Purchase List
 

I have made my list of items to get with my trainer. Please check and make sure I have everything down to the most little accessory, such as glue or anything like that. Also, please tell me If I should get more of something, things I dont need, etc. I really want to get this all at once and need nothing else for as much time as possible. I have orders from Horizon and Tower. Horizon it the first list, then Tower:

Alpha 60 Trainer, RTF [HAN2600]
Alpha 60 3-Blade Propeller [EVOE0610P] (2)
2-Cycle Sport Plug [HAN3001] (2)

Hobbico Voltwatch2 4.8V/6V Rx Battery Monitor
Tower Hobbies TOWER Power Starter 12V Deluxe
Great Planes Fingertip Prop Balancer
Tower Hobbies Hand-Crank Fuel Pump
Hobbico #64 Rubber Bands 1/4lb.
Dubro 4-Way Socket Wrench XL
Great Planes Silicone Fuel Tubing Standard 3'
Great Planes Filling Station Can Fitting Set
Hobbico Recoil Fuel Tubing 5'

Thanks

O one more thing. Im alittle confused on. In the Alpha 60 manual on horizon says 30-min epoxy is optional, then It uses it in the building instructions, for the bolted down wing. Does this mean Its needed only If I bolt it down, because I plan on using rubber bands to start out.

RE: Purchase List
 

you need a glow driver to heat the glo plug or a power panel,battery for the starter unless you are getting one locally.same for fuel

RE: Purchase List
 

The epoxy is for glueing your wing halfs together. I would recommend doing this , as your plane will be much stronger and hold up much better over time. Your list is pretty good. I would get a chicken stick, don,t use your bare hand to start.
I would also like to warn you. R.C planes are addictive. Welcome to our world lol. Happy landings.

RE: Purchase List
 

Pretty good list you have there. Here's a couple of suggestions:

Instead of the finger tip prop balancer, go with the [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHY61&P=SM]Top Flite Power Point Balancer[/link] - this is the magnetic balancer and I think it works a lot better.

You forgot to include a field box to put all you toys in like the [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPS86&P=SM]Great Planes Master Caddy Prebuilt[/link]

Instead of getting the replacement 3-blade props, I'd recommend getting a 2-blade spinner and some 12 X 5 2-blade props instead for a .61 size engine.

Hogflyer

RE: Purchase List
 

One thing I forgot. I have a 12volt battery and a glow starter, from my Nitro Trucks. And im getting fuel at the LHS. I dont need a power panel since im using a 12v battery ready starter and a manual pump and normal glow starter.

Insane: Do I need a chicken stick. I went with an electric starter?

Hog: Im thinking about getting the magnetic balancer. Im on a budget, because I want to get most this stuff for my birthday (16th, so I might get alittle extr like my brother did.) However, If you think its worth it, then ill get it. I went with the replacement 3 blades, to keep it simple, because I know they'll work, but again if you think its worth it, then Ill get it. And I was hoping to use a cardboard box to start with for a field box. Do you think this will work, or should i get a real field box. Again cost reasons.

RE: Purchase List
 

No , just a good battery lol. Sorry missed the starter .

RE: Purchase List
 

Oh yeah, one more thing. Rubber bands work great , as long as you change them each time out to the feild , fuel deteriorates them fast , and make sure you use enough. On my Lt-40 I use 12.

RE: Purchase List
 

Whats the benefit of a 2-blade prop. I think Im gonna stick to the 3 blade one, just because, I know the size and diameter will work good with the plane, otherwise they wouldnt include one. Im still thinking about the prop balancer.

I figured out what im gonna do about the field box. Im just gonna get some wood, and biuld my own simple one. Considering I dont need the planes holding things, or the spot for the power panel.

Last question, where does the recoil fuel tubing go? Is that from the Tank to the pump? Because if it is, I can assemble my field box to just use normal line and it be cheaper. I really dont want to get any of the "extra" at this point. My dads already not so happy about spending this much on something that could be detroyed in a matter of seconds.

RE: Purchase List
 

The 3 blade wel help slow your plane down on landings , but you will find a 2 blade prop more to your liking after you get a few flights under your belt. Evos are great engines if you prop them right. Use the 3 blade for now , but don`t be afraid of going to a 2 blade prop in the future.

