<span style="font-size: medium"><span style="font-family: Arial">Flew my first trainer today, a 40 sized ARF that took me a month to build. Took it to the club field and asked one of the pilots there to maiden it for me. He was happy to do it. We spent about a half hour checking it over, making sure eveerything worked right. I had to fix the nose gear, as it turned opposite the rudder. Don't know how I missed that. After that was fixed, we did a range check on the radio. Fired it up and he taxied it out and took off. I was expecting big gyrations but it flew smoothly, with no trim adjustments needed. I was amazed. He flew it for about 10 minutes then landed it, a very nice landing. </span></span></p>

<span style="font-size: medium"><span style="font-family: Arial">I really feel I have accomplished something worthwhile. I never built models as a kid and never used an Exacto knife until about a month ago. I'm really surprised I didn't cut myself in the process. LOL. Now I just have to learn to fly it.</span></span></p>

Congratulations and sounds like doing everything a step at a time. Am sure you will do well just beware it can become a lifetime passion.

John

Congratulations on your first flying machine!

I wish a long life to your model and a fast and secure learning to fly experience to you.[sm=regular_smile.gif]

Thanks John.
I'm already thinking about the second plane. Wonder what the wife will say.

Thanks. I don't know if a long life will be possible, as my first lesson on the buddy box (after the maiden) didn't go as well as Ihoped it would. The sim has helped some, but I need MUCH more practise with right turns. LOL

You are welcome.

Landings are mandatory, but crashes are not!

Three keys for a successful and painless experience:

1) Find a GOOD instructor (he/she doesn't need to be the best pilot around, just a safe, patient and experienced RC pilot, willing to spend hours of practice with you)

2) LISTEN to this person, and FOLLOW he/she directions and advices.

3) Practice makes perfection in the simulator and on the field (get ready to use some serious time at both places)

Besides, don’t rush the process, it takes a different time to each person.
Young kids can master RC flying in no time, old folks like me simply cannot.

Learn all you can, ask questions at your club, visit these forums all you can, since they are a treasure of knowledge.

Best regards!

if you want another kit, the great planes rapture is a good second plane and will do quite a bit aerobatics wise. its also something different, everyone else has 4star's.
imo dont waste your time building a kit that is a arf. their are to many kits you would never get to try.

I'm looking at the SIGMidStar 40 Looks like I could handle the build and I already have an engine for it

That looks like a good plane, but unless you have crashed your trainer beyond repair, keep it ready to fly. It's always good to have a second plane in the hanger, ready to fly. Maybe a third on the bench getting ready. You've got the TX, a4 to 6 channel receiver on the 72mhz band can be had for $25 to $30 bucks and a I'm sure that there are a number of 40 size engines avaiable from club members, so you total additional cost is minimual. And, sometimes, it good to go back on the trainer now and then.

Don

I have only flown the trainer for 15 minutes on the buddy box. My total flying time. But. it took me a month to put this ARF together, so I figure if I start soon on the second plane, a kit. it should be ready about the time I can be called a "pilot". LOL I just ordered an Aviastar .46, which will go into the second plane. I'm thinking a 2.4 system for it too.

ROFL Shhh, don't tell my wife.

That Mid Star 40 is a nice plane. But, you might want to consider a true low-wing, such as the Four Star 40. The low wing aircraft make excellent low wing "trainers" that are very capable. The mid wing'ers have some other peculiarities that you may not want to deal with for a second plane.

Fly the heck out of the trainer, learn everything you can with it, then step up to a low wing and fly the heck out of that. You will not be disappointed.

CGr.

So many choices. LOL I was also considering a 182 for a second plane because some of them really look nice. There's no hurry, but I know it will take me a long time tobuild whatever Idecide to go with. The reason Iwas looking at the Mid Star was someone posted that it was a really good choice for a second plane. I'll have to look at the 4 star. Thanks

Oh yeah, they look great. And, you will fly one. But, my only consideration here is that you don't overdo it with the selection of the wrong aircraft for your second. It's that old addage.. "learn to crawl before you learn to walk". Hey, we all went through all this.

