I just ordered my first nitro plane last night. Its a Tower Trainer 40 RTF and the whole kit and kaboodle of chicken sticks, fuel, glow plug ignitors, a field box, etc. I was wondering what I should do when I get my plane. Well that was broad. Lets rephrase. I was wondering how to break in the plane/ set it up to fly soon.
Thank you in advance.

I own that plane...but with an OS .46. AX. The plane is a comfortable and smooth trainer. A lot depends on your prior flying experience and whether or not you have access to a club or help from experienced fliers. Rich

you NEED a starter for the first few tanks (five or so) because the engine is to tight to hand start it. however once it loosens up it hand starts very easy.
i segusted that plane to a fellow flyer, since im his instructor i deal with the plane/engine all the time. the engine needs a good gallon to break in (use a 10x6 prop for the first 5 or so tanks, the go to a 11x5)
if you can stand it let the instructor putt the plane around, just above half throttle, for 4-5 tanks. do not go below half throttle or the engine will die (espically the first 3 tanks its gets better the longer the engine runs). during this time you could start lessons but i would recommend adginst it. i know its not going to be fun for the first time out, but if your engine dies (which it will below half throttle) it could be ugly

Ist step is bench running engine to break it in and tune it for good idle. Since it's an RTF It should be properly setup for flight. Getsomeone with experience flying to check it all out and getinto air for you. don't be too hasty it will just end in disappointment for you.

First read all the instructions that come with the plane and engine before doing anything. Second, follow the instructions. Third locate a club with instructors (you can find a club here; http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx) . Fourth, under their guidance you should be flying in no time. Best of luck to you

i pretty sure since it's RTF and the motor is already mounted, an engine stand is out of the question......i used to tie a old shoe string to the tail and tie the other end to my picnic table so it couldn't fly away........then you can break the motor in as usual......very imprtant.....rtf should come properly setup for flight but not alway's the case.....in my 25+ years of flying i've had 2-3 rtf that had 1 of the servo's traveling in the wrong direction.....this is why it help's to join a club or find somebody that flies and know's what they're doing.....they can check out your plane and make sure the control surfaces are traveling in the right direction....to an unexperienced the naked eye might not catch this.....KOOLKRABBER47.....

You can break-in your engine on the plane, but if you have a engine break-in stand use it.

On all my engine break-in's, I set the low and high needle to the recommended settings in your booklet. Once I get the engine started I run the engine on idle for a bit then I slowly raise the RPM until it is full throttle. I turn the high end needle to the left until I get that puppy smoking good for about 10 seconds, then I lean the high end needle by turning it to the right until it's no longer has the 4-stroke sound and the RPM picks up and produces less smoke. Then idle the engine for a while for about 10-15 seconds then repeat the prosses I had just written about. Go back and forth... Rich, Lean every 10 seconds then Idle for 10 until you are out of glow. When I do this I keep my Glow starter constantly on my glow plug, it helps keep your engine from quiting when you have the setting rich.

Do this method until you have run 2-3 tanks of glow fuel from your plane or engine stand. On your final tank of glow, set the throttle half way and lean it on your low end screw with a thin long screw driver. Take your time and be very careful of the prop! Once you hear and feel the engine picking up RPM and sounds very smooth, adjust it back a slight hair about 1/16 to 1/8th of a turn.

Now rev up to full throttle and adjust the high end by turning it right ( leaning it) until it has that nice two stroke sound. Then turn it left 1/8th of a turn while your plane is running at full throttle. Now lift the plane and point the plane nose up in the air. If the engine goes up in rpm then you have the high end set about right. Now idle your plane and count to 35 slowly. If your engine does not quit or sputter you have your low end adjusted correctly. Now slam the throttle forward.

If it has a very slight or no hesitation and doesn't sputter or cough when you throttled up quickly, you have everything adjusted correctly. Now unplug the glow starter from your glow plug and play with the throttle to make sure the engine reacts the same way unpluged. If it does you're all set.

For the next few flights, I'd keep the plane mostly level, don't do steep climbs or stalls because it will lean out your motor and your chances of a "Deadstick" can and will increase. After about 4 flights, then you should be all set to fly any way that you want.

It's good to get in a club because they can instruct you, not only on how to fly, but teach you the "how to" on just about anything. That's how I learned, it was from all the Ol' timers and from people in here. But it's always best to have someone with experience standing next to you showing you how it's done while explaining what he or she is doing, so you know how to do it next time.

Good Luck.

Pete