Please recommend a starter plane.
 

Ok, I'm just about ready to buy my plane and accessories. But I'm having the hardest time finding the "right" one to start with. This is what I'm looking for...

1. Plane in the "trainer" category
2. Electric
3. RTF (I have absolutely no experience in building models, and really don't have anyplace to assemble one)
4. Complete kit if possible (radio, servos, battery, etc)
5. 4-channel *

*I think that's right. It seems almost every kit I see is only a 2 or 3 channel. I don't want to waste my time trying to learn on a plane that isn't "fully functional". I want to be able to use and learn rudder, throttle, elevators, as well as ailerons (which it seems none of these have).

Edited --- Let me clarify why I'm wanting these specs. I feel if I go with a 3 channel RTF kit for around 200 bucks, it's going to be 200 bucks wasted. Cause IF I learn this as quickly as I hope, then I'll have to turn right around and spend another 200-400 bucks on a better, more complete plane. I don't want to waste money if it's not necessary. I know what alot of you will say....."I should just buy an ARF kit for about 80 bucks for my second plane", but as I said above, I don't have the experience (glue scares me with models lol), time, or place to assemble a plane. Hope that makes a bit more sense. :)

I've looked at the Great Planes J3 Cub, and the parkzone version. But I can't tell if it has ailerons.


I'm going to be joining my local field, and getting an instructor there, but I haven't fully set that up yet (just met some guys there once, it's a pretty quiet field). I'm also about to buy Realflight G3 next week for sure, and will be practicing with it alot. So far, I have the demo that lets you fly a Nexstar trainer, all with the keyboard lol. Believe it or not, I can land that sucker every time, in winds up to 25mph, with the keyboard!!! rofl :) I'm sure it's a whole other ballgame with the actual controller though haha.

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

Vhayne,
First of all, welcome to the addiction. You've picked a great hobby to be part of. Now on to your questions. To start off with I'll tell you that your thoughts about a J-3 Cub go learn on isn't the way to go. Even though a Cub is a high wing plane like a trainer is, it is far from being a plane to learn to fly on. It has ground handling traits and some characteristics in the air that can make it a handful to fly, and not well suited to learn on. These habits don't make it a "bad" plane to fly as a Cub it actually a very fun plane to fly once you know how to fly and can handle the Cub properly, but you don't want to be learning on it.

As for a trainer. Your list does limit you somewhat as to what's going to be available for a trainer. The one that I do know of for sure is the Hobbico Superstar EP. You can find it here: [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJKU3**&P=ML]Hobbico Superstar EP[/link] . As you indicated on your list this plane is a complete package that has almost everything you need in one box. For $249.99 you get the plane, batteries, and the radio you need. I have seen one of these before and there is a minimum of assembly required to get it in the air. There may be other trainers out there available, but electrics aren't my cup of tea and the only one I know about is the Hobbico plane that I listed. Hopefully others with more electric experience will be able to add to the list for you to choose from.

Simulators can be a great training aid when they are used in conjunction with an instructor. Please visit with an instructor and get some basics that you can start practicing on the simulator while you wait to get up on a real trainer. While simulators are great for practicing and reinforcing good flying habits, they can also help you learn bad habits too. I've had students that spent a lot of time on a simulator before they ever came to the field and it actually took longer to get them to solo because we had to "unlearn" some bad habits that they picked up from their time on a simulator. A call to your local club, a visit to your local hobby shop, or looking up a club on the [link=http://www.modelaircraft.org]AMA website [/link] will put in contact with an instructor.

Good luck and welcome to the hobby.

Hopefully this will help you out.

Ken

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

If you want something a little bigger (bigger = more stability), go for this:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGZV3&P=ML

It will cost a little more, but its worth it. Ive read nothing but positive reviews about this plane. (The power system on this plane is a bit weak, but for a beginner like you, its perfect). It contains a great radio that will grow with you (Hitec LAser 4). Its RTF and i think its an all-round great value. If i were getting into electrics, id get it. If you want something more rugged and cheaper, glow is the way to go, but as stated in your requirements, you dont want glow.

Either way, enjoy.

Samolot

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

This should fit the bill nicely for you:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXJKU3**&P=ML

Read the item description and let me know if you have any questions.

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

Something you need to realize is that a Ready To Fly (RTF) plane isn't really ready to fly at all.

Plan on putting about 3--5 hrs of time into it before your actually ready to fly it.

