Hi all,

My son is turning 4, and has been asking (for months!) for a radio controlled airplane. He has an inexpensive Airhogs foam plane that he loves. It has throttle control and steering (it just cuts power to one of the fans), and it's so light that it seems pretty indestructible. But, if there is any wind at all you pretty much have no control over the plane.

Is there a plane that would be a step up from this, but wouldn't be destroyed in a crash? I don't want to get a nice plane that will be ruined after 10 seconds of flying-- that just seems like a good way to have him lose all interest in flying.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Eric

Eric,
Do you fly? Will you be with him when he flies?
If goth answers are yes:
An indestructable plane, but may be more than you have in mind, are the Zagis.
Not real easy to fly but have been used as trainers because they are so rugged.
I'm not very familiar with the small Wal Mart type foamies that are becoming popular.
Good Luck,
KW_Counter

SPAD... is the answer.

Inexpensive and easy to build, drop an electric motor on and off you go.

Plan 'B' Depron Foam planes - same logic.

Look them up and form your own opinion.

The Firebird Phantom is a nice, small, inexpensive 3 channel plane.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ4700

The pusher prop configuration makes it pretty durable. I've heard the tail boom is the weakest link, but they sell repair kits for it, and there are some instructions to fix it here in another RCU thread.

The down side with this is there is no way to "buddy-box" with him with this plane. If you get a larger plane (electric or nitro), you can always just "buddy-box" with him and let him fly it.

A flight simulator is pretty much indestructable and can be flown in any weather.
With winter coming soon he could get plenty of stick time and be ready for a descent trainer by spring (with a buddy box of course)

Thanks for the ideas so far.

KW, I would be with him when he flies. But, I have no experience with RC planes either.

Missileman, I like the idea of the simulator (though I'd probably have to get him a plane now as well, even if we left it in the box.) Can I use the controller from a plane (like the Firebird Phantom pkh recommends) to control the simulator as well? Or do I need a special controller with a USB output or something?

Any recommended simulators?

Thanks,
Eric

I am not sure about the Firebird but there are usb cables for most name brand controllers to hook up to your comp. for low end sims like FMS. The better sims like RealFlight G3.5 or FSOne for example come with a controller. Realflight G2 is a fine older sim and is usually available on Ebay for half the price of the higher end ones.

First off I think neither of you have any experience to just fiddle around with a plane. My advice is to go to a local club and start asking for help. In the long run you will be much more proficient at helping your son and have more money in your pocket and less "debris" to clean up. Even foam planes can be damaged with no problem. And probably the biggest factor in all of this is SAFETY. If you have no clue how to get started, the first step would be to see if you can join a local club. This isnt like kite-flying where you go and thats it. You can definitely injure yourself and others if your new to this hobby. I know its sometimes hard to ask for something you feel like you can do. But believe me its a little different with R/C planes.

Something to think about:

1. Foamies teach good mechanics but not all flight dynamics.
2. Theres no such thing as an indestructible plane.
3. If your fine with electric thats good but when your son starts hearing the sounds of glow and gas, be ready. Its definitely something to shoot for.
4. The prettier the plane looks the harder it will be to fly!

It can be done check out this lil fellow
get the sim that is where it all started with Justin.


http://www.justinchi.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MbsVUxVIsY

Download the FMS free simulator and get a USB controller for it, that will cost you all of $30 or so. Realflight is much better if you're willing to shell out $200.

http://www.flying-model-simulator.com/

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXSJR9&P=7

THAT IS SOOOOO TRUE WITH JUSTIN CHI. I saw him for the first time today on the internet and he is beyond impressive. if you do any research about this little guy, you will discover that at the latest time at a little over 5 years old he has an IQ of over 130. Most adults do not have that!!!!!!!

My son is really intelligent at 10 years old and is a straight A student and will solo his Nextar in the next 2 weeks and has but a few flights on it. The simulator is where it is at. I practice on it almost every day and so does my son, and so did Justin Chi. Little people have pink matter in their heads and we have grey matter lol!!!!!!!
Teach yourself how to fly and that boy of yours and you both will have a lifetime of enjoyment!!!!!!!!!