First plane, which servos?
 

Im just about finished with my first plane, a Hobbico SuperStar 40(older version w/o monokote) that will be powered by a O.S. 46LA. Im getting ready to buy my radio system and i got a good deal on a Hitec Aurora 9 with Optima 7 rx. Yes i know its a lot of radio for a newbie but i figure its something i can grow into as i would like to get into scale warbirds down the line. My question however is, i still have to buy my servos and im wondering which Hitec servos would be good for me in this plane, keeping in mind its my first plane AND its a trainer. Would the standard HS-311($7.99 ea)work fine for this? or should i spend a few more dollars on each servo and go for the HS-322HD($9.99)? OR should i spend even a few more and get the HS-325HB ball bearing servo($12.99)? These are Tower Hobbies prices btw.

I dont mind paying a few extra bucks for a better servo but for my use in this plane would it really matter between the 3?

BTW, My Introduction:
33 y/o, married with no kids(yet), work in San Diego,CA,live in Encinitas, CA,fulltime firefighter, part-time CAArmy National Guard Officer(Med Corp), former active duty Coast Guard(4 yrs).
This is my first(of many i hope)plane and have been wanting to get into R/C planes since i was a kid, time and finances have finally allowed me to do it. I have an FAA CFI-Rotorcraft license with 750 hrs so im not completely new to the world of aviation. I just sent my membership application into my local flying club, Miramar R/C Flyers, and hope to begin my training very shortly here. I look forward to learning as much as i can and i want to thank all ofyou that post here with gracious attitudes and patiencein advance.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

I would check out what your dream plane needs for servos. and go with that.  How ever, for a trainer anything works.<div>
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RE: First plane, which servos?
 

My dream plane would be CARF F4U with folding wings and a Moki 250...but lets be realistic, thats at least quite a few years down the road for me. My warbid transition i figure would be a TF AT-6 and slowly progress from there. No matter what later planes i have i always plan to keep my trainer around and ready to go....its always good to go back to the basics every once in a while, at least i think so.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

With a RC Flight simulator. You can reach that dream fairly quick.  Do not waste $$$ on steps you do not need. Like I did. <div>Focus on your dream. Not what everyone tells you.</div>

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

If you are buying a new radio, TX & Rec.. Why don't you just buy the radio as a package that has the TX, RX, switch, servos and battery all in one ??? The standard radio package should be fine for what you need and you don't have to hunt around for a bunch of odds and ends. I would suggest that you find out for sure that the folks that are going to help you have compatible systems with what you are getting or that you make sure " you" have a buddy box. ENJOY !!! RED

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

What I really mean is, your not the average Joe.<div> You are the type of person who knows that normal life is not perfect. And rc planes will crash.</div>

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

I have the Real Flight 6 and have been using non-stop, im sure it will help my progress but its a training aid, it wont replace real experience.

Red Head: I would agree with you but the deal i got on a brand newHitec Aurora 9 with Optima 7 rx couldnt be passed up.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

BTW   750 Hrs!!!!    WOW!!!

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

I appreciate that( i think? lol) Ya i know im gonna crash a few and even more will get banged, scraped and bruised along the way. The only thing you can do is say, "damn, that really sucks!" and go back and fix it or build another, which i have been finding out is part of the fun. My next plane im planning on it being a kit, a trainer most likely as i think it would be great to learn building techniques which i sorley lack at this point in time.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

A 9 Ch. radio?   Man you will not be sorry. Way to go!!!!

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

The 46 la is not the best engine. But if you use 15%fuel and a long flat pitch prop. You will be ok.<div>  LA engines like 4 or 5 pitch props.  that are long.</div>

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

Ya im using 15% fuel, the prop i have on it is a Master Airscrew G/F11x6. I havent even started the engine yet so we'll see how it goes...gotta start somewhere!

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

you can go the budget route and get 322 servos or you could get 635s or 5485s and when it comes time to ritire your trainer you will have sufficient servos for a larger 60-120 sport plane

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

i have had bad luck with the cheap hitec servos ,
These however have lasted me at least 100 flying hours http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXTJJ7&P=7
the tower ts-51 and futaba s3003/s3004 servos are good standard servos as well, just for some reason the two hitec 311 servos i have jitter like crazy/randomly won’t work (i had one go to full deflection randomly and lost an aircraft because of it…I even switched the receiver from 72 to 2.4 right before it crashed...i had control of everysurface but the aileron with the hitec on it) the more expensive ones I have work fine….maybe I just got a bad batch.

that engines seems to like the 12x4, if your plane wants to float not land put a 12x4 apc on it.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

G'day

I think you have made a good start with the equipment you have bought. I use an Aurora 9 as my main radio these days and it is great to use, very versatile and good value. My only dislike is the battery supplied with the transmitter. I have replaced the original with a pack made with Sanyo Eneloop cells. I also use receiver packs made from Eneloops too. They do not self discharge like other NiMh and NiCd cells. The downside is that they cannot be fast charged.

