Ive been out of the airplane scene for abo out 10 years. When I learned to fly I learned on an ugly stick type plane then Imoved on to ultra sticks and I had a piper cub i built and also flew an Aresti. But it's been a long time I'm thinking I need to start over with a trainer now. What arer the better trainer ARF's out there now? Are the trainers from Tower ok? what do you all suggest?

The tower hobbies or hobbico trainers are a good way to get back into the hobby, though whatever you do, you should get involved with a club and see if a trainer can take you up to re-hone your skills behind the stick, or develop new skills.

Also, I would check craigslist for south FL, as there are usually lots of planes for great prices advertised there. Likely by the end of setting up an RTF glow plane, you'll end up spending enough to buy someone's used rig with a much nicer plane than you originally intended, another reason to see if there is a club where you can re-hone your skills on a club (or instructor) trainer.

Thanks also what engines do you all like in a trainer I like 46 size engines but O.S. is getting so expensive!

Since you have already learned the basics, you might want to start with an intermediate trainer. You'll get bored with a basic trainer in no time.

Look at planes like the Tiger II, the 4 Star-40 the Pulse XT or the Escapade

I was thinking about that but I thought I would play it safe as a total beginner but maybe I will go an intermediate route we will see. I'll decide in the next couple of weeks.

Vinnie.... Welcome back to the sky! I took ten years off as well and got help from this forum to get my fingers back on the sticks in the right places. I started with the Tower Hobbies Trainer 40 with an OS Max 25 and it was good for me. I'm 55 so the reactions aren't what they were a decade ago. I then built an 82 inch wing for it (flies great on the .25) and also built a Tiger 2 with an OS Max 35AX. I think I might have handled the Tiger 2 okay, but the trainer really helped to get the eyes and brain working again. I would do it the same way if I was doing it again. I love using the trainer to do touch-and-go's, and it makes a nice camera and cargo platform as well with the bigger wing. I'm back to flying every week and feel about as good as when I quit. The Tiger 2 is my favorite model of all time for sheer flying fun. Good luck to you!

Thank you I always wanted a tiger 2 it looks like a fun airplane. If there are any flyers from south florida that would like to take a former flyer thats coming back in under their wing for a few flights let me know It would be comforting to have someone guiding me to get me back up.

If you build one, there are a few changes to make to prevent aileron flutter and to get it to sit on its nose wheel. The changes are on the end of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWDr2AikjVw

watched it thanks for the tip

I'll be down in West Palm in a few weeks. I'd be glad to take you up.

If I am set up I would love to take you up on the offer lets see what i can get done by then.

Sounds like a plan.