I am relatively new to the hobby ~ 1.5 years and had my first crash last weekend. I learned on an Alpha 60 trainer and moved up to a hangar’s 9 60 size stick. I am very concerned with the seriousness of my crash as I completely destroyed my Stick while flying inverted maybe 40 – 50 feet off the ground and using the WRONG elevator input to regain altitude (up elevator as opposed to down). The plane just plunged into the ground while at full throttle and my reaction time was not quick enough to correct my error. I guess I also misjudged the altitude I was flying at. I see myself starting all over again in the hobby as the stick was the only plane I owned and don’t even know if I could reuse the Evo .61 engine I had on it.

I am debating whether I should get another stick and get more flying time on it or if I should upgrade to a 3d plane like the funtana s40, funtana x50 or even the funtana x100. I really enjoyed the Stick and had plenty of “trouble free” flying time on it until my terrible mistake that I would attribute to lack of concentration and over confidence. I was able to learn basic rolls, inverted flying and was starting to learn knife edges. I really like the way Hangar 9 planes look and want to start exploring the world of 3d flying and learn more fancy maneuvers. Up until the crash I’d had a really good learning experience, but right now I am not sure I am ready for an upgrade.

I am not so sure I should be upgrading to better, bigger and more expensive planes after the crash I had; on the other hand, getting a stick again would be kind of “boring.” Could any one help me decide what to do next?

Any advise is greatly appreciated

Kit or ARF?

If you like to build, Great Planes just re-introduced their Ultra Sports in the 40 and 60 size.

If you need something quick, you could move up to something like an Extra 300 or Edge 540. There are several good ARFs in that size range.

I did almost the exact same thing two weeks ago with my old Global Hobbies Quick-Fli III ARF. My concentration slipped while inverted and I pulled instead of pushed - stopped because I realized my mistake, then did it again and now it was too late! I did manage to get it around so it belly-flopped though and didn't hurt the engine.

Luckily I had just finished my SIG Somethin Extra kit and was able to get right back in the saddle. I can really recommend the Somethin Extra - flies very smooth, and is a joy to land - chop the throttle and it settles into a steady descent and sticks to the runway like glue when you set her down. SIG makes it as an ARF as well.

You aren't trying hard enough!

I trebled that the first season. [&o]

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Sorry about the loss though. It always hurts.

Just to help cheer you up

I think the Twist 60 ARF is probably what you're looking for. It's reasonably priced and very nice looking. It's quite capable of a lot of aerobatics, even more than your Ultra Stik .60 was. It can still be slowed down and landed quite gently.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/product_guide/kitratings.cfm?kit_id=4541]Twist 60 User Reviews[/link]

The tower kaos ARF is a good buy and suppose to be a good flying plane. Goes on sale sometimes too. The arf will get you back into the air fast.

This is not meant to be cruel or harsh so please do not take it that way. It's just IMO (In My Opinion) and friendly advice or in other words - my 2-cents worth

First you state you 'misjudged' and have only been flying for 1 1/2 years, and you had 'lack of concentration and were over confident' in your abilities, and still 'relatively new' all in your own words. IMO you are not ready for 3D as you (and I certainly don't know this from any personal experiences) need loads of concentration for planes that fast and fancy. You also stated yourself that you are 'not sure you are ready for an upgrade', and if you are not sure yourself then it is not time for an upgrade yet. Wait until you are confident enough to KNOW you ARE ready for an upgrade.

But you certainly don't need to go back to the beginning stages either. There are some very good suggestions here to try either the Kaos or Twist, they are your best bet. Very aerobatic but yet not overly fast.

As I said, this is only my 2 cents worth.

First off 3D planes are not supposed to be fast. If you do fly them fast they will crash due to structuaral failure. They are built light to fly, er um well... dance lightly in the sky. A 3D plane is easy to operate under normal flight conditions so if it is taken slowly , ie. use low rates, You can easilly be successful with it. The Funtana series is great. I have the 40s and X 100 models. DO REINFORCE THE LANDING GEAR BLOCK. or pay the price of those pretty wheel pants poking holes in the underside of each wing half.

