Hello all!
Another Newbie here, just wondering if I should try a real 3-channel plane...
What I want: Looking for something like a Ventura, or Cessna type, no elevon mixing for now...
What I have flown: Countless 2-channel, airhogs stuff, but my favorite is an Estes "Skyranger" 2-channel (rudder and motor) Cessna which I have been able to fly VERY high, and in excess of 10 minutes at a time. When it finally comes down, the motor barely runs!
Also, ALOT of time with an Airhogs Stormlauncher, which I have crashed a few times, top flap is removed, and I have now mastered upsidown flight, and stalls, and loops, even under very windy conditions (I am learning about the Wind factor), but I know this "boat" flies very differently from a real airplane...
Any help is appreciated, I would hate to run a nice airplane into the ground...
CB

you should try using a flight simulator first just so you can get through the first flight flight sims are helpfull thats how i got into rc planes

if you want to fly a 3 channel plane great, but you will be better off getting at least a 4ch radio, doesn't matter what direction you are going for power,glow or electric, either way you power your plane the more channels you have the more options.
as you advance your going to have to get another radio sooner than later, there are alot of great packages with all included parts, or you can always piece your package together, if you have all ready been sucessfully been flying the small electric planes get a plane with ailerons and skip the 3 channel step.

IMHO, get a 4 channel plane AND a 6 ch or more radio.

As you move-up, (it can happen quite rapidly...trust me), you will need more channels and more options.

Don't waste hundreds of dollars on toys if you want to fly RC. Get quality stuff and don't listen to people who tell you how they have been doing this for 30 years, (and you don't need a computer radio and you don't need a light plane and mixing is for sissies and and and ...). Most of them can't fly anyway.

Get quality stuff, listen to people who can REALLY fly, and fly with people who are better at it than you are. Nobody asks a bum for money, don't ask someone who can't fly for flying lessons.



.

I often tell people who are new to the hobby not to get a bigger radio than they need, but this advice comes from experience. I see way too many people start out in this hobby only to give it up after they realize that it is more difficult than they thought it woud be.

I also discourage newbies from "Playing" with all of the bells and whistles on a high-end radio... And I CAN fly

My reasoning for this is simple - how would you feel if you were trying to teach someone to drive a car but they were too busy trying to find their favorite radio stations to pay attention to parallel parking instructions?

But in YOUR case, you have been flying for a while, and you enjoy it, AND you already want to move up. I would recommend that you get at least a 4-channel radio. A 6-channel radio will let you advance to things like retractable landing gear and flaps, or bomb/parachute dropping, smoke, etc. A 6-channel computer radio will also allow you to do more advanced things like mixing controls.

So the choice is yours. If you're just looking to do some basic flying, get a 4-channel radio.

If you see yourself going beyond that, AND your budget will allow, get a 6

Good luck!

Thanks for the good advise!!
I have talked to experienced pilots, and they also agree that I should get a good radio first, that way you can build a variety of planes, lots of choices...
I crashed the Stormlauncher in the park again today, after a LOOOONG upside-down flight, I landed it and stupidly decided that I could get a few more minutes out of the battery...
Did you know that the motors shut down when the battery gets weak on this plane? So did I, but I pushed it anyway...I skidded it under a parked VW, the left pontoon is seperated again, will be an easy fix, though...
Still learning lessons, but this hobby is so much fun, and alot safer than my 2-stroke street bike!!
CB

MinnFlyer's #1 Rule of Life:

"Never participate in any endeavor where the prime objective is, Don't Die!"

Minn,
LOL!!!
CB

I have others:

Don't drink beer in waders,
Don't tell jokes in canoes,
Don't ask a State Trooper where he got that hat,

And many more, but "Don't Die" is #1

You can actually get a used 3 channel radio on the dirt cheap, around $30.00 since many people have them collecting dust. I still use my 4 channel radio, it has served it's purpose well, it has reversable channels, no mixing "I bought a 10.00 external mixer later on" and I'm really not limited as to what I can fly at all.

I rarely even use the 4th channel, you have Y cable that goes to the ailerons, that's only one channel, another for the elevator, and one for the esc. The rudder is something I rarely use when I enable a plane with it but I'm not flying 3d "yet". The disadvantage with it, you gotta remember what your plane was trimmed out to on the radio, and if you want to nip that one in the bud, just mark where it's at on the plane itself, or better yet, manually adjust it once you have it dialed in and you can reset your controls back to center.

I build most of my own planes, many have never been conceived of before design wise so alot of guess work involved with how to set up and fly them, the radio has never been something that's hindered things, and like the old timer said, too many get into this, buy too expensive of a radio and decide it's not for them. My point of view elaborates on that, and heck, you might even bring in a buddy to go flying with you, he'll need his own radio, so if you get something cheap, would make a good hand me down, it's more fun when you have someone to fly with.

You are going to love the feel of a true 3 channel plane, you get alot more control over it and they really are alot more fun then the toys.

Hi, I would follow Minns advice.

Yes you can fly 3ch but 4 is better even for a simple setup. Eg I wanted to turn damaged PiperCub into slope soarer so Setup airelons and elevator only. Didn't glide that well so put in motor back at 3 ch. Its a great, fun plane to fly, but boy am I wishing I had a rudder so I could be learning to do more precise acrobatics.