A friend of mine at work just picked up an RTF Nexstar at a thrift shop for $10! Everything was there except for the charger (which I gave him one of my many), and the flight sim software (will his Tx work with the G3?). I looked over the plane for him and determined that the airframe, radio, and engine seem to be sound (this thing may have seen just a handful of flights. Are there any other things I should look at to ensure it is airworthy?? I hear that the AFS should be disconnected/disabled, what is the best way to do this? I have also heard the landing gear was prone to popping out/breaking, what is the best way to combat this problem? All inputs would be greatly appreciated!

-Shane

WOW - great deal!
I can't answer the tx/g3 question, but I had a NexStar and here are a couple of things to look for:

Airworthy - check CG, pull on the control surfaces to make sure the hinges are ok, test surface deflections, range check. Basically do a thorough preflight check.
Landing gear - pull hard on them before every flight. Some had a tendency to come out. It seems the holes in the struts were too small. Drilling them out a little fixed that.
AFS - (1.) just unplug it or (2.) remove it all together and put clear packing tape over the hole.

as far as the AFS i unhooked every wire connected to it. and i haven't had any problems with my landing gear as of yet, and i have done prolly 100 or more touch and go's

Why can't I run across deals like that?

Wow, you guys replied fast! I figuerd I should unplug the AFS, but I was looking t the potentiometer on the Rx and wasn't sure. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pics, but, it seems the underside of the fuse was drilled out at the landing gear position. Is this an indication of the modification to the LG??
In your experience, does it fly best at the "Aft" CG location or at the "foreward" location??

For a beginner - the forward CG location is more stable.

LG holes - may be modified because of loose gear or crash. Usually just clearing excess paint from holes in gear legs is enough to make the retainers snap in properly but not always. This may be an overkill prevention mod.

AFS - RX pot could have been just dialed down, wires pulled or sensor removed. Lots of options.

LG<

Mine were loose right after the first flight so I pulled them out which wasn't hard to do. Then I put 5 minute epoxy on the entire area that goes into the fuselage. Wiped off any access with a rag and rubbing alcohol and she has been stiff as an oak board ever since. I haven't had any problems. I have had it recovered by a pro and he didn't even mind having to go around the gear. Get rid of the foam tires and put DuBro 3 1/2" Lightweight treaded wheels on it. It will steer better and land smoother. Then toss the crappy nylon clevises and get the snap on kind. My first Nexstar almost crashed when the pin in the cheap elevator clevis broke.

Great find and good luck,

Gibbs

Sounds like you didn't get the manual with the plane. It would have explained that the holes under the fuse are for removing the landing gear. Make sure that you remove ALL of the engine and engine mount bolts and re-install them using lock-tite. I haven't had any problems with the landing gear on my Nexstar, but I check them often. As the other guys said, check all of the controls, unplug the AFS, remove the training aids (if installed), and have fun.

No instructions were included nor was the software (not a big deal). I messed around with the landing gear but was unable to make them snap in place, what I did insted was push and thread some nylon bolts through the hole and that seemed to work out alright. I have checked all control surfaces for tightness and all servos for good operation, i've verified control throws, loc-tited all the screws, ensured CG was good, and even ran the engine. All seems like she is ready for flight, but it's been so darn windy and rainy all week I am still unable to give her a proper flight test. I guess I can try to convince the owner to let me take off the training gear (at least the speed brakes), and center it laterally in the mean time. Heck, I may even be able to buy it from him for cheap if he finds that flying is not for him. I guess I shouldn't have told him the actual value of the plane! LOL!![img][/img]

Manuals are easy enough to find but you have to LOOK.

http://manuals.hobbico.com/hca/hcaa17-manual.pdf for the RTF

http://manuals.hobbico.com/hca/hcaa2025-manual.pdf for the ARF

You can verify all of the throws and CG in these plus more.

Bruce,
Thanks for the links, I had downloaded them the other night. I went ahead and programmed dual rates into my Tx (9C) so that if the owner is a natural talent, I can flip the switch in flight and see how he does. Again, thanks for the links, I'll send the his way for safe keeping.
-Shane

G3 has a way to connect your transmitter through the one that comes with it.
That said it is just as easy and close enough to the real deal just to use the controller that came with the G3.