learning to fly
 

just purchased cheap trainer, {yamato 40 ], purchased a dx7 radio, and a magnum .70 4 stroke. how long after solo before i can go to next plane. what should next plane be. how acrobatic can it be. with computer radio settings can be changed, will this help?

RE: learning to fly
 

First things first. Fly the heck out of the calmato 40 which is a good trainer. Many people try to progress to fast (you are already anticipating the next steps) so take it easy. The trainer will give you lots of experience for the next step. Computer radios are nice, and now they have them in a reasonable price range, but they are a convenience, not a necessity. After you finish with your trainer, you can still use the radio you have to take the next step. Ask this question after you have completely madtered this trainer.

RE: learning to fly
 

Sherman has hit it on the nose. Fly the heck out of that plane till it wont fly anymore. This will be your ticket to a much better future in the hobby. Learn proper control and moments of the plane. Know what every function does to a plane and your transition to more aerobatic planes will be much easier. With everything RC you have that period of backwardness on some maneuvers and knowing the proper control inputs will make you a better seasoned pilot.
Your current setup sounds perfect and this will allow you to grow with your equipment as you progress. As you can take the electrics out of one plane and put it into another.

RE: learning to fly
 

Wow, I wish I started with that nice of equipment.

RE: learning to fly
 

I just solo'd this last weekend, and I plan to stick with my trainer until I can take off, circle and land EXACTLY where I want to, and not let the plane decide where it will take off, fly and land.

After that, I plan to go to the Hanger 9 F-22 (my wife is going to the hobby shop today to place an order for the ARF version as an aniversary gift). So my next plane will still be a trainer, just a bit harder one. I did fly one this weekend though, and with all the training wheels on it, it flew quite nice for my just starting out.

After I am confident in my skills with that one, and the flaps are up, the wing tips removed, and I don't have any issue putting it on a dime, I will go to the Sig Hog I am finishing, then start all over again.

Then I also have a giant scale corsair that I have just started building (actually started before the hog, but wanted to sharpen my building before continuing). I don't know if i will fly it after the hog or get a war-bird plane to use as a step before the corsair.

Either way, I will make myself have full control of each plane before going on to the next one.

RE: learning to fly
 

I started on a Calmato 40 trainer, and let me tell you one thing!
This plane can do acrobatics, and nobody believed their eyes on the field when they saw it :)

It can do much more than what a trainer is known to do, you just need to push and the calmato will deliver... It can even hold a knife edge for a while and believe me lots of acrobatics!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've tried it, abused it and then moved to a second plane after two months. That was the easiest move, and my second model was a sig 4 star.

RE: learning to fly
 

How long before the next plane? We can't give you a date, number of flights or number of days/months. This is because everyone is different and we don't know how well you will progress and neither do you. If you destroy your trainer tomorrow you'll need another trainer. If your trainer lasts several months AND your skills can handle it, then you can move on to another plane. Don't be too eager to put that trainer away. Many advanced pilots keep one around for fun flying or as a backup. The radio system you have chosen will serve you well for a great percentage of the planes you want for the next few years.

RE: learning to fly
 

ag4ever,

You'll find the Astro Hog is a great second plane, and perfect low wing trainer. It can be tamed down to fly like a basic trainer, but with the throws increased is a very nice aerobatic trainer and an good all around sport and relaxing Sunday flyer.

Hogflyer

RE: learning to fly
 

I am building the Hog Biplane, not the astro hog, but I am told the Hog Bipe flies well. I was planing it to be my secnd plane but since it is in the covering stage, and the ARF F-22 will be out next month, I bet I will be flying the F-22 first. I flew the RTF F-22 this weekend, it had the wingtips on it, and the flaps were in the fixed down position, but I was able to fly the pattern nice and level, so i don't think it will be a problem going from the trainer to it. I was going to go from the trainer to the Hog, but since the LHS loaned my instructor the F-22, I just loved it, and have to have one now. I am sure that is why the LHS loaned it to him. I know at least 3 others that made a comment about buying one.

That radio switched hands at least 5 times in the first flight of the day.

The only thing I don't like is, I am a builder, and I am actually getting an ARF. It just does not seem right.

RE: learning to fly
 

[color=#FF0099]basser,
They are all correct in their advice....besides, I've seen some of our top pilots out at the field do stuff with my trainer and others that "trainer" planes "can't" do. Sometimes I think the term "trainer" is a misnomer... as if you have a tricycle or a "big wheel". Enjoy the plane you have, fly the devil out of it, then check out the low wing 40 size models.
Have fun, and as they told me....welcome to the addiction!
Bev

RE: learning to fly
 

basser didn't buy a Kyosho Calmato high wing trainer, he bought a Yamato .40:

http://www.selectiverc.com/?page=products/0GAT1

These are sold on E-Bay occassionally, as well as online resellers like http://www.raidentech.com

I would certainly agree that you shouldn't abandon your trainer too soon. They're usually more aerobatic than you'd think. That having been said, however, the only thing better than having a cool remote control airplane to fly is having two cool remote control airplanes to fly.

You can move up to a low-wing sport plane or "ugly stik" variant just as soon as you're comfortably solo'd on your Yamato 40 trainer. Having two planes is quite handy, because you'll have a backup plane to fly if you need to work on your favorite plane or you're waiting for parts to fix something.

A good second plane is one that can be slowed down and landed as easily as a trainer, but also has a much wider flight envelope and can do a wide variety of manuevers like "Cuban Eights" and Knife-Edge flight that trainers struggle with.

Your computer radio will be a big asset in allowing you to switch between planes with a minimum of hassle.

Since you seem to like inexpensive airframes, I'd recommend that you take a really good look at the World Models Sky Raider Mach II for your first low-wing aircraft:

http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...p?ProductID=16

At $69.99, the Sky Raider Mach II is widely considered one of the best bargains in the whole marketplace. You will be able to fly it once you've successfully learned to take off, fly, and land your trainer. You will also have a blast learning to fly aerobatics on it.

Clubs all over the country use the Sky Raider Mach II for everything from pylon racing to air combat to general fun flying. They're inexpensive, they fly great, and the ARF is well made and goes together easily.

Let us know how your training is going on the Yamato .40. Good luck and good shopping!

RE: learning to fly
 

I have seen more advanced model airplanes crashed by people who moved on before they really mastered their trainers. Can you do stall turns? Fly a lap around the pattern inverted? Side slips? Slow rolls? Can you control the plane at low speeds? Or, is aimlessly burning holes in the sky and then landing somewhere on the field without breaking the prop most of the time your idea of "mastering a trainer"?

RE: learning to fly
 

What's your hurry ??? Take your time, smell the roses, and ENJOY what you have . You have a whole lifetime to figure out what's next why rush it, learn it right slowly. It's better that way !!! ENJOY !!! RED

RE: learning to fly
 

Fly the trainer, fly aerobatic models on the sim, and you'll figure out when you are comfortable enough to upgrade. I went from Trainer to 40 size ultimate bipe, and it was a blast. I still have both the airplanes, and the trainer is mostly in one piece (broke the fuse taxiing back in with gusts up to 35 mph!). I now fly large scale gassers, and while they are fun, sometimes I just get in the trainer mood and I'll go do outrageous things with it. torque roll a trainer, knife edge, inverted spins. Trainers can be damn good fun. Take it easy, but that sim will really tell you whether or not you are ready to move up.