So just like the subject says... I am ready to buy a plane but have never touch the controls.
I have had Nitro RC cars...

I am ready to buy a plane but the only ones that interest me are larger scale planes.
I'm wanting something with a wingspan of 55" up to maybe 80"

<u>A few planes I like:</u>
<span style="font-size: x-small">1st choice: Great Planes 27% Cap 232 Sport 3D ARF</span>
2nd. Hangar 9 DeNight Special 50 ARF
3rd.Hangar 9 P-51D Mustang 40 Sport ARF

I'm just wondering if its possible to learn with any of these planes?
The Great Planes 232 Sport is really the one I want. My goal is to work into 3D flying.

I also thought about buying an $80 RTF to practicewith while I'm buildingtheother plane?!?!?</p>

When you learned to drive a car (a real car), did you start out with an Indy racer?

That's about the equivalent of what you are thinking of doing.

Click the link in my signature for some good info on getting started

Hi,
Have to say GOOD FOR YOU! Your excitement is refreshing. However you would be wise to take the advice given. It is one of the recognized BEST SOURCES of beginer RC advice. I teach a lot of new flyers. Your learned skills from cars WILL serve you well as far as motor care, radio gear instalations, and that kind of stuff. IT WILL NOT keep you from banging up your first RC plane or two. If you want the respect of fellow flyers, show up with an LT 40 with a good reliable 45 2 cycle motor and a radio that will buddy box with the guys that are going to teach you to fly. Your going to have to ask what radio that is FIRST. Be respectful of the time they are going to GIVE YOU FOR FREE. Showing up with an advanced flying model will have the opposite effect. However bigger won't hurt a thing. The LT 40 has about a 70" span. It is considered a 40 size trainer. Showing up with a 60 size similar bird won't bother anyone its just not needed. Put your $ into RADIO AND MOTOR and get a basic trainer. OH yeah if ya REALLY want to impress the guys OFFER TO MOW

Everyone feels the same as you do. I always liked the Sukhois myself. Read Mikes getting started, it's well writen and will give you an idea about the real world of flying RC. At least you asked. I have had full scale war bird pilots tell me they were going to do something like you want and I let them. They only did it once though, a big difference between an RC plane and a full scale too.

Sure.

if it's got wings, servos in the right spots, and sufficient power to fly, you can learn with it.




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Whatever you do, make sure you get some help and don't go it alone on your first flight, especially with that 27% Cap. Those larger 3D puppies will set you back a grand when it's all set up if you're just starting out. You don't want to blow that kind of money on your first flight.

Yep NO ONE that lesson! Although I wouldn't mind being the first guy to the trash can after you toss A $1000.00 crashed plane in it in total disgust. It happens.

Dangit, Oz...you ruined my master plan!
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I too agree with the 27% Cap 232. Just please take a video of the maiden takeoff (won't get much further than that) and post it please.

So what do you think about getting a low priced Electric to practice with for awhile?

My main concern with the planes I posted was controllability as far as landing..... is it mostly wing area that helps with takeoff/landing?
Ihave a local RC plane field about a mile away and there is no one that uses it so no buddy help for me, at least locally.

Are Bipe's going tobe more stable and easier to fly than the Sport models?

Tell me why I would crash a 27% CAP232 and not a trainer?

I'm trying to learn and I need more details...
Are the controls more sensitive?
Too much power for a beginner?

Surely I can learn on a bigger scale plane without destroying it?
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Flying Site Details

OK GUYS and GALS....


After you have talked just a little sense into me, I think I have found a starter plane.

Here Cessna182

Maybe I could start with this and gather parts for gas plane slowly.

EDIT:
Just found this fromHangar 9, It has Removable plastic NACA droops for extra stabilization during training....??? Would this be an ok choice to start?

Trainers are called "trainers" for a reason, the cap is hard to fly but rather easy to crash. I say start with a hobby zone super cup and stick with it till you master it. Then move up to a 60 size trainer then stick with it till you master it.......... Then you can think about moving to a lower wing plane. Just my 2 1/2 cents :-)

First off let say a couple of things
1 I am an instructor...no I don't charge anything to teach...if you find an instructor that wants to charge you find another instructor.....I said that so you will know my response is not driven by any monitary gain

2 You must learn to walk before you run

3. I truly understand your desire to fly a neat airplane such as a Cap

Ok with that said yes you can learn to fly on any airplane.....However it may take longer to get where you want to be going down the road you want to choose......

Flying is not like driving.....left, right fast slow is fun...however most crashes are caused by up down, especailly the down part.....that you don't have any experience with.....
the biggest part of learning to fly is muscle memory. You know how much stick movement equals that much airplane movement...and to see the attitude of the airplane.....most students will have a hard time some where in the pattern seeing the attitude of the airplane....it may not last more than a couple of flights but it will be there....

If you have a typical car transmitter with a pistol grip type...well that will be different as well...as now you fly with both thumbs......

Ok now my advice to you is to go to your local field ask lots of questions....perhaps get an instructor right then...but do get an instructor.....
find a good trainer airplane like the LT-40....and learn to walk.....you'll be surprised how much fun that is.....

You'll learn quicker and cheaper with an instructor and a good trainer than you will any other way....and increase your chances of success.

I truly wish you the best of luck and good flying

I appreciate your 2 1/2 cents! I've just got the bug and my wallet is overiding my brain right now!

there's a club close to you, try contacting them for help in getting started

http://www.rcmama.com/

OK....

So do you guys recommend an electric or gas to start out?
I have experience with gas so thats what I'm drawn to but maybe the electric would let me concentrate solely on flight controls....

How about getting a good sim and mastering that if you can't find help where you live? That way you fly/learn when it's windy, raining or dark. Just a thought.

Ha Ha.... Too funny. Thats the field I live by but each time I drive by there is no one out there.

Thanks for the link!

Some of the kits I've been looking at come with the software so that Will help out!
I guess I just need to take a deep breath and stop being an idiot.....

there you go, now you'll get somewhere but seriously, try contacting the club and talk to them, there is a lot more to this than just buying an airplane and then go fly. having the proper place to fly safely is a biggie, a lot of guys call the props, meat grinders, meat slicers etc, etc and for very good reasons, last thing you want is to hurt yourself or someone else

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...#quickOverview
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN4400
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN4400 with the right instructor
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ7300
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXCXF4**&P=0
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXGHD4**&P=0

some suggestions

CGCINC- I've been into r/c boats, cars and trucks since im 8. Now at almost 43, im going to give aircraft a try. I went to one club by me during a giant scale fly-in. I immediately had the same thoughts as you...getting a big plane. Well, the club president was nice enough to break out the club trainer which was a senior telemaster (I believe)with a 26cc gasoline engine. After getting it to a high altitude, he hit the switch on the buddy box to give me control. All Ican say is...HOLY SH*T!! the controls are extremely sensitive. It took a minute or two but I got the hang of it. It was the best 8 minute reality check on flying. My advice is to get yourself a good simulator. Master trainers as well as the difficult planes in all situations so you will have the least amount of suprises when you get to the field and fly for real.

I will have to second what scooterinvegas said. Start with the Hobby Zone Super Cub (go with the LP version). The ready to fly version is only around $180 and parts are easy to get and the plane is easy to repair if anything happens.

I had flown planes as a little kid with a friend's dad, but took about 25+ years off. I got the bug again and purchased the Super Cub to get familiar with again. I flew the Super Cub for about 6 months and decided it was time to move up. This plane is only a 3 channel plane...easier to learn. I would start there and learn how the plane reacts to all of your transmitter inputs and how you should react to what the plane is doing. Just my suggestion.