RE: Purchase List
 

If you're worried about costs I wouldn't worry about the prop balancer. I've been flying for 11 years and it's been at least 4 or 5 years since I've balanced a prop. For a beginner to balance a prop it's almost an exercise in futility. Every time you come in for even a little bit of a rough landing you're going to touch the prop on the ground, which will throw out any "balance" you had. As long as you don't have huge "chunks" of prop missing just refuel and fly again. Heck, I have one prop with over 400 flights on it. Plenty of nicks and dings and it's still flying with no problems.

As far as the 3 versus 2 bladed props. At the size of props that we use the 3 bladed props are less efficient than a 2 bladed props. Evolution uses them as a "gimmick" (IMHO) for selling them to new pilots. Yes, they have a sales pitch that goes along with them but it's just that, a sales pitch. I've had the opportunity to try both the 3 bladed and 2 bladed props and I would prefer my students to use the 2 bladed props. Preferably Master Airscrew props if possible. They take the abuse students put out better than most other brands.

Hope this helps

Ken

RE: Purchase List
 

It helps alot. Ill throw out the prop balancer and i can add 2 bladed props and spinner. Itss prolly be cheaper since hte 2 blades are cheaper than the 3 bladed, and the prop balancer costs more than a spinner. Can someone link me a spinner that will fit, and a prop that'll work also. I dont know where to start. I appreciate your help.

RE: Purchase List
 

Sorry Ken, Your wrong. Anything that has a chip , nick , whatever ,it is out of balance and prone to fail due to cracks, ect. Prop strikes are dangerous, big or RC. If your a newbie and you whack a chunk out of your prop, do you want to start it at 12000 rpms and risk getting a piece of prop up aside your head ? Any rotating assmebly needs to be balanced, bottom line , big or small. You can delete this if you fell the need to, bit any rotating assembly needs to be balanced.

RE: Purchase List
 

Insanemoondoggie,
Yes, chunks and big pieces missing from the prop can be dangerous if you continue to fly with it. But chunks that are big enough to be that dangerous are also too big to balance out, so the prop should be discarded. Small little nicks in the prop won't hurt anything. As I said, I haven't balanced a prop in almost 5 years now and have no problems with not doing it. I know that there are people out there that "insist" that a prop has to be balance, but I am simply stating my experiences. I don't balance and I am relaying that information here in this thread. As I said, I have hundreds of flights on props that have nicked the runway and nothing has "flown off" or blown up.

And I don't delete others posts just because I may not agree with what they say in that post. That's not the role of a moderator. We are not "information" police out here. You are simply stating your opinion just as I have stated mine. But I have a feeling that we are going to have to agree to disagree on this topic, because I will stand behind what I have said.

Ken

RE: Purchase List
 

I am not picking sides or anything like that at all, but I must say i have been flying for just about five years now and I have never balanced a prop. Now like Ken said, if you should have a chunk missing or some sort of damage other than a "nick" I would replace it, unless we are talking about wood props then I would replace them at any sign of damage. Not all, but most newbes, will be nicking alot of props up at first.

As for the chicke stick, you stated you will be using a eletric starter. The chicken stick will come in handy when you are ready to take off, away from your starter, and the engine dies. For a number of reasons. Now instead of pushing your plane back to the starter you can carry you glow driver in your pocket and use the stick to restarte it. You can also use a piece of wood like a broom handle, or the like, wrapped in tape or put a piece of hose on the end to make your own stick and save a few $$ that way.

RE: Purchase List
 

I/m going with Ken on this one. If a chunk is missing, replace it. If a tip is worn down a little bit, fly it.
I've been doing this for about 30 years now (off & on) and have NEVER balanced a prop or thrown a blade.
Of course if you wish to balance one go ahead. I just hope you don't damage it in doing so.

RE: Purchase List
 

A good cheap chicken stick is to cut off a piece of an old broom handle. Wrap some electrical tape around it and there you go. I've been using the same hunk of broom handle for 11 years now. When the tape gets cut up I just wrap some more around it and keep going!!! :D

Ken

RE: Purchase List
 

I'll be the contrarian here and say that I do balance props. The main reason is because I got my R/C start with boats and when you've got a hunk of metal that's turning over 20,000 RPMs, some over 30,000, balance is important.

