Hey I just wanted to comment on going glow as well. My experience in learning was similar to yours. Self taught on foamie electrics, then moved to 3D electric then a couple balsa electric and now I primarily fly glow and am working on a gas 30% Edge.

I've flown the t-28 trojan quite a few times that my brother has and that is an absolute blast to fly. Such a great plane. One of parkzone's best IMO, as I've owned and/or flown most of them. It really depends how proficient you are on the sticks. If you're extremely comfortable with the trojan and can do most basic aerobatics in control then you'll be fine with a low wing glow plane.

My first glow plane was the Pulse XT 40 w/ an OS 55ax on the front. That thing MOVED! A perfect low wing plane for me then. Very fast, very aerobatic and the looks were stellar. It all depends how proficient you are tho. If you're still unsure, it's better to grab a cheap glow trainer and move from there. All I can say is, do as much research as you possibly can. That's all I do when I'm not flying, lol. You'll learn everything you absolutely need to know in these forums. For your first engine I'd also spend the extra and go OS. An engine that behaves and is extremely easy to tune and fly with will save you a lot of headache and not turn you away from glow. From then on, feel free to try out some cheap brands!

Good luck with your decision! Oh and about the club thing, definately go for it! I joined a club as soon as I moved to glow just because of the dangers in a park. Plus I love hanging out and chatting planes with guys.

Egan

I get the magozine. And I think if a 14 year old without a job can afford AMA and club membership an adult with a job(assuming he Is an adult and has a job) can afford the adult membership and club membership. Our local club is $35 for someone under 19.

RC airplane nut, its not at all clear what your point is. I was mearly pointing out the often misunderstood and under utilized fact that Youth memberships in the AMA are avaliable and the cost of membership in the AMA is not a road block to young folks.

The existence of this youth membership has been of great help in getting a number of our younger flyers going and we even had one who is now in college at Embry Riddle under an ama schlorship.

I have no idea whether or not the original poster is elgible but it seems several other posters in this thread is.

John

hi fly the foamies near your home-stick time will keep you sharp-but do go to a flying field to fly the glo stuff do work with a trainner-you will meet some very knowlegable people there and you cannot pay for that education as you fly already-flying glo will come easyyou just need to learn to handle a glo engine properlyi to recommend a 40 or 60 size ugly sticki have been bulding an flying for 20 years -and the 60 stick is my go to plane when i am rusty or there are windy conditions- larger is easier to fly and see-always a relaxed day of flyingi would not worry about the engine quiting on landing -as you are always going slow when landing-and can glide inif the engine quites just after you are airborn-will be your biggest concern-always think ahead as to were you will put her down -a dead stick will require that you identify the engine is out and react quickly-keep the nose down -to keep up your air speed so you do not stallin most cases you will at some time go dead stick running a glo enginemostly changes in temp or from the first time out after non usebe sure your fuel tank is assembled correctly and does not leak airthe instructor will be very helpful before you maiden flight with any new aircraft-to be sure it will fly-by inspection and engine tunningso do go that routeyou will be happy you did-DO ENJOY REGARDS TONY "the omega man " think pink !!!( my favorite glo fuel is OMEGA pink-10 or 15 % much less engine wear )

ciscovet: Actually, I completely suck at flying my blade!! LOL!! I had it airborne for about 30 seconds before it rolled to the right and plowed into the ground while I was teaching myself how to hover 2 ft off the ground. Its still waiting to be repaired after 3 months. I have all the parts but no time to get it done in one shot. So I can confidentally say that I am a MUCH better fixed wing pilot than a rotary pilot.
WHOA! RCKen, how'd you find that great piece of info?? Thanks so much for finding that. I will be getting in touch with these people about joining.
To the 14 year old who thinks I should have no problem paying for the field dues and AMA membership at $58, I am married with 2 kids so I have these pain in the butt thieves called BILLS!! They take your money and most of it. Ask your parents who you live with about the people named BILL.
John Buckner: My age is 35 so I would not qualify for the above AMA rates however I thought I saw somewhere that AMA was signing people up for $19.95 somewhere.
To everyone else, thanks again for your continuing support and tips. Please keep them coming.
My money is quite tight but I am going to try very hard to squeeze out the money for the AMA and a Field fee.
Is the $58 for the AMA for the year or for the month?
I am not going to give up on this. I might even sell my Blade 400 to get this nitro thing going.

