Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

I've read a lot about this plane and it all sounds good. I was wondering if anyone has it and if so can you tell me if there are any real bad things about this plane?? thanks for any help.

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...306&forumid=22]

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

Everything I have heard of sounds good...

Jerry

AlphaBravoCharlie.....
 

There's a write-up on it in the January 2003 Model Airplane News on page 68.

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

Just picked up one today....looks good, even above average.

Jerry

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

Yea i just got the jan. issue of Model Airplane news, read the article andthen made this post. I,m a newbie to this sport and i went to the local hobby shop last weekend. I was looking at the prices of the planes and this one looked the best a $310 especcially since it had all the radio stuff and engine already installed. I'm asking for a plane for christmas and i think this one is going to be it.

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

check out the xtra easy from hanger 9 also.

Its about $380, but i was told the radio that comes with it is very much worth the extra bit of money.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...300&pc=HAN1300

thats a link to the xtra easy incase you wanted to know.

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

I have instructed with two different students that have this model. I think it flies well and the three blade prop actually slows the model down when the power is pulled back. This is the first trainer that I have flown that needs a little throttle on final. I like that because it will better prepare the student for their next airplanes.

About my only complaint is the nose wheel bearing screws. Both of these models had the nose wheel bearings come off after the softest landings I have ever made. The nuts must have vibrated off and that let the screws work themselves out while flying. I would check those nose wheel bearing screws. If you can get the screws off without the nuts dropping off a little lock tite should fix this...

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

My club has bought a couple of these for flight training. I don't have direct experience, but I really appreciate that the manufacturer has addressed a major problem for newbies, the difficulties presented by glow fuel engines.

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

I think the best thing about this plane is the fact that the motor comes already bench run and adjusted. Saves a beginner alot trouble.

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

I agree rc_sport.......that is a great feature for newbies.........Hangar 9 was very innovative with this one.

Mike

How is that Evolution engine?
 

And can you by it alone?

Re: How is that Evolution engine?
 

I saw three of them at my LHS, which is more than any other engine they stock (I forget the price, but didn't think it was outrageous). Don't know about replacement 3-blade props, though.

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

They even sell it in a 60 size along with 3 blade prop

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

Do you think i would be able to fly this plane alone?? I'm a newbie now and i hope to get the Alpha for christmas. Right now i have an old glider i am trying to get the engine to work so i can practice on it. I really dont want to go to the local field. I'd have to pay like $125 for membership and other stuff.

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

What's your background? It's possible to teach yourself, but you're unlikely to do it with just the one plane--meaning you'll crash and have to buy another. That's about $125 right there, so where's that leave you?

I grew up playing with models. Started with the little hand tossed gliders and rubber powered Gillows. I had a voracious appetite for the physics of flight. My RC cars prepared me for the left/right orientation problems you'll experience. I flew control line a bit, so I knew something about handling glow engines. I'd spent a fair bit of time at the field doing things like sitting pylons during races, so I had a good idea of what to expect. My first flights went well, though all of those other experiences didn't really prepare me as well as I thought they had. It wasn't easy or very enjoyable at first.

About a month later I crashed my trainer doing something foolish. The club fees might seem stiff, but what's your enjoyment of the hobby worth? More than that, if you want your investment in the plane to pay off you need it to last until you outgrow it. You'll still need the insurance benefits of the AMA, because as a college student I doubt you carry homeowner's insurance that might cover you. Accidents can and do happen, and the last thing you need at your age is having to declare bankrupcy because you didn't have sufficeint coverage. Where are you going to fly? These planes are too big for most parks, and draw more kids to you than a new playground. They don't have any idea of safety, and you'll be too busy struggling to control your model to be able to ward them off.

Just some things to think about.

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

Well heres my story now,, I want the Alpha for christmas and i pretty much have it, my mother said she would pay for it. I am going on vacation for christmas so ill get it like 4 or 5 days earlier. So before i leave i want to at least break the engine in however much it needs since they do most of that at the factory, then i want to fly it at least once. After i come back ill get AMA and the membership at the field. My backyard is a desert so i have plenty of space to fly. Anyone with a decision for me or some advice would be greatly apreciated. Thanks

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

The Alpha's engine will not need any break in. We have flown them after setting the high speed needle during the very first tank of fuel...

My advice to you is if you want to fly your Alpha before leaving your mother's is to approach a local club and see if you can get some help as a guest. I further suggest you go to the LHS and see if they can connect you with someone who can help you. The bottom line is that unless you are extroidinarily adept at flying, and I mean flying not from a first person perspective, your new Alpha will not survive your first attempt...

The Alpha Works Fine
 

I'm learning on an Alpha. Fly's great! It doesn't do knife edges, takes a lot up down to keep the nose up when inverted, but I'm very happy with my choice.

What I've experienced:

1. Check all the servo's for binding - My throttle alignment was a disaster waiting to happen.
2. Check the noise wheel alignment.
3. Check all the control for alignment.
4. Tighten the bolts holding the nose gear on.

In all, the 1 hour setup took me nearly 6 hours because the control adjustment was manual (on the plane) vs electronic (in the radio).

5. Bring a couple of spare props when you get ready to land. 10x6 - two blade works great - don't forget a prop nut or 2 hole spinner. The three blades are relatively expensive and I like the 2 blade a lot better.

6. I was concerned about getting a newly designed motor, but it works great, starts easy, pulls strong.

7. An instructor is strongly recommended!

Now, were did I put those floats?


:D

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

bgc22, there is a field near you called AMPS, its on 59th near the 101 Loop. Bring your plane there and they'll help you. I've stopped there and they seem to be a good group of guys.

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

I saw one of those Alphas fly all by itself!

Problem was a bad battery, it checked out ok on an esv just before the first flight, but went dead when the test pilot advanced the throttle for takeoff. Got about 10 feet from him when the battery went dead.

The plane lifed off and climbed up about 75ft, turned right and did a nice 70 degree down kamakazi run into the ground. Luckly it missed the pits and hit the edge of the runway.

Considering how hard it hit, there was very little damage. Knocked out the firewall and broke off a bit on the side of the nose and peeled a bit of covering off. All it would need was a bit of epoxy, CA and an iron to fix.

Since it was a RTF, it was boxed up and sent back to Hanger 9 under warranty for a bad battery.

Tough plane!

Later!
Chuck.....

Hangar 9 Alpha??
 

I know my club and sure most clubs have same rules or equivelant...but they allow guest fliers to fly like 4 times a year at my field...as long as a club member is there with you. I suggest you go to a local field and ask someone...i went to a different field and i was amazed at all the help i was offerend in checking my control surfaces...cranking it up ..and if it hadn't been getting dark they were going to fly it for me to check it all out. So dont' be afraid to approach other flying fields as a guest...i have yet met anyone who was not more than willing to help me out.

So after that day I immediately joined a club that was a bit closer to me.

Alpha
 

While I agree it is an easy way to get into the hobby, I feel it does more harm than good in the long run.

I won't address the fact that it doesn't teach any building skills for future kits.

I feel it doesn't teach engine tuning and a lot of the setup tips that may haunt the individual in the future. Lack of knowledge of engine tuning/simple mechanical/aerodyamic and electrical principles, in my opinion, appears to be a growing problem in this hobby.

I have always felt if you build something to make it idiot proof, they will build a better idiot.