Hey guys,

I started flying one of those $20 airplanes that are just throttle control and use twin engines to turn the plane. As I got used to flying it and the orientation of being in the air and stuff, I bought a cheap 3-channel plane (J3 Grasshopper) for about $80 and I think I got about 5 or 6 flights out of it before the rudder servo died and I have been unable to replace it to this day. Finally, I wised up and bought a Super Cub near the end of June and love it. I've got three batteries for it and it has given me the chance to learn to do loops, ROG, landings, very little inverted flight, attempted inside loops ( I think that is what they are called ), etc. needless to say I really enjoy flying it. However, I feel like I am ready to move up to the next level, and try out some ailerons, and maybe a more powerful flyer.

My dad built me a Tower Trainer .40 but we are having some problems with it wanting to climb too much and until I can be trained to fly it, I am looking at another electric and would love to hear some opinions on a next level plane. Lastly, I would like to stick to the RTFs and keep it within about $300 dollars or so. Here are the ones that I have been looking at, Thanks for your opinion.


Hobbico ElectriStar
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXNVC0**&P=0

Hobbico SuperStar EP Select RTF w/Ailerons 48.75"
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXJKU3**&P=0

Cessna 182 Scale RTF 4 CH RC
http://www.hobbytron.com/Cessna-182-...-Airplane.html

Flyzone Cessna 182 4CH
http://www.flyzoneplanes.com/airplanes/hcaa23.html


One more question, Does the Multiplex MiniMag have the ailerons already installed and functional? I can't tell LOL, It looks like a nice one.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXNXV2&P=SM


Thanks in advance.

Feel free to make suggestions, I have not narrowed it down to only these four.

Daniel.

Hey Daniel. I noticed that you are in Kentucky. If you are near Louisville, you can come out to the River City Radio Controller field at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer state park. The other instructors and myself will be happy to help you fly! Here is our website:

www.rcrcky.com

Good Luck!

Thomas

Hi Drifter81, I built a Tower Trainer .40 MkII ARF for myself last spring. When I installed the engine mount as per the directions, it didn't have enough downthrust in it and plane would shoot straight up off the runway so fast it was comical. You and your dad may want to try adding a couple of washers behind the engine mount on the top two bolts. This will help angle the engine down a bit and remove some of the upthrust of the stock engine mount installation.

In the mean time, I voted for the Flyzone Cessna 182 RTF. At $159 or so, it's a solid value for a ready-to-fly electric airplane with ailerons. It's also nice that it comes with a 72Mhz radio system with a buddy box jack on the transmitter.

Hi Drifter, haven't flown the others but have a Minimag myself, really can't fault it in terms of durability and build quality, if you dink it just get some normal CA and glue it back together !!!!! I bought it on the reccomendation of an instructor at a club I visited
When you build it you install the Servo's for the ailerons and then decide if you want to fly it 3 channel 1st using just rudder (in which case just don't plug the ailerson servo's in) or go straight to 4 channel and use the ailerons from the start. They're pre-built in and if / when you want to use 4 channel you literally get a modelling knife and cut at the sides of the ailerons in towards the wing, it's really easy to do and I'm no model maker !!!!!
Here's a link to a review I found on it as well http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=544877
Hope that helps !!!!

Big Ed.. what does putting the washers on top of the bolt do other than raise the head of the bolt by the width of the washers?

You must have meant to say to put the washers between the mount on the aircraft and the engine mount tabs, sandwiched between the two at the rear of the engine. This will raise the back of the engine thus giving some down thrust.

Thanks guys,

I was looking at the Typhoon and the Typhoon 2 today, both seem like neat planes, but I see that they have problems with servos and ESCs.

I'm still on the hunt for a new plane, I flew my Super Cub again today and I still like flying it, I wanna try and do some more tricks though.