4 Trainers to choose from...
 

Ok I think I have narrowed down my choice of trainers to 4 last final contenders. From what I can see this is the basic rundown of each plane...

***Contestant One: Hangar 9 Xtra Easy***

Pros:
Easy to build
Large size
5 Chanel Comp Radio
Extras like drop box

Cons:
Underpowered engine
"Boring"

Questions:
Is the engine THAT underpowered or is it not really an issue?
Is the radio very good or is it a really dodgy computer radio?
Are the extras like the drop box and camera holder fun or are they more a gimmick?

***Contestant Two: Hobbico Superstar 40***

Pros:
Very good Reviews
Good "flying capabilities"

Cons:
Price (almost $300 Aussie dollars more expensive than Xtra Easy or alpha trainer by my calculations)
Doesn't seem to have any really outstanding features

Questions:
What is the 4 Channel radio that comes with this like?

***Contestant Three: Hangar 9 Alpha Trainer***

Pros:
Easy to use engine
Powerful engine
Price

Cons:
3 Bladed prop

Questions:
Because this engine is so "newbie friendly" does this mean that I cannot use it for future planes?
What does the flywheel, which looks only like a little piece of plastic do?
If the 3 bladed prop breaks is it too hard to replace or will a different one affect performance?

***Contestant Four: Kadet LT 40***

Pros:
Size
For only $800 Aussie Everything is included!
A fair bit of building so I will understand better hoe it works

Cons:
Looks bad (well cmon you have to have a little style!)
Seems kind of unsturdy

Questions:
I haven't done as much research on this plane as the others, but it seems a little cheap. Is it a good plane?


Finally
I would be prepared to purchase any of these planes, although if I am correct in saying that the Superstar 40 would cost about $1000 Australian ($500 or so US) it is out of my price range unless I can get a second job or convince the Hobby shop to give me a free engine if I work on their web page :) . Also, while looking at these planes I came across a few things:

Why would you need an engine starter if you can just spin the prop with the stick? Is it really that hard to flip it a few times by hand?

What is a glow plug igniter?

I will be interested to see what you all think. Thanks for any help you can provide! :D

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

Just get whatever is in your price range, or whatever you like. Someone here on RCU said that there was no such thing as a bad flying trainer. All trainers serve their purpose. They will all do very basic aerobatics. Most will probably recommend the LT-40 or the H9 Alpha Trainer.

Electric starters make it alot easier than using a chicken stick, but yes, a chicken stick will do fine. You will need a a glowplug igniter to start the engine, it just clips onto the glowplug, without it you cant start the engine.

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

The LT-40 is a tough bird that stands up to a lot of punishment. The color scheme on the box is a bit pedestrian, but you can fancy it up all you want. It is an easy build, with most of the parts nicely laser cut for you. I helped a guy with one two summers ago. He soloed after about 6 lessons, flew it all summer, converted it to a tail dragger, flew it all winter, flew it all this summer and finally wore it out about a month ago when he flew it into a fence.

I know the standard combo comes with a 40, and it flies just fine with that, even up here at 8000 feet, but I like it with a 46 even better.

No comment on the others, I have a personal, and unreasonable prejudice against arfs.

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

I imagine they are all good choices. I liked my Kadet LT-40. I also turned it into a tail dragger. I liked the fact that it seemed large than most other 40 size planes which in turn made it a little easier to see.

Chris

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

I would select the plane based on price. They will all fly fine and teach you the basics of flight.

1. The LT-40 is a great trainer. BIG and Sturdy
2. Alpha is new here. I have heard good things about it....do a search on this site. I read something about switching the prop. Around $309 US in the States (complete)
3. Superstar - I would go with the Avistar over the Superstar. $299 US in the States. The radio is a basic Futaba 4 channel. It is a fine basic radio. (complete)
4. Extra Easy - I think this one is a more expensive combo in the States.

I have an Avistar and a LT-40. The LT-40 is much bigger. I prefered the Avistar because of the semi-symetrical wing.

I would buy the combo that is the most resonable in Australia.
I think you would be happy with any of the 4 planes mentioned.

Good luck! :)

Extra Easy
 

Pigmy,
the planes all fly about the same. The Hangar 9 extra easy comes with the JR 421 radio which is better than the others by far. The MDS .40 is adequate for this airplane and after accumulating some run-in time, is certainly better than an OS .40 LA.

The Alpha comes with a JR Quattro, a really basic radio and the others come with equivalent basic Futabas.

In my opinion, the radio is the difference among your choices. You'll be glad you got the JR 421 with its basic computer functions, the 5th channel and three model memory. It's clearly the best choice.

Trust Me :D

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

I agree with vinnie. The radio equipment that comes with the Xtra Easy is first rate. If bought separately it runs $179.

Don't let the MDS scare you away either. I have an Xtra Easy I learned on and I still fly it. With an 11x5 APC it flies great. It has good power and will hang on the prop for a few seconds. Also, this plane isn't as boring as you think it is. It will fly around inverted all day long, does your basic loops and rolls without any problems, and will even do a decent knife edge with some practice. The Xtra Easy will do anything the others can. I converted mine to a taildragger setup after flying with the tricycle gear for a while. That created a whole new flying experience. All that being said, this is also the best looking plane of the bunch ;) . Hope this helps you out a little.

Good luck!

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

I think you shouldn't spend too much money on a trainer. Most of them are quite similar in construction and flying style. Also you will probably get bored with it after the first couple of months. If I we're to buy one I would probably take the Avistar because of it's semi-symetrical wing. It flies a little better.

Last but not least: Choose a good radio and engine from the start! It will save you lot's of trouble. The trainer model doesn't matter as much.

