So here's the deal: I'm a helicopter guy who might be interested in buying an airplane this summer. Helicopters are my main interest, but I would like an airplane to fly as well ( I have a big soccer field by my house thats perfect for flying). I know from experience that most helicopters are a 100 times harder to fly than airplanes ( well maybe not 100 times) I am pretty good with orientation with my helicopter so that will carry over with airplanes. I have a few airplanes in mind. These airplanes are not trainers, but I feel comfortable with flying an airplane and I if I must, have access to an older Realflight simulator.
Here are a few planes I am interested in, and please feel free to give me some advice or suggest other planes. Keep in mind I am only 15 so every penny counts!

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/soareasy.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/miss2.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/su27.htm I am pretty sure jets arent the best for a first airplane, but whatever.

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/cessna172.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/twinstar2.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/mini-telemaster.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/telemaster6.htm

I am pretty sure the telemaster airplanes are the best for me. They are supposed to be great for learning. The mini telemaster suits my price range better, but if the 6' telemaster is worth it, I could save up longer. So please, give me some asvice and keep in mind I would be flying in a soccer field center ( 3 soccer fields all in a row).
Thanks!

Hi,

I to decided to add to my fleet last fall, except opposite of you im an airplane guy who bought a raptor 50, they are a blast to fly, so addicting and fun! As for advice, you are correct that orientation, knowing the schematics such as servos, radio gear, etc... will all be very helpful. One thing i found tho when i first started was no matter how much flight time i had on realflight for a heli, it would help me a little once i got to the field, but only a bit, practice, and flying the socks out of the thing is the only way to learn.

I'd highly recommend having one of the training r/c airplane guys at a local r/c club help you out with your plane when you first start out. they can go over your plane and inspect it, make sure its airworthy, and make sure all the controls are right, and its rdy to go, then let them take it up and fly it around to make sure the controls are trimmed right, and truely airworthy for you to fly . After completing that, this parts optional.....but id highly recommend/suggest to train with that pilot and use a buddy box. this way if you run into troubles while flying they can take over. Also having them to help you along the way, provide guidance, and instructions on manuevers/skills youll need to develop before you can solo. All of which will be very helpful for you to be a successful r/c airplane pilot.

As for a plane, there are many options, RCKen has a great list put together of trainers at this link: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm
The Telemasters would be great trainers. I learned on the Avistar 40ARF, so im biased haha Also are u interested in glow powered or electric trainers? There are pro's and con's to both sides. Hope this helps some, and im sure more members will post their ideas and thoughts as well.

-David

Brad, make sure you are more than 3 miles from an RC airfield.
Better yet, find the nearest airfield, join the club and get some training from the instructors.
Soccer fields don't have/require safety fences, or procedures for a safe flying environment.
Be sure to check local ordinances before flying anything/anywhere. You may be breaking the law.
Park-flyers still transmit radio signals.

Also, airplanes cover a LOT more ground a LOT faster than helis do, so a site that is plenty big for a 90 size glow chopper can be way too small for even a small size airplane.

You're doing forward flight with the heli right? Any basic acrobatics? If so, then you won't have a problem. If you're just hovering, and can't do even a few moments nose-in, then you might have some issues with an airplane. A plane is easier, but it is also different. How much differnet and how "easy" depends more in the person than on any one thing.

(I mostly fly planes, but I do have a heli, and I've flown a couple helis here and there).

If you want to fly on a soccer field, keep it electric and keep it on the smaller, slower end of things, no bigger than speed 400 size. That would rule out the big telemaster, but the mini telemaster would be a possible choice. It's still a bit big, but it flys slowly and could be kept in such a small area.

3 soccer fields is SMALL by airplane standards. Really small. You're talking ~120 yards by about 120 yards, right? The runway at my club is longer than a soccer field, and about as wide, and that's just the runway, not including the area beyond each end used to approach and depart over, and never mind all the open space out away from the runway that is overly-fly area.

just harrier everywhere....you can fly in your front yard :P

just kidding!

What has been said about field size is absolutely correct......I think you will do fine with a plane once you get a basic feel for it. Cut out half of the orientation stuff you had to memorize for helis and you have a plane (because planes can't fly backwards).

I still recommend you jump on a buddy box with someone at your club to get a feel for takeoff and landing, those are what's different w/ a plane....then go for it. Jump into something like the yard stick or even a katana w/ scaled down throws.

-Erik

Out of those that you listed, I'd say go with one of the Telemasters. And I agree with the others. No matter which you decide to get... go buddy box with some one at a club at least once before you fly solo. If for no other reason than to make sure you can do it alone.