As for servos, I would go up one size to the 400 class Hitec servos. For 40 size trainers, I generally use either the HS-422 or its ballraced brother the HS-425. The 300 series will work OK but I like the little extra torque that the 400 series give.

As for you engine, the LA engines are great trainer engines. They are simple to use, tough in crashes and powerful enough for a trainer. I would also echo what someone else said, an 11 x 5 or 11 5 x 5 really works well with them in trainers. Gives better pull and slows things down a little. That said, they are not the most powerful 46 around but I still think they are ideal for trainers. If you are anything like me and most other modellers, this will not be your last engine. I think I have about 40 at the moment; most are four strokes though. I really like my four strokes for their ease of use and nice quite sound.

Have fun, it is a great hobby. I have been mucking around with model engines for over 50 years now. I just cannot get enough of them.

Cheers

Mike in Oz

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

Thank you gentleman for your reply, thats just the info i needed. My next question was going to be about the batteries but mike109 answered that for me. Also, appreciate the info on the better prop size then the 11x6 i was going to use. So im guessing i will switch to a 12x4 prop for my first flights? Soby switching props im going for a longer prop but aflatter pitch, im trying to figure out how that will "slow things down", i figure it would make the engine turn quicker(possible overspeed?)with the flatter pitch? I apologize if im not using the proper verbage,the only thing i have to go on is my full-scale rotorcraft experience.

Back to the original question, i decided to get the Hitec HS-425BB, for $12.99 a piece plus a little discount for ordering 4 at a time(and other stuff of course) its not a bad deal.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

What will slow things down is that with a 4 pitch, you're not going to have as much airspeed as you're not getting as big of bite as with a higher pitched prop. As for over-revving the engine, this is why the recommendation of a longer blade was made. When you increase pitch, you decrease length and vise versa to keep prop drag roughly the same so that engine load stays about the same when in level flight as well

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

That makes complete sense, thanks.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

A flatter pitch prop even on a glow engine can cause enough drag to give an aerobraking effect. It worked wonders on a cherokee I have. I had a problem it coming in hotter than I wanted went from a 10-6 to a 11-5 and it slows down to a crawl now on final.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

The LA engines are fine engines. They hand start easily, last for hours, and consume hardly any fuel. The power output is good for many purposes. They don't compare with modern ball bearing motors that gulp fuel and can be difficult to setup.

I'd use an 11 x 5. The 11 x 6 prop is too much. Even the 12 x 4 is a bit much in the early break-in period. Once the engine gets sweet and reliable, it can swing the 12 x 4.

The advice guys are giving about the large diameter, flat pitch props is dead on. Nonetheless, a huge maority of folks beginning still use a 10 x 6 prop, can't get the model to slow down and land, and will look at you like you have 3 heads if you suggest using an 11 x 5, or 12 x 4.

For servos... something like the Hitec HS-425's are great. The ball bearing support on the output shaft will make them last a long time (bushing shaft servos get sloppy in a hurry).
They can be seen here: http://servocity.com/html/hs-425bb_super_sport_bb.html

The HS425BB does nothing well, except last forever and provide reliable performance. There are faster servos, more torque, lighter, et cetera, but the 425's are the middle of the road standard that will give you what you need.

Do NOT buy expensive servos with the intent of using them later on in your dream plane. Sad to say, you will drill this model into the ground sooner or later. Putting those crashed servos into a life long dream plane then becomes a difficult concept to accept.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

You have a very good start. I still have my Superstar with a .40 OS.
And the radio should serve you well for many years. If you stick with the hobby, you would outgrow a simple radio fast.
The servos are not too critical, any standard servo will work just fine. Just stay away from the super cheap ones on e-Bay.
Ball Bearing servos are better, but not really giving you an advantage in a trainer, except on the rudder since it also steers the nose wheel and
on rough terrain the gears can be chewed up after some time. Ball Bearings won't avoid that.
Most people fly their trainers on $10 servos and never have any problems.
They will be fine in your first aerobatic plane, too. Digital servos are faster and more precise, but cost a lot more.
Once you become addicted to the hobby, you will get a whole bunch of models and there is always a good use for a standard servo.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

I don't think there is such a thing as going overboard on your radio. For servos try to look ahead to where your heading so you have the servos for as many planes as possiable.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

For a Hitec servo that centers very well, does not cost much and is virtually bullet proof. A HS-422 it is tough to beat this servo at about 12.49

I have run quite a few of these servos in 60 size planes and below. These are not a bearing servo, but the centering is very good, the durability is also very good.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

wow never noticed it before but the 422 servos are now 9.99 at Tower and Servo city. Makes it even a better deal in my opinion.

RE: First plane, which servos?
 

Fed... I am looking forward to meeting you at the field. I will be there Saturday, My name is Sandy.