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

I'm starting with the LT-40 I'm about 80 percent finished. It is a great learning curve for kit building.. The plane is nice and big!!.. easy to see. I think the kit was about $240 but you will need about $100 in covering material and some tools like a covering iron, glue, knife and bit and pieces.......but flying is only half the sport for me.

I put a thunder tiger .46 engine I think I paid about $185 and I bought a JR 421 6 channel radio with cheap servo's for $400

After you buy fuel, glow plug, batteries I really don't think you’re going to get much change out of 1000 bucks..... Might want to pick up a trainer out the trading post and buy a new radio to start with..

I all so didn't like the colour scheme, so mine is yellow, and red on top of the wings... I thought if I see red while flying I know I'm in trouble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

I went with the World Star 40 by world models - big wingspan (easier to see and stay oriented), light and low wing loading (lower than the trainer I learnt on - a Classic) so glides very well, semi-symetrical wing so flies inverted very well, seems well made.

This cost $170 australian, plus an OS46Fx motor ($210 I think) - too much motor for this plane, but hopefully will last for future planes ok, plus a Hitec Flash 5X tx (can't remember the price - less than $400). If money is a problem you can get a cheaper engine - an OS LA 40 or 46 ($120 ish), or a Thunder Tiger is a good in-between.

Good luck.

Peter

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

Thanks Guys, I think I will go for the Xtra Easy because of its good remote or the Alpha trainer because of its price and the engine. What exactly does a glow plug starter do? I gather that you plug it in to start the plane but if you needed to do that wouldn't you need to leave it plugged in while the plane was flying to make the spark?

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

Glow Starters are used to heat glow plugs while starting the engine. Once started, you can remove it and the engine will stay running.

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

Pygmy,

This is the way I did it...
rather than getting the favored plane, I focused on the better radio.

I was considering the Hangar 9 Xtra Easy (RTF), but I decided on getting the Avistar instead and a better radio than the 421, though it is a nice first box. I bought the 662 and I'm glad I did because:
1. I've already crashed (and totalled) the Avistar, and have bought a replacement, you can't buy a replacement Xtra Easy (plane only)...
2. Since I've been into this new hobby for a couple of months, I've since purchased two other planes which would have exceeded the model memory of the JR 421EX...
3. Since "crashing" the plane of choice, I'm sure glad I have a good radio!

Just my thoughts, good luck to you in your selection process.

MacAir

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

hello! anyone know where i can find PLANS for the TELEMASTER 40? thanks BEST ED

Someone say a Trainer?
 

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One more thing
 

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4 Trainers to choose from...
 

Pygmy, i'm still waiting for your call if your in my area (SE of Melb 0418376855).

have you found a club to join yet?
to make things even easier if your in my area i'll help you build a SPAD Debonair
http://www.spadtothebone.com/SPAD/De...Page_2030a.JPG
it's not the pretiest trainer in the world but it is tough, easy to fly and cheap.

even better than that if you come to our club i'll let you have a fly of my SPAD Zephyr (3 channel rudder trainer)

ring me or e-mail me [email protected]

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hello rchawaii!! thanks for the reply! your SPADET looks GREAT!i think i will build it! thanks for the advice buddy! my wife and i visited hawaii in 2000 and had a great time! HANG LOOSE! BEST ED

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

Cool! Thanks for the plug RChawaii and Woodsy! Krauts going to kill me for spilling the beans on his new trainer early. He hopes to get the plans done over the holidays and get them up at Spad. It all started when some of the guys on the forum said that Spads were ok if you didn't mind an ugly plane. Well, he told me at work..."I'll show them". He came up with the beautiful SpadStick for less than $10 in materials, and it has become such a hit at the field that he finally decided to come up with a trainer to go along with it. The goal has been to keep the building costs under $10 and get the wing loading below the popular airplanes on the market for better performance. The Debonair is still an easier plane to build, but for an hour or two of extra effort you make a trainer that looks pretty darn good. Kraut told me today that it took him about 6 hours to design and build the Spadet LC-40, and has $7.00 into the airframe. He also said he plans to build another one over the holidays to make a photo building essay on it.

BTW, if you haven't seen the stick version, here it is:
http://www.spadtothebone.com/SPADSP/SpadStick.jpg

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

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4 Trainers to choose from...
 

At only 20 bucks aussie gove or take that spad looks tempting, but if you but all the equipment like engines and stuff that comes with the packages how much does it work out to be? If it is cheaper i will seriously look at it, although I am a first timer and I want something that is simple.

Woodsy, sorry, I will try to call you after I have looked around more at which plane I should buy. If i decide to get a Spad then I will have to take you up on that offer of help buildig it...

I would rather get an ARF kit than a spad, because it seems a lot simpler, but if the spad can save me a lot of money then I will definetly look into it.

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

Short of it:

US DOLLARS BALSA TRAINER ALONE $120.00 give or take
SPAD Airframe, including the control rods, ect etc roughly 10.00


Radios depend on what you decide to purchase for yourself either way you go. Brittle wood or forgivable plastic. :)

4 Trainers to choose from...
 

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4 Trainers to choose from...
 

I would scrap your ideas of buying an "all-in-one combo". You can get a better setup for a similar price. I'd recommend an Avistar ($100), a TT 46 pro ($75) and either a Hitec Flash 5X ($169) or even a 6-7 channel computer radio. It's worth it to spend more money on the radio than the plane. The radio can always be used for other planes down the road,

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I'll put together my recomendations on what i would buy and where if i was starting again in Aussie $$ from Aussie supliers.

the trouble with most of the combo kits is you usualy end up with the cheapest of everything which wont grow with you as you get better/faster/mor complex planes.