Is this a smart thing to do?
 

Hi, I'm new to actual flying but I have "sim'ed" it for while and I have the controls down and I understand the mechanics of flying. I even taught myself how to fly/crash a glow heli. I have been looking at planes for a while. I want something made of foam for easy repairs and and crash survival. I have narrowed it down to a RTF plane from megatech called the skyliner. Or an ARF from great planes called the slinger. I know they are 2 different types of planes. My question is simple. Is a flying wing that hard to learn or is it not a good choice for a true first plane.

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

Generally... its a bad idea to start out with a flying wing... the near indestructable Zaggi and some others are exceptions. I am unfamilliar with the particular plane you are discussing

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

The Great Planes Slinger is a flying wing similar to the zagi. Why is a flying wing a bad idea to start on? My theory is, if you are going to learn anyway why not start on one that doesn't fly itself. I did some more checking on Great Planes website and they list this plane for novice skill level.

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

Flyiing on a sim is a great warm up for the real thing. Huber is right when he says a flying wing is not generally a good place to test your as yet unrefined flying skills. First I'd suggest you go out to your local field and see if anyone there is flying a Zagi or its equivalent. You haven't really had your handsful until you try one. That little bird and its brothers really use up a lot of sky at a very rapid pace. One of our best pilot/instructors got one for a tryout. He had his hands full and we only saw the bird twice before it was retired. The manufacturer will promise you the moon. Good for primary flight training ! Sure and an 80" trainer will fly on a .15 engine, or I can sell you some forest land in AZ that has a few burned trees but is a perfect homesite.

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

Flying wings generally are touchy in pitch control. Unless the plane is made of a material where it bounces instead of breaks... that leads to a demolished plane really quick for a beginner. The Zagi bounces, so you can make a lot of mistakes without destroying it.

Flying wings also get at angles where they can nearly dissapear (wingtip toward you) or you can't tell which way the darn thing is pointed. The conventional aircraft its much less likely (though when the get far away and with bad color choices... it can be hard to see if its comming in or going out)

A beginner needs every advantage he can get...

Good color contrasts with defined difference between top-bottom and right-left
Stable design
Properly trimmed
Reliable power
strong airframe
a decent instructor

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

Thanks for the replies. I do understand what you mean. The Slinger is made of foam, and is covered is something (don't recall what the ad said) but it is supposed to be very durable. Another post on the RCU site said it was similar to a zagi. I may wait and get another plane first and let that be my second or third if my wife lets me. LOL

What do you guys recommend as a semi aerobatic (rolls and loops) first plane. I want something that has 3 channels and is made of foam. It also need to work in some light wind. We don't get many days without a breeze. Any suggestions?

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

Crashworthy,

Have you considered a Sig Kadet LT-40 ARF 70" wingspan it is a great trainer for beginners. We have 8-year-old girl in our club that built one with the help of her dad, and now she is learning to fly it when she gets a chance to do it.

There is also a Sig Kadet Senior (built -up 78" wing span- 3 channel) it is a lot cheaper than the LT-40. The Senior is a floater. Great with a four cycle engine. It' also easy to see.
You can find these planes in Tower Hobbies, or a hobby shop should have them.
There are lot of trainers out there just make sure what ever you buy has a wing with a flat bottom.

As far as how many channels; I wouldn't recommend any radio system with less than four channels. The reason is that when you get ready to use ailerons you will have to buy a new radio. This also goes for the plane too you will have to modify the wing to have ailerons. If you build a four channel plane with ailerons, and don't want to use them you can leave the servo unplugged.

The most important thing is to get an instructor to help you with a buddy box if at all possible!!!
Don't get discouraged
Hope this can help!

Clarence
rcflyer

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

I'm sorry I should have also included I want an electric airplane. I have about 2 years experience with gas trucks (Tmaxx), and I know how finicky they can be. Especially in my area where the weather changes everytime you turn around. The 4 channel radio is a better idea. I would eventually like to have an airplane that has full controls. Any suggestions? I may be on my own to a degree. I don't know of a local club, but I do know a guy who flys with a group that goes to the full scale airshows. Only problem is he is a trucker and is gone for long periods at a time. So I want something durable, and easy to maintain.

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

I checked out the FORUM- ELECTRICS, and the thread--Beginner Dad Wants ARF or RTF Electric? posted 7-10.
This one looks like it might give you some idea of some planes to get. The other threads can help you too.

You didn't say if the trucker flew models or just the real planes, and the group he goes to airshows with.
If they do fly models try, and get in touch with them. They might be willing to help you.


All the planes that I built have glow engines, and have two that's not built yet will use gas engines.

Hope you can find the right plane.

Sorry that I can't help more.

rcflyer

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

Wow, I am looking at the Hanger 9 Extra Ez 2 (or something like that) that is an RTF. Since I have the field equipment, it looked like a great trainer to start with. Sound good to anyone else?

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

There are two very nice airplanes available if you want to stay with electrics. #1 Sig Rascal, ARF with motor and esc included. The other is a build it yourself Goldberg Mirage 550 which includes the motor but you still have to supply the esc. Both will get you up and flying so you can accumulate experience before you try the flying wing thing. Both will also require radios. Don't get anything less than a 4 channel FM and preferrably a 6 channel. If you just want to punch holes in the sky in the street in front of your house there is always the Slow Stick by GWS from Horizon Hobby. A little cheaper but still a good trainer. Be sure you find an instructor. It will be esier to learn to fly the actual bird and cheaper because you won't have to make so many repairs.

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

Crash You're already on the right track. Talking about a plane before you buy it. companies will try to sell you the dang plane no matter what you think. they will tell you it flies like a dream but to a beginner its a flying brick. I started 4 yrs ago on a superstar .40 plane. had an instructer that was awesome( Joe at hill country aeromodlers, awesome guy). I fly electric and gas now. have a pattern plane and got there b/c i had an instructer. No matter how easy they say the thing is to fly have someone teach you to fly. You need all the help you can get when you first start out. You are saying you want a 4 channel training' style plane. I would highly recommend the sig rascal, great deal with a esc and motor. Flys great. I fly a Viper twin flying wing now and with all the training i've had its a real wonder to fly but still is quite surprising at times. Ill get the hang of it soon enough and is great aerobatics.
1. get good plane
2. get good radio gear( futaba radios are great so are Jr and Hitec, no experience with the others, gws gear is okay too) try to get a dual conversion micro reciever, for 60 bucks the electron 6 is great(from hitec)6 channels 1.6 km range all the better. get good servo's. Hitec hs 81's are great, good torque and speed also hs55 if you want them light.
3. Get to know the guys at your hobby shop, they help you out on quick ones but dont always buy what they put in your hands!
4. join a flying field and get an ama membership(always handy)
5. Instructers are always willing to fly your plane,(hehe i do it all the time, new planes all the fun!!!!,you old guys know it)They will be your saving grace and you will save TONS OF MONEY!!! ask those guys who didnt get instructers!
6. Have a great time, thats what this hobby is all about and be sure to push the envelope only when you know how to recover!

Is this a smart thing to do?
 

I am a new flyer. I purchased a ep glider one month ago, and have enjoyed learning. But after a few less than perfect landings, this plane has had quite a few repairs. I just purchased and flew a EPP wing and I am thrilled with its performance. Here are the advantages I see over a traditional plane. (1)easy to build (2)Extremely durable ( you can crash these things and throw them right back in the air )(3)easy to fix (4)Cheap to replace (5)You will be learning on a plane that flys more like an airelon plane, though the wing has elevons( don't forget that mixer or a radio that is mix capable.