I know that you want a RTF and I know that you want an electric. I don't want you to get the impression that I'm slamming your choices.

BUT:
Consider an ARF glow powered plane.

I've helped many, many, many newbies build their first ARF and maiden it for them. I'm not the only guy willing to help a newbie out and build his forst ARF with him and show him how to use the glues and other stuff.

If I'm doing it--then there has got to be at least 1 guy at the local club who will help you build it and fly it.

It's not that hard. It's intimidating when you open the box for the first time and start scratching your head, but it's not hard. It just takes a few acquired skills and some minor tools.

I'll bet that if you go to the local field on Saturday or Sunday and start talking to guys, you'll find someone who has lots of time on his hands and doesn't mind helping a new guy out. If someone offers to help you build it--then thank him and then go ask a couple other guys if he knows what he's doing. Almost anybody can put together an ARF trainer--but there are those who can't--as well intentioned as they may be--some guys just build junky models. So ask around and see if your new teacher is really as good as he says he is.

Put some time into the club. Talk to people and see what they recommend for your first trainer. It's always better to ask what the guys recommend and then follow their suggestions--than to buy what you THINK you need and then find that noone wants to touch it or help you with it because they've never seen that plane before.

If you really get hooked in this hobby and you stick with it--you'll eventually want to get a glow plane. Just do it now and don't waste the $250 on an electric.

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

Gotta echo what Rcpilet is telling you. RTF & electric in the same sentence = not enough power to fly!! Unless you wanna invest some pretty serious money into brushless motor, & esc along with a lipo batterry & a charger that will do lipos, you are wasting your time & money in my opinion. The Tower Trainer RTF MKII 40 (glow trainer) will fly circles around the Hobbico RTF EP trainer. & it will do it at half throttle as you are trying to keep the EP afloat at full throttle! For the same kind of money. I have four electric ARFs, & the stock brushed motors that come with them just aren't nearly enough power. It literally takes all the power a nicad pack has to offer to get the thing up in the air, then it's about all you can do to keep it up for a couple laps around the pattern. They are so underpowered, it's criminal! The only electric I have that really flys with any kind of authority, is a Mini Edge 540. It was $99 for the ARF, & it has another $250 worth of micro-gear & brushless motor/esc & a 3 cell lipo battery. The one thing it will never have regardless how much money I am willing to dump into it, is the feel of rolling out the powerband of a real engine, You only get that from real power. E-power has a very all or nothing feel to it, it's hard to describe, it's just so different from the throttle response of a real engine. I realize that they are clean & quiet & don't cost anything to run once you are all set up with the batteries & charger you need. I kinda bought into it too, till I realized that along with "no muss, no fuss" also came not much fun either. I soon realized that in reality E-power cost 4 or 5 times as much money as glow power. Sure you don't have to buy any fuel, but be prepared to spend a gang of money on every single plane you build, if you want it to fly worth a darn & for any kind of length of time. Here's a perfectly good example, keep in mind, this is a $39 airplane were gonna look at, then look at the equipment needed to set it up right, & you see the complete combo price at the bottom of the page. $439. Now this foamy, set up this way, will fly with authority & hang on the prop at half throttle!


http://www.hobby-lobby.com/shockflyer-super.htm


I just want you to see what it really cost to get a plane to fly well under electric power, this is an 8 oz all up flying weight plane for $439 to get it to do what it is designed to do. How much you think it's gonna cost to get a 5.5lb plane to fly well??? Scary thought aint it?



Now look at the RTF Glow power Trainer from Tower



http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXCXF4**&P=0



That plane cost 10 more bucks than the Hobbico EP Trainer, & I guarantee you it will have more power than you need at half throttle!


I'm really not trying to bash electrics here, I love my Mini Edge, I just hate to see new guys come in here looking for electric Trainers, without knowing what they're really getting into. E-power is fine as long as you got deep pockets, & don't mind digging down deep in em! Good luck!