Like I stated in the post it was IMO, and apparently my opinion was not all that correct. I have never seen one fly but I figured with the thinner fuselages and wing designs that they were made to be faster, MY BAD , but I still believe you would be happier with either the Kaos or Twist, I know I would be.

Sorry for the misconception about 3Ds.

I'll second the Kaos recommendation. I bought one with an engine on one of those TH deals. I think I got both the plane & engine (free shipping) for about $135.

Its become my favorite. Fits in my vehicle witht the wings on and flys great. I still do my inverted flying at a good altitude though

My other planes (LT-40, LT-25 and 4*60) mostly collect dust in my "hanger"

Dave
AMA 847123

I know exactly how you feel about the crash, man. It has happened to me many times. I have been flying for about 11 years now, but am only 21. I guess this hobby has just stuck with me. There are several routes you can take now....it just depends on what kind of person you are. You know yourself better than anyone here.

First option (what works for me): I would upgrade planes to something like the SIG Somethin' Extra (I have one). It has a fat wing, so it flies slow, but the roll rate is INSANE. I got the kit and it went together very quickly because of the minimal sanding needed due to 100% laser cut wood. This kit is totally 3D capable, but because it can fly so slow, if you set up your low rates right, it flies almost like a trainer. Inverted flight needs minimal down elevator to maintain level flight, too. I found that the recommended .46-.51 power is a bit underpowered. Get a .61 and pop it in there. Takeoff will only need about 75% throttle, though.

The Somethin' Extra comes in kit or ARF and you can buy all kinds of replacement parts for it.....wing kits, etc. One MAJOR downfall of this model is that it does not knife edge very well. I rebuilt the rudder on mine and added a whole 2 inches to the back of it....it doesn't even look awkward and I can knife edge much easier now. Get a good rudder servo for this model!!

I can also recommend the bigger U-Can-Do-3D model. Again, overpowering it a bit and starting off w/ low rates, it flies like a trainer (minus the self leveling since it is a mid-wing). This model also has a much longer tail than most so it is very easy to hover it w/ a slightly rearward CG.

Explanation: Ok, the above set of recommendations will only work for you if you have the DICIPLINE to keep these planes on low rates until you get more comfortable w/ the basic flying techniques....it sounds like you have a pretty good foundation, but still take it slow.

Second Option: Get another intermediate plane and pick up where you left off....get something different so you're not bored, but you will shortly outgrow it and will have to buy again. On the OTHER hand, do NOT get an Extra 300 or Edge 540. They are expensive and way too fast for what you've said you want to do. They are hard to land (because they are fast) and typically more fragile. Pulling out of a maneuver-gone-bad is sometimes impossible as they take constant "flying" to maintain good harriers and elevators. The fact that the U Can Do 3D and the Somethin' Extra harrier so well has saved me more than once when I'm close to the ground. The Extra or Edge in those situations would have snap rolled strait into the ground due to one wing stalling.

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As has been said COUNTLESS times before....invest in a good sim like RealFlight G3.5 and practice all the crazy maneuvers you want. You can even learn how to do most of the popular 3D maneuvers right in the sim by watching videos of the pros do them on the sim right in front of you. You can also practice practice practice while you are building your new kit or ARF...it will help quench your desire to fly and keep you from doing a sloppy job on your new model. Don't just think of the sim as an "investment"...they really are fun to fly and on a windy/rainy day, you can plop down on the couch and play. The sim will pay itself off in 1 crash, but you will get so much better.

Sorry for the long post, but I know you want all the info you can get....I was in your position once and I know how confusing it can be. I'm actually in your position w/ helicopters right now Not the whole crashing part, but only been flying about 1 year.

Good Luck!
-Erik


P.S. The Kaos is a good choice too if you haven't noticed by the multiple posts recommending it......just thought I'd add that. (It flies kind of the like the Somethin' Extra....but the Somethin' Extra looks cooler :P)

I had a Kaos 40 in the past and it was a good flying plane. I think you'll like it. If and when you start flying 3D remember to keep some recovery altitude below the plane. Don't try to learn dragging the tail on the grond the first day. Silly 3D guys anyway.[:'(] Hey, I'm allowed my opinion too.