RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

It's not difficult if you get the help of an instructor. He'll translate the Greek for you.:D

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

yeah but should i just go with the avistar then

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

Welcome to the hobby,
I teach at our field and my first choice is an LT 40 with a .45 or a STRONG .40. but any decent trainer is fine.
First planes get beat up so expensive is NOT the way to go. Repairability is a factor so simple helps.
I'm not at all opposed to a S.PA.D. trainer, the Debonairs are fine flying planes and can be quickly built for VERY cheap. all the gear is the same as any of the trainers mentioned and would easily swap over.( check out the SPAD forum here on RCU)
Check out Local clubs ( AMA has a locator feature this site may have one also?) A used trainer can be a good way to go. Some clubs have 'em around just for kids on budgets.

NEVER FORGET RULE # 1......HAVE FUN:D

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

You've been given many options but you can't expect us to make up your mind for you. That wouldn't be fair. You're 14, step up and make a decision. Talk to your parents if you need to but we don't know your aptitude for this sort of thing. The Avistar is a good plane but so are the other planes listed.

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

i think i'm gunna just go with that cheap avistar then

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

That'll work.

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

Regardless of what you get you should still find an instructor, and join the AMA.

Here's something else to consider if you get the electric. The battery in the plane is probably only going to give you 1 (maybe 2) flights in it before you will need to recharge it. If want more at the field you will need to invest in a good field charger (usually $100+) that will recharge the battery at the field. If not and you still want more than just one flight each trip to the field then you will need to purchase more battery packs that you can charge at home. Whichever you choose (glow powered or electric) there are going to be downsides. The glow powered may cost more for the plane and engine, but you can get more fligths each trip to the field (3-8 flights/trip). To get that many flights out of an electric you are going to need more batteries or a field charger.

Just giving you some more food for thought

Ken

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

i just purchased online, the avistar, i hope it's the plane for a beginner like me???? if i get an instructer things should go pretty good i guess, and i also purchased the esky rc simulator to practice up a lil i guess, but how do i get the avistar on the esky simulator so i can get used to the avistar itself??? anyways just thought i'd let u guys know i bought it!!!!!:D:D:D

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

I am in my 3rd week of the hobby, and I first thought an instructor was non sense, BUT IT WAS VALUABLE, after 2 saturdays with an instructor, the third saturday, I was able to do everything myself, take off, landing the whole thing. There is NO WAY I could have done it with out an instructor. Also, a MAJOR contributor to my sucess was Real Flight 3.5 simulator (If you cant afford to buy it, download the demo, it flies almost exactly as a real RC does.) Welcome to the addiction

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

That is what I bought, very forgiving Plane, just get with an instructor to teach you how to set it up and fly, have fun!

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

You probably can't but most trainers fly fairly close to the same. Find a plane within the sim that LOOKS like the Avistar and use that.

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

what do any of you think about the alpha trainer 40, from hanger 9, i looked at the manual and it doesn't even state the control throws, is this like some cheap thing thats for lil kids or a good serious trainer???

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

The hangar 9 Alpha series of trainers are perfectly fine trainers. Not toys at all.
In fact Hangar 9 is one of the top names in RC airplanes and they put out some quality airplanes with thorough and easy to follow manuals.
Where did you find the manual? I would be very surprised that Hangar 9 would not print the throws in the manual.
I have several Hangar 9 planes and the recommended throws for all of them are in the manual.

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

Actually, the Hanger 9 Alpha 40 is one of the better trainers on the market. The reason why you didn't find any control throws listed is because you looked that the manual for the RTF (Ready To Fly) version of the plane. The plane comes out of the box with the radio gear already installed and has the control throws already set. If you have looked at the manual for the ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) version you would find that the control throws are indeed listed.

Ken

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

I vote for the Sig LT .40. The second best flying plane I ever flew. What ever You do get some help. It will save You a lot of work and frustration.
john

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

my first choice is also the LT 40. but the Alphas are nice planes too. I once was given an alpha wing. I put it on a home made fuse that used a plastic bat and a tail boom... we called it an ALPHABAT[:@]

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

what do you guys think about the esky flight simulator??? i just ordered that off ebay, i d k is it anygood?????

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

Hello,
I'm also new the the hobby. I found a good deal on ebay on a Hobbico Superstar Select RTF with an OS LA .40 engine a couple of weeks ago. I got the plane, put it together and took it to the local feild last Sunday to have it looked over by one of the instructors.
We broke the engine in and decided it was time to see if it would fly. The instructor got it in the air, trimmed it out and had it flying slow enough for me to take the control, (didn't have the correct trainer cord handy) I flew it around the field for 15 minutes or so and the instructor brought it back in for me.

The instructor and all the other pilots said I did very well with my first time at the controls. I have to give most of the credit to the Hobbico Superstar. I know how nervous I was! The plane just reacted slow enough to be forgiving of my mistakes and shaking hands!;)

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

Congrats plcline67 - the first step/flight is the tough one. From here the fun just grows.:)

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

It will take a couple of days but your knees will stop shaking.
Great Fun :D

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

hi i am new to rc airplane's i built a ww2 spitfire from balsa wood it took me month's to build and i was happy with the final product,,

however i had problem.s lining the engine and proppellor's up so it is straight,,,i dont have any movement to adjust on the engine mount's,,,
i was considering using washer's to try and even it all out but it will need a lot....

doe's anyone have any good tip's for this...???,,,thank,s

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

Yes, put it on a shelf and go purchase a trainer aircraft. A Spitfire is NOT a beginners airplane in ANY manner. Join a club and get proper instruction. Your new club mates will be able to actually look at your Spit and give good suggestions for when you are ready to fly it.

If you try to fly it too soon it won't last long.

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

Welcome plcline67, I'm new to this hobby also. I've had just a few flights myself, and the first time I was real shakey! Still get nervous when we do something new, but after doing the things over and over, you'll find yourself getting confidence and will start enjoying practicing what you've been taught.

CC

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

Join a club and listen to them. You may think they are takeing you to slow, but You will learn more in a week than You can teach Yourself in a year.
Don't forget to have fun.
john

RE: Starting out, i need help.
 

Hi All,
I've got a question about controllers. I currently have two helicopters. One is a 4 channel and one is a 6 channel. Are they compatible to airplanes too or do I need a seperate controller for that. Appreciate any help or advice, I would like to buy a plane for the times when the weather isnt appropriate for helicopters.