first plane
 

I am an expeienced 1:1 pilot (ATP, 10,000 hours, yadsa, yada, yada). I have never flown a radio-controlled airplane, but I am very interested in taking up the hobby. I was wondering if any members could suggest a RTF or ARF model that would work well for me? Thank You.

RE: first plane
 

The search is your friend...

RE: first plane
 

There's a LOT of trainers out there, both ARF and RTF, and they all fly pretty much the same, BUT i would highly recommend finding a club and an instructor. These things ain't nothin' like full scale. ;)

Try a search for "trainer" and I'll bet you get at least 100 threads.
Dennis-

RE: first plane
 

Actually, these things are exactly like the full scale jobs...

FLYING them however is totally different. It's a whole new world when you're not sitting in it.

Dennis is correct, you want an instructor. Find a club in your area, there's always someone there willing to help a newcomer.

Also, have a look at the Hangar 9 Alpha. It's one of many excellent trainers. Here's a link:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...ProdID=HAN2475

RE: first plane
 

Nothing really to add to what's already been said, except for a few comments on the real world experience. I've actually heard that real world flying *hurts* learning R/C, because the pilot has learned flying skills from one frame of reference at all times and that's "ingrained" in the pilot's mind. Not sure I buy that or not............I sorta learned both more or less alongside each other, so can't say for sure. But anyway, it is indeed different. You'll have to learn ***R/C*** skills as far as orientation etc, BUT once you get beyond that, the real world experience will help IMMENSELY on the aerodynamic side of things and on expecting how the plane should behave. Like MinnFlyer said, they *are* exactly like full scale planes. :)

-Matt Bailey

RE: first plane
 

All trainers pretty much the same. 1:1 flying time MAY help, but, learning to fly an RC airplane is different. Among other things, you have no tactile feed back from the controls and your perspective is totally different from being in the cockpit and adjusting to it may take some time.

I would avoid the RTF setups. The MAJORITY of them come with a BASE 4 channel radio (and not necessarily on the channel of your choice ) and a 40 size BUSHED BEARING engine. The bushed engines are USUALLY OK for the trainer, but not for use in MANY of the 2nd planes available as their power is only about 60% of a 46 ball bearing engine.

There are a few exceptions to the bushed bearing engines.

The NexStar has an excellent 46 size engine, HOWEVER, the AFS system (IMHO ) is probably the most useless piece of crap going. Many of the people who have a NexStar turn the AFS off or remove it VERY quickly primarily because it causes more problems than it is worth. Do a search here for Nexstar and AFS and form your own opinion.

The Tower trainer with the Tower 46. The engine is a powerful engine, HOWEVER, Tower engines have a well known and long standing problem with shutting down with the transmitter due to (primarily ) front bearing air leaks - they take 30 - 45 seconds (or longer ) to shut down. IMHO, this is a major safety hazard. The Tower engine is also not as "user friendly" as other engines.

I would suggest the following:

Hobbico SuperStar or Avistar ARF trainer $99
Thunder Tiger PRO 46 or Evolution 46 $89
Hitec Laser 6 radio $145
OR
Futaba 6EXA radio $190

Yes, this will cost you a little more than an RTF INITIALLY, however, you will have a radio that you can "grow into" and has the additional channels you will most likely want for your third or fourth plane (flaps, retracts ). The engines suggested are not only "user friendly" (99.9% run great right out of the box ), but will have plenty of power for use in your 2nd, 3rd, etc plane.

Since MOST RTF glow planes run $300 - $400, the difference in price is negligable for an initial purchase when compared to later on possibly having to buy another engine and/or radio.

RE: first plane
 

If you go with an Alpha, which is an excellent choice, go with the Alpha 60, it is bigger, more powerful, and the equipment will last you much longer when you want to move up out of a trainer. The .60 size engine is recycled much easier for a new plane than a 40 or 46 because of the power. Just my .02

RE: first plane
 

You are going to love this hobby. I have been a modeler for most of my life, & was also a military jet pilot in the early 60's. I still fly R/C & it's a lot tougher than flying a real bird. I never put a scratch on a full scale A/C, but I've dug a ton of smoking holes with models. I found that the only truly usefull crossover was my knowledge of flight dynamics -- my early modelling experience helped with F/S flying -- not the other way around.