Please keep the ideas and tips coming and i will keep you updated.

Tomcatguy,
 all the information on the clubs can be found on the AMA's website. http://modelaircraft.org/

They have a tool that let's you search for chartered clubs by zip code. http://modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx . I only searched within 25 miles of your zip code. If you want to expand the search you will probably come up with more.

Ken

Yes you will need an adult membership and it is good for a year (read the application and it will explain the proration setup) You will get a full year or slightly more depending upon which quarter you join.

The Introductory membership promo which I beleve is over now (someone please correct me if not) was for just three months I think. No real advantage other than to get you going.

Agine membership is for a year not a month.

John

Thanks alot John and Ken.

I forgot to mention that I have the Real Flight 4.5 system too. However my computers are all broken[:'(][:@][][&o] so I will have to wait till I get them fixed to start training myself for the nitro world. I will however be still looking for the right nitro plane to train on that will have to be used because I am so strapped for cash, but the Tower 40 that my LHS has will still be at the the front of my mind. Hopefull it won't go anywhere soon. If it does then that plane was not ment to be mine.
I will say that I have a DX6i and can use the RX's that are in my foamies to fly the new nitro plane. I also just picked up a brand new Bantam BC6 charger which I am in love with. so all I need is the field equipment for the plane and I think Parkzone has a starter kit with pump, chicken stix, and other stuff for about $40.

Robert

Among the other advantages of flying with a club beside the comraderie, and fellowship and or training that usually is avalible for free with one only needing to ask is the fact you can usually find the best deals on stuff (used or otherwise) and in some case even free and thats a fact.

I have given away a number of training packages to the right person. I would urge you to find your local clubs and visit during their busy times and talk to the folks and most importantly find a mentor and get involved (join) before you start spending a lot of money. This not only gives that all important key to your success (your mentor) some imput on the equipment you/he will be using but also demonstrates your willingness to become a viable contributor to the club and flying friend. Only the folks willing to do that will get the real deals and thats a fact.

John

I would also advise you to find any hobby shops in your area and see what they have. My LHS does a lot of trading in used planes and accessories. Just recently I picked up a flight box for a friend of mine just getting started into nitro like you are. Got him a flight box, pump, and electric starter for $30, all he had to do was buy fuel, battery, and power panel.

Make sure those receivers are full range, not park flyer versions.

How do I figure that out?

in reply to tomcatguy, ie. difference in type of reciever's....
the packaging that came with your particular plane should have that information some where on the outside of the package or in the literature that came with it......the biggest difference between a parkflyer rx and a full range rx is, some park flyers are so small and hard to see that they were meant to fly kinda close to you, usually within a couple of hundred feet with the factory installed rx......most full range rx's are purchased seperately and are exactly as stated, "full range".....they are usually tiny and light but are designed a little better and cost a bit more.....i fly HI-TEC ELECTRON 6 and JR R610UL RX'S with my JR X6102 Computer radio......i like that this radio has 10 model memory and i don't have to lug a bunch of radios to my club field like the "old day's"......the hi-tec electron 6 recievers are nothing short of great, i have one in my SIG E-FORCE 3D'er and when new, i was not familiar with it's range.....being very careful, i took it further and further away to test it's range and found that i could lose sight of my plane before i ever lost my signal or went out of range......HI-TEC has been around forever and has a very good reputation, just ask anybody.....also, HI-TEC RX's will work with JR or FUTABA as long as you buy the right crystal.....on the otherhand, the JR R610UL RX's are alot smaller and "lighter" and considered "full range", but will only work with JR radio's.....i don't own any spektrum products....i think you do and i think they're all 2.4.....regarding the range of your RX's, if you can't find any info. on or in the box, check the manufacturer's website.....the manufacturer's website usually offers more information than the packaging because, it would cost too much to print on every box???....you could also post right here what equipment your running and in all likelyhood, somebody has the information you need???....that's what these forum's are for, right.....like i said, i don't own any SPEKTRUM, my post was more to clarify the difference between short-range and full-range.....i hope this help's???.....

