As some of you know, I recently put together a tower trainer. I mentioned that the O.S. 40LA isn't much fun on it. So, I'm going to mount a tower .46 . This leaves me with the .40 to put on another, smaller plane, hopefully something a little more capable and not too expensive. Honestly, about 100 bucks. Now, I know that I've just got into flying and that I'm not ready for another plane. I just want to build. I enjoy it a lot. And when the time comes, I'll take her out. I have to stay with 4 servos as my other controller is only a 4 channel ( Want to upgrade this soon as well). So, if you guys could suggest a slightly more advanced and moderately priced arf, it would be greatly appreciated.

I was looking at(.40 too big for this plane?): http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXEDN7&P=0


or : http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXEDN6&P=0


or (I really like tower's line, though this might be a bit much to handle): http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXCLX6&P=0


Thanks again!

Yeah a .32 size plane will be fine with that engine.

I put one into a ModelTech Extra 300S .32, and it flies VERY well with the LA engine.

Cool. I just want something that will not have to be wrestled off of the ground. My tower is sluggish as hell on takeoffs. It's painful.


Also, the Phoenix requires "Four, 42 oz/in torque minimum" servos. I have four servos that came with an RTF tower trainer. Too big?

So there is no confusion. You can use more than 4 servos on a 4 channel radio.
5 servos is very common when using 2 wing mounted servos for ailerons hooked up via a Y harness.
I think that low wing Sonic would be a great fit and a good second plane as well.
I don't think you will be happy with the performance of the Voyager with that engine.

That is standard size servo, same thing that came with your trainer.

With a 6V battery pack, that sounds like a standard servo configuration....

You should be fine with this, and even with a 32oz servo...

Oh, great, thanks. Bad assumption on my part, thinking that 4 channel means 4 servos only.

Yeah, I think I'm going to put an order in for that Sonic since the voyager would be underpowered with a .40. Either that, or I could keep the .40 on my trainer and put the .46 in the voyager. Is the voyager more difficult to fly on the whole?

If you are doing fine with a trainer already, you should have no problems with the Voyager.

For the second plane, the low wing Phoenix and the TH Voyager both have semisymmetrical airfoil and the recommendation on both says for beginner to intermediate pilots who already have high wing trainer experience. So, the two may have very similar flying characteristics. I'd hesitate on the Voyager because it uses an inverted engine installation. I think getting a lot of experience with upright installations is a good thing before trying the inverted deal.

I'd put the 46 on the trainer and get the low wing Phoenix for the 40.

if you want cheap, try a SPAD. that 40 would screem on a daspadstick. if you don't know what a spad is go to spadtothebone. I have built a few of them and they are cheap and very durable, great for a newer flyer. repairs are fast and the crashes are alot less painfull. I have also started 2 guys on spad trainers, the debonair, and they fly great and up in the air fast

The reputation of the .40 LA is a lightweight, reliable, and easy to adjust engine, with lower power than it's counterparts. If I had that engine, I'd love to see it in the low-wing Phoenix you were looking at; it would provide plenty of power, but definitely not overkill. That looks like a cool plane and is something I'm considering for my second as well.

Yes, I think that will be a lot of fun with the .40 on it. My .40 starts up with two cranks. Very reliable and consistent. I'm just about 100% on that plane. I'm pumped.


My third plane: A big trainer with a powerhouse.


Good luck. And if you get yours before me, post some pics.

The World Models makes a number of sport planes that are designed around the .40 LA engine in particular. The LA Racer would be a very good choice for flying with a .40 LA.

http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...p?ProductID=91

The key will be finding a good sport plane, kit or ARF, that can be built with a total flying weight of 5lbs or less. Many of the so called ".40-size" planes build out to 6lbs or more. The .40 LA will fly a 5lb plane pretty well, but that extra pound or more of weight really taxes the .40 LA.

The Great Planes Dazzler and Tower Uproar .40 are also good choices. The Sig Midstar would fly well with a .40 LA. Again, most planes with a total flying weight of 5lbs. or less will be a good match.

There is no replacement for dispacement.

g-day
i will recomend that you upgraid to the dx 7 or the dx6 when you upgraid your radio the dx7 is awsum dx6 is only a park flyer radio but is still realy good.

happy flying
simmo