plane KITS?
 

ok, so i was looking at all these nicer planes, and for a 16 yr. old sophmore there a little outa my range, even with the lawns i mow. so i started thinking about a kit. yes it would take a while im sure, but they are much cheaper and i could use building experience anyways. now i presume some kits are way harder to assemble than others, so what would be a semi easy kit to make, (at a reasonable price) and at the same time a plane thats not to hard to fly.

thanks.

RE: plane KITS?
 

Sig Kadet LT-40.

RE: plane KITS?
 

I'm assuming you're just getting started...? Go for a trainer type to start with, work up to the "nicer" planes after you develop your skills to match.
Try a Sig LT-40 or Kadet Senior. Fairly easy to build(not assemble - build. There's a BIG difference), and the end result flies great if you follow the instructions correctly. There's also a TON of building articles and help available here on RCU. :D

Just a note on building a kit vs. putting together an ARF.... It's not necessarily cheaper. A kit, even though the kit itself will be cheaper, will actually cost MORE by the time you get all of the necessary tools, various adhesives, covering material, hardware, etc, etc needed to complete it. You will also need some space to build it in, and lots of time&patience. If you just go with an ARF or RTF, all you need is a radio system and engine, and you're pretty much all set. The downside is that your plane will look exactly like the 1,000,000 others out there, you don't get the satisfaction of "creating" something nice from just a pile of wood that's all your own, and you really don't know how well it's built.

A smaller electric (like the GWS E-starter) might be a better way to go, although the initial cost is a bit steep, it's essentially "free" to fly, instead of buying gas, glo plugs, field equipment, etc on a regular basis for a glo model.

If you just want to get started anyway possible, check the marketplace, local clubs/hobby shops and thEbay(or similar) for good deals on used planes on the cheap. Sometimes you can get a whole setup for less than $200 or so, including radio and field gear.

RE: plane KITS?
 

I second the LT 40.
However, don't expect to save alot of money by building a kit.
Most kits do not include wheels, fuel tank or covering material. Once these are factered in the cost of a kit is not much less than an arf and sometimes more.
That said, a kit will build your skills and you will have an airplane that you can take more pride in.
Another factor in favor of a kit is you don't have to buy everything all at once.

RE: plane KITS?
 

Hmmmm.... it seems we all agree then. :D

LOL!

RE: plane KITS?
 

The LT-40 has everything you need other than glue and covering. Tool requirements are minimal. But the cost difference is not significant, if there is any saving at all. Build the kit because because building appeals to you (for what ever reason...), that's it.

At Tower:

LT-40 Kit, 3 rolls monokote = 95 + 33 = $128

LT-40 Arf, $131

RE: plane KITS?
 

kits are cheaper? um no. You have to look at the entire product cost, not just the cost of the kit. I'm not trying to bash kits, I love to build, but they are not cheaper. Rc plane are the worst for the Batteries not included situation. and for good reason. Everyone that has been in this hobby awhile and builds know what they want in their model and would rather pay less for a kit without hardware then pay a little more for a kit that come with hardware they don't really want to use and end up replacing the harware with what they like
The cheapest route is getting this
[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMU53**&P=0]avistar[/link]
I started when I was your age. 13 yrs ago working a Mc'd for 4.25. I happen to of gotten a tower trainer to learn on and got a GP cub kit
[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJ568&P=ML]cub 40[/link]
I'm not recommending the cub as a first plane. don't do it. It's an Excellency second plane and an even better first kit. You learn so much about how the model functions when you build. If you can swing it with the parents get the trainer to learn to fly on and at the same time build the cub, it's going to take a couple months, especially on a high schoolers schedule

RE: plane KITS?
 

i'll agree with redfox i started on an avistar, which is an advanced trainer meaning that you can learn to fly plus learn your basic aerobatics (loops, roll, inverted, etc.) as i was leaning toward solo flight, i was building a sig four star 60 took me around 9 months to complete the kit (i had a lot of "dings" learning....LOL) however with that said, the weekend i finished the 4*60 kit, i took it to the field and felt confident i could handle it, and i've been flying it ever since. i've moved on to even more aerobatic planes and warbirds but my 4* still comes with me to the field-unless we've got a high crosswind over the runway

but back on the subject at hand, i enjoy building, it does cost more to build a kit BUT of all the landings i've scuffed...my kits' landing gear has stayed intact. the only gear i've broken out was on a 300E ARF........that proves to me that kits "rock"

RE: plane KITS?
 

thanks alot, i think once i save alot ill just go with some kinda arf or rtf, i never took into account al the other stuff needed for a kit. but maybe when i have a real job or xmas of something (winter is mad boring) id get a kit, still seams it would be fun, building stuff is cool, and not like i can skate in the winter neways.

thanks

RE: plane KITS?
 

Kits are fun to build and they are 98% of what I fly. The first time you will incurr a lot of costs while getting tooling together. Pins, knives, covering irons and heat guns, hobby plane for quick wood removal, sanders/sandpaper and then all of the other "nice" things you will discover during the build. Kits should also not be done when in a hurry as this leads to errors.

RE: plane KITS?
 

I love kits. I have just as much fun building them as I do flying them.