5 Years ago I used to fly a Avistar trainer. I learned how to fly with only one lesson. I havent touched an rc plane since I joined the Air Force. My question is, I want to buy a RTF model. Which one do you guys recommend? The Avistar was great should I go purchase it again? And also I plan on moving up really quickly and getting a model that does 3D so should I just buy a ARF trainer and the a multiple plane trasmitter?

TIA
Mike

buy the Avistar ARF....then get a O.S 46ax engine and a futaba computer radio.Remember to still get someone to teach you how to fly again.

Tony is totally right. Learn to fly properly and put some time into it befor going on to the "Good Stuff".
There is a guy who flies at our field, he has spent more than good sense dictates and is always a great show(crashes). He was a short term student who went to his own way and does everything "his" way. He usually crashes something every time out.
He doesn't understand a stall, the need to go around or a wind change, information that any basic flyer should learn. [:@]
Take a little extra time and enjoy....

Youve probably heard this before, but i took REAL flying leasons before (45hrs.) so i know the terms lol! I plan on getting a instructor for the first few flights, then its all me. I want a transmitter that i can use with multi models

OK guys this is what i am looking at.
Avistar ARF
OS .46 LA w/ muffter blue
Tower Hobbies 6XM 6-channel Computer transmitter with tower hobbies standard servos (4)


What do you think about this combo?

if you don't mind the extra cash, bump up to a 7cap or Jr's 7 ch offering. The tower radio may be nice, but I put more faith int he futaba and JR offerings.. even if the tower is just rebranded futaba.

Tower brand radios are made for them by Futaba.

Go for a bb engine, the LA 46 is no powerhouse and I doubt you will want to use it later on? If you can afford a little better go for it, if you can, that is radio and engine, your choice of a plane is great, good trainer that flys well.

ok im looking at the futuba 6exas. whats the diff. between this one and the tower one? Im asking all these ?'s because im fixing to spend 500 bucks and thats alot for a E-4 lol

Starting flying again last year with a Avistar, great plane. Currently purchased a 6EAS (last week), but only because I had three other futaba receivers around, so I changed the crystals to the frequency in the 6EAS. If this is your only plane and flight pack, consider the extra money now and invest in a new futaba spread spectrum system.

The Tower and Futaba 6-channel radios are the same. If you buy the Futaba radio, it will come with the power switch harness that you need that isn't included in the Tower Hobbies combo w/ servos. The price of the switch is the $10 extra you're paying.

Everybody makes a great 6-channel computer radio at a great price. You might want to peek at the Airtronics VG6000, the JR Sport SX600, and the Hitec Optic 6 Sport just to make sure you like the Futaba/Tower the best. None of these radios is a bad choice, but the Optic 6 Sport offers 10 model memory, shift selection for use with virtually any 72Mhz FM receiver, and can be upgraded with a frequency synthesizing unit (Spectra) so you can use it on multiple channels:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXPTT7**&P=7

It's no accident that Tower's website doesn't detail all of these extra features! As I said, though, all of these radios are great picks. You'd be quite happy flying the Futaba or Tower models as well.

The .46 LA is a good match for the Avistar, it's a popular combination at the clubs I fly at. Just be sure to buy fuel with at least some castor oil in it as part of the lubrication. Bushed engines like castor oil.

The Magnum XLS .46A and the Super Tigre GS-45 engines are both ball-bearing ABC engines available from Tower Hobbies for less than the cost of the O.S. .46 LA and both would be a bit more powerful. You should buy the brand that you personally are most comfortable with, but again none of these three would be a bad choice.

Good luck and good shopping!

Radios:
All the top brands (Futaba, JR, Multiplex, ...) produce good stuff. It is good if you can find local support for your brand, at least in the form of other flyers who use the same brand.

Not sure but I think buddy box systems might not work between all the different brands.

Oh, I am using a JR radio and am not going to argue with anyone using something different.

edit:
Simulator practice might be useful.
FMS, or something that you have to pay for.

I fly with the futaba 6ch comp radio its a good radio for your needs and the next step up is another 60-70$ or so, 6 model memory and programable, the OS 46 ax what a powerhouse that engine rips.
the extra meals you will do without will be worth it in the long run, glad you didn't shake the hook loose took me 20yrs to get back to the hobby

Careful here blkz2801 just cause you took "real flying lessons" doesnt mean you can fly RC. I've taught alot of students and never taught anyone in just one lesson. The safety pratices alone take mulitiple times to absorb.
I think you're right about another trainer, perhaps you should consider a 46AX engine. I also agree that a computerized radio is the way to go
good luck have fun