First plane ??
 

Hi i am new to rc planes but have extensive rc car experience.
i would like to know about good begginer planes that you can step up from and use as an intermediate or advanced level. Is 3ch or 4 channel right?? Also, i don't want to spend to much on my first plane 'cause i will probobly crash it. Any info would be great
thanks

RE: First plane ??
 

Any trainer combo will be cheaper than buying a car chassis and motor, the reason for a trainer is just because you do cars doesn't mean you can fly. Buy a trainer, go to your local RC flight field and find out who the club instructor is. TAKE LESSONS it will save you a lot of money in crashed planes, then once you have it with the trainer the sky is the limit. I fly giant scale planes from 87in wing span to 140in now and some of my planes are worth more than peoples cars. I used to race cars too and thought the transition would be a snap, after going through about $700 in airframes I took lessons from a trainer at my field and have never looked back. Now when I wreck a plane it is from $1,200 to $10,000 down, but when one go in it is because of a failure mostly, and every now and then ME.

RE: First plane ??
 

I've put together a list of planes that make good trainers and second planes. All of them on the list are proven planes that are well suited for successfully letting students learn to fly, or advance to a second plane. Check out the list here
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4537845/tm.htm] Looking for a trainer- what's available. (Updated 8-16-07) [/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

RE: First plane ??
 

Like most who will reply, I'd recommend getting a basic 4 channel trainer plane and working with an instructor.

I'd consider one of the RTF packages that includes plane, engine, and radio. After you know how to fly, and decide you're ready for a new plane, keep the trainer intact and buy new stuff for the next plane. That way you always have the trainer available if something happens to your other plane(s).


Tower Hobbies Trainer 40 RTF, $254.99
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXCXF4**&P=0

Hobbico Superstar 40 Select, $279.99
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXEKF3**&P=SM

Hobbico Avistar 40 Select, $279.99
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...1p?&I=LXMU53**

Hangar 9 Arrow 40, $299.99
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN2550

Hangar 9 Alpha 40, $289.99
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN2475

Thunder Tiger Easy Trainer 40T Plus with Super Combo, $269.99
http://www.thundertiger4u.com/thunde...ed-p-7291.html

Thunder Tiger Easy Trainer 40H Super Combo with free Side Kick, $265.99
http://www.thundertiger4u.com/thunde...de-p-7284.html
This combination is a super deal because it includes the basic field equipment that you'll need to get.

RE: First plane ??
 

I always recommend that a new flier visit a club first. They may have a club owned trainer that you can fly and they will know what frequencies (channels) are in use most of the time so when you are ready to buy yours, you will know which channel to get.

Good luck!

RE: First plane ??
 

That is a good idea. Our club is small, and we do not have a club trainer. We have instructors (and buddy boxes) but the student as to supply the plane.

RE: First plane ??
 

you guys showed me a lot of good GAS trainers (nitro/gas/whatever)
But i was going to look into electric first because they seem less expensive.
Any ideas on a good electric trainer????

RE: First plane ??
 

Only the small electric park flyers are less expensive. When you get into the larger (i.e. .40 size planes and up), with brushless motors and LiPo batteries, you end up paying quite a bit more up front. I have some smaller brushless/electric planes, but for larger planes I'm still sticking with nitro.

Here's two inexpensive electric park flyers that seem to fly pretty well:

Firebird Phantom ($60):
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ4700

HobbyZone Super Cub ($160):
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ7100

EDIT: Here's a larger electric RTF trainer with a brushless motor and NiMH battery pack, it'll run you $300:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXNVC0**&P=0