What would be the ideal trainer size, a .40 or a .60, I would like it in kit form.
Thanks Joe

I like 40's for trainers, they're also cheaper to recover from.

The 60 size planes fly better and don't cost a lot more than the 40 size ones. Easier to learn on and then you have engines to fly later in 60 size planes. The 60 size planes are easier to see.

EXCAP232

I have the Tower 60 Trainer with the Tower .60 engine. Plenty of power, easy to see and easy to fly. It was an ARF not a kit but choosing the radio & engines then insatlling it all was very informative. Putting the wings together, tailfeathers and installing the control rods was a good way to start.

After I started fking I bought a real kit for my second plane. It's a TF Contender and turned out pretty good. Getting into the air was more important at first than building a kit. Now I have done both!

All in all I am a pretty happy newbie. Good luck!

AL

If transportation and money arent an issue (you also have to buy the engine) i would go with a .60. Any well known trainer would do.

I'm going to go along with the 60 size trainer.

They fly better and are easier to see as many have already said.

If I had it to do all over again, I'd build the following model for my first trainer.



It's a Goldberg Protege. 71.5" wingspan and a fuse that's 65"! It will fly on a 40-60 size engine, but I'd opt for the .60.

Just built one for my grandson and it is one wonderful flier. Easy to build, too.

Just another suggestion for you.

Good Luck in whichever model you choose!

Come down and fly, and I will show you whit one and put one the box. Check!! smaaonline

RC Outlaw, where are you located at in Colorado, I live in Aurora.
Joe

Please don't take this the wrong way. Ideally, a .40 size model made from EPP, rubber band on wings and an engine mount that would pop off if hit to hard. A replaceable corroplast tail section and no landing gear. Wingspan about 48" to 54" and an 8 to 12 oz. fuel tank to allow for some long flights in the 12 to 18 minute range. A buddy box along with an FMA Co-Pilot system to aid in training. Tons of cheap replaceable parts. Ideal!

Cant go wrong with an LT-40.

Size is = to 60 size plane @ 40 size $s.
Great flying plane available in kit for about $75 and arf for around $125.

Kit is a beginners dream to develop building skills.

Cheers to you for the decision to start out by building (I guess?) your 1st plane?

I built my 1st, an LT-25. I cant tell you how much satisfaction I got from building that kit.

Determined to learn in a hurry, I ripped out landing gear and wingtips several times, almost always fixed on the tailgate with my newfound building skills.

Welcome to the greatest hobby on Earth!

Flap, actually this would be my fourth plane that I want to build, I'm getting back to flying after a 15+ year layoff, I just wanted to know everybodies opinion on trainer size, I use to have .40, just wondering if a .60 was more stable.

to me the best trainer is the kadet senior ARF in.60 size. but unfortunatly it's available in ARF only.
In .40 size kit, the best trainer in my opinion is the kadet LT40 (nearly the wingspan of a.60)
A friend of me builded it as first airplane, the booklet is extremly well done and the plane grow up very easy.
I am teaching my friend to fly on it and this plane literaly fly alone.

Looks like the Sig LT-40 is in the lead

Yes, a 60 size will be more stable in the air. To what degree would probably be fairly tough to measure. I, along with countless others have learned on a 40 size trainer and have not been handicapped at all in the learning process. Bigger plane means more weight and more inertia acting against you should the ground come up too fast. But again, that's negligible.

Have to agree with the 60 size makes a better trainer, more stable, easer to see, usually flys and lands slower than most of the 40 size craft

about .60 size........

The engine size is not really important in my opinion for a trainer.
A trainer must be as stable and big as possible.
the design of the structure is important, if light it make less drag, fly slower and doesn't require big engine.
the kadet senior (kit version) for exemple is a impressive 78' inches wingspan bird, a excelent trainer and it fly great with a .25 two stroke when correctly build. Low speed characteristic (the most important parameter for a trainer to me) are awesome.

If you are ready to build a all sticks airframe jump to the kadet senior. he has no ailerons, but really doesn't need it.

Joe, go to smaaonline.com will give all info.