Fortunately balancing an airplane prop can be done in a couple minutes rather than the 1-2 hours I usually spend sharpening and balancing the typical boat prop. For reference, most of the plane props that I put on the balancer are already pretty close, but I do see the occasional lemon...

RE: Purchase List
 

One thing to watch out for with nicks - if it has a sharp edge it can create a node point which can lead to failure at that point. When it will happen is anybodies guess, or even if it will happen in the life of a prop. If you get a sharp nick, take a small rat tail file and file it out so it's blunt and flair's into the blade. I treat nicks on my model's props the way I treated them on my Musketeer and Sky Lane (full scale, not models).

Hogflyer

RE: Purchase List
 

I have seen 8 ft high high speed comperrisors turbines come apart because of piece of FOD ,or a dang Canadian Goose. I`m a newbie to RC , but any rotating assembly needs to be balanced. Thats my story and I`m sticking to it. The difference between the small stuff anfd the , the big stuff will kill you faster.

RE: Purchase List
 

Insane,
I totally agree with you that turbines and the like have to be balanced. But as I said in the 11 years I've been flying, and the 5 that I haven't been balancing, I haven't seen a prop blade come apart while running. I'm not saying that it isn't possible, because I know they are. That's why I stay out of the danger area of a running engine. The time it takes to balance a prop isn't worth it in my mind. Especially since one touch on the runway knock that work out anyway. Also, as said above, if a prop isn't balanced in the correct manner it can actually damage the prop more than leaving it "unbalanced".

Ken

RE: Purchase List
 

Can someone suggest a prop and Spinner. RC Ken you suggested a Master Airscrew, but when I searched them there are two different kinds. Which to get? Also, I dont know anything about which spinner size to get, or what brands. Can someone suggest a white one that fits?

And heres another question I asked, but you might have missed it, because it was beforethe balancing discussion: Last question, where does the recoil fuel tubing go? Is that from the Tank to the pump? Because if it is, I can assemble my field box to just use normal line and it be cheaper. I really dont want to get any of the "extra" at this point. My dads already not so happy about spending this much on something that could be destroyed in a matter of seconds.

And new question. Im getting a voltwatch thing to be able to check my battery. Is there an extra slot on the reciever, or am I going to need to buy a Y-harness

RE: Purchase List
 

Choose from this list [link]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0093p?&C=QBC[/link] . This is the type of Master Airscrew that you need to get. As far as the spinner goes, it is included with the plane. The manual for the Alpha 60 RTF shows that they spinner is included with the plane, you can find the manual here: [link]http://www.hangar-9.com/ProdInfo/Files/han2600-manual.pdf[/link] .

Hope this helps

Ken

RE: Purchase List
 

O.K I`m anaul, Comes from a lifetime of making sure our fliers fly safe. I respect your experience in the hobby, I`m a newbie to RC . But from day one , I`ve been taught , if it goes in circles , it better be balanced.
I just hope no one gets hurt from a prop , that's had a prop strike . Fly as you will , but I will never comprise safety for a few dollars.



































Do whats good for you. Myself , I wil never compermize saftey.

RE: Purchase List
 

The spinner that comes with the Alpha is a 3-blade spinner, not a 2-blade so it'll have to be changed out to go to a 2-blade prop.

The flyweight will need to be removed from the prop driver in order to fit a spinner different that the one that comes with the plane. Not hard to do - just a socket and vise and it'll drive right off. I've done that to my Alpha 40 - took about 3 hits with a ball peen hammer on a socket.

Hogflyer

RE: Purchase List
 

Here's a question for you. If cost is a concern, have you considered a less expensive plane? At $389.99, the Hangar 9 Alpha 60 RTF is not necessarily the most economical choice. Here's one alternative:

Tower trainer $70
Futaba 4YF $120
TT pro .46 $90
discount -$30
Total $250

There are lots of other choices that can come in significantly less than the nearly $400 price tag of the Alpha 60 RTF.