As for advice, I pretty much agree with Campy. Have a look at: Hobbico Nexstar, Hobbico Superstar, Hobbico Avistar, Sig Kadet LT-40 -- or any other similar high-wing trainer type. As for engines, I suggest a .46 size ball-bearing-crank sport engine such as: Thunder Tiger .46 Pro, OS .46 AX, or Evolution .46 NT (personally, I favour the TT .46 Pro -- I have 5 of them). Your radio should be as good as you can afford and common with the brand used by the majority of modellers in your local area, so that you can get "buddy-box" training by an instructor (you will need it).

Welcome and enjoy yourself

RE: first plane
 

I just got my Instrument Rating and am working on my commercial rating. I started with the H9 Arrow. I taught myself to fly it and it is just like you were taught in the big ones. However, orientation is a problem when the plane is coming towards you. Get a plane that will land slow (SIG Kadet Seniorita, H9 Alpha, PT-40, etc....). Remember power for altitude and pitch for airspeed!! You will love RC flying!

Bear

RE: first plane
 

Kimolop:

Avoid the frustration/humiliation of teaching yourself, and seek an RC instructor who will recommend a plane, motor and radio combination that they use and are experienced with; chances are that you will love this hobby if you have a successful/satisfying early experience.

Full scale knowledge does help tremendously, but one has to learn the orientation from outside the plane, and your eyes will be the only sensory input. That is a little different.
I came from a full scale background (my whole family flew, and I had about 40 hrs when I started flying RC at age 21).

I also tried to get my brother into RC about 20 years ago: now he is a guy who flew professionally for a south pacific airline, flew aerobatics in a CAP 10, and flew a real P-51 see pics) he owned at that time. I built him a trainer and trimmed it, and having no buddy box, gave him the transmitter with the airplane up high. He did great keeping the model level for the first 2 turns, but after the 3rd turn, with the (typical) reversed controls of the plane facing him, he ended up inverted, and "bailed" by pulling right into the ground!
The whole flight lasted about 1 minute. He had "frozen" instead of giving me the transmitter. He never tried again.

I hope you have a great time in this hobby!

RE: first plane
 

hey hope your plane choice isnt too hard.
Well i am a learner r/c pilot and i am just at the stage of doing my own landings.
I have a very good teacher and without him it would be difficult.
I fly a Vmar Apache III Trainer with a .46 engine... it flys really well and lands nice and slow.
Careful as some trainers look slow and docile but fly really fast... as my neighbour found out!
Good luck!

RE: first plane
 

Many students will continue to try to fly the plane right into the ground. The instructor is supposed to monitor the student and TAKE the transmitter when it's obvious they are in trouble.

RE: first plane
 

I am new to RC planes (about a month now) so I can share my experience. I started by joining AMA, finding a local club, and instructor. I researched trainers and found the Hobbico NexStar. This is a great trainer! Not in just my opinion but also in the 3 instructors that I have had. I bought the whole kit (plane, radio, engine, caddy, etc) for about $400 and have not regretted it a bit.

Just a newbies opinion!

P.S. I am looking to build and am looking for a F4U Corsair Giant Scale. Anyone know where one is available? It has been discontinued...

Thanks in advance.

Richard

RE: first plane
 

Just wanted to take a second to thank everybody for responding to my questions. Got lots of good advice that I WILL follow. Especially the instructor part! Thanks again.

RE: first plane
 

If you plane to stay in the hobby an ARf is def. the way to go! I personally like the hobbico trainers(Avistar, Superstar. Not Nexstar) ANy of these would be fine or there is the hobbico hobbistar(Ibelieve) which is a little bigger for a .60-up engine.

If you go with the Avistar,Superstar, or any other .40 sized bird look at the Super Tigre line of engines. If you want the plane a little slow and not as "performance"(relatively speaking) oriented the .45 would be a great engine. However if you do want more perf. then the .51 makes a great choice. It will haul my 5+ pounds Superstar straight up out of sight. If you go with the .60 sized bird the Super Tigre .75 will haul her around just fine!

If you plan on staying with the hobby skip the cheapo 4 channel radio's and fork over for a 6 or 9 channel radio(depending). The 6 channel radio will stick with you for a long time but if you want to get into birds requiring advanced mixing later on the 9 channel is the way to go. I personally like futaba radio's but check out your local club and see what brand radio is used the most. If it happens to be Futaba and you want the 6 channel A 6EXA computer radio is just what the doc. ordered. It comes with 7 channel reciver trans. and reciever batts. 4(maybe 5) S3004 servo's and a switch harness for $170. If you want the 9 channel I can't really help you there as I dont own one but I hear good things about futaba's 9cap.