RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

For someone who is new to RC flying, is it better to go with a RTF or a ARF model? I have the model I want picked out but it is available in both ARF and RTF versions. Part of me just wants to get it, do some assembly work and then meet up with my instructor to learn how to fly it. Another part wants to learn more about my plane then just flying. Having to research radios, engines, etc can only help me become a better pilot. In the mean time I have my electric trainer and my instructor's planes to keep me busy with flying skills.
Any advice woulr be appreciated.

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

There are points in favor of each. If you have a little time I favor the ARF because you CAN choose a better engine and radio package that the RTF's usually offer. A few of the RTF's have gotten better but they still tend to be bare bones offerings.

Which plane do you have in mind? If you go ARF, what radios and engines are you considering?

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

There are several advantages of going the ARF route. First, as has been mentioned, you can choose a better engine and radio. Also, I've priced ARF versus RTF packages and several times have found the ARF to be cheaper. In addition, by starting with an ARF, you're learning about installing the engine, radio, fuel tank, aligning the flight surfaces, etc as you're assembling the plane. These skills will be useful for all of the rest of your planes.

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

Hanger 9 P-51 PTS.... Not sure about Radio and engine yet; still reading the thread on this model.

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

What he said. :D

I went the ARF vs the RTF route and it enabled me to become self-sufficient much faster than had I gone the RTF route. I'll echo Chuck's comments in that I learned tons by finishing the final 10% of the assembly usually required by an ARF. Installing the engine, servos, checking the CG, breaking in and tuning the engine. YMMV, as always, but I had a lot to learn beyond which way to wiggle the sticks. The ARF method worked well for me. Good luck which ever way you choose.

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

I just got a ARF thunder tiger and I think that as long as you have someone who can help you if you get stuck (or these fourms ;) ) then you will be perfectly ok with your decision. I was able to put mine together in a little over 3 hours. Now all I have to do it get a engine, servos, and a radio and I'm good to go!

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

I was given a RTF Hobbico Hobbistar MKIII as a Christmas present. A great plane, in my opinion. While it is considered a "Ready to Fly plane", it still required quite a bit of time to get it ready to fly. Keep in mind, that I was a very green newbie to RC airplanes, even though I was an avid model builder as a kid.

I think getting an RTF first will make your RC life not only easier at first, but is a great way to see how a properly built plane should look when you are ready to build a kit or purchase an ATF.

I recently finished my first kit (a Venture 60) and being able to look at my RTF trainer saved my butt over and over again when I was assembling the Venture. Being able to see how servos should be positioned or where the throttle goes or even how the engine was mounted is a HUGE help.

Plus, since I had never flown before, the RTF gave me confidence while an ATF probably would have made me worry that I assembled something wrongly.

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

Obviously simply a personal choice. I started with an RTF Avistar but would certainly not dispute the value of learning some assembly with an ARF. I just wanted to start learning ASAP. To be honest, after a while I switched engines from the 40LA the Avistar came with to a 46FX. MUCH better airplane after that. That was almost 4 years ago. Still fly and enjoy it.

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

Most of the RTF's don't have very good engines for more than the trainer they are installed in. Thunder Tiger RTF's have a GP42 which is bushed and not bearinged so it is a bit underpowered. Fine for a trainer, but when you want move up it will probably be lacking in other airframes. The Hobbico line has the same problem since they use a OS40LA which has pretty much the same problem as the GP42, bushed and underpowered for its size. Same again, they work fine in the trainer, but give poor performance in other airframes. The radios that come with RTF's except for Hanger 9's PTS series are the bottom of the rung for radios. Now the receiver and servos can be used over and over as long as you stay with the same brand or range. Hitech/Futaba vs. Airtronics/JR. Thunder Tiger RTF's come with either a Airtronics Vangard and a couple come with Hitec Focus. Hobbico comes with Futaba.

Hanger 9 comes with Evolution engines, but use their trainer series engine with a 3 blade prop. It's almost a .46 engine, at .455, but has more power than the other 2 listed when used with a good prop. Hanger 9 trainers come with a JR Sport 400 except for the PTS series which is a JR SX600 sport which is a digital 6 channel with 10 model memory. Hanger 9 also comes pretty much built. I helped a friend put together his Mustang PTS in about 30 mins to a hour.

Tower Hobbies has a couple of RTF's a 60 and a 40. Both come with a analog 4 channel futaba copy tower hobby radio. Both come with tower engines, .61 and .46 which are good engines with plenty of power. You could use either of these engines in any other airframes and be quite happy with their performance. If you go with Hitec or Futaba you could use the flight pack as well. The ARF's for these airframes are the cheapest so when you crash it and you will. They will be the least expensive to replace.

