I ordered my first plane.
 

I ordered my first plane today. It is a tower trainer 40. I am putting an O.S. 46FX in it. I also Have a 4 channel radio. So, does anyone have any advise??? I am also going to get someone to train me.:D

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Welcome to a great addict... Er hobby!! Sounds like a fine set up as far as plane and engine are concerned. You`re absolutely on the right track by getting an instructor. IMHO it`s an absolute must. You probably are going to already, but join a club. One of the things I found when I first got started that surprised me a little is how much it`s meant to get to know the guys in our club. Theywill go out of their way to help. I`m sure it`ll be the same in your club. As for training, everybody learns at a different pace. Take your time and enjoy. Remember one thing. THIS IS A HOBBY WHERE YOU BREAK THINGS! If you understand that and come to accept it, that first crash won`t be so traumatic. Welcome aboard and keep us up to date as your training moves along.

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Congrats. It should be a good plane. And its a great deal

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

I hope to run next weekend if I get it and get the wings put on. I also have to check with the instructor to see if he can help. I run boats, and they run car fuel. What is the big difference in the two fuels????

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

the tower trainer 40 is a nice plane (i have one and just bought one for my dad), it should go nice with the O.S. As far a fuel is concerned i don't know to much but i do know that you can run car fuel in the plane engines. The guy who is teaching me runs Traxxs top fuel, he said that his 4-stroke runs better with it, and the 2-strokes also run good with it.

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Thats what I run in my boats.:D I will have to talk to the guy that teaches me and see what he says. I can't find a difference in the fuel. All the oil contents seem to be the same and the nitro% is the same. I don't know, but I do know that I don't want to ruin the engine.[:o]

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

You need to be sure your fuel has 18% - 20% oil content, and the proper nitro content for you engine (see your engine's manual for these specs)... I believe most car fuels have much less oil content.

Sounds like you got yourself a good trainer plane and a great engine. Just make sure your instructor checks out your ARF build before he maidens it and trims it out for you. He should look over your servo linkages, control surface directions and throws, do a range check, check the CG, etc. That ARF probably has CA hinges, so be sure to follow the directions for installing those, and give them a good tug when they're fully cured to be sure you did install them properly.

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Sure thing. I think I am going to get help building it so I don't screw it up.;)

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Getting help with the initial assembly of your trainer is a GREAT idea.

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Sounds like you are off to a great start ej so no advise needed on your setup. Field training info: training usually consists of six 10 minute flights due to the run time of the transmitter and receiver batterys. Plan on being at the field for at least half the day however because the plane will need to be checked out and the engine should have some run time on it before it takes the plane up. You may also need to take bit of break inbetween flights. The field is usually a bit out of the way from stores, ect. so take along at least 2 litres of something to drink for in between flights. You will be watching your plane while it is up in the sky so be sure to bring a wide brim hat to shade your eyes and keep the sun off your neck. An Auzzie type works well, baseball caps are not recomended. Nobody will comment if you are wearing a big hat because all the experienced guys are wearing them but they will say something if you are not! Hope this helps, Fast! [8D]

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Don't forget the GOOD sunglasses, the better the BETTER (if that makes sense). I prefer to fly w/o a hat as the plane has a habit of hiding behind the bill of the hat but many wear them OK. Your choice. Kinda depends on flight pattern you fly and at what altitude and lots of other factors, just experiment. You'll be with an instructor, so if you lose sight of the plane let him know immediately. These things happen.

Enjoy your flying and welcome. :)

Bruce ;)

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Re: " if you lose sight of the plane let him know immediately" < Good advise there. Also ask your instructor to take over if you are beginning to panic or just need a break for a few seconds to calm your nerrves. Good communication is important!!! [8D]

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

I forgot the obvious but often forgotten, don't fly near the sun. Nobody can see a plane hidden in the sun.

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Wear the big brim hat and keep the plane below the suns horizon and its manageable. Sometimes you have no choice depending on time of day, which way the wind is coming from or sometimes the time of year. Fall is the worst because the sun is very low on the horizon. If the plane gets above the suns horizon then the plane is in trouble. [8D]

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

How about if you keep the sun at your back? Hmm, there's a thought. I know you can't always do that, we have a problem with that at my field but you can sure try.

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Look into a pair of DARK GRAY Zurichs for bright, sunny days. While I try not to fly directly into the sun, when I mess up and do I`ve found that I can get the plane through OK. On any day but clear and bright I find the grays too dark and then go with my other pair ( rose ).

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

So, I am going to bolt my wing on with nylon bolts. I have to cut the wing open and put a block in it. I also have to put a block in the fusiloge(sp) I am doing this because I don't want to deal with the rubber bands. How much fuel does this engine use. I have about a half a gallon of traxxis top fuel. I am going to run car fuel because I can't find any difference. Does anyone know where I can get just a gallon of fuel, tower only has 4 gallon packages.[&o]

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Where do you get your Traxxis fuel? If you get it from a LHS, they should have (or be able to get) suitable fuel for you.

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Rubber bands are used on trainers to prevent damage when the wing hits the ground or a post. UInless it hits really fast the rubber bands will "pop" off and usually 1 or 2 will break but there will be little or no other damage. I wold suggest using them for training at least until you start to gain reasonable control of the plane. [8D]

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

I`ll second Fastsky`s recommendation as to rubber bands during training. Some things you just learn through experience.

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

TRAINER=RUBBERBANDS
SECOND PLANE=SCREWS IF YOU WANT

Bruce ;)

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Well, I hate to tell you, BUT, I still think I am going to have to go with screws. I was talking to some people and they said that your trim always has to be adjusted when you take the wings off and on, screws will go back in the same spot so there is no problems. Oh, I also heard that most likely if you crash that the plane is toast anyway. Hopefully I won't crash.;)[&:]

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Most planes require minor trim adjustments on every flight anyway due to fuel burn and other things, it must take almost 20 seconds to take care of (if you are slow). We were not talking about "crashes" per se but little incidents like hooking a wing tip on landing or ground looping. LITTLE STUFF. Your instructor on the buddy box is supposed to keep you out of the big ones if he is doing his job. Yeah, in a crash there is substantial more damage but even then a rubber banded wing will survive and the fuselage may be repairable. All car wrecks are not "TOTALS" are they? It's your plane in the end and do what you want. Enjoy your flying

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

Yep, But I still think I am going to just screw it on and if something happens I'll repair if I can or get another plane. I don't think rubber bands are going to save it because I have a friend that has a tower plane and the rubberbands broke and the wing came off the fuselage.[X(] Towerhobbies replaced it even though they shouldn't have.

RE: I ordered my first plane.
 

I repeat myself. It IS your plane.