Hi all,

I'm new to RC planes and was looking for opinions on starting with the Alpha 40 vs. the Alpha 60. If you have experience with these trainers, please tell me which you prefer and why.

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I didn't see it.

Thanks for any input!

If you are choosing between the two I would say go with the 60. Larger planes are always better, especially for beginners. The movements are smoother and it's easier to see the bigger plane.

Ken

Thanks. I wasn't sure if there are any differences in flight characteristics between the two models, or if it's just the size. I recently picked up the FS 1 simulator and have been practicing with the 40, but they don't offer the 60 for some reason. The 40 seems fairly easy to fly. If the 60 is easier, that's a bonus.

I've flown the 40 quite a bit with students and it flies fine, no experience with the 60. Operating costs will be higher with the 60 but not bad. Radio packages are the same in both RTF versions and both have Evolution engines which have good reputations.

More 40's are sold simply because they are @$100 cheaper. Flight characteristics are similar with the 60 being slightly more stable and easier to see. No need to have 2 programs, neither is going to match the real thing anyway no matter how well done but close enough.

Thanks, Bruce.

I'm not concerned about operating costs. If I needed to save money, I wouldn't be adopting a new hobby.

Either plane can be replaced entirely for under $150, so if I wreck one vs. the other, it's not much of an issue. I'm more concerned about ease of flight while learning the ropes. Easier to see at a distance sounds good.

Thanks again for the help.

I'd still suggest that you find a good club and an instructor to help you along. Good friends and a lot of assistance when you have questions. The simulator is NOT enough to prepare you to fly on your own. http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx Plug in your ZIP and get a list if you don't already have one.

Yeah, the sim is mostly just to get used to using the sticks and trimming. I figured it wasn't a replacement for actual flying, but it can't hurt, right?

I applied for my AMA membership today, and there is a club close to home that I'm going to look into. In the meantime, I'm trying to gather as much knowledge as possible on trainers before making a purchase.

Great. I had to mention it.

Kow

I have not flown the alpha 40 but have flown the alpha 60, it seemed to stall at a faster speed than my arrow,may just be the way its set up.

at any rate it is a well built plane that will take a lot of abuse and I really like the no rubberbands part of the alpha 60.

I second the buddy system of learning how to fly as I am just 4 months into the hobby myself.

I agree fully with Ken. Since my first trainer was a .40, I have never flown anything less than a .60

Thanks for the input, guys!

After much searching, I ended up getting a 40 today from a somewhat local shop, primarily because there seems to be a shortage of 60s. I couldn't find one anywhere, even online.

I figure it will be fine for a trainer. Once I get the basics down, I'll pick up something with more speed and aerobatic ability. This plane is primarily to get the hang of basic takeoff, landing, and navigation skills without breaking the bank if I come down hard. I don't plan on making the first flight a solo. There's a field nearby that I'm working on getting a permit for that's maintained and used by a club. I'll swing by when some of the members are there and see if I can get a buddy. I also have a friend that's been flying for about 20 years, but his schedule makes him hard to hook up with. Either way, I'm going to try not to do anything stupid.

In the 90's I went to 60 for the reasons that Ken mentioned. But in recent years have drifted more towards 40's because they take up less space and use less fuel.

The difference in flying characteristics between a 40 and a 60 is not really significant enough to notice unless you are in the business of determining absolute flying characteristics.

I learned on the Alfa 60, It is a great flyer. I us a OS 61 with a 12/5 prop. The only thing is the tank is so big that the plane is nose heavy when full of fuel. Landings are a little fast till the fuel level drops. I have flown for 40 min. and still have fuel in my tank. The club I belong to now highly recomends this plane to a beginner.
Hope this helps. I love this plane.

Walt

I had 2 students on my Alpha 60 yesterday in winds 20 gusting to over 25. The plane handled it with no issues, but my controls are set to about twice the factory recommended throws - a bit touchy for the students but necessary for landing in those winds. I use the stock RTF TX and a JR 6102 which is set up so low rates give the factory throws. I'm going to have my students fly on the 6102 using low rates so they don't overcontrol, but the plane really benefited from the higher rates in the winds. Take-off and landing rolls where in the neighborhood of 5 ft (landings could have been shorter if I would have push it) and the Evolution .61 never missed a beat.

Hogflyer

Thanks all!

I got the 40 assembled and ran all of the control checks. So far, so good. I also bought an extra prop, just in case.

I'll probably fire up the engine tomorrow when there is someone else around to hold the plane. I was going to try and get to the field today, just to say hi and meet some of the local flyers, but with 40 mph winds blowing, I didn't think anyone would be there. Maybe next weekend.

One more question: The plane came with two strips of covering (red & white) that I assume are for covering the wing joint. I don't currently have an iron. Is the covering just for appearance, or is it needed for added strength?

Wipe the center section down with alcohol, then use 2 inch packing tape. All the tape is there for is to prevent the wing halves from sliding away from each other and off the aluminum tube. Keep the covering material for when you need to make a patch for the covering.

For your first flights, try to limit yourself to 10 mph - 15 mph winds until you start to get a feel for the plane. I'll make life much easier.

Hogflyer