The Tower 40 RTF is $ 249.00 and with a $25.00 savings this month thats $224.00.

I bought a radio off Ebay, I got a cheap ARF and a magnum 46 while there were on sale for $59.99 and I stilled paid more than the Tower 40 RTF.

If I was to do it over again I would get the Tower RTF. I ended up getting the Spektrum radio so my flight packs for my old radio don't work anyway. You are going to spend money on this hobby and not get it back , so just try to spend it as wisely as possible. Its hard for a guy starting out to justify buying a high dollar radio and such at first.

Get a Simulator as well, best 200 bucks I ever spent. I've crashed atleast 20k in airplanes on that thing :D Get a Instructor too. So you have more than one flight on your first attempt.

Just my 2 cents

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

I built my first trainer...but thats just because I was stupid :) and had my dad there helping me. Then it crashed and i was like 'screw it' im buying an ARF. I think buying an ARF is a better choice than the RTF. Like piperchuck said in an earlier post, you learn about installing radio, and engine, etc. I know I didnt worry too much about whether or not I made a mistake. If you follow the instructions its hard to go wrong! And ask lots of questions!

Also, since you are a new pilot and all, I wouldnt go with a low wing plane. I would start off with a normal trainer. I had the Avistar and I LOVED it. It can do lots of different manuevers and what not. I think I even half-ass knife edged it once. After you become confortable with the plane and your landings and take off's...then go into a low wing plane, but maybe one with a bigger airfoil like the Sig Somethin Extra, or even the Hanger 9 P-51 you mentioned.

Best of luck to you and ask any questions you may have in the future.

Bobby

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

I don't know if there is a correct answer to this question. On the one hand, I honestly believe that building your first trainer from a kit would be the best way to go. It would give you thorough knowledge of how the plane is constructed as well as the confidence to repair it in the event of a mishap. On the other hand, I remember how bewildered I was just going through my Nexstar Select RTF and trying to figure everything out about it when it was new.

Piloting, modelling (construction, repair), and mechanics (maintenence, tuning) are three seperate disciplines and all three are required to stay in this hobby for any length of time. Starting with a kit will let you focus on your modelling skills first, starting with an ARF will emphasize your mechanical skills initially, and an RTF trainer lets you jump to piloting skills right away. The problem is that you need all three to be successful, and if you jump right to piloting skills, you'll be stuck again the first time you have to repair a ding in your wing's leading edge or your engine won't idle.

Rather than suggest that there is truly a "best" way to learn all of this, I'd simply advise you to dive in to the part of this hobby that interests you the most right off of the bat. Like all of the rest of us, you can then ask for help with the other aspects of RC flying that don't come as naturally to you. Having fellow club members to learn from and online resources like RC Universe are what makes this hobby available for folks who aren't natural modellers or mechanics.

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

well said...well said

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

I'm a beginner and I bought a slightly used Hangar 9 Alpha RTF with the radio equipment. The evolution engine seems to have plenty of power for me. Even though I haven't soloed yet, I just bought a full eliptical low-wing ARF for my 2nd plane and am designing a seaplane that I'll scratch build except for the wing as a fellow flyer has an extra one he's giving me. Now that I'm learning more about the equipment, I feel confident about selecting servos, receivers, and the other gear needed for an ARF or scratch build.

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

I think you should do whatever you are wanting to do. However, since you do already have an electric, I would go ARF if you have the time and patience to do it. I built my first plane, (SIG LT-40) last weekend. I learned a LOT from building it. However, you should probably have someone there with you that can help you. I had my son-in-law with me and he was a HUGE help, in fact he had some good ideas that we used that were not in the instructions. I think building the plane helps you understand your plane much better, but that's just my opinion.

For the record, I used the O.S. .40 engine and the Futaba 4YF 4-channel radio. I bought the whole thing from Tower Hobbies for just over $325.

My son-in-law has the Hanger 9 Mustang. He loves the plane, he just has problems keeping it out of the pond! [&o]

RE: RTF or ARF for a beginner?
 

"I had my son-in-law with me and he was a HUGE help, in fact he had some good ideas that we used that were not in the instructions."

Having an exerpienced flyer available for valuable advice is extremely helpful. My instructor has been there to advise and help. The owner of the company I bought the Exporer from has contacted me with helpful suggestions. He just put one together and told me of the problems with the instructions. He sent me some pics of his pushrod installation. As I don't like the dowel type pushrods, I'm installing regular 2-56 rods and tubes. As the formers in the plane don't have space for supporting the pushrods, another fellow flyer gave me some good advice on how to get inside to put in the tube supports. Having good help and advice is the key to a newbie's success at building and flying.