Any ideas on what would be a good giant scale gas basic trainer? There are a lot 40 size trainers on the trainer, but few giants. I'm thinking about recommending a giant Cub, anything better?

The large Telemaster is an excellent trainer plus being quite economical. You can get by with only a good .40 engine but it is better with a larger 4-cycle such as a .75 to 90. Easy flying, very forgiving and easy to see. As far as Cubs go, the 1/4 scale types are not to bad as trainers but the smaller ones are to much for most beginners.

A&A industries (formerly Bud Nosen) has a giant trainer. This would be good for a gas engine. A Cub is not the perfect trainer as the wing will stall easier than an R/C trainer. Perhaps if the Cub is built as a clipped wing, the handling would improve to be a good trainer.

I have read a few previous posts from flyers that have been happy with the Dynaflight Giant Scale PT19. Its rated for a 25 cc engine and has gentle flight characteristics.

I have to agree with the PT-19....
It will teach you rudder and is a gentle lady.....It just does not want to quit flying....
Good Luck,
5x5

Bruce Tharpe Flying King. Bruce's kits are the best building, highest quality kits out there.

If you want to learn more here is a link to an enthusiast's site http://www.flyinking.com/

Cheers!

Galen

Consider the Sig 4/120.......mine is powered with a 31cc Ryobi gasser,and with the controls cut back would do very well as a trainer...IMO.This assumes help from an instructor of course.A G23 or RCS 1.4 would be fine or a larger 2 or 4 stroke glow...

I just built a Bridi Big Bee.... Cub yellow, 8' wingspan
$100. kit...it's a good slow flyer at 1/3 throttle with a g62..so I guess that a g38 or a US41 would put it right in the ballpark for a giant traner...
and the best part....it can bee seen anywhere in the sky..

I am the person at our club who does 90% of the training for new pilots and there is one plane that consistently proves to be the finest giant scale trainer I've ever flown. The plane is the Senior Frontier by World Models. It lands so slowly and is very hard to stall on landing. With a 80" wing, a .65 four stroke or a .70 Surpass is a fantastic match. I'm attaching a couple of photos for you. Quality is outstanding and easy to put together. The guys who are familiar with the Senior Kadet will recognize that same configuration. This plane DOES have ailerons, though. Have fun!

W4RCF,

Ditto on the Senior Frontier! But I like the taildragger version better!

I still want another one. I would love to use it to pull banners.....


KD4VCU

Dynaflite PT-19 is on special right now at Tower, about $120, a heck of a bargain in my book. This model is maybe just a bit beyond the trainer level, but if you have an experienced flyer to help you through the first few flights you will rapidly come to love the way it flies. Bridi Big Bee is also a great gasser. Two great ways to go. I built my Kadet Senior with barndoor ailerons and 2 degrees dihedral, built my Senior Telemaster with ailerons, dual wing servos and zero dihedral. Four great ways to go! Pick one, then go on to another.

Magnum,
Both of you Guys Senior Frontier looks great.. Can you put a small gas engine or is it too light..If so, what Company would make such a small gas...Pete

Hmmmm..

Looks like I misread the original post. I thought he was looking just for a giant trainer....

I don't know of any gas that would work in this plane. Mine had a 90 Magnum fourstroker and I still had to add weight in the nose.

I would be afraid a gasser would shake this thing apart unless you pinned the firewall and or glassed it. PLus, you are correct it is just way to light.

Sory bout that!