First plane/engine advice
 

Hello, would like some opinions on chosing my first plane. What do you think of a Great Planes PT-60 with an O.S. .46 AX. I'm thinking this would make a large, stable slow flying trainer. I am just as interested in building as I am flying so no ARF's for me. Thanks

Randy

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

The PT 40, 60, or the Sig LT 40 or Goldberg Eagle all make great trainers and builders. I personally built my first kit as a LT 40 and found it quite enjoyable, as it's laser cut. It's also a bit larger in size and span than your typical 40 size trainers, although it takes the same recommended engines. Just make sure you match the engine size to the airframe size. You mentioned a PT 60 with a 46. It would probably fly, but might be too slow and lumbering as it would probably be underpowered a bit. Hope this helps.

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

I want to go with a 60 trainer for the larger size. The recommended engine range is a 45-60 2 stoke. What size would you recommend. Thanks.

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

I always stay on the higher side of the recommended engine range. Never know when you might be moving to Denver, CO where the air is thin! And it's always nice to know you have plenty of power in reserve in case you need it. If you find your plane flying like a maniac, simply throttle back a little. Too easy.

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

I built and am learning to fly on a Sig LT-40 with an OS 46ax. Its a great plane and the 46 has plenty of power for it. Its a little larger than most 40 sized trianers with a 70" wingspan. (the PT-60 has a 71" wingspan) I'd recommend the LT-40/OS 46ax combo.

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

I'd go with Neddy on this one. Trust me, the LT-40 is pretty big as far as trainers go. It's a great flying trainer and a good one to learn on. It's also a very easy building kit. Check out the build thread that I did on an LT-40 and you can get an idea of how it goes together.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3439708/tm.htm]Pay It Forward build thread!! LT-40 build.[/link]

Ken

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

If you want big, the Sig Kadet Senior kit is 78" wingspan and the ARF is 80" and both are 40 size planes. I am flying the kit version with a Thunder Tiger Pro .46 and it has power to spare.
Note: the kit version is 3 channel so if you want ailerons you will have to mod the wing (like I did) the ARF is 4 channel.

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

I would go with the highside of the reccomended engine size too. If you want a .60 size Trainer , put at least a .60 size engine on it. You'll need the extra power to get out of trouble or flying in the wind.

I helped a guy fly his .46 size Trainer the other day with an old webra .35 on it. It flew, but just barely. I pretty much had to fly it at full throttle all the time. There was absolutely no power to spare. I like to be able to cruise around at half throttle still leaving plenty of punch left when I want or need it.

Good luck.

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

I don't believe in overpowering a trainer. Power virtually never helps a beginner "get out of trouble", but it can help them crash. I see it over and over. The best trainers are the lightest trainers. All a trainer needs is enough power to get airborne without risking a stall.

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

No-one suggested that he overpower it. Just that he not underpower it! The plane he is asking about is called the PT-60 for a reason. It is a .60 size plane. If you want a big Trainer that is designed to fly with a .46 size engine they have given you a couple of nice choices to choose from in the LT-40 & the Kadet Senior. These are both reputed to be great Trainers & are larger than most .46 size Trainers yet will still fly great with a good .46 engine on it.

I have never had one but I know there are many people who believe the LT-40 to be the best Trainer ever built.

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

Having built, flown, and trained students on the LT40, I can personally attest it is perhaps the best out there. Best of all, it's virtually complete with just about everything (minus covering and the usual building supplies). And it ranks right up there with the 60's as far as size, but in a 40 size package. I did have a student one time, however, put in a little wore out runt 35 in his and it DID NOT like it. As previously stated, go with the higher side of the recommended range around 40-46. With the Senior, there's a lot of stick balsa and requires exact angular cuts with more time involved (and requires mods for ailerons) but looks absolutely beautiful with transparent covering, although crashes tend to get very, very interesting with them. The LT 40, on the other hand, has lots of ply reinforcement and can take a lot more abuse. You won't be disappointed with the LT 40 and the OS 46, but I'm afraid you'd be a little unhappy with the trainer 60/OS46 set up you're originally contemplating.....

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like the LT-40/46 is the way to go.

Randy

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

I don't see anyway you can be dissapointed with your decision. I think you're making a great choice. I've never heard of anyone going that route & regretting it. You'll have a great time with the build & the learning to fly with a LT-40. Good luck to you.[sm=thumbup.gif]

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

The LT40 is rated at 5 1/2 to 6 lbs. The PT60 is listed as 7 to 8 lbs. Both planes are very close to the same size but the LT40 will fly well on a 40 and fly awesome on a 46. Someone suggested the Sig Kadet Senior kit. I don't suggest it because it only has 3 channels and is not a strurdy build. Its fuselage is made of a bunch of sticks glued together to form the shape. Bump it too hard on the run way and the tooth pick pile can be very hard and time consuming to repair. The LT40 fuselage is made of aircraft ply which is much stronger and more suited to training. Combine it with a n OS 46AX engine and you will be a happy flyer! :D

RE: First plane/engine advice
 

You’ll be a lot happier with the LT40/46 than you would be with a PT-60/46.

I built a PT-60 and it is a great plane. But it is heavy, and it tends to build tail heavy. I had to put at least 2 ounces of lead on the bottom of the engine mount to get it balanced with a Thunder Tiger 61 Pro. Receiver was against the back of the fuel tank and battery was under the tank, against the firewall.