Hello guys, I fly nitro helis and I want to try nitro planes, I have flown a couple of trainers of friend of mine and I am ok with them.... I am planning to get my first .40, is it ok if I get the .46 FX????? (I know the AX is the newest version but I can get a good deal in a FX)

Also, I wanted to order from horizonhobby but I saw another website: http://www.nitroplanes.com/

has anyone tried those planes??? do you think I can trust them????? I am always talking about ARF kits...

I want to start with an extra300s, a friend of mine saw me flying the trainers and he told me it would be a waste of time for me to get a basic training (I have never taken off/landed though)

I am open to opinions... thanks

If you can get a good deal on the FX then I would say go for it. It's a great engine and will last you well past your trainer. There is only one problem that I didn't like on the FX's. The remote needle valve mount is part of the backplate of the engine. Any crash will usually break off that needle valve mount which requires buying a new backplate (~$15 + shipping)

I wouldn't really recommend going with Nitroplanes as your first plane. The instructions that are included with the planes leaves a lot to be desired, which isn't a good thing around somebody that has little to no experience in the hobby. Also, there have been reports of less than good customer service.

An Extra 300 is NOT the plane for a new pilot. This plane would be ok after you have flown 3 or 4 other planes first. But it's not a first plane in any stretch of the imagination. While you say you have flown but not taken off and landed, I would say that you haven't flown yet. My recommendation is to get a good trainer and find a good instructor to teach you to fly properly.

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 12-20-07) [/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

To add to what Ken said - Since you're flying Helis now, you could easily skip the "Basic" trainer stage and go right to an "Advanced" trainer.

Put your .46 FX into a Hangar 9 Pulse XT .40 ARF. It's a nice low-wing "advanced trainer" type plane that will be good to start with and yet aerobatic enough to let you practice the entire Sportsman class pattern schedule.

what is an advanced trainer in the list above??

Just about anything under the "Second plane" portion of the list.

Ken

They're listed as "Intermediate or Second Planes", like the Pulse XT .40

wow, thanks a lot, I think I'd go for the mustand.... awesome price of horizon hobbies!!! comments about that plane????

As an imtermediate trainer I think that the P-51 PTS is a good plane. I have my reservations about using it as a primary trainer, but in your case I think it would do really well. Get an instructor to help you and you should be soloed in no time!!

Ken

I agree with Ken on the PTS. The only thing I don't like about 'em is they are harder to repair than most basic or secondary trainers. Still I like the way they fly as a secondary bird. Have you considered a basic stick Hanger Nine makes a Fantastic one called an Ultra Stick. Can be set up to be quite easy to fly and will do a lot of stuff with time and learning. Sticks are classics for a reason!