RCU Forums - Trainer??

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I know there are probably lots of posts on here about trainers but I have a question. I have not flown a trainer in about 20 years, I guess I should keep one in the hanger but I don't, it was an all foam w/ an Enya .15 Anyway, My 12 yearold son is showing alot of interest in flying and I would like to get him started with a good trainer. I would prefer to get him one as an all in one package that comes with a transmitter that is compatible with my Futaba so that we can use the trainer cord. I have been looking at the Nexstar, any pros and cons or other trainer suggestions.

The Nexstar will definitely get the job done. www.towerhobbies.com also has several other RTF trainer packages that are pretty good also.

i am getting a nexstar from tower :)

Anything but a Nexstar....over priced...you're paying for stuff you don't need.....frankly there are better flying trainers out there...

I think if I had to learn again,this is what I'd start with[see link and pic below]. Just buy a good futaba system to go with it. Any radios that come "with" trainer planes(I know the nextar radio is) are going to be outdated before you even by them and they dont have enough options on them like the computer radios do.....Like even a futaba 4exa(nice beginner radio),but even then,you'll likely want a 6 channel before too long.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDJB5&P=0

Do you have any clubs or instructors close? If so, meet with them before you buy anything. They may have a club trainer you can use or they can make recommendations.

There are a plethora of trainers to choose from and you will get a lot of opinions but it's best to find out what your club and/or instructor recommends. I started with the NexStar and loved it. I bought the package and it came with all the electronics, (servos, receiver, transmitter, battery, etc), and engine already installed. It was easy to assemble, and it came with a simulator that runs on the computer. I didn't shop around to see what everything would have cost if I had purchased them separately and as some have mentioned it was probably more expensive than others. Since I was just starting out I didn't know enough about putting it all together anyway, so having it all in one package was ideal for me.

So, look around, join a club, and ask questions before you buy.

Good luck!

rwright-

If I understood him right, I think he has been flying for 20 years, but no longer has a trainer laying around. Sounds like he will be the instructor for his son.

just about any slow flying plane would work if you are the instructor. do you have a cub or a flat bottom wing plane in the hanger? if you do then just get a second radio for a buddy box. the only thing is it might take him longer to land, if its not a trike style landing gear. but then again, a 12 yr old that has been playing video games a little might be better than us seasoned guys

http://www.thundertiger4u.com/thunde...k-p-13083.html

The Thunder Tiger Tiger Trainer .40 Mk II Super Combo is available right now for $269.99 including free shipping and a free TT Side Kick accessory combo. You get the TT Tiger Trainer .40 Mk II ARF covered with Ultracote, a Thunder Tiger GP-42 2-stroke engine preinstalled with propeller and glow plug, and a Hitec Laser 4 radio system pre-installed. Final assembly consists of merely connecting the two wing halves together, bolting the pre-hinged tail surfaces to the fuselage, and then attaching the wing.

The Hitec Laser 4 radio that comes with the Super Combo is completely compatible with Futaba radios for buddy boxing. It is a higher quality unit than the Futaba 4YBF radio that comes with the Nexstar, featuring a metal handle (vs. plastic), end point adjustments for aileron and elevator, and even v-tail/elevon mixing for use with other sport planes down the road.

The side kick combo that comes with the plane at no cost includes a glow ignitor with charger, fuel pump, fuel cap kit, extra fuel line, starting stick, 4-way glow/prop wrench, and even a carrying caddy. An electric starter might be a good upgrade, but it sounds like you probably already have one.

This is a top quality airframe combined with a great, easy-to-tune engine and a really nice sport radio. You can buddy box him from your transmitter and even start him out with his own field kit. This is hands-down the best value on the market for a really high quality RTF trainer.

As previously stated, there are a lot of good trainer packages out there. Good luck and good shopping.

http://www.thundertiger-europe.com/u...ics/4523_1.jpg

I have flown probably 20 different trainers over the last year as i am the test pilot at my field for some reason. Nextar's, Airmadillo's, duraplane's, Kadet's, and Avistar's. In my opinion the best flying trainer is the Avistar. It is light and very easy to take off and land but also will get the student ready for their first "real" plane. And at only 100$ the price can't be beat.