Greetings to all. I went to the lhs to buy a Blade 400 heli. The shop owner talked me into getting a Blade CX2 and the G3.5 sim to start with. Here's the problem, I'm having a lot more fun flying the trainer (Nextar) on the sim than the helies. I do enjoy the cx in the house (cat hates it though). I will be getting an Alpha 60 soon. I joined the local club and will join the AMA as soon as the friggin snow is gone. Is there an Alpha 60 down load for the G3.5? Would you recoment ARF and get better radio or stick with RTF? This will be my first plane.

You could go ARF and buy whatever gear you want. On the other hand the RTF doesn't come with bad gear.

Check the RealFlight down load's and the alpha might be there.
NEDYOB

I have not check but i would be very VERY suprised

Alpha 40 is from HH
Real flight is from GP

It's there on the swap pages.

The Alpha 60 is usually recommended over the Alpha 40, just because it's bigger, more stable, and easier to see. The new Alpha 40 is coming out in May with a Spektrum radio. I don't know if they are going to do the same with the 60. Given the choice, I'd go with the Alpha 40 with the Spektrum radio. You will never be able to touch the price by getting an ARF and putting in your own radio.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN4400

That's assuming you can wait until May (or later). Sometimes you just can't wait...

Good luck.


Oh, and pretty much any trainer on Real Flight will get you close to the Alpha. Most high wing trainers behave pretty similarly.

Yeah the PT-40 is a spot on emulation of the Alpha 40.

First of all, if the cat doesn't like helis, get rid of the cat. There's a list of 'good' trainers to get floating around here somewhere. I'm almost sure the Alpha is on there. I'd get an ARF and get the most radio you could possibly afford. A 6+ channel computer radio will do you well and last for further planes down the road as you skill develops along with your new addiction. Keep practicing with the sim and get some help at you local club and you'll be up and flying in no time.

Good luck,,,,welcome to planes.

"Should have stayed out of the hobby store!" I can relate, I should have signed off line, now I'm $400 deep and still digging!

I wanted to chime in on the RTF vs ARF. I just got an ARF Nexstar, and went with the ARF due to advice from this site, because "I would learn the workings of the plane better, especially in case of needed repairs." So I am assembling my Nexstar, and very happy that I have the opportunity to see how everything goes together. The ARF is a (small) step closer to building from a kit, which eventually I'd like to do.

Also, I chose different radio and motor than what comes with the RTF; I don't have spread-spectrum, but I do have 6 channels with computer programmability, which will go a long way.

Thanks for all the input. I have quite a bit to digest before making up my mind (what's left of it). I am doing ok on the sim for now. Can take off, fly some lazy circles and figure 8's. Most landings are decent but do hit hard once in a while. I have trouble hitting the runway and land in the grass most of the time.

Gee, after 20yrs. I still get in the grass some times. We've got 50x800 black top. Dennis

Shleprock, check out the Tower Trainer line at Tower Hobbies, you can build your own combo, and they are good flying planes. They also have the Futaba 2.4Ghz radio's so you won't have to start out with the older radio systems.

While you are at it you may want to look at the combo deals for the field equipment.

You may want to go ahead and join AMA so you can get an extra copy or two of Model Aviation magazine. Looking through the pages does help a little with cabin fever.

I know a lot about cabin fever. Up here in Maine we call it "winter sucks". I keep playing with the sim and chasing the cat with the cx2 heli until we can get rid of the snow. I do plan on getting one of the cheaper 2.4 6 channel radios like a Spectrum or Futaba when buget allows.

Hi,
I'm geting back into flying after about 15 years, its nice to get info to help get back into planes. I was wondering if REALFLIGHT was the best sim. out there for the money???? Like I said I'm into planes and could use some stick time before the snow melts and I can break a prop or two.
thanks

Thats a Ford vs Chevy debate.
My opinion is the best sim is the one you use. I have Realflight G2 which is a fine sim and runs well on my older laptop.
The newer version G4? I think is great if your computer can handle it.

Great, I plan to go to the Toledo show next month and look at it. I have a newer computer, but I'll check the spec. on the sys first whats a good price for the two systems? I have not been to the toledo show for several years and I am looking forward to going. I plan to look at the fatuba 2.4 radios also, its between the 6 channel and the 7 channel.
thanks

The regular price of G4 is $200 so anything less is a deal I suppose. The older versions like G2 can be bought used on Ebay for around $100 or so.

A lot of people are upgrading from G3 to G4, so you can pick up G3 for bargain prices used...

You should NOT pay more than 100.00 for it, as the second owner will not be able to upgrade it to G4, although the G3.5 updates are fine.

I looked up the system requirments and I am boderline to run the g4, I can run it but might not run very well. I may look into that g2 or g3 system on ebay, thanks. waiting for the snow to go away!!!!!!!!

If you have or intend to get a Windows Vista computer any time soon don't get a Realflght 2-series,regardless of price. It won't run... period!
Mike[:'(][:'(]

Well it's over now. I picked up an Alpha 60 rtf a few days ago. Of course now it's snowing again. Does anyone make a glow starter with replacable alkaline batteries? I used one with my Serpent cars and liked it over the rechargeable ones. It was easier to change a battery than remember to charge it. Of course all equipment was sold with the cars. Cool Power seems to be very popular fuel among fliers. I used Byrons racing fuels before. 10 to 15 % nitro seems to be the norm also. Well gotta smooth out a few wrinkles on covering.

be carefull using car fuels in planes, plane engines need around 0-10% Nitro, 18-20% oil and i used to run my HP Savage on 25% Nitro with 12% Oil

i didnt really need a sim, just get yourself a kit to build and try some new things with your heli (fit a few little lamps to it and take it flying in a dark room , something i loved to do with my Picooz)

Byrons has fuel for airplanes as well, perfectly fine fuel too I might add.

I knew that there was a difference between car and plane fuels. I just meant that I was only familiar with Byrons as a brand. Sorry for the mix up. Yes, it's still snowing. Anyone use another prop on an alpha 60 besides the stock 3 blade? Better to learn with the 3 blade then switch to 2 as skills improve? Are there more aggressive 3 blades out there? That's enough questions for today. I don't want bother you too much yet. BTW, still snowing!!

It runs just fine in Vista.

However why bother?

It's long out of date.