuff.

Right now I'm wanting to get my first plane and am wanting some recommendations.

I'm wanting to get a plane for UAV type applications. And hopefully one that can carry a decent load. Probably electric powered?

I want one that isn't modeled after any real planes; because efficiency & performance is important for me... so no cosmetic sh*t.

How much am I looking at to get everything flying?

Where is everything bought? I live in New Zealand. So I might be looking at importing from Asian countries for better prices(like Airsoft maybe?).


Also, I was wondering if cheap looking Chinese made knock-offs are worth getting? I might want to order a cheap one quick just for kicks.



Thanks
Tim

G'day Mate,
You may want to learn to fly first, then worry about what your planes can & can't do.
First thing to do is find a club, talk to the members, & learn as much as you can, like what is the most popular radio, motor, plane, & so on.
That will save you a lot in money & frustration, in the long run.

Welcome Timbo to RCU.
You can get a RTF {ready to fly} Trainer for about $300 add an other $150 for field equipment {extra props, glow plug, fuel, ect.}
AMA membership is $58 and to join a club is around $75 ayear. So about $600 if you do it the right way.

If you try to learn on your own, you can really start costing yourself a bunch. The AMA membership gives you insurance as long as you follow the guide lines. One has to remember, you have 5 to 7lbs. flying thru the air and would be like hitting someone with a 7lb bowling ball at 50 mile an hour.

I personally like the Sig LT40, the extra size of the 70 inch wing makes it eaier to see. I have an EVO trainer 455 engine on mine, with an APC 11x5 prop. this has been a very noobie freindly engine and the power is unbeatable compared to my other .40`s engines.

Join a club, you`ll save time and money, and an instructor can show you more in one hour than you`ll learn in months on your own.
Welcome and fly safe.
Robbie

Timbo lives in New Zealand, Insanemoondoggie, so an AMA membership probably wouldn't help him much.

There is an Australian hobby dealer who is fairly well known for selling quality products at good prices. Peak Models is inexpensive enough that some folks in the U.S. buy Sanye engines from them because, even with the high shipping costs, they're less expensive than North American resellers.

http://www.peakmodel.com

They stock an electric powered trainer package that might be a good place for you to start:

http://www.peakmodel.com/index.php?m...products_id=78

You simply need to buy a radio system to go with it and get it all put together.

There are many other fine choices on the market, and Peak Model is by no means the only hobby dealer in your area. You can take a look at:

http://www.radarrc.com/index_eng.php

Radar RC is the English website for the distributor of The World Models products throughout Asia. They make a lot of high-quality model aircraft, both glow and electric powered.

You might also want to take a look at http://www.frontlinehobby.com.au to see what they have to offer. Their Phoenix Models and Seagull Models r/c planes are high quality and reasonably priced.

Good luck and good shopping!

You know, it always troubles me when newbies start right off asking about UAV's and 'how much of a load can it carry'.

Paranoid? Maybe. [&o]

Like Alan said, learn how to fly a basic trainer first.

Yes I agree, This hobby is for fun, lets keep it this way.

Lol, rest assured I'm not a terrorist...

Don't planes come with simulation software for the PC? I can fly planes in the BF1942 game, so I'm quite familiar with flight dynamics. Is it just a matter of just getting use to different steering sensitivities?


Yeah, I'm not too sure what the clubs do. Not sure I want to come along and bother someone when I might not join and participate. I just want a plane for a UAV project.

Can you tell me what those popular radio, motor... etc. options are here.

Thanks for the advice Insanemoondoggie & bigedmustafa.



Tim

G'day Mate,
I can tell you that I think that a World models, Skyraider Mk1, or a Boomerang 40, with a Spektrum DX7 Radio, & an OS 46AX, is the best combination, but that is only my opinion, the guys & gals at your nearest club may have different ideas.

Check out the FMS flight sim. Its free on the net and has lots of different planes that you can try. The graphics aren't fancy but it will work an almost every pc and the price can't be beat!![8D]
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html

Welcome to the hobby, first off you will have more fun if you join a club, even though you may not thnink so, you will. secondly, you will get many different opions, so you will need to gather info and choose your own decisions once in a while. don't be afraid to take baby steps, learn lots. Most importantly have fun if your not having fun sit down, relax. This is not a hobby it's an addiction.

Dave trimmer

Oh-kay. That's a relief...

Timbo,
The questions you are asking would cause anyone to raise an eyebrow, taking into consideration that you are new to RC modeling, maybe your terminology is incorrect. Point one, if you are operating a RC plane you are already flying a UAV, as you are not in it. Point two, while it's true that model airplanes can carry a load, many of us don't worry about it, we just enjoy RC flight. Point three, you don't want it to look like an airplane ?? You'll have to explain that one. Point four, electric maybe ? Alot quieter that glow or gas. The whole idea behind RC flight is watching your plane fly. If you truley want to learn about RC, then take the advice, join a club, learn, and enjoy. I for one will not rest until assured !!!

Joining a club adds lots of benefits to this hobby. You will gain friends that you will have something in common with and the price of the club fees is probably a lot less than you think. It is certainly a lot less than what it will cost to replace a plane if you try flying on your own and crash. In some clubs it actually "pays" to belong to a club. The prizes for the fun flys and the free food often exceed the price of the fees. You will also learn more in a couple trips to the field than in 6 months of "reading about it"!! I would suggest if you are serious about this, do it right and join a club!!! [>:]

Am I reading you guys right that he is asking advice about building an electric plane for carrying a camera of some type, and you are worried he's a terrorist?

Wow.

I guess the terrorists did win after all.

Timbo, I have seen lots of people mod the Multiplex Easystar slightly and use it as a cam platform. With some easy power mods, the plane can lift a good load, and its gliding characteristics are perfect for making video.

I am still considering mounting a camera to mine someday just for kicks.

What I mean is that the plane isn't modeled after real planes such as a Spitfire, Mustang or a Cessna. Don't suppose there any dedicated UAV's you can buy?

Yeah, and by I electric. I was wondering if it is adequate. Say is electric only used for small light planes (not suitable for carrying loads). :P Therefore; shall I use gas? I'm thinking no. Because I'm a newbie... the plane will crash and explode when I crash.

Good. I don't want a sissy plane thats too nimble and goes wooosh when theres a sudden breeze.

Yeah, say I want something that flies stable and heavy like a C-130.

mod's please delete this post.