looking to get into planes
 

i have been reading the forums here about what planes are good for trainers and all. i looked at the Hanger 9 p51 mustang and i read up on it and thought it would be a good kit to start off with. i am basicaly looking for a trainer that comes with everything and 95% built and a flight sim package. anyone flew these planes as a benniger?how was it? are they strong for trainers? i will be looking for someone to train me aswell i dont think i would try to learn to fly an airplane on my own. the controller is the one that you can like up to a trainers contrller so he would have the control of the plane until he lets me take over on mine?
let me know your ideas.

RE: looking to get into planes
 

I can't really offer any input on the P-51 PTS since I personally have no experience with it. You did mention instruction though. Go to this page and look for a club in your area: http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx

They'll have a nice flying field and plenty of people ready to help you out.

RE: looking to get into planes
 

The entire PTS line of trainers, although doable, are not the best choice and yes I had one as my 3rd plane.
Some people learn on them and some find them to difficult. Traditional high wing trainers have a better track record overall.
You will find people that love the PTS trainers and people that don't.
Take most high wing trainers with the exception of the Nexstar and the Duraplane and there are no mixed reviews they are all great for learning.
Negatives on the Nexstar are minor, some people don't like the extra gadgets on the Nexstar that are included in the cost like the AFS auto pilot which is the first thing most people disconnect.
The Duraplane is built to take a crash but that also makes it heavier than most trainers so it needs to be flown faster.
If it was my money I wouldn't buy an airplane with mixed reviews, just my 2C

RE: looking to get into planes
 

The pts mustang has been a great little plane for me. I found it easy to fly, but some have not. Guess its like buying a car. Some will like it and others will not. If you rely on mixed reviews, I doubt you would ever buy anything again. If you have read the entire thread, you know what has been said, both good and bad, about the mustang. What it boils down to is, if its what you want, go for it. You did say you would get help from an instructor. That will be of great help and will add to your enjoyment and keep you involved in the hobby. The radio that comes with the rtf is alot better than those you get with other rtf's. The engine was simple to tune and has flown the plane well for me. The sim helped alot. Spend alot of time on it to get the feel of going away and towards you control. You may develop some bad habits until you get with an instructor, but a good instructor will correct you pretty quick. Then you can practice on the sim what you learned with your instructor. your willingness to read the mustang thread put you ahead of the game so you know what to look for and the tips to prevent trouble.
Whatever you decide to do, enjoy and get out there and fly.:D

RE: looking to get into planes
 

I have had the Mustang PTS for about 4 years now. It was my 2nd plane. My first was a NexSTAR and after flying it for only a week I was hooked. Then a horrifying thought entered my head-" what if I crash my NexSTAR, I won't have anything to fly?" I promptly ordered my PTS, put it togeather and spent the next month admiring it while I flew my NexSTAR. I am glad I trained on a high wing trainer as it made my transition to the low wing Mustang a lot easier. I still had some nervous moments with it the first couple of flights but gradually they went away and now I still fly it regularily along with my NexSTAR and my other 15 in the fleet. It would be a good starter plane with the right instructor leading you, but a high wing trainer sure would make the transition easier (besides you need more than one plane anyway;);))

Curt

RE: looking to get into planes
 

well maybe i willl buy 2 mustangs :-)
j/k. i will do some more research and see what i find out. but i think i am going to go with the mustang. thank you guys for you help.

RE: looking to get into planes
 

You might want to look a the H9 Alpha (or Arrow) package. Personnally IMHO I think that is the way to go. I have taught on the PTS P-51 package, but the Alpha works out a lot better for both the student and me as an instuctor. As you progress, you can always buy a PTS P-51 ARF (about $120) as a second plane and transfer all your radio and engine to that.

RE: looking to get into planes
 

I would be safe and get a high wing trainer. They are much more stable and forgiving. If you are brand new to flying you need time for the controls to become second nature in BOTH directions (control reversal) A high wing trainer flies slow, more stable, and gives you more time to react. It only takes a second to "dumb thunb" your pride and joy into a zillion pieces if everything isn't second nature.

Here are some good [link=http://www.hooked-on-rc-airplanes.com/rc-trainer-airplane.html]characteristics of a good trainer airplane.[/link]

You have all the time in the world to upgrade later. Why take the chance on destroying a plane and possible getting frustrated enough to leave the hobby all together?

Just my 2cents.

Good luck with whatever you choose.


Wings

RE: looking to get into planes
 

i checked those other two planes out and i will check more into them and see what i can decide to do on which plane to get. i am in no rush to go out and just get anything i want to save some money and look around.