On the advice side for glow... wear old clothes !! I love the smell of nitro in the morning... smells like.... Victory !!

tomcatguy.......go to all forums>>rc airplanes>>beginners>>my first time......"you'll be glad you did".....this guy was in your same situation....he is very inspiring for anybody who's just breaking into the hobby......check it out......

Ok so I have a dilemma, my friend who is been into electric flight for years has told me not to get the nitro plane because it is too much of a pain in the butt, that i am going to crash it first time out, and I will hate it after awhile.
I really want to try this stuff out. I have electric park flyers and stuff and since i enjoy the sound of my nitro trucks and cars I think it would be neat to try out.
Another thing is that I think i have a GREAT deal here. Check it out......

Up for sale is a complete ready to fly Hobbico Avistar with Master Caddy Field Box and tons of accessories. I flew the plane about 50 times in total and it is in good condition with only a few scuffs. All batteries have been charged and cycled and appear to be in good shape. Asking $250obo for everything and thats a great price for what you are getting. Email me with any questions or your phone number if interested. Please no low ballers or check scammers or anything of that nature. I will only take cash from a face to face meeting. Below is a complete list of all that is included.


1 Hobbico Avistar RTF- Comes ready to fly with a .40 OS Max engine and Futaba Skyport 4 channel radio and servos on channel 50. I have the original box with all the paperwork and accessories.

1 Master Caddy Field Box with Auxiliary Power Station- Stores your accessories and parts and holds plane in place.

1 Hobbico Deluxe Power Panel with battery- For powering accessories and charging batteries. Installed into Master Caddy auxiliary power station.

1 Never Used Hanger 9 Double Vision Fast Field Charger- For charging transmitter, receiver and glow plug batteries through Deluxe Power Panel.

1 Hobbico Voltmeter- For checking charge level on transmitter and receiver batteries.

1 Hanger 9 Digital Mini Tach- Used for tuning engine

1 Hobbico Torqmaster 90 Starter with Hanger 9 Portable Battery- For starting plane. Portable battery installed on bottom of starter.

1 AccuThrow Control Surface Deflection Meter- For adjusting control throws/limits.

1 Doskocil Hard Case- Stores transmitter, tach and voltmeter safely.

2 Fuel Pumps- One is a Hobbico manual hand pump and the second is a Hobbico electric fuel pump for use with power panel.

3 Spare Props

1 Hand Starter

1 Du-Bro Glow Starter With Charger

1 Slow Cure Epoxy Kit

1 New Fuel Can Cap Fitting- To be installed into fuel bottle cap for extracting fuel with no mess.

3 Nylon Fuel Filters- For plane fuel tank.

5 Futaba Radio Plug Safety Retainer Clips- For securing radio connection from seperating.

A bunch of misc parts also included.

He is selling it to me for $200 and I am supposed to pick it up Saturday.

Please guys tell me what I should do.

I mean this package has EVERYTHING I would need to get started except fuel.

SHOULD I DO IT???

Here are some pics of the stuff he is selling me.









Help me fellas I think I might be passing up a good deal here.

Its a good deal (keep in mind the Tx is a single airplane radio) and it will work for you quite well. I have no qualms about saying yes go ahead and get it.

Get an instructor and get to cooking!

Your Friend who say's stay away from glow is one, he's never done it or Two, he tryed (perhaps on his own, one of those who refuse help) and failed.

Yes there are electric only flyers but I beleve a majority do ultimately want to try Glow.

John

Buy it!,

The flight box alone has $100 worth of stuff you will need. Let me spell it out for you incase you haven't researched it any.

Approximate new prices.