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

I noticed that no one mentioned that the 1 battery pack that comes with epowered planes will last maybe 6-8 minutes and thats it for your flying unless you stop, remove the pack and recharge it. Even if it lasts 10 minutes and then you have to land. No problem but then what?? Stop and recharge and wait an hour before your battery is ready for another flight or do you buy extra battery packs. I see that a spare pack for the Super Star is $19.00 and $57.99 for the larger Magister. A normal days training at our field is considered to consist of six, 10 minute flights. Then shut it down because the transmitter packs may be getting low. So add the price of 5 extra batery packs to the system cost as well as a good charger to recharge all 6 packs after. A charger like the Triton will run around $130.00. These are basic items needed for electric flight without upgrading! Still think you want to go electric?!? Epower may seem like a more simple and less expensive way to get into flying but actually isn't unless you don't mine 1 flight and then go home. My 2 cents. [8D]

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

The other fact of Electric Power is cost per flight at fast speeds or aerobatics.
The LIPOS claim 7-10-15-20 times the rated amps. NO WAY the battery or motor will give you FREE power to compete with a glow.
Batteries last 30 to 50 flights and they are dogs to fly any more times if pushed at 10 to 20 times rated currents.
Glow fuels do not catch on fire in crashes or during refueling.

ELECTRIC powered, good performing planes, are for people who can spend as much money as they want to prove a point.-------I would say $500 to $1,000 for the first year of a 48" plane would be the minumum for battery replacements in the 3000 mah, 4 to 6 cells range.
Any crashed battery pak is to be trashed for fire safety reasons.

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

Fatsky, That was actually the point I was trying to make when I stated it takes all that a NiCad pack has to offer just to get the thing off the ground & drag it around the pattern for a couple laps. I usually deadsticked if I tried to get a third lap around, but in all fareness, these were not brand new packs. Maybe if they were I could have gotten the advertised 6 to 8 min. lol:D

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

Re: " ELECTRIC powered, good performing planes, are for people who can spend as much money as they want to prove a point.-------"[8D]< thats funny!, True, but also funny!!!,

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

Gas or Electric, this hobby is very expensive!!! A budget and this hobby doesn't go together.

Gas u need 2 RX battery packs to fly nonstop all day. Electric u need least 4 packs. Both gas or electric u need a charger. The MKII is $50 which is best bang for buck.

Gas you also need a starter, fuel pump, fuel, glow plug & voltage tester. Also another lead battery to power the starter. (so 3 total batteries u need)

Overall I have found that cost wise electric costs nearly the same or less on models around 1.5 lbs or less. A 3lbs plane using NIMH's w/brushless the cost is a little more though not too extreme.

Trying to fly a 8lb plane on Lipo's you gotta have some serious money!

With a bigger plane it tends to handle the wind much better and does more precision aerobatics.

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

Re: "Gas u need 2 RX battery packs to fly nonstop all day." < maybe on the older 600 mah reciever battery packs. I have switched to 1500 mah packs. I just slow charge from Friday night to Saturday morning and I am good for the whole weekend on the 1 charge. Re: "Both gas or electric u need a charger" < For just starting out, most radio systems come with the Transmitter, receiver, servos, and the charger to match the batterys so another charger isn't needed right away. You do need to go to a different one if you switch to the 1500 ma packs however.[8D]

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

Just my 2 cents, I'm a beginner and chose to get an ARF Avistar with a OS .46AX. My radio is a Futaba 7CAP. I decided on this combo with the help of my friend and instructor (plus info from rcuniverse). At first it was scary building the plane (and I'm a 45 years old some what handy person). But once I started and overcame the fear factor it wasn't too bad. I did have my friend help with the installation of the servos and rx, and he also flew and trimmed it the first time (flew great). Even though I have not solo'd yet, I have build a Zagi Tazz (brushless), Fancy Foam Edge, and am working on an Hanger 9 Ultra Stik 40 (with flaps and OS .46AX). I also got a copy of G2 to help out with my training. This hobby is addictive and the people are great.

Doug

RE: Please recommend a starter plane.
 

I fly my Estarter, stock, at half throttle. It is fairly spirited at full. Not vertical, but a beginner certainly doesn't need that.

I get 15 minutes of flying off one $18 pack. If you get 2 of them and a Hobbico MK II charger for $50, you'll get a good season of flying out of them I flew about 22 hours on one of my packs before it got too tired to reuse. How many hours of flying can you get from $18 of glow fuel?

But rather than be thinking of costs, both having their own separate costs, a beginner would be better off picking a 'fuel' that suits their flying fields, weather conditions, help they can get, and general aspirations.

Electric equipment is coming down in price. This will be an interesting year as GWS enters the brushless market and sites like CommonSenserc.com offer inexpensive (cheap? we've yet to find out) packs.

Electric isn't any more expensive than glow as long as you stay in the less than or around one pound plane category. It's the bigger and heavier planes that are generally more expensive to run.