:Am Looking For Advice:
 

I'm brand new here, so hello to you all.. In a 'nutshell'.. Many years ago I flew control line aircraft, and I'd like to get back into flying again -- this time RC stuff.. I have nobody to 'fly' with, I live too far from any clubs or other flyers {Nevada desert}, so all the info I 'see' or get is either on-line, paid ads, or from cataloges, and we all know that each salesperson claims to have the very 'best' there is on the market - right? I feel my best advice will come from 'flyers', not store clerks.. You folks are 'flyers', so that why I'm asking for your advice.. I think I need a good trainer to start off with and have read a lot of good reports about both the Hobbico SuperStarSelect-40 and Sig's LT-40 Trainer.. In time I hope to get into Warbirds, but I need to start at the bottom and work up first.. I need as close to a RTF as possible {and a RTF would be better - I'm retired and I'm handicapped, I can't walk much and can only stand for short periods of time}.. I understand that both those planes come complete with everything needed to just about fly them 'out of the box' - and that's good for me.. I admire all the skilled-work and fantastic looking planes I see flying, but I'm just not capable of doing that work..
..______Thank you for your input_______..

:Am Looking For Advice:
 

go to spadtothebone.com. check out spad aircraft. they are cheap and very durable, unlike thier balsa counterparts.

:Am Looking For Advice:
 

The Superstar 40 Select it a very good trainer plane. It was my first! It comes about as complete as you can get. Assembly only takes about 30 min. Wings go together with a small rod and 2 straps w/ screws that hold the wing together. The tail feathers go together by sliding the elevator stab in then the rudder stab has 2 threaded studs that slip thru the elevator and install 2 nuts, hook up the control rods & your done - providing you bought the plane as the combo deal that comes with everything. The only thing not included is fuel & a glow starter.
If you dont have an instructor to help you I suggest you also get a flight simulator and play with it for awhile first. That might keep you from loosing your plane right off the bat but no guarantees.
Keep in mind a trainer serves 4 purposes - learn to takeoff, fly, land and REPAIR!! Mine served ALL 4 very well especially the last one! He He!!
Good luck in your venture & remember - Taking off is an option, Landing is not!!

:Am Looking For Advice:
 

I'll second the simulater for bigginers. Im still a newbie(flew 4 time on a buddy box last fall) and I got G2 over the winter and can tell a big differance in my skills.(even my instructor has been impressed) I should solo in a few more flight's. The sim has helped me keep from makeing the wrong movements with the sticks,like oops that should have been a left turn. It seems to make it more natural on the real rc world.

:Am Looking For Advice:
 

The sig LT 40 trainer will work well for you. I am not familiar with the hobbico you mention, but if it is a high wing trainer with dihedral, it should be fine. It is possible to learn all by yourself, but if you have a computer, you can buy a simulator which will help a lot.

Another good airplane choice is the Kadet senior ARF. it flies even more slowly than the typical .40 sized trainers.

:Am Looking For Advice:
 

All the above advice is great. You're asking the right questions in the right places!

About the simulator, yes! I have to say it is probably the best tool you can get to learn on your own. You mentioned that you can't walk much... I fear if you are trying to fly a trainer out of the box with little experience, it will be landing (perhaps crashing) quite a distance away from you for the first few flights. The simulator (I use G2) will let you practice not only landing, but landing near you. You may also find the simulator nice for those days where you want to fly but the weather (or wife, or time of day, or car, or whatever) is not cooperative.

I think the simulator will really save you some (though probably not all) of the rebuild time as well.

No matter what path you go down, remember to keep it safe. Keep a first aid kit in the field box. Try not to fly alone, but if you do, have a cell phone handy in case of accident. AMA membership is a good idea for the insurance. Common sense is the biggest plus.

Welcome aboard! You're in for a great time.

Jon

:Am Looking For Advice:
 

Although you said you live far from any clubs, I would still suggest you find the "nearest" club, and seek their help and advice for at least the first couple outings. There is absolutely no substitute for experience, and these guys have that. You will be very surprised how many things can go wrong with a new airplane, and just how difficult those first flights really are.

Even if you have to drive 100 miles or more, if you are really serious about learing to fly, it is worth the trip.

Learing to fly is a very rewarding experience, well worth the effort. But crashing on the first flight is no fun at all.

trainer
 

wldgoos. hi there not sure about the planes you listed but , i started out in jan. 03 with the hanger 9 alpha trainer and its a quick RTF and the motor is great for new fliers that dont have much help around. all i did was put it together and charged (24 hr first time) and fueled it up and it flew...of cource i had a long time flier maiden it..that my story and I'm sticking to it...spooner :D

:Am Looking For Advice:
 

The Sig LT 40 is a much better model than the hobbico trainers. It's lighter so it flies slower and is less prone to being damaged upon hard impact. It's as good of a trainer as you'll find.

:Am Looking For Advice:
 

I prefer glow planes myself, but Id like to suggest, in addition to a simulator(!) that you try a small electric "park flyer" if you're bent on going it alone.

Something like a GWS Slow Stick would be a good choice. Try EZone for some reviews. They're made of foam and are easy/quick to repair.

I've heard that any mention of the 'competition' results in the post being deleted, but I hope not. :(

http://www.ezonemag.com/

Dennis-

:Am Looking For Advice:
 

Hey!!! You folks are terrific.. I sure do appreciate all these great replies -- -- and great comments.. You can bet I'll seriously look into each and every reply.. If there were a 'rating' system here, you'd all get the 'top' rating for sure.. Thank You very much :)