I've spent hours searching over a long course in time before posting this, but just have not been able to find the answer anywhere.

I want to buy my first RC plane. I want it to be as inexpensive as possible, without being a piece of junk. And I want it to be capable of full 3d flight, loops, barrel rolls. I'm sure alot of people would advise against a beginner buying a full 3d plane, but its the only thing I want, and I do have experience with rc trucks, flight sim's, and even a little bit on rc plane sims.

There is one type of plane that interests me more than any I've seen, and those are the acrobatic ones that you see in videos all the time that people will be flying around in gymnasiums. They look like they are inexpensive, and they do all sorts of rolls, spins, inverted maneuvers, etc. This is what I think I'd want. It looks very fun, and I don't have to worry about flying the thing out of my line of sight. Can anyone tell me what these type of planes are called and where I could find one. Or even recommend a couple good models? I'd want a rtr kit with the radio and everything if possible, and hopefully it would be a plane that's not too expensive, and has readily available parts.

Thanks.

3D takes years to learn, thats why you couldnt find anything on it. Youll need to start with a high wing trainer like a Kadet LT 40 and get with someone who is willing to teach you how to fly the basics first.

Indoor flying is all electric so it's pretty easy to find a cheap plane, even ready to fly with motor and ESC. They are just foamies. I'm not real sure but I think places like Nitro Models has them ready to fly. Tower and pretty much any of the mail order places has them. The planes themselves are very cheap, it's the motor, ESC and battery that you can start tossing a lot of money at. Just go to tower and look at there foam planes.
Gary is correct, it takes a lot of time and crashed planes to be any good at 3-D but most people start off learning with the foam planes, you can even cut your own if you want.

What you are looking for is something like this: http://flyairhobbyrc.com/flat-winged-foamies-c-65.html

Normally if you want to become a good RC pilot you want to start out with a larger trainer airplane intended for beginners. You'd also join a local flying club and get instruction. That is always the best way to go.

It doesn't sound like you are really interested in serious flying of larger, more sophisticated aircraft though, you seem to be more drawn to the indoor foamie stuff. In that case go for it. Yes you'll break a lot of airplanes in the process so be prepared. You may also want to talk to a local hobby shop and see if there is a club in your area or even a bunch of guys who do indoor flying but not necessarily officially organized. You'll learn a lot faster that way.

If you want a ready-to fly indoor plane to get your feet wet then this would be great to start out with: http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Def...ProdID=PKZ3300

It isn't necessarily a 3D plane (although I've hovered it a little) but it is fun, durable and will help you learn the basics.

Try one of these. You can even fly it with your robe on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SZkxVxfKec

Hi Carl,

While I, and most everyone would usually advocate to get a proper trainer airplane and learn to fly with an instructor, if you just want to fly 3D foamies, have at it,. Like Chuck said, you will most likely crash and break planes as you learn, but the flat foam planes are so cheap, and so easy to repair, and your radio equipment should usually come out unscathed.

Try this out:
http://www.********.com/forum/showthread.php?t=625

It's a link to free plans for an Extra 300, and there are some videos showing how to assemble it if you need it (even though it's super easy). The best part is that the page has links to almost everything you need to build it (source for foam, motor, ESC, battery, and radio, etc). Good luck!

Those foamies do sound like a good plan. A few questions though.

1. what's a good budget radio that will work with them?
2. They can be flown outside in calm weather right? How much wind would be too much?
3. How do I tell what makes a real good foamie? One person posted a link to lots of them, but i have no idea which ones are good. Another posted the link to that 300. I really like the idea of being able to cut your own parts if one breaks, seems cheap to run. But does it perform as well as other similar priced ones?

Also, based on the idea you guys get as to what I'm looking for, would I want to consider a ducted fan jet at all? I definetly like the looks of the jets, I just don't know if they are anywhere near as maneuverable as the planes I see people flying all around in gymnasiums. I'm guessing they can't hover well. I've seen a few cheap ones on ebay such as

http://cgi.ebay.com/F-35-64mm-Electr...item3ca95ac658
doesn't have radio, but only $63

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-CH-A-10-Thunde...item2a0422686f
don't like the look so much of this one but it has the radio included for onlu $120

Are those any good, or would I even want to consider a ducted fan jet? The main thing I'm interested in is casual flying and acrobatics, I don't want something so fast that it will get too far to see quickly, but I also don't want something so slow its boring. I think a foamie would also be fast enough if it was a strong one, but I'm worried about getting one that might be slow. Mainly something I can fly around in my cul-de-sac, or a local park, doing loops and barrel rolls, inverted flight, and be strong enough to fly straight up, stuff like that. I like the idea of it being able to hover in place, although I don't think I'd be doing alot of hovering, I like to keep things moving.

Any decent radio from the "big" manufacturers will do (like JR, Hitec, Futaba, Spectrum, or Airtronics, in no particular order). If you can, I'd get the best one you can afford, so you have room to grow. Consider a simple, 6 channel computer radio. I'll let others offer some advice here.
Depends on the size, but in my opinion, the 10 - 20 oz foamies can handle wind and being flown outside just fine, but I wouldn't fly them in more than 10-15 mph winds. Of course, the tiny, light ones (<10 oz) can be flow outside in calm conditions also.
Another difficult question to answer. There is no real definite answer I guess. If you're happy with the way it flies, then it's good! The Extra I posted a link to, while it's free, as far as I know it's design is on par with commercial products.
I would not recommend a ducted fan jet, as it will probably fly too fast. However, the foamies are not mind-numbing slow. With the correct power system, they can hover, and as such, have the capability fly very slowly. However, they can a take moderate speed too. I really don't think a 3D foamie will bore you! [sm=shades_smile.gif]

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Well, When I first started flying I won an Typhoon2 3d. It's a foamie you can buy it either RTF of PNP. It was a lot of fun to fly. I crashed alot with at first, but was back flying again with a little clear packing tape and sometimes some using a low temp glue gun. Flies nice and easy on low rates, but very 3d capable on dual rates.
Here's a link for it:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=PKZ4375

I agree.... you need the basics and need to understand flight commands and reponse in order to do 3D. Ive been flying for 4 years...and im just about to really work on getting it down in the coming season.


Either way, as boring as a basic trainer might look, it is alot of fun learning to fly.

I have had a student solo in one day then had others take months and months. It took me a lot of weeks so I'm still in shock to see kids pick up a foamie and start flying right away. Foamies seem to be a lot easier for people to learn with and if 3-D is what they strive for I tell them to go for it but be prepared to buy more then one plane during the learning curve. I do agree learning to fly with a trainer and instructor is a better way to go but not always needed. After trying to fly the foamies maybe Carl will decide to locate a club and a good instructor but I know several good pilots that are self taught and started with the small electrics.