Which Trainer?
 

I have recently decided to try my hand at flying a RC plane. I used to do Soaring in a glider so I understand basic flying dynamics, etc. I am going to try this on my own with no instructor but am having a difficult time choosing which trainer to purchase. I'm pretty sure I want my 1st plane to be of the RTF variety. I have been looking at the Hobbico Nexstar .46 but have read several posts that people say it doesn't fly that great and that they disable the AFS feature pretty quickly. I like the way the Hanger 9 P-51 PTS Mustang looks but since I will have no instructor I think a high-wing aircraft is the way to go. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! [sm=confused.gif]

RE: Which Trainer?
 

Dont get the p51 if you have no instructor. The ground handeling on that thing is a hand full. Get somthing slow like a sig kadet lt 40 and g3 flight sim.

RE: Which Trainer?
 

With no instructor, the AFS on the Nexstar is probably a good thing. Also the Nexstar RTF comes with a limited version of Realflight software.

RE: Which Trainer?
 

Jim, Pay attention to the advice on leaving the PTS P-51 alone for now. I have flown the P-51PTS and it would not last long if you do not have help. You want a slow and stable plane like the Kadet Senior or the world models version of the senior. Do not underpower it, use a good 46 ballbearing engine. A simulator will help but you really need an instructor to help even if you have to drive a ways to get it. The Nexstar would be a second choice if you had help setting it up as it really isn't a fuel and fly from what I have personally seen.
FEB

RE: Which Trainer?
 

Heres a thought, try:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/

The AMA site has a club locator service. Im sure theres a club near you. They also have contact info on most of the clubs.:D


www.torks.org

RE: Which Trainer?
 

ditto on that one: I find nothing wrong with the Nexstar, I started with it and have also P51 but no instructor I would go with the Nexstar MHOP

roltech

RE: Which Trainer?
 

FMA pilot assist is much better than the one used on the Nexstar as it won't be affected by clouds or the position of the Sun. You can put FMA pilot assist on just about any plane.

RE: Which Trainer?
 

What model plane is FMA installed, and yes the clouds etc, affects the AFS, but if you follow the instructions and you are by yourself in this case you have to go by the book since there are no instructor, but the Nexstar has the limited flight sim, good for a newbee, if it weren't for that I would not of advance as fast as I did??? There are good trainers out there I have seen many at our club but most trainers out here are the Nexstar, because we have a instructor he opp out using the AFS, but I have used it when I was by myself before getting my wings, following the manual recommendations it works real good.

roltech

RE: Which Trainer?
 

What happens when you have a flame out on take off or approach with one of those FMA/AFS, etc??? Nothing beats an experienced human instructor........come on now, there is bound to be a club near you,,,,,,,,,there seems to be a dozen in Houston and the outlying areas,,according to the AMA club finder.

RE: Which Trainer?
 

it really doesn't matter which one you get without an instructor you wont have it long. this is a great hobby just start off right dont rob yourself of the great friend you're gonna have in your instructor. not to mention the other people at the field that will help you and cheer you on.
this isn't like flying a full scale nor like soaring. left isnt always left you cant feel in the seat of your pants what your stick inputs are doing. and you will get disorientated at first. an instructor knows lots of tricks to help you through this
please get an instructor and have a ball

RE: Which Trainer?
 

The perspective is SOOO different between sitting in an airplane and standing on the gound.
Find an instructor or club.

If you cannot find an instructor or club,

- get a simulator (commercial or freeware, does not matter). "Fly that until you are not crashing much.
- get a cheap electric high wing parkflyer, make sure you build/assemble it straight
- find a big field with long grass or soft snow. Fly until you are not crashing much.

Then start thinking about faster and bigger planes

RE: Which Trainer?
 

If you are bound & determined to do this on your own, the NexStar is your best bet IMHO. On the Sim, Practice, practice, & then practice some more! Turn the wind conditions up to 25+ with extremely high gusts. Turn the AFS off (it's junkIMHO) when you can fly & land & touch & go at will in those kind of adverse conditions, you should be able to go out & fly the real thing. It worked for me. Having said that, I would still echo the reccommendations of finding your local club & getting an Instructor, as opposed to going it on your own. I got very lucky the day I went out & soloed the NexStar on my own, but came very close to loosing a $400 plane right off the bat. If I hadn't got rid of the AFS I wouldn't have that plane today. Use it for a paper-weight! Good Luck!!


