Morning gents and gentets, I think I'm going to begin flying now. I have been thinking on and off for this for a while now. I started with a helo and I failed misreble. I asked all the right questions but did not listen. I was told to buy a counter rotating chopper and instead I went for a more authentic type chopper (Blade CP) and crashed and burned. My friend just got into the R/C planes and I have always wanted. So to make this long story short now. Could you all please suggest some not to expensive planes that a beginner might start with? I promise to listen this time.

Here is a terrific way to start:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ7100

The good news is: It's relatively cheap and easy to fly right out of the box (Almost - some minor assembly required)

The bad news is. Once you've learned to fly, most of the equipment will have to be replaced when you want to move up to bigger and better things

You will receive many responses for trainers but I suggest before you buy anything, that you visit a club and get their recommendations.
You may find an instructor who will work with you, find out your needs and wants, and they can advise you on a good trainer. The club may only have certain types of trainer cords and trainer radios (buddy boxes) that they use and they will direct you towards compatible equipment.

I have heard of a new pilot showing up at a field expecting to be trained only to find out that he bought a radio on the frequency that is used a lot. He had to wait awhile before he could fly. If he had attended a meeting first and met with an instructor, he would have known which frequency (channel) would be the best to order and would have learned that instructors 'own' the field on a certain day and students get priority flight time on that day.

So do yourself a favor and listen to the advice given here but also check into joining a club, especially for your training. It will save you more time and money in the long run.

Good luck!

Read the plane recommendations at the top of this forum.

Here are the clubs near you as suggested be the previous poster.
PROPTWISTERS OF HOUSTON
2.44 miles 3022 11 RICHARD STUBBLEFIELD
Email Contact 1922 THOUSAND PINES DR
KINGWOOD TX 77339
Phone: 281/358-3522
8 No
LONE STAR RC INC
Flying Site Details
2.44 miles 3279 30 MICHAEL KELSO
Email Contact 2003 HIDDEN CREEK DR
HUMBLE TX 77339
Phone: 281/359-3260
8 No
JETERO RC CLUB INC
Flying Site Details
3.59 miles 1218 161 HOWARD POWER
Email Contact 7819 TWELFTH FAIRWAY
HUMBLE TX 77346
Phone: 281-852-7446
Visit Website
8 Yes
FLYING FALCONS R/C CLUB
18.89 miles 4664 18 CHARLES THOMPSON
Email Contact 13214 EMPORIA
HOUSTON TX 77015
Phone:
8 No
HOUSTON SPORT FLYERS
Flying Site Details
21.89 miles 4154 81 BILLY HOWARD
Email Contact 1724 LIBBEY DR
HOUSTON TX 77018
Phone: 713-686-6276
Visit Website
8 Yes

I've put together a list of planes that make good trainers and second planes. All of them on the list are proven planes that are well suited for successfully letting students learn to fly, or advance to a second plane. Check out the list here
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm] Looking for a trainer- what's available. (Updated 8-16-07) [/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

So what you all are saying is I don't need to start with the P51 in my back yard huh? JK, What you all have said is what my friend did who has just been flying for the past 2 weekends. He went to a field and talked with people and get this, he bought the actual Super Cub that Minnflyer suggested. After 2 weekends of flying he solo landed on Sunday for the first time. He had an instructor working with him. I appreciate the info!

I do appreciate that info Ken, but I think I want to start with electric. The progression I want to follow is from that to the electric ducted jets. Now if you all see this as a mistake let me know that too. As I said before, I will definately do what people who know suggest. Does anyone have any experience and suggestions for a ducted jet when the time comes?

Go hang out at the model clubs some first and then decide for yourself

Believe it or not, Hobbico is just now launching a ducted fan jet trainer called the Diablo:

http://www.flyzoneplanes.com/airplanes/hcaa28.html

It flies slowly enough to use it as a primary trainer, but can be upgraded with a sport wing and a double fan power module to increase the performance level once you're comfortable with the basic flight performance.

It's an interesting concept, I certainly hope Hobbico executed the idea well enough.

Mustafa, thanks for the input! I like the concept myself, it looks like with the wing upgrade you get aileron surfaces. sweet!!!!

