Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I've been reading this forum (a lot) to look for advice on choosing my first R/CAirplane. I've flown before (when I was younger with my dad), so it isn't completely new to me. I've narrowed down my choices (i think) and I'm looking for:
<ul>[*]tail-wheel airplane[*]RTF model (i'm not looking to spend tons of time building)[*]not electric[*]40 or 60 size...probably 60...?[/list]I'm sure that I'll be in a little over my head with these specs, but I'm looking for something that will be my only airplane for awile (i'm also a pilot, so that's my already time-consuming hobby). Can I get an airplane like this for less than $300? ShouldI compromise on anything? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ultra Stick 60

Welcome to the hobbya nd to RCU. It is true that you can buy a brand new setup for around that price, look at Tower hobbies heals, I would highly rocommend looking at used and or talking to a club. Most of the time clubs will have people that wont to get rid of extra/ old trainers at good prices. I also see planes for sale a lot of time on craigslist.org at half price or less. I help a friend get into the hobby, I found on craigslist a trainer, a 4*, 2 remots, a small seaplane and flight box, with engines for $200.00, he jsut had to buy a couple of things(glow starter and fuel) and he was ready to go.

So if you have the time, shop around and ask around.

Jon

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I've put together a list of planes that make good trainers and second planes. All of them on the list are proven planes that are well suited for successfully letting students learn to fly, or advance to a second plane. Check out the list here</p>



Hope this helps</p>

Ken</p></font><u><font size="2" color="#0000ff">Looking for a trainer- what's available. (Updated 01-03-2009)</font></u><font size="2" face="Arial"> </font>

If you havn/t flown R/C lately, My opinion is the SIG SENIOR KADET. It's an ARF, they come in Blue, and Red. Around $225.00 plus shipping. I started with this plane, put an O.S. 55 AX in it and it fly's like a dream, Big wingspan,80" so it's easy to see. I liked it so well, I bought another one, put floats on it, and a .91 OS 4 stroke, and I just love it. Check them out at Sig Manufacturing .

Could you quantify your statement, "I've flown before (when I was younger with my Dad)"? We get a wide variety of people in here so you could be 16 yrs old and talking about last summer or 65 talking about half a century ago. Also what kind of plane where you flying? Giving us a better idea of your experience will help us make a proper recomendation for you.

Just read Kens thread on planes and try to pick something from there. Mike and Ken keep up on new planes being sold and do a lot of testing then update that thread. It's worth the reading. I go there every couple of months just to keep up with things plus I try to read any of the reviews they do on new planes I feel I should tell any of my old students about. Oh, Forgot, welcome to RCU and back to RC!!
Gene

may have to up your price range, most glow rtf trainers are tricycle gear, not very many tail draggers.

Buy a Sig Kadet Senior! (not the Lt-40)
It is the best looking trainer, with curves, real windows, (not paint), and is more fun to fly than any other!
It  has a 80 inch wingspan, so you will have less orientation problems, and be able to fly further away.
When you are done training, it is fully aerobatic on a 60 or larger, and you will never want to sell it or give it
away!
RTF's are easier to set up, but will not give you any skills in radio setup, engine mounting, construction, etc.
Also, by getting an ARF or kit, you will be able to buy a better radio and engine that will transfer to your second
model easier.
You can even put a 91 fourstroke up front and practice zoom climbs and hover! (it will hover with a 70 if you use the
right prop)

Have fun!

Graeme

Hi boilernole
I have seen full-scale pilots who crashed their R/C model every time they tried a landing. I suggest you join an R/C club and get some instructions with a buddy chord. Totaling your plane could cause you to drop this wonderful hobby before you master it. Our club has trainer planes and instructors, all free. It can be tough for a full-scale pilot to get out of the cockpit and stand on the ground during a landing. Some things can appear to be backward.

Welcome to rcu, rckens recommendations are great. For me the tail wheel made for difficult handling on the ground. Learning take off's,landings and of course just flying around were a hand full with the nose gear . It took me about a year and a half of flying to get comfortable with the tail wheel. Results my vary. I'm glad i stuck with it .

Flying RC planes is somewhat of a sport. Spending tons of time building a plane from a kit or at least assembling an ARF, is a hobby! Just guessing, but I bet 99.9% of people who buy the cheapest RTF they can and attempt to fly on their own without an instructer, crash and leave the hobbie immediatly.

Save your money unless your serious about flying RC.

Very good advice to join a club. It will pay for itself many times over. There are numerous stories just around my club of experienced full scale pilots who destroyed nice models because they thought they didn't need any help. From what I'm told (never piloted a real plane) the two are quite different in the skills required.

For plane choice, if you have any RC experience at all get a stick. Most manufacturers have one and they are all good. They are forgiving and can fly slow, but also have big enough control surfaces to burn holes in the sky.

A sim is what finally got my head out cockpit and on a box. And if you get into Heli,s , you,ll be happy you have it.
Just like full scale , there are steps to go thru and dues to be paid. lol AMA , Club dues etc , just like hanger or wet wing fee,s.The best and cheapest route in the long run, would to be to hook up with a local club. See if they have some used stuff to get started with. Pound the heck out it , while your figuring out your next plane.
A lot depends on what amount of stick time you have ?
Hard to find a RTF or ARF Trainer thats going to be a taildragger , but you can mod them.
Welcome to RCU, good place to start.

Welcome.  I, too, am building my first plane (Goldberg Eagle 2 kit).  A couple of reasons I got it is the instruction manual is very comprehensive and it includes instructions for building it as a tail-dragger. 

Hey <div>
</div><div>Its not a gasser or 60 size (far from it). Its the Parkzone vapor.  Its ways in at one half once. The price is $120 rtf or 100 bnf.</div><div>
</div><div>Austin</div>