RE: Purchase List
 

I have to agree with ken, as far a needing to balence props up to 14" most commercial props are real close in there balence properties, I check to see if the props I have are not totaly out of wack, but unless there is some dammage thats obvious to the eye then your prop is most likely good to go,a word to the wise props don't break that are a little out of balance unless there is a fatal flaw in them, then balanced or not there going to fail no matter what.
if you throw a prop on your balancer and its really out then don't use it, simple as that.
most props are close enough, but its always good to check them just to get used to using the balancer you spent 20$ on

RE: Purchase List
 

Wouldnt I need a new one to fit a 2-blade prop?

The reason Im getting the Alpha 60 is because when I went to the flying club, that is the plane the guy recommended, and he said its worth the extra price.


And will this prop work? [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNGU3&P=7]Master Airscrew 12x5 S-2 G/F Nylon Gray Propeller[/link]

RE: Purchase List
 

I think you are starting in the hobby the right way. It sounds like someone is teaching you a lot of good things.
As you have read, some do not balance their props, some do, but since you are starting out it sounds like someone (an instructor?) is teaching you to balance yours. As you gain experience you may decide that you do not need to do this either, but for now, learn as much as you can to be safe, and to know your plane.

Remember, it may not be you who gets hurt, it may be the 9 year old child 20 feet away, watching you.

Good luck, fly safe, have fun!

RE: Purchase List
 

Since cost is an issue here, I suggest:

Hobbico Voltwatch2 4.8V/6V Rx Battery Monitor - Don't really need it. Would be nice, but just charge the plane and transmitter overnight before flying

Tower Hobbies TOWER Power Starter 12V Deluxe - Learn to start with a chicken stick and borrow a starter at the field if there are others there. Most fliers won't mind and if they do, just chicken stick it. Also your instructor should have one you can borrow. This is one thing you will eventually want though, but you might want one that starts bigger engine in the future, so I would hold off on getting one right now. Also, some engines start better with a chicken stick than others. My LA 40 is a pain to chicken stick, but my ST 40 starts right up with one.

Great Planes Fingertip Prop Balancer - I just put a small piece of brass tubbing thru the prop and get the balance close that way. Heck, I have a few prop strikes on my current prop and the ends are looking rather messy, but it has not damage anything but the very ends of the prop. I am sure it is out of balance though.

Tower Hobbies Hand-Crank Fuel Pump - Good choice, I don't like electric glow fuel pumps for safety reasons

Hobbico #64 Rubber Bands 1/4lb. - get a bag of them at the office supply store at the cost of $3 for 1 pound of them verses the 1/8 pound for $7 at the hobby shop.

Dubro 4-Way Socket Wrench XL - Good, but could be done with a normal socket set, but I would just spend the money on the 4-way

Great Planes Silicone Fuel Tubing Standard 3' - Get extra you will want it. Also cut small pieces to slip over the clevises to ensure they don't open during flight.

Great Planes Filling Station Can Fitting Set - Not needed but handy. You can just get a fuel filter and put it on the end of some fuel hose, then drop it in the fuel can when filling, then remove and put the cap back on. I did it this way for a couple weeks, then got the fitting set.

Hobbico Recoil Fuel Tubing 5' - Not needed, just get some more regular fuel tubing.

RE: Purchase List
 

There's value in listening to local sources. Personally, I'm not convinced it's worth the extra $140, especially if you've got a limited budget, but maybe I'm cheap. ;)

Anyway, here's some more food for thought. If you can read directions and have even a modest ability to put things together, give serious consideration to buying an ARF instead of an RTF. While it's nice to be able to have the plane ready to fly in an hour, what have you learned? Assembling an ARF will teach you how to install many of the components including the radio and engine, and you will learn how to properly align the wing and tail surfaces. These lessons will be very helpful on your second and subsequent planes.

RE: Purchase List
 

A 3 inch spinner would probably look pretty good on the front of the Alpha 60
This one is black, lots of other colors are available
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXEBE7&P=SM

The 12x5 prop you listed should be fine.

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I think Id prefer to get the RTF. As far as intalling radio and engine stuff, I already know that, if its basically like doing that to a Truck. I think Trucks would be harder almost as far as the engine, because they require proper mesh between gears.

RE: Purchase List
 

I'm new to this addiction, only 4 years. My name is C**** and I have a flying problem. Not enough days off! I have prop balancer, it is the the top flight Mag balancer, I have checked new props with it taken them off put them back on and get a different heavy spot. Pluck a piece of hair from my head and set it on the prop, and now the low side reads heavy. Conclusion "Most composit/fiberglass/nylonglass props come balanced close enough from the factory". This isn't always true of wood props though. I would STRONGLY recommend a center of gravity balancer for the plane before the prop balancer. A truly out of balance prop will eventually damage the engine, but a unbalanced plane will crash in the hands of a beginer. As for the recoil tubing get rid of it and use silicone fule line, it is more flexible and can also be used to fix damaged fuel lines on the plane at the field. I tryed it when I first got into this "HOBBY/ADDICTION" it cracked and leaked and on cold days 35 deg.f snapped in the middle. These are only my oppions and experiences.

RE: Purchase List
 

New updated list! I appreciate all you guys help so far.

Horizon:
Alpha 60 Trainer, RTF [HAN2600]
2-Cycle Sport Plug [HAN3001] (2)

Tower:
Master Airscrew 12x5 S-2 G/F Nylon Gray Propeller
Great Planes Spinner 3" Nylon Aluminum White
Tower Hobbies #64 Rubber Bands 1/4 lb (Or ill get from Hardware Store.)
Hobbico Voltwatch2 4.8V/6V Rx Battery Monitor
Tower Hobbies TOWER Power Starter 12V Deluxe
Tower Hobbies Hand-Crank Fuel Pump
Dubro 4-Way Socket Wrench XL
Great Planes Silicone Fuel Tubing Standard 3' (2)
Great Planes Filling Station Can Fitting Set