MAN if you don't go check out some of those clubs your missing out! I went to some combat events in Texas and those are some great guys. If your that close to that many clubs.....well I'm just green with envy
Look at RCKen's trainer list, this list and the advice you get here is SAGE. They all have been there and done that and fortunately they are good guys and willing to help. Personally I advise a SIG LT 40 and an OS 46 AX and Futaba 4 ch Sky Sport radio. (find out who is going to teach you BEFORE getting a radio). This is a superior setup ( for not much $) and will make any instructer smile.
Good luck

O trust me, I'm going to check out the local fields, but heck I just posted today so don't get angry at me yet. lol. I'll check out that set up you mention and I definately won't buy anything till I visit a few fields and get some opinions. I appreciate all yall's help, I know you all have answered all these questions a few 1000 times. I do appreciate yall's patience.

With the heli, did you use a simulator before you flew the blade? Counter rotators are cute but teach you nothing. Same will happen with planes unless you find a good instructor or get on a simulator. Anybody who wants to do helis really needs simulator time first.

Nope, I listened to no one when I made my Blade purchase, they said get a sim....I did not, get an instructor....I did not. That is definately why I am listening this go around.

Well, I have done it. I purchased a Hobbico Superstar 40, went to the airfield, got a trainer, and now have 2 flights under my belt. Of course I didn't even try to land or take of yet but I did do a number of loops and rolls without any problems. I appreciate all the info you guys gave me and I'll keep you updated if interested. The first place I went was the Brazoria County Modelers Assocation airfield, man what a nice place. They have almost a 400-600' concrete runway that is just fine as frog hair, however it is about 1.45 hours from the house so I plan on checking out some different ones closer by. If anyone here is a member of one of the local clubs in the Humble, TX area feel free to contact me or reply to this post so I can get some insight on your fields. A couple of the ones I'm going to check out are Houston Sport Flyers, Jetero and Lone Star RC. Again, if anyone has any info please contact me, and thanks for the help. When I figure out how to attach some pics I'll post some of my plane.

if you get any good info on clubs let me know! I live in sugarland and have just started getting into flying. just pm me if you hear of anything good!

I definately will, Brazoria County has a really nice field and their memebership is only $60 a year (I think) and they have a concrete runway. I would love to join there but it's almost 2 hours from my house. But I'll let you know about the rest.

hey rc ken may want to put the boomerang 40 and 60.. and the classic by pheneax how it is spelt can't remember

Go to the AMA website and use the club locator. There are a LOT of clubs in the Houston area.

Brad

Tower just dropped the price of the Electricstar EP to $199.00 for the complete RTF package.

What a deal for beginners for a decent sized "full" airplane.

Hi!

I'm new in RC modeling, but I want to build my trainer on my own.
I didn't find any useful plans.
Can anybody give me some?
I think about: .25 - .46 cu glow engine and 40" wingspan or above.

Sorry for my english! [sm=red_smile.gif]

mail: [email protected]

Thanks!

dDiego...

You could build a [link=https://www.balsastore.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=434]Stick 40 plus[/link], that an old kit, but an easy build or you could only order the plan, so you'll have to cut and sand every part plus buy all the hardward of your liking.

You could also build an [link=http://www.sigmfg.com/IndexText/SIGRC67.html]Sig LT-40[/link] wich seems to be the best trainer ( at least from what I've read here)

Plus, RCKen make a real usefull thread in the beginner forum for the trainer, look up in this thread, you'll see a link to it
[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm[/link]

Good luck.

SDG666

P.S.: Beware, it's a very addictive hobby, when you start, there no stop!!! DOH!

RTF is not quite true of that package. It does not include the flight batteries or charger.
It requires either 2x 7.2v NiMh @ 3,000+ mah or 2x 2S lipos @ 3,000+ mah.
At least $50 additional cost for NiMH or as much as $250 for lipo+ charger.

Since a beginner can purchase the NiMH's and charger to start out with, then move up later, the combo price is still very good all things considered.

You can even move up one cell on the NiMH batteries to get better performance.

I hope that this package snares people who otherwise would not get past the 3CH planes.

Absolutely, I am even kicking around the idea of getting one myself. I already have a couple of lipos to go with it.
I just wanted to point out that it doesn't include everything needed to fly the airplane so no one will be dissapointed.