Somehow I caught the rc plane bug last summer. I've visited a few local fields, spent countless hours searching the Net, bought GP Flight Sim and even built a Guillow's Cessna. I can't seem to shake this bug so I'm giving up! Time to invest some real time and money. I don't want to start with a park flyer, but do want an electric. Atleast a 4 channel to start(even if I'm not using all 4) Not afraid to get some glue on the fingers or the workbench, but do want to be in the air before the season is half over. Looking for an initial investment around $300. Any suggestions? I like the PT-Electric but want some REAL advise before I start spending and building.

Thanks!

Dan

Your figure may not be realistic when you factor in support equipment, AMA and club dues.

The initial entry cost for electric can be more expensive.

I know that you don't want an parkflyer but I use this example to illustrate what my first electric cost me at the LHS


GWS Tigermoth 55.00
GWS PICO Flight Pack 95.00
Extra 300Mah NIMH battery 30.00
Duratrax intelli peak charger 99.00
Foam safe CA Glue 9.00
Carbon fiber 4.50
pushrod conntetors 2.00
RX Crystall 10.00
JST connectors 2.00

Total without radio 306.50


I have an Airtronics Radiant radio that I paid 225.00 5 years ago


No Add

58.00 for AMA

And however much for Club membership


Not trying to discurage you just wanted to give you a fairly accurate idea of the costs

Yes, I see that I was being "Conservative" in my estimate. Just thinking about the complete kit cost for trainers that come with a controler. I'm not discouraged by this, girlfriend may be though, lol. Thanks for your feedback.

Without the rest of the equipment your plane becomes a non-flying model...

Enjoy what ever you get.. Just make sure you half all the equipment neccessary to fly it.

I only brought up the costs because in the past here I've seen people quoting starting costs that seem to me to be missing a lot of basic equipment. If you really get into this hobby you will be surprised at how many "gadgets" you aquire over the years.

Could you be more specific? What do you consider a park flyer?

"Electric" really doesn't tell you anything any more. Electrics come in all shapes and sizes.

One guy at our club converted a Sig LT-25 to electric. Made a great trainer.

Also, you didn't say if you had flying experience. If not, it becomes much more complicated, since its hard to find a plane that is a good first-time trainer and keeps you interested.

GB

Ok, makes sense. I don't want a park flyer or something so small it has to be flown in near windless conditions, other than that I have no real preference. No flying experience yet, unless you count Simulation.

Thanks.

Actually... When your first starting out those condditions are ideal

Without a doubt, the Leisure Amptique. 55" span, speed 600 geared. One of the best, most stable electric trainers ever. It's a kit, so you'll have to build it. No ARF available.

http://www.nesail.com/amptique.html

You know, when you recommend something, it really helps if you can provide a link.....

Sport Motor package $129.95

On top of this you'll need a radio ( approx $125 for a Quattro Lite)
a charger, and extra supplies for the kit like covering, glue etc..

Hmmm, a bit over the $300 but it looks like a nice starter plane...

The amptique looks like a great starter plane. Thanks to all for the advice!

dallab,

I started out with a Megatech Merlin. Its big and slow and rudder elevator only, and I taught myself. But, after a few weeks it got boring.

I opted to move up to a .40 size glow trainer (SIG LT-40), the Merlin DID NOT prepare me for the glow trainer.

I have since bought a Virus 400a. Its also from NESailplanes. Its got a speed 480 and has about 60" wingspan. It is pretty good as an aileron trainer. Had I not went to glow, I probably would have taught myself ailerons with the Virus.

The Amptique they recommended is also a 3 channel model (from what I saw).

But, like I said before, anything you can handle as a novice you WILL outgrow. and anything you won't outgrow you probably can't handle as a novice.

All I can say is "Gentlemen, get out your checkbooks" :-)

GB

I just had a look at it. Looks like a nice plane.

The prices they quote for the ESC and battery are a bit excessive though.

I just completed a 36" bipe that came out to 16oz.

You only need a 5 amp ESC at about $25, and I got a 8 cell 350mha battery for $32.....

** But, like I said before, anything you can handle as a novice you WILL outgrow. and anything you won't outgrow you probably can't handle as a novice.**

Well said. Lets say I start off with the amptique, and after X number of flights I realize that I am thouroghly bored with it's flight ability. Obviously I can build and attach another wing, assuming it is aerodynamically sound, provides enough lift with or without an increase in power plant. Any reason I couldn't turn the gentle Amptique into a top wing aileron trainer or sport plane?

The way I see it, the simplest and easiest solution to that problem would be, as you say, build another wing.

As its a kit you'll have plans I presume, as the wing will be built over them. Just be sure that when you first build it, you trace out the wing rib pattern and anything else that you might need to replicate the wing.

Then the 2nd time around just build the wing straight (no polyhedral) with less dihedral and with ailerons.

If you need a little extra power, upgrading to an 8 cell pack should give some extra RPM on the motor without having to upgrade the rest of the power system.