Hi. First post. Pretty much first everything. Here's the situation. I bought a HobbyZone Super Cub a bit a go. Probably flown it around 10 times. I feel like I got the hang of it so far. I can fly it straight up 'til it quits then comes back down, loop it, 'buzz' me and my friends, and haven't really wrecked it. Can't think of new things to do when I fly. I feel like I want a 4-channel, but the more I look, the more confused I am. I don't know anyone around here who does this, I just bought the plane on a whim at the hobby store. I'm pretty sure I want something of foam, or wood i guess, as long as it's easily repairable. I definitely want ailerons, and I guess Ready-To-Fly, because I don't know squat about model building, and I don't know how to find a matching controller for a plane that doesn't have one. And I guess I want a "park flyer" because I fly my plane in a park, because it's close and easy I guess. I really wanna keep going, but I don't know ANYTHING about RC planes, besides how to fly this little cub. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks so much in advance.

Check out the new Parkzone T-28 Trojan RTF parkflyer. It's a 4-channel low-wing trainer with ailerons and a brushless power system. It's a good next step for you.

sound like what you are looking for a a sport plane. a cub a really like a lazy flyer and if you can get your plane in the air and get it down in one pice your on the right track. as far as the radio goes as long as your radio and recever go they both need the same crystall or channel. you can get a 4 ch jr radio off ebay for around 10 dollars and a cheap 4 or even a 6 ch receiver for about the same price. the crystalls are like $ 30. for both here is a nice foam plane you can buy i thinkin about this myself. do a search for jr radio i ebay i found like 5 radio all starting a $0.99

this is a really a big step up but sounds like you can grow into it
http://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITEDH...idProduct=5347

How about finding a local hobby shop? They will be able to match you up with a club in your area. In this club, I'll bet you can find someone who will be willing to teach you about what you want to be able to do. Model airplane clubs are a great place to grow your hobby. Be prepared, most clubs will require membership in the AMA. This membership costs $58.00 yearly. You can get much more value than that from your membership.

Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1

Welcome to RCU.

First, it would be good to find a local club. Boulder is a good sized city, there must be a few in the area. The AMA club locator: http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx shows one called the Boulder Aeromodeling Society and their web site is http://www.milehighwings.com/club/index.htm (note this link is slightly different from what's on the AMA club page).

The only planes that can safely be flown at most parks are the smaller electrics, hence the name park flyer. Even those could hurt someone if they get out of control. Flying at a club field is significantly safer. Another reason I like flying at a club field is that they are usually a friendly group of people.

The club can be a great source of information on buying a plane, choosing the components, and answering questions while you're putting everything together. RCU is also a great source, but there is something to be said for being able to pickup the phone and call a friend, or even better yet, putting the plane in the car and taking it to their house to help you through something you don't understand.

If you are thinking of progressing to a larger, faster nitro powered plane, a trainer would be the best choice to start with. There is a list of good first and second planes pinned to the top of this forum. From this list you can choose a size and price range that you like. You said you want to start with an RTF because you don't have the knowledge to choose everything. This is an ok path, but if you are the type who likes to learn, an ARF is another choice. Choosing an engine and radio is not that difficult and there are plenty of us here who can give you information on what works. This can supplement the information you get from your local club and hobby shop(s).

In addition to allowing you to begin learning about component choices, beginning with an ARF helps you learn how to assemble a plane. The instruction manuals that come with the typical trainer will step you through every aspect of assembly and prepping the plane for flight. By assembling an ARF for your trainer, you build core skills that will help when you go to assemble subsequent planes.

Whichever path you choose, good luck and keep the questions coming, people are here to help.

Thanks for the kind words guys. I went to the local hobby shop today, and the guy admittedly didn't know much about planes. Spent a lot of time on two of the sim things there, and was surprised, I could fly and land pretty much anything I tried. I liked the 540 Edge. It was definitely ultra responsive, and more than I'm used to, but as long as I had enough altitude, I could recover from pretty much anything, and I can't believe how easy it was to land. I could pretty much drop the throttle completely off, and just use the elevator to land it super slow and gentle, right on the wheels. It seems fast, but can be flown slow. Is it too much for a park, even if it's a pretty big one? And what's the deal with parkflyers.com? Are those any good, where else should I look? I've heard good things about the Eflite Pulse (the blue one), what else would I have to get to fly it, if I got one of those? And the hobby shop guy told me the minimum controller he would buy was $200 and started listing features I had never heard of. Really, $200? That's kinda steep

Use care judging yourself based on performance with a sim. While any in air stuff you do is likely a good measure of your basic skill lelvel, the landing / takeoff in a sim is MUCH MUCH easier than in real life.

If you think about your current airplane, and its little quirks taking off and landing you will understand what I mean..

i would not fly any gas or glow and nothing besides small park flyers in a park if you want bigger or something that makes noise i would join a culb. the people there will set you up with a local hobby shop that can help you out. just about any new radio will run 200 dollars. i would really check out ebay look for a 4 channel radio jr s400 this is a great radio to start with. a new is 200 but ebay your lookin at 25 dollars with shipping. dont buy a new radio chance is in 5 or 6 months you buy a good radio that will will kept for awhile

Boy. Simulators are great things!

You are wise not to believe the "real" ones will land that easy. That's because IME the simulators land unrealistically easy. Never a crosswind gust, engine cut-out, tip stall, wind drop or eddy current, bump in the grass, encroaching plane sharing the airspace or Monokote eating corn and weeds. Just amazing.

If only they were so easy in real life. But then where would be the excitement?

You're getting the very best advise. A local Hobby Shop with expert advise & pointed to a local club is the way to go.
Happy flying-John

Yes but his LHS knows little about planes and is telling him he needs a $200 radio just to get started.

As was sudjested find a local flying club and go talk to those guys. It will likely be a life changing experience and soon all your old freinds will either join you at the feild or wonder what happened to you

WELCOME to the wunerful worl uf RC plains,
Well You seem to have been bitten by the bug anyway so do some research here on rcu. At the top of this forum is a great list of available trainers. I would check out the local clubs BEFORE you spend another dime though especially on a radio. You should decide if you want to go the club route (I definately recommend it) and if you do you will learn a lot and gain skill more quickly. I would get a radio brand recommended by that club for trainer compatibility.
personally I would go for a SIG LT 40 with an OS 45 and a radio that will hook up to whoever is going to train you. I really would do the trainer route as they are tougher to master than one would think. GOOD LUCK