Need opinion on first plane
 

I am trying to decide on my first plane. The two that have caught my eye are the Hobbico Nexstar and the Hobbico Hobbistar. Which of these would be better for a beginner (who will be looking to upgrade)? Or is there a different plane that you would recommend?

[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEXK2**&P=0]Nexstar[/link]
[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGHD4**&P=0]Hobbistar[/link]

thanks,

Scott

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

IMO, The Hobbystar is a better deal for the money. You get a 6 channel radio, a 60 size engine and ball bearing servos. You don't get the "Success Flight Guarantee" with that plane but if the RC club has any decent instructors then you should be able to learn to fly and pass your wings with the plane still intact in 1 piece. The extra gizmos on the Nexstar really don't speed up the learning process imo. The Hobbystar also has a semi. sym. wing which means that the plane will be a bit more agile, a bit faster, handle wind better, and do basic aerobatics easier. This may add a few week ends more training time to get your wings but then you will have a plane that can be used as your second plane for a while. The Nexstar will be easier to learn on but if you catch on really quick then the plane will soon become boring for you to fly. I can't say which is better for you with out seeing you try your thumbs at flying. [8D]

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

I agree with Fastky. I have flown both and I think the Hobbistar flies better. The only benefit of the Nexstar (as I see it) is the flight simulator that comes with it. The Hobbistar tracks better in the air but still handles well at slow speed for landings.

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

I have read that the Hobbistar land gear should be replaced, do you have any suggestion for this? And what size of prop should be used?

Scott

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

I can comment on the prop selection. You want a prop that can handle a few bumps with the grass without breaking. That means you want a brand called Master Airscrew. For the engine that comes with the plane I would use an 11-5 size. IT will give you lots of pull when you need it to get out of trouble and it will keep the plane from getting too fast. [8D]

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

I have found that the wire gear on a .60 size model will rapidly bend, allowing the plane to squat lower and lower. I prefer the fiberglass gear, but a quick search on Tower's site didn't show any big enough. Here are some aluminum gear that should work pretty well:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJ924&P=0

Good luck!

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

Hobbisart, it flys way better than the Nexstar, I have seen them both.

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

get the LT-40 from SIG its the best trainer out there and get an instructor or you wont have any plane for long but if you must have 1 of the 2 aviod the nexstar

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

Seriously, this avoid the Nexstar stuff is getting old. You have any reasons for saying that? Care to share them or is it just some bias because you like the LT-40? If you're going to bash a plane, it'd be nice if you told people why, and maybe offered up the info of whether you actually owned one, or are just repeating claptrap you've been told.

The nexstar is a well-built, quickly assembled, great flying trainer. If you decide on the .40 Sized trainer, I highly recommend it. For the record, I own one, not just spewing opinions I have read online. Actually its the second one I've bought, the first had an encounter with a tree. Beware the AFS though, it can do bad things I've heard (I never turned it on, so I that is only what I've read). Some people don't like the drag flaps and anti-stall wingtips, I found that for the first few flights they slow it down very nicely. I've taken the flaps off mine, it smooths the flights out, but speeds them up.

Cheers,
Graham

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

I've used this one it's tuff as they come

[link]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNM65&P=ML[/link]

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

The nexstar and hobbistar aren't even in the same category
the nextstar is a flat bottom 40 size trainer and the hobbistar is 60 size semi-symmetrical trainer
I would say the hobbistar we be more fun for a longer period of time but if you question your ability to learn the nexstar will be a better confidence builder IMO
both are great at what they do

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

I suggest the Alpha 40 RTF myself. I have just started learning myself, and this is my first trainer. It handles pretty much the same as the nextstar or any other trainer out there. It has power if you want it, or it can cruise around at a comfortable pace for a beginner. It takes pretty much next to nothing for assembly and the price is right as well. I paid 339 CND and the nextstar was 500.

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

Eh, I'll put my $.02 in for the PTS P-51D trainer.

Though it needs some work as it comes out of the box even though it's touted as a RTF...

I flew it on my very first try at this, on the same morning I soloed.

It's THAT docile when configured properly and THAT easy to learn on.

All of this is documented on the PTS thread.

Once you are done with the easy stuff it scales up nice to a sports model by making a few rather cosmetic changes.

A good deal all around.

The only caveat is the leftward yaw on take off, so an instructor for the first flight or two, is mandatory.

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

I would buy the least expensive plane to learn on. This one here I think would be
a good beginner plane. It doesn't cost much,so..... if you crash it ,you won't be out of
a lot of money. I'm a beginner also,and i've rebuilt my first Trainer three times. Now
I'm on my second Trainer and I have soloed with it. Both of my Trainers
are like this one.
Throttle down if you know your going to crash,less damage most of the time.
Have fun Flying .

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXCAS2&P=ML

;)

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

I second the Tower Trainer. I basically taught myself how to fly with a Tower Trainer on floats none the less. It's an easy bird to fly. I crashed mine so many times I think there was more epoxy then balsa. The covering is pretty bad, but once you've flow in long enough to have the covering peal off, you'll probably want a differnt plane anyway. It's $64 well spent.

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

Crashing are what simulators are for... heh.

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

"opinions are like rectal openings, we all have them". My advice is the "solo sport" by hanger-9. It is now on sale from Horizon hobbys for $80.00 I've been using this plane for 3 years, it flys great it is very duriable and predictable. Not onlt that but if you start with altitude pull to inverted, it will fly with only a little down elevator. Oh...did I mention that this one is set up with an O.S. 40 LA. The nicest trainer plane you could ask for.
These views are are solely my own, but they have severed me well as has this plane

RE: Need opinion on first plane
 

That is a nice looking plane and in the right price range.Not only that,you can
order spare parts for it. My Lanier Explorer trainer is real tail heavy even with the
40 la extented all the way forward on the mounts. Still had to move rec.,battery
forward and add 6oz. lead weight. Lanier flies alright ,if I wreck it i'll try the Solo Sport
next.
Did you have to add any extra weight to the Solo Sport ?