Good Trainer?
 

Well it's that time of year. I am still new to flying. My nexstar bit the dust late in the fall and I want to set up a new plane for spring.
Here's what I have in mind. A Hobbico Superstar 40, a OS 40LA, and a Futaba 6EXAS with the 3004 servos. I want the better radio for future expansion. What do you think? Ideas? Comments?
Thanks Bob

RE: Good Trainer?
 

I've trained a lot of students that had the Hobbico Superstar trainer. I think that for the price it's a really good deal, and it's a fairly good flying trainer. You'll do fine with the combo you listed.

Ken

RE: Good Trainer?
 

Thanks I had the Nexstar. I soloed with it, but only got about 6 flights on it after that. The wing came off in flight! I don't want another Nexstar, and don't feel confident enough to move on to a plane without trainer characteristics.
Thanks Again Bob

RE: Good Trainer?
 

Why don't you build a Sig Lt 40? Its an excellent kit and would give you some exposure to building planes. The instructions are excellent with this plane and tailored right to the beginning builder. There is also a nice book that comes with the kit that tells you all about some very important RC basics.

RE: Good Trainer?
 

That's a great idea, & you have Ken's PIF build thread to referr to whenever you get into a tricky spot with your build. It's a very extensive, well documented build thread with lots & lots of pics. A perfect passtime for the winter weather & you could still easily have it ready to maiden by spring. :D Go for it! [sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

RE: Good Trainer?
 

The Great Planes Avistar will off you more versatility in the future. The aivistar Arf is the same price as the Superstar ARF. The Avistar has a little less drag and a semi semetrical airfoil which I think will give you a better flight.

The LA40 seems to be able to handle the Avistar with ease.

The Sig LT 40 ARF is just too much plane for a LA 40. Is My first choice otherwise.

Avistar http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXPY56&P=ML

Superstar http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXK971&P=ML

Enjoy,

Jim

RE: Good Trainer?
 

I'll further the suggestion of going with the Sig Kadet LT-40 for your next trainer. They're truly a joy to fly, and you can go with the ARF or the kit depending on how much time you want to devote to constructing your plane. The LT-40 has truly terrific flight characteristics, and you'll enjoy flying it long after you've advanced to more aerobatic aircraft. Sig's kit version is laser cut and is considered very easy to build. The ARF version has a terrific covering scheme and should stay looking brand new for a long time. The quality of covering on various SuperStar and HobbiStar ARFs I've seen has varied somewhat; I've seen club members vow never to buy another Hobbico product after their covering started peeling off in sheets. Those kinds of problems are rare though, and I myself was quite happy with my Nexstar's covering.

If you're looking for a fantastic deal that doesn't involve very much assembly, you should take a really good look at the Thunder Tiger Tiger Trainer MkII ARF from http://thundertiger4u.com The Tiger Trainer Mk II is designed to be a "glueless" ARF that can be put together in less than an hour. Furthermore, the folks at http://www.thundertiger4u.com have a combo package with the Tiger Trainer MkII and the very highly rated Thunder Tiger GP .42 motor both for $150.00 By coincidence, that is exactly enough of an order to qualify for free shipping. You could order the Trainer MkII and GP .42 combo, then put whatever radio you'd like in it.

The Futaba 6EXAS is certainly a fine radio, but don't overlook the new 6-channel JR Sport radio system available from Horizon Hobby. The JR Sport package includes a full flight pack and a 6-channel computer radio with 10 model memory all for $159.99. It's an awful lot of radio for that low of a price.

The Tiger Trainer MkII ARF w/ GP .42 combo combined with the JR Sport 6-channel radio package would give you a very high quality and easy-to-assemble trainer package that would stand out from all of the Avistars, Nexstars, Superstars, and Alphas at your local flying field. It would also be a great value for the investment you'd make.

Good luck!

RE: Good Trainer?
 

Thank you everyone, for the ideas. I think I have a good idea as to what my next move will be. I'm going with the Kadet kit, a OS 46LA, and the Futaba 6EXAS. The Kadet, because as stated will give me more building experience, and from what I read, be more stable. The OS 46LA, it seems to me that the kadet needs a little more engine, and I like OS reliability. The Futaba 6EXAS, for compatability reasons. The man that is helping me has the 7CAP.
Thanks again Bob

RE: Good Trainer?
 

I'd say those are excellent choices.

RE: Good Trainer?
 

OK changed my mind again. This is the setup I am definatly going with. Sig Kadet LT-40, OS FS52 Surpass, Futaba 6EXAS with 3151 servos. I just love the sound of a four stroke. As for the radio I was told for $20 difference get the digitals. The plane speaks for it's self. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

Thanks again guys for the help. Bob

RE: Good Trainer?
 

Enjoy your new thoughts.

They sound great to me.

Enjoy,

Jim

RE: Good Trainer?
 

I've instructed on most every trainer type... Here are my impressions..
Avistar = Awesome, just get the ARF, and buy any .46 BB engine, also glass the wing center... My top recommendation.
Superstar = Gentler than the Avistar, doesn't "grow" with you like an avistar.
Nexstar = Good with the AFS system OFF, tough to control when the AFS is fighting the instructor.. Not an inexpensive alternative. Good though.
Eagle = Big slow, lumbering.
Kadet = Big slow, lumbering. Floats well.
If you're training on a buddy box, a good instructor will 95% of the time save your plane, thus I recommend the Avistar.
If you're learning by yourself... first: good luck, second: I'd go with one of the more gentle planes listed.

These are just my humble opinions.
I love it when a student shows up with an Avistar ARF (not RTF) and a .46 BB in the nose.... Means I get to have some fun too!
Best of luck.
Dave