Here's my new baby,a Hobbico Superstar. I got it from a friend who bought it new but decided not to fly. It was assembled but never used. It has a OS 0.40 engine, 4 channel Futaba radio, electric starter, fuel pump, trainer cable, charger, oil, and even came with an extra woodenprop. I've been using the sim for a while so hopefullyIwon't crash it first time out! Up to now I have been flying a Super Cub electric 3 channel park flyer (which Ilove and will never get rid of).
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Well, if you can, get an instructor to fly it for you the first time up. He can do the trims for you and make sure all is ok for you to fly. Doing all that yourself can be a handful for someone new to flying. And, if you can, go up on a buddy box with the instructor, at least until you are familiar with it to fly it alone. A full schedule of training is much better, though, if that's possible.

Good luck with it. You will enjoy it.

CGr.

I agree with CGRetired....get an instructor....a maiden flight can be a handful if the airplane is out of trim or the balances are off......Sims are ok but they are no subsitute for an instructor......

Allthough the Super Star is labeled a trainer, it can be a handfull to land.

Thanks...that has been my intention all along. I got a sims for practice but will be joining a flying club, getting MAAC, and training. Iknow from flying my park flyer that it takes time, and I certainly do not want to crash this one.

Iwant to eventually get into bigger planes and really want a bipe, so I'm gonna do it right. It's nice that the radio that came with this one has a trainer link.

BTW - any thought on what a good first bipe would be, if Ievery get there? I'd be looking for a 68-72", something that the 0.40 could handle.

Two notes for you,

#1, Depending on how long your friend had the Superstar, the receiver and transmitter batteries may need
replacement. When you contact a club, they may be able to help you determine their condition, or talk to your LHS.

#2, A 68-72in Bipe will most likely be too large for a .40 engine. For example, the 65" Stearman that I am building right now calls for a .75-.90 size.

Oh and #3, Welcome to the Hobby and enjoy!!

first bipe...mine was a Goldburg Ultimate, 60 sized, 54 or 55 in wingspan. I still fly it. Sig Astro Hog bipe has been a lot of folks first Bipe

Thanks for the great advice!

I think I'm OK with the radio and receiver...they were still fully charged when I bought it. The kit is still quite new.

I ran in the new motor today. It took a few tried to start it (I probably didn't prime it properly) but when it started it ran very well. Iran through a full tank of fuel per the manufacturer's notes. Sounds like a strong little engine (OS Max-40LA).

:-)

I really like the Hog, thanks for that. Here's one in a great Stearman-like color scheme...

Same plane that I have... Make the jump and get the OS LA 46, you will not be disappointed. The OS 40 is underpowered for this plane.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind!

I do not recommend buying a new engine before the plane is flown. Lots of pilots have flown this plane successfully with the 40LA.
Is it under powered? Maybe, maybe not.
Learning to fly "on the wing" versus having so much power that a brick would fly is not necessarily a bad thing.
Once you start working with your instructor, ask him if you should replace the engine.

Your OS 40 la will deliver enough power for your trainer. I had a 60 size trainer that I flew with a 46 size engine and that was more than enough!
I want to wish you good luck, there is no way back now You`ll get hooked!
The superstar is a great trainer, so I think it will please you

Hey new daddy that plane is just fine with a la40 we are starting to build number 2 .Put 1ounce in the tail and a 10x6 master airscrew prop. It will do just about anything a new flyer could ask for, oh one more thing check that your antenna is tight on your radio or you might lose it to the gremlins ,ask me how I know Max

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.

Ihave it set up as described, with the 40 LA and a Master Airscrew 10X6 prop. Ihave a Top Flight Power Point 10X6 wooden prop in reserve for when I become competant.

Maxwell 1 - you are almost dead-on with the balance. I put 1&amp;1/4 oz. in the tail and it is perfect. And thanks for the tip on the antenna, I'll check that for sure.

I have heard that the gear on the Superstar is rather bouncy on landing...is this true? Would rubber be a good upgrade, or would it be too heavy and even bouncier?

Thanks again!

The landing gear on the superstar 40 is like most trainers, and will do fine If you put it down nice and soft, it will not bounce.

The LG is a little bouncy on the SS. I added Du Bro low bounce tires and that helped a little. A composite LG would be the way to go.

I flew this plane with the .40, I was not to impressed with it. Yes it flew, and flew nicely but when I put a .46 on it the plane came to life. And from what I here its not all .40s that are underpowered just the OS .40 LA.

More good advice, thanks.

The wood prop came with the plane as an extra when I bought it, so maybe I'll just hang on to it for future projects.

Conflicting reviews on the 0.40 vs. 0.46...I wouldn't have thought that 0.06cc would make much difference but obviously it does! Maybe some day I could do a trade in at the LHS. For now I'll save the cash for fuel - and life insurance ;-)

Thats 0.06 CI, not CCs. I had an OS .46AX on mine and felt that it was pretty much a handfull. Your 40LA should be fine.

The 0.40 and 0.46 are cubic inch measures. The .06 cubic inch (.98 cc) difference is about 15% so it is significant.

The Superstar is a trainer. Its entire purpose is for you to learn to fly model airplanes.

This is just my opinion:
Don't be concerned about the engine, landing gear, etc, at this point. Hook up with the instructor and start learning.

Worry about making it "come to life" after you have learned to fly. I wouldn't even worry about it then. I'd keep the trainer intact with the existing equipment and get a second plane with a bigger engine and more performance.

Oops - right 0.06 cubic inch. Living in Canada has gotten me "metricized".You are right, this is all just a bunch of talk at this point. I never made any upgrades to my eletric plane, really...I just upgraded planes. Most likely the same will happen after flying the trainer for a while (that or I'll wreck it and be forced to get something else anyway!!)I went out to the local field and met up with some of the guys there. I'll start training with someone in the next couple of weeks (membership rates go to 1/2 price at the end of the month). In the meantime I can get the plane as ready as I can and fly the sim. I ran in the motor through 1 tank of gas, but have heard that it should be run in a couple of times at least. I want the get the throttle properly adjusted as well. Everything else is set up correctly and the model is balanced.

If a new person comes to our club after July 31, and decides to join, there is no charge for the remainder of the year. We had two people visit us Saturday (husband and wife) and they plan to join AMA and then come back.

If the engine manual was not included, you can download it from http://manuals.hobbico.com/osm/40-46-65la-manual.pdf
See page 23 for break-in. The LA series does not need a long break-in and that is one of the reasons they are so good for new users.

That's a great deal with your club, wish mine was that generous!

Fortunately, all the manuals from the kit were included. Just thought I'd double check because the RCU review and one other place I read suggested longer break-in. The manual says one tank, then fly it with a 20-30% turn open from optimumfor the first run, then gradually turn it back over the next 4-5 flights to the optimum setting.