Mark

RE: Which Trainer?
 

If its usually windy where you live then a trainer with a semi-sym wing would probably be better. In this case the Hangar 9 Arrow or the Hobbico Avistar are good trainers. Again as mentioned above, don't try to fly these by yourself or the flight and the plane will be short lived. [8D]

RE: Which Trainer?
 

WashoutJim, teaching is what I do with most of my flying time, so I know from whence I speak. Nexstar or not, there is a pretty good chance that you won't survive the first flight alone.

Is there an overwhelming reason why you want to do this without help? If you simply want to do this alone to satisfy your own curiosity, or you have a desire to meet a challenge, then buy the cheapest high-wing trainer that you can acquire. Try to fly it in a very secluded location so that you don't injure someone or damage their property.

If you simply can't get help, the Nexstar is probably your best bet. The best things about the Nexstar are its large size (easy to see), its ability to fly very slowly & calmly if all of it's flight aids are in place (except the AFS), its excellent engine & its flight sim. Due to its many operational limitations, the AFS really is of questionable value & can actually cause in-flight problems if conditions are not to its liking. Practice with the sim until you are sick of doing it -- then take your bird to a secluded location & cross your fingers. Maybe you are a natural & will actually survive -- but don't bet on it, even with a Nexstar.

RE: Which Trainer?
 

Doh -- double post

RE: Which Trainer?
 

[size=2]Alright......ya'll talked me into it. :D I was hesitant to go to a R/C flying club before because the closest club to my house only mentioned "working" days on Sundays on their calender so I assumed that they only fly on Sundays. I'd rather not go on Sundays so THAT is why I didn't want to try an instructor before. I searched around the 'net and found a different club that stated that they fly on both Sat and Sun. This club wasn't listed on the AMA search engine. So I'm going to go out there the next free Sat I have and see if this is something I would enjoy before I shell out the bucks, seek advice, etc.

RE: Which Trainer?
 

Has anyone had any experience with the Hanger 9 Alpha 60? Kinda leaning in that direction but will wait to talk to instructors b4 purchasing.

RE: Which Trainer?
 

Just a thought WJ, there will more than likely be trainers lined up to fly if they only fly sat/sun..the club also probably has a trainer plane AND bonus there will also probably be a set up trainer for sale from a pilot ready to buy the next plane....just go and see....Rog

RE: Which Trainer?
 

WoJ - If you don't mind spending 10 - 20 hours of build time, go out and purchase a Rascal 40. It handles as well as a Sig Kadet but has the looks to match! When you get sick of flying around in a pattern, you'll want to start doing aerobatics, and the rascal will do it all (believe me). Flat spins are awsome, and it'll come right out with all your buddies thinking you're going to pancake. Landing is a breeze and slow speed fly-by's are down to a fast trot (I'm not kidding). There is absolutely no tendency for this plane to snap, and stalls are about a nose over. Power with a OS 40 you won't be disapointed.

MPB

RE: Which Trainer?
 

I have flown the hanger 9 alpha, and it is a nice flying plane. They all fly well in my opinion, some are easier to assemble, repair, etc, etc.

Get an Lt-40. It has the most wing and will most closely resemble the glider you are used to.

RE: Which Trainer?
 

Has anyone trained on a Global J-3 Cub 45-60? It has a 81" wingspan which I like.[sm=thumbup.gif]

RE: Which Trainer?
 

what ever you do dont get a sig mark II kadet..... the manual is very hard to follow and they have you carve a windshield out of a solid block of wood... I flew years ago I had a goldberg eagle II. I put the sig on the shelf and I am currently building another Eagle II....
( lost the first on in a divorce) The manual on the Eagle is clear and the building is straight foward and the plane flies great... just my 2 cents but stay .... I mean stay away from the sig mark II kadet.....