1. Flight caddy $30
2. Electric starter $30
3. Glow starter $15
4. manual fuel pump $15. electric fuel pump $30
5. spare props, glow plugs, chicken stick, misc parts. ?????? at least $20 worth


6. Avistar Arf air frame $120
7. Futaba radio, rx, flight battery, servo's $100 +-
8. Os .40 engine $75

Get the picture? You're getting $400 to $500 worth of stuff if you had to buy it all new! Plus your getting a plane that is more than just a basic trainer, it's actually a very areobatic plane that will keep your interest for a long time. The only downside I see is the .40 engine. It will fly the plane just fine, but you will probably want a bigger engine later. With the money you would be saving by buying this deal you could squeeze in a new engine later. If I lived in FL I'd go get it myself, but by the time I paid $150 shipping it wouldn't be as good a deal for me as it is for you!

I'll say it again just in case I wasn't clear. If you are going to get into nitro you will not find a better deal than that unless some one just up and gives you all that stuff. It does happen, but I wouldn't hold my breath! I'd jump on that deal before some one else does!!

Hey tomcatguy,
I just realized we live in the same city. I actually belong to the Hernando aeromodelers club and we fly out of a field off of 98. I am a fairly new member also, just joined in april. There are alot of talented guys there, in fact it was a club member who went over my stuff and got the plane up for me. If you need a RC friend around here shoot me an email. Oh and i'm considered the young one at the club (i'm 34).

Let me just say as a person who started off with electrics. There is something very macho, manly almost like that feeling you get from grilling beef; that you get from flying nitro engines. Honestly, the smell is great and who doesn't like to tinker with engines. Plus cleaning the plane after flying is nice and relaxing. I love the noise and the smoke, it's really exciting. Electrics are great too, my heli is and is clean and starts right up too.

ciscovet.....yup, there's something to say about the smell of nitro.....i too fly mostly electrics....mostly in the 400-450-480 size.....mainly low and inside 3d style, hanging it on the prop and what not.......my big nitro 3d'ers are more fun but, they take up more room.....i fly my electrics everywhere, especially at the local park and at the dairy where my brother-in-law works.....the dairy own's 350+ acres of pasture, right across the street from my brother-in-laws house......i have it all to my self and the owner doesn't mind if i fly as long as i only fly my electrics, as not to spook the cow's.....so far i only fly my nitro planes at my club field and these are my go to planes, when the wind kicks up a little.....the nitro planes are heavier and the wieght serves as balast, so they don't get kicked around.....i have a precision aerobatics badboy v2 with a o.s. 46ax and jr x6102 computer radio and is more plane than anybody would ever need......i don't mind cleaning them after a day of flying, it gives me something relaxing to do, after a awesome day of flying......kinda my way of winding down, i get all worked up when i'm putting my badboy thru the wringer.....i say it's no different than dirt biking or four-wheeling???....you gotta clean them up, too, after a fun day of riding???.....either way, gas or electric, you can't find a funner hobby????....koolkrabber47......

oh,yeah!....i forgot to mention i have a HELI-MAX AXE 400 ccpm electric helicopter, too......what a pain in the tail???....if anybody ever tell's you helis are easy, "they're lying", ha! ha!.....don't get me wrong???....they're alot of fun, it's just that your concentrating "ALL THE TIME".....you can never take you hands off the sticks, you have to be feeding input 100% of the time....i learned real easy on the HELI-MAX AZE EZ dual rotor fixed pitch heli and caught on right away and sold it 2 months later.....but this AXE 400 collective pitch is something else, it's been one big learning curve......

is a magnum 52 4- stroke powerful enough for my global hobby p-51 when they recomend a 46 2-stroke ?

Ok guys,


I have decided to get the Avistar package that I showed you all above. I am going to give this a good wholesome try. I pick the plane and gear up on Saturday.

Now today I picked up a AR500 Spektrum RX for the plane even though it comes with a nice FM radio system. My buddy at the hobbyshop told me that the AR500 and my DX6i will be fine for this plane.


I have found a couple of great people including Ciscovet who live near me that will help me get this baby going.

Thanks everyone for all your help and suggestions and I will continue to keep you all updated with my progress with my new hobby.

Does anyone recommend a cheap but decent 10% nitro fuel for my plane?

The seller told me that he put about 2 gallons of fuel through the engine since new.

How many gallons are the stock engines good for?

Koolkrabber47:

The receiver I got today is a Spektrum AR500 Full Range Sport Receiver. I think it will work.