I bought a flying wing called the Ripmax Rappier. Turns out that this thing was fast as hell. I bought it while I was training with my NexStar, waited about a year to build it, and am I glad!! That thing, although not a "handful", was something to behold. VERY capable. Landing was a real trip because it had skids and no wheels. So, your appoach had better be good because you didn't have a second chance!!!

My second was a Tiger 60. Fine aircraft and an excellent choice for a second plane, as many others are.. Four star 40 and 60, Tiger II and 60, as many others that other posters will recommend. That mid star is a fine aircraft and looks great.. but it may not be your best choice for a second plane.

CGr.

Sounds like good advice to me. That's one I can scratch off the list of possibles. Two actually. I can always do the Cessna later. And isn't a Cub mandatory at some point? I notice you're not too far from me. I'm in Mount Laurel. Did you get to fly today? It was beautiful here.

Oh no.. don't get me wrong.. if you like that Mid Star 40, then by all means, keep it in mind.. and if you have the loose $$$ buy it and put it aside... usee it as a goal to achieve. There is nothing wrong with that. You can build it slowly, work on it a bit at a time. Then once built, fly the heck out of your low-wing'er.. then at some point, ask for someone to help you maiden the Mid Star, perhaps with a buddy box for the first few flights... then.. you're on your way!!

Best of luck.

I just noticed.. Mt. Laurel, NJ. Where to you fly? I am from the Skyblazers of Atlantic County, just a short 40 or so minute drive from Mt. Laurel. Our main field is on Rt 322 (Black Horse Pike), mile marker 45 in Atlantic County.

CGr.

The Mid Star is a much better second plane than the 4 Stars. In fact Bruce Tharpe designed both and back in the day the Mid Star was marketed as a 2nd plane and the 4 Star as a third. The Mid Star will land almost as slowly as a trainer and it is really easy and quick to build. Plus it's a great aerobatic trainer. I don't know what peculiarities there are to be worried about with it, just build it the way it says in the manual, no modifications are needed, and you will have an excellent second plane. If you build it with conventional gear it will be even lighter and more nimble for you. If you like the looks of the Mid Star do not be dissuaded from getting it. It is a great second plane. In fact if you can solo a high wing trainer you will not need any assistance to fly the Mid Star, well if your nervous you might have someone 1st flight it for you, but otherwise you will find it a great learning tool.

Like everything, there are steps to learning to fly. You start with a high wing, then go to a shoulder wing, then to a low wing.

A CG Falcon 56 is one of the all time best planes to fly 2nd step. It is one of of the planes that is also a great kit, if your so inclined to building your next bird.

Great job! Have fun learning to fly and do not be afraid to ask for help! We all deep down love to help the new guys, It is a honor and self acomplishment when you learn and we teach! I am one that loves to see the excitement in the new guys face when he lands the plane well for the first time! You will make life long friends on your journey and enjoy! It is so much more then a hobby! Bob



Want to keep from crashing? take off and land higher!

The plane will be cursed I tellyou; CURSED!

A blood sacrifice is always required to appease the god Bernoulli.

Oh, I gave it some blood, just not from the exacto knife. An old pin vise I used shredded my figertips pretty good before Irealized it was happening.

faulk, where did you maiden your plane? i know of at least 2 clubs in this area, one is the Sky Barons by the airport and the other is in Mt. Holly, forgot the name of, on rt38 (or Pemberton rd which i think is the same thing in that town).
i fly my electrics at Laurel Acres park and for my nitro i have a couple of places (non club) i go to around the area.

HI learning to fly(NO DUMP THUMPS-only mechanical issuses causing your crashes-and only a few of those) and building a plane that flys on rails -is the beggining of mastering this great hobbywhen you can maden your own aircraft-trim it out and -are able to work out the bugs that most planes have the first 10-15 flightsyou are now an acomplished RC pilot and airplane builder it takes time you are at the begginning of one great rewarding hobbywelcome to this great experienceyou will get a lot of good help if you askwhen you get it rightjust give back the great education you have received from othersthats is alot of what this hobby is about-only ask the best you see do what they do for help and advice-with determination you will sucseedbest of luck-HAPPY LANDINGS-REGARDS TONY

Hey!!!


Where is the certificate that newbies get? time to put one here!!