I have been into electric planes for about 3 years, and im 14. They are very fun, but im thinking about whether i should get an electric or glow plane for my next one. My questions are, 1. how different is it(other than the power source!)? 2. how much will it cost-i would want a trainer such as the superstar select . I have a nitro car so i know something about engines. the glow planes seem much more powerful and fun, and they can fly in the wind. I don't want to start with a spad because im not much of a builder, just a prebuilt or arf trainer like the superstar or tower trainer. thanks

One thing you said in your post... "I'm not much of a builder" caught my eye... If you don't build now, you will in the future. If you fly wood, you will want to learn to build and or repair. Keep in mind your electrics don't break when they hit the ground because they are small and lite. trust me, you will crash. Every one does, and when you do, you will want to know how to fix your plane.

I would start with a trainer. You will pick it up real fast because you fly electric. I assume you fly the small park flayers because you said you can not fly in the wind. If you had flown the faster wood electrics I would say go for it! Get a sport plane, but if you have not flown a plane that lands at 30mph and flies at 60+ you should start with a trainer....

Good luck and welcome to the awesome sound of Glow engines!!!


If you do decide to try a SPAD I recommend the SPAD Stick. It is just like the Big Stick (made of wood) flies just as well and is all but unbreakable!

well i would be able to repair something like that-ive done it with electrics, i just meant i probably wouldn't like to get a kit and build a plane from a bunch of wood and cover it correctly, or make a spad from scratch, but thanks. i will think about a trainer. how much do you think it will cost for me to get a rtf superstar and all the accessories i would need for basic flight(such as starter, field items, etc.) i want to go as cheap as i can for now- and i have a 12V power source so i wouldnt need that.

frankly speaking.

I think you'd better switch your power source from battery pack to nitro engine.
If you take the cost of charger, batt pack into your budget you will find nitro power is almost equally inexpensive to electric one, and provides more power.

You should be able to get an ARF trainer, starter, glow igniter, fuel pump and a gallon of fuel (enough for 15 to 20 flights) for somewhere in the neighborhood of $350 to $400.

Glow planes are considerable more powerful than all but the biggest, most expensive electrics, so you'll want to get some help on the first few flights.

We don't want to see you trash that new trainer on it's first flight!
Dennis-

Electricfan.

I am assuming that you go to a park and fly. Their are a couple of great clubs in your area. Talk to Bobby at Hobbytown in Franklin The phone number is 771-7441. He is a good man and will steer you in the right direction.

The major difference between electric and glow is the speed at witch things happen. By that I mean with electric you have several seconds to react to your plane, but with glow you have to react instantly or you will have a problem on you hands.

Lets see how to put it so you will understand.

When you play baseball and another 14 year old hits the ball toward you you have a little time to move, but if a grown man hits a ball toward you you have to move a lot faster or the ball will be past you.

For that reason you will have to go to a RC airplane flying club so you can be safe and have a person teach you on a buddy box.

I know of two places close to you in Ashland City and Columbia where you can see for your self how much difference their is between electric and glow.

ok thanks! I am currently in the process of becoming a member at my local club, and that's where i have been flying my electrics and i know one of the instructors, so i dont think ill have a problem

I've been flying electrics for 2+ years now and just began flying a glow with a 4 stroke. I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Eflight has no mess, quiet, no having to tweak/adjust engines, just charge, plug in and go fly. Many times don't need as much room to fly eflight versus glow.

Glow has tons of power, way cool sound and for the majority offer bigger planes. No need to worry about battery pack charging, what condition cells are in or getting a false peak with your charger.

I could go on and on. Whatever you decide good luck.

Electrafan

Where do you fly at.

edwin warner model aviation in nashville

You can get SPAD ARF's and they will always be more durable than a balsa trainer, heres the SPAD ARF link

http://www.spadtothebone.com/misc/ARF.html

Electricfan where exactly is Edwin Warner Aviation.

its in nashville, but if you mean exactly, its on vaughn's road off of old hickory blvd, across from the steeplechase. its in warner park

are spads just as easy to fly as trainers, just harder to break? i hear that unbreakable planes dont fly well, but i might be wrong.

There are basicaly 3 "trainer" SPAD's the Debonair, BUHOR and SPADet they fly like any typical trainer wether its SPAD, balsa or composite (are there andy composite trainers?) the material a plane is made from has nothing to do with the way it flies providing the design is right (yes i know you cant make a plane from jello or other non suitable materials).

So Yes the SPAD trainers fly the same as any other trainer they are just tougher, so yes you heard wrong.

Oh and NO plane is unbreakable, it dosent matter what it's made from, some are just tougher.