does any body have any info about this plane, like a video or somthing cuz this is the 1 im thinking of buying, does it use fuel? how much would it cost? what kind? do u know if there are any instrutors in the chicago area?

I have the Superstar 40 and my instructor says is the best trainer.
I bought it for 300.00 at www.towerhobbies.com

I have one of these, and I love it. My dad also got one shortly after I did. Dad's plane had wrinkles in the covering, which we easily fixed with a hobby iron. I've read where the company is really good about helping you out if you have a defective part(s). It's easy to put together and a great flyer. They advertise a 20 minute assembly time, but for a first timer, it took me a little over an hour.

~You will have to purchase fuel for the plane you listed, as well as a battery and glow plug connector wire to start it. The picture on their website is misleading. Also, you can start it by hand, but that can be dangerous for novices and experts. You might look into getting an electric handheld starter. Rubber bands to attach the wing to the fuselage are also needed. Of course, you'll eventually want a tote box to carry all this stuff around, and an electric fuel pump to fill the plane, and so on, and so on, yadda... yadda... yadda...

~Fuel cost somewhere between $10-15 per gallon, but will last you awhile. The fuel tank on board holds 6oz (I think), and with 128oz of fuel per gallon, that's around 20 flights (you will spill some, and burn some up while taxing around).

~I use Morgan Fuel's 'Cool Power', because that's what they have at the local hobby shop. I haven't experimented with other fuels. The store owner (and friend) suggested I use 15% in cooler weather, and 10% in warmer weather. Other posts to this thread might suggest other fuel brands. I haven't had any problems with Morgan's, however I'm new to R/C, and probably wouldn't recognize minor problems anyway. Here is Morgan's site: http://www.morganfuel.com/modelfuel.htm

~If you don't want to mess with fuel, Hobbico sells an electric version of the same plane in the Select model. It's a little smaller in size.

~Here is the website about the Superstar EP Select (electric): http://www.hobbico.com/airplanes/hcaa14-01.html

~Here is the website about the SuperStar 40 Select RTF (gas): http://www.hobbico.com/airplanes/hcaa15.html

~I don't have any info about instructors in the Chicago area. I would definetly find someone to help you on your first flights, though. They can save you $300.

they are $279 on Tower Hobbies right now. Both the Avistar and the Superstar.

on the first page of the website they have a coupon (code) for an extra $10 off.

You can't beat either setup for $269.00. I would recommend the Avistar instead of the Superstar because of the semi-symmetrical wing. Do a search on this website and you will get all kinds of information and opinions.

Oh, and the engine runs on glow fuel - costs around $14 a gallon.

You will need to join AMA. Visit www.modelaircraft.org

the AMA website will have information on model aircraft clubs in your area. Contact one of the clubs in your area and they can give you information on instructors. Instruction is usually provided free when you join a club.

get the avistar 40, it is more capabale of aerobatics and the fastest trainer in the field.

And don't forget to GET HELP FROM AN INSTRUCTOR AT THE FIELD before you attempt to fly!!!!!!

Mike

Yup, ideal characteristics for a trainer
They've also been known to fall apart on a hard landing...

The Superstar is probably a better all round trainer than the Avistar (I had a Superstar 60) but they are NOT the best trainers around. Probably the best VFM though...

That doesnt work

Please have a instructor when you first learn.

uhhh, where can i find a trainer instructor person?

The Avistar. A better all around trainer for the simple fact that you won't get tired of it after you solo. It's a good first and second plane. I'd highly recommend it.

The only thing I've found wrong with the plane is the nose gear steering block will break if you land it on the nose wheel first.

And I agree..... get with an instructor! He/she will check your plane over for you and help you learn to fly your plane.

Best regards,
Mike

go to your local Club and ask...... or go to your local hobby shop and ask where the local Club is. I'm sure they will put you in touch with the right people!

Best regards,
Mike

theres no other sites??????????

????????????????????????

The AMA site appears to be down right now. Patience, Grasshopper. It'll be back. That's the best source for finding your local club(s) and instructors.

uhhhhhh... ok!

what other things do i need that dont come with the plane?

See your other post. You only need to ask once.

How much space is needed to fly this plane?

Just from the threads that you have posted recently, I have a hunch that you will have a hard time getting an instructor patient enough to want to teach you how to fly.

why?

Wildwobby,

I know that you are anxious to get started, but cool your jets a little. Here is what you need to do.

Go to the AMA website. Find a club in your area. Call the number listed and talk to someone from the club. They will tell you where they fly, and what days are best to find them out there. Whoever you talk to may even arrange to have someone meet you at a specific time. They may also have a club trainer that they may let you fly, just to get the feel for it. They will set you up with an instructor (for free) and probably have advise as to which plane/radio to buy that they have previous experience with.

In the beginning, there are far too many questions to ask on a forum. Most of them are better answered in person anyway. So contact your local club, and let them help you get on your way!

And good luck! You'll love this sport!

I've had pretty good luck with the nose gear and the plane as a whole. The other day, I stalled it on final approach right above the runway way and nosed it in from about 12' up. I know better . There was a black tire scuff on the bottom of the plane, right behind the nose gear, where it bent the gear all the way back. The plane also flipped over. No damage was found. One other botched landing, I flipped it over again. It broke the rudder, bent one landing gear leg back, and busted the 'windshield' piece. I repaired quickly and easily.

Luck of the draw, I guess. I've seen an Avistar nose gear cave in on landing a couple of times, the owner had to go home, make repairs and continue another day. I also saw the same Avistar patched up apparently as a result of a 'hard landing' (whole tail ripped off). I did not witness the landing.

I've had the tail pulled of my Superstar 60, but then, I did put it through a tree.....

Both the Superstar (40) and the Avistar seem to represent good value at $300 ready to go, but you get what you pay for, so its best to have a spare airframe ready to transfer the gear across to.

BTW I'm curious as to how you managed to stall the Avistar on final, especially as you indicate that you are experienced enough to know better. I suspect its due to a high stall speed cause by heavy construction and the semi-symmetrical wing profile.

On my LT-40, all I need to do is line the plane up on final and she'll glide in on idle at a slightly nose down attitude. As I approach the runway threshold then all I need to do is to raise the nose just above level and she'll settle in as pretty as you please. All this happens way above stall speed, yet slow enough for a beginner to react to.

I'll repeat what I've said before, the Avistar is not a primary trainer, that's why I'd recommend the Superstar. Even though its just as heavy for its size, the wing will produce more lift with a lower stall speed and fewer bad tendencies.
The fact that so many of these trainers are sold does not prove the design. It just proves the patience and determination of both the instructor and student for those that stay with the hobby.

I guess. With several landings in the tall brush, high grass, and a couple of flip-over crashes, I've only had to go back to the shop for repairs just once. I've had to replace a prop at the field, but that was about it. Around 6 inches of rain throughout May hasn't hurt the cushion factor of Terra Firma either.
(It's a Superstar 40) You're exactly right on your description of the approach and landing, and my plane did that before I got bored. I adjusted the control horns to give the plane more play, so it didn't fly exactly like the trainer it once was. After the adjustment, I made about 15 or so landings with a straight in approach with no problems. I then tried a short approach from the side and banked it around to the runway. At about 12' up and just over the runway, and just before I straightened her out on final, it dropped quickly and nailed the ground. I think I pulled up a little too much, with the slower airspeed combined with the bank, and stalled her out. I was 'behind the plane' and didn't recover with full throttle. It was on the ground too fast. I may be wrong about this, so feel free to disagree.