Have seen posts asking for newbie recommendations but they all deal with purchased planes. My son and I want to get into RC but would like to build a plane instead (used to do this as a kid). I would like to teach him the satisfaction of building and/or repairing something instead of just buying new. Foamie's seem inexpensive and relatively simple to build for my son. They would also allow me to allocate more money to a little better radio equipemnt. Does anyone have plans for a good slow flying beginner foamie? Many that I have seen give the impressions that they are higher performance.

the only beginner plane thats a foamy that I can think off is either a hobbyzone Super Cub, or a Parkzone J-3 Cub. there not really a "build" plane more like final assembly. they both fly good and are relatively easy to learn. personally I'd go with the Super Cub it has a 6 inch larger wingspan and I think it's more stable. I'm sure there are a lot of other planes out there but I've flown these two "beginner" planes with success.

Are you looking for a nitro or electric? If it is an electric foamy home build, I would recommend a BluBabe. Go to www.Spadworld.net and do a search for this airplane or a P-38.(A little more advanced.) It is an easy straight forward build and can be flown in a gym. If you are looking for a gas easy build, think about a Debonair or better yet a peewee size FNS from www.spadtothebone.com. These are made out of plastic sign material. This one uses a size 15 motor and an easy build also. Just my 2 cents.

Welcome to RCU! I see this is your first post. Well you've found the best place on the net to get information regarding RC flight for beginners. I come from the camp that dislikes foam planes. So I can not help you with info regarding the construction of such planes. However, maybe I can persuade you to come back to the light side of the hobby If you want to build a plane but have not for a decade or so, you are in for a treat. Some of these kits with their laser cut parts are more like assembling a jigsaw puzzle than building a plane... you would have to try to screw it up. One such plane that I have personal experience with is the Herr [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXZS57&P=7]Cloud Ranger[/link]. This is a small trainer that can be built as a 3 or 4 channel model and can be built for nitro engine or electric motor power.

Here is a link to a [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cl6YWqi0LY]video[/link] of my Cloud Ranger. I will say though that I over powered my cloud ranger to get it to fly like this. Since you want to teach your sone to fly I would recomend a lower power electric set up. Mine is powered with an OS .10 la.

First of all, welcome to RCU. As MrStang pointed out, you will get lots of good information here.. and sometimes, some not so good information. You just have to wade through some of the junk and simply ask questions. There are no bad questions.. just questions that were not asked. You will not look stupid asking questions. Most of us will do what we can to help out. If questions arise, don't hesitate to ask a moderator for help. You will never get steered in the wrong direction from any of them.

Meanwhile.. there are so so many to choose from. One little plane that I 'discovered' at the WRAM show in Westchester NY was The Bug. This uses EPP Foam and is very durable in spite of it's appearance. And can be flown both as a foamie trainer and, with radical throws, will rival the best of the performers. And comes almost ready to fly (complete with motor, ESC, batteries, and servos.. you supply your own radio (RX/TX).

Again, don't be turned off by it's appearance. It is sort of wierd looking, but flys just great and is almost indestructable. (hey, nothing is indestructable... )

www.lightflite.com

Price is great for a complete system minus RX.

Just a suggestion but you will be surprized and, if you saw one in action, very impressed. In a demo flight at WRAM, the pilot nosed it to the ceiling and sort of stuck it there like a hover but nosed into the ceiling. Then he 'landed' it on the wall as though it was a vertical runway. Then, he intentionally cut the throttle from about 30 feet up and let it 'crash' to the concrete. He walked up to it, picked it up, throttled up and took off and continued flying. Not a scratch or a dent, or any damage at all. Impressive and a lot of fun to fly. Always seems to draw a crowd because it is so wierd looking. I was at a college soccer field one day flying mine, several people stopped and watched me. When I was finished, all they said was "VERY COOL!! Where can I get one of those? "

CGr.

Greetings!

The EasyStar by Multiplex can be bought as a kit, receiver ready or as a ready to fly. The kit cost is about $58, receiver ready for $109 and ready to fly for $180. Here's the link that may help you [link=http://www.cermark.com/index.html]Cermark[/link]Cermark .

Hope that helps and good luck!

Try foamfly.com for foam kits

For information on electric flight, try this :

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7100376/tm.htm

There is a wealth of information on electric flight in that post and in that whole forum group dedicated to it.
Good Luck!

Aejar's thread is wonderful.

I like that he deals with the required number of channels too... however a distinction that he makes that is not overtly implied, is that 3 channel planes are acceptible trainers if they have aileron and elevator controls.

Some foam trainers ( cough * Parkzone Supercub * cough ) are three channel but only provide throttle, elevator, and rudder, instead of aileron.

You can learn to fly with a 3Ch plane equipped with throttle, elevator & aileron.

You only learn orientation with a plane equpped with throttle, elevator and rudder for the very reasons he states...

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't really want to purchase a RTF plane but rather build it. As far as nitro vs electric, I am for now looking at electric. I have no proplem with gas but with a 10 and 7 year old (who will likely also want a turn), I think electric just gives me a little more comfort. Tried to find the BluBabe as suggested but couldn't. I may be dense. I will take a look at the others suggested later today.

Any thoughts on radio equipment? Not thinking I will go with spread spectrum just yet but I would like a good 72MHz that we can grow with.

Thanks again.

Well, the bug is one fun build. It is a kit form, not an RTF or ARF. You have to build it, glue on the carbon support frame, and so on.. a pretty neat gadget for sure.

CGr.

I'll check out the bug. Thanks again. I will let you know how I make out.

Hughh87, If you are wanting to go foamie, most are molded foam. That makes it hard to make a full kit. Some can be sturdy, or can be made sturdy. I have the Art-Tech cessna 182. I got mine from E-Bay, but www.parkflyers.com also carries it. It is really easy to repair, just a little epoxy and packing tape, or Parkflyers has most of the replacement parts. If you want more info on this,

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_21...tm.htm#2199644

If you are into kits, most .15 and smaller kits can be converted to electric reasonably. Once you get into .40 sized aircraft, the price of motors and batteries will eat a big hole in your pocket. Great Planes also has some kits that are specifically made for electrics too.

The Bug doesn't look like much, but I can tell you that it is one fun aircraft both to build and to fly. It uses a simple design that is both sturdy and light. It uses an inexpensive 2 cell LiPo, 480 mah pack, which is light and lasts for about 10 + minutes of normal flight.

It will amaze you with both it's simplicity and durability.

CGr.