Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Hi guys,

I want to learn to fly R/C with a decent plane that will take newbie abuse. Is this a good plane for that purpose? I figure with the plane ($90), engine ($55 ish) and radio ($150 ish), the whole thing will come in under $350ish.

Other recommendations will also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance! :)

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

I read a review on tis plane in RCM magazine. They said it is really a great plane and is easy and quick to go together. If i were you i would get an os fx 40 or an la. If you want a different plane go with the kadet lt-40 by sig.

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Thanks. The OS is a bit on the expensive side [:o]

Is there a reason to avoid Magnum engines? They are rather inexpensive from Hobby People, et al.

Edit: What's the difference between the OS .40 LA and the .40 FX? The former is less expensive.

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Have you looked into the H9 Alpha trainer?
I think they are great to learn on, and they come with good electronics (7ch RX).
They come with the evolution .46 that will grow into your next plane with you, they are easy to operate for beginners.
I've seen the Alpha for as low as 250.00 RTF on ebay.
Look in Horizon hobby's attic there are some in there for 231.00 no warranty, but only have minor box damage.

In my opinion you would be happy with this package.

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Thanks. I am worried that the radio system may be inadequate for future planes. I don't want to have to upgrade the Tx every time I get a new plane (and I plan on getting a few after the trainer), so that's definitely a negative for me. According to this*, the transmitter is only 4 channel. [:o]

* http://www.modelairplanenews.com/rev...phatrainer.asp

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

no there is no reson to avoid magnum. I hear they are very good. The difference between the la and fx is that the la is half the price but has less power. the fx is a performance engine while the la is a sport engine. i have a la 40 in my kadet right now and it does just fine. And if you want a cheaper but still excellent radio i would go with the 6exa from futaba. Hopefully this helps.

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Awesome. Would that radio system be adequate for future applications which would require 6 channels? I assume things like elevon mixing, flaps, and landing gear dealies will be able to be used with this?

Thanks again. [8D]

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

All kinds of things like that will be available. that is the radio i will be getting in the near future. In the review they said everything went together perfectly and it was lined up excellently

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Sweet. Thanks for your help, man! :)

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Just looking in a magazine i see that a 46 magnum engine is 90.00$. The os la 46 is 65.00$. But i think you should still go with the magnum as you will be able to use it in your next model and it will not be underpowered. Hope you do well

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

I am afraid you're incorrect: http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/210756.asp

By the way, I was referring to the FX model, which is around $100, not the LA. :)

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

sorry must have gone on sale as i was looking in a past magazine

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

No problemo, man. :-)

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Instead of the 40La you might look at a Super Tigre GS 40 ringed. It will have more power but about the same price.

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Thanks, I will look. [8D]

What does it mean when they say "ringed"?

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Ringed mean the piston has a ring inserted into it, similar to an automotive piston. Most model engines have flat "lap" pistons in them.

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Thanks. Does this mean that one can replace the ring if it is needed and not the whole engine (or just the "block" portion) as would be the case with non-ringed ones?

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Do yourself a favor Scubyfan, and get the Airtronic's RD series radio, and do not hesitate to buy the Magnum motors. You have both company's in So Ca should you ever have a problem.

My Son-n-Law and myself both fly the Explorer trainers for kicks, and they are a great (and very reasonably priced) plane to learn with.

We have ours set up with dual aileron servos, 45 ST's and they are a blast to fly when set up with maximum throw.
You do have to move the RX battery up into the tank area as they do tend to build a little tail heavy.

We also sealed all hinge lines.

BTW, Airtronics is great to deal with, as is HobbyPeople!

Gary

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Thanks, Gary! [8D]

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

scubyfan,

Yes you can replace the ring if necessary. On the non ringed engines, you probably would just have to replace the sleeve and not the "block". It would depend on the engine. I wouldn't worry about it. As long as you take reasonable care of the engine, you should be ok.

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

How many magazine reviews have you EVER read that said "This thing is Junk, don't get it!" ?

Think about that. Look through a bunch of magazines. Just TRY to find ONE! (you won't)

********

As to price for value... look on the Tower Hobbies website... and you'll find they have package deals on known decent trainers with engine and radio for as low as $279. Its hard to beat the Avistar Select deal for getting a decent quality model, decent radio and decent engine. None of this is top of the line... but its definitely adeqate to learn with, and you don't have to deal with a Lanier product.

(somethuing may give youthe idea i don't like Lanier... I have good reason not to.)

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

What reason would that be? [:o]

I don't want a half-arsed engine/radio: I want something that I can use later, especially the radio. [:-]

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

Scuby,

I have both the Explorer & LT-40. The Explorer is adequate for beginner's flying, but if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have wasted my money on the Explorer. Spend the extra $40-$50 for the LT-40 and you'll be much happier with it especially during training. The quality and flying characteristics of the LT-40 is well worth higher price.

As for engine, $55 won't buy you much beyond a .40 size engine. The only new .46 engine you can get for $55 is the Megatech .46. A good engine for the price and it will be fine for your next plane.

For a radio, check out the Futaba 6EXA. It has all the features you'll need.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide to buy.

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

The 4-channel radio that come in th RTF pakage deals are not bad... Value of the radio system is a bit over $100, and is mostly in the servos, RX and batteries. The cost of an average airborne pack deal for putting in a second plane (to go with the 6 ch computer radio) costs right at $100... so there is no "loss' to buying the RTF with the 4 Ch and then getting the 6 ch later. It just splits some costs up differently.

The engines typically put in the RTF packages are usually better than the cheapest onthe market... though they are not the best... they can give several years of service. Again... not a bad deal. I even buy equivilent engines on purpose. (O.S. LA, Magnum XL, Tower brand engines...) They work fine and do what is needed.

There is no reason to add the confusion of the computer radio when first starting out. The basic 4-ch will teach you to properly set up the linkages on the model. The computer radio could let you develop bad habits that would later come back to haunt you. If yo stick with the hobby, you'll want the second flight pack... so... start with the cheaper radio.

RE: Lanier Explorer 40 Trainer ARF
 

I agree with FHHuber on the radio.

Get a good 4-channel radio like a Futaba Skysport FM. Most likely, your second airplane(and possibly your 3rd) isn't going to need anything fancier than this. It comes with a 7 channel reciever so that if you move up to a .40 size airplane with a servo in each wing half for the ailerons, you can still just plug each wing servo into spots 1 and 7 in the reciever and it will be mixed already. I moved all my skysport stuff out of my Tiger Trainer into my Magic, and even though it doesn't have high rates it's plenty enough throw for me at this time. Be sure you're going to stick with the hobby before you spend $ on a radio system that you may never use or need.

For the engine, an OS .46 LA or Magnum .46 XLS will be just the ticket in a .40 size trainer. I'd go with one of these over a .40, the slight increase in power will be helpful in pulling you around the sky. I don't think a more expensive/more powerful engine is necessary, but it depends on what you're planning your second airplane to be. I can tell you that my .46 XLS has enough power with a 12x4 to give me unlimited vertical and a pretty strong pullout with the Magic, although I think it has a pretty light airframe.

If you definitely know you're going to be growing after the trainer, I'd put my extra $ into the engine rather than the radio system. A less expensive radio system can be made to work well with an intermediate airplane. If you don't have enough power with the engine, all you can do is try to lighten it, or end up buying a different engine.