First Plane
 

Hello,

I joined RC Universe recently. I want to say "Hello" and to introduce myself and my RC background. I started racing electric carpet oval many years ago, I had a few Team Associated RC10L. I also have a Kyosho Lazer ZX5. I stopped racing because of time and work. I recently got back into the RC hobby a year ago by purchasing an HPI Savage X truck, my first nitro vehicle. My garage continued to grow with the addition of a Traxxis Revo3.3, Mugen MBX5T ProSpec, and an Team Losi LST.

Eventually, I got more into helicopters and purchased a SIM, eventually my first helicopter, a TREX 450SEV2. Now, I have added a Raptor30 and most recently a TREX 600NitroPro. I have just recently, a month back, gotten more and more interested in planes.

I am a member of MAAC and the Toronto RC Heli Club. They only fly helicopters. I have a fixed wing instructor lined up and will be joining a fixed wing flying club.

I have began to search for my first plane, I have settled on and will purchase soon the Hanger 9 P51 Mustang PTS ARF with the Saito FA56 AAC with Futaba S3004 servos all round including one for the flaps. I have a DX7, so, I will also be putting the AR7000 full range receiver in the P51.

Before I make the final commitment and spring for the above plane and parts, I would like your opinions on the plane, the engine, servos and receiver. I am new to planes and want to go about learning to fly and setting up my plane properly. In the meantime, I am practicing on the SIM and next week will head to the flying field for my first fixed wing lesson... Woo Hoo!!!

Any comments & suggestions are welcome and appreciated...

RE: First Plane
 

Sounds like a great setup. Others can chime in on the engine 'cause I know nothing about Saito. That plane is a little tough for a first timer to handle, but with your RC experience I think you will love it. It's fast and looks great ripping by in the sky.

Even with your experience it's best to get on a buddy cord with an instructor. Have someone fly it, trim it out, check it over, etc. then take you up on the cord. You will have lots of fun.

RE: First Plane
 

Jiver:
I also like helis a lot I only have a Trex SA and a CP Pro, it took me some time to handle them the way that I do it now, I am not an expert but I can hover them and make some routines with out crashing (that means a lot for me).
Do you remember the Radd's School of rotary flight?
I took the lessons and went very easy to feel comfortable, I had not an instructor but I was much disciplined on following the Radd's School lessons.
You will feel that flying airplanes should be easier for you, because you already are aware of orientations; the big difference here is that the plane can't stay motionless in the sky as helis can do so fly in advance is good.
You also will find that it is easier to fly with a the help of a buddy box and an instructor (I know that when flying helis the use of a buddy box is almost impossible), that can save you a lot of money and the set up will take only a few minutes.
On your choice I would say that it is a good one, keep the airbrakes of the PTS on until you feel comfortable and a bit more.
The choice of your engine is the best (I am a Saito user with 6 engines of different displacements), this engine will last long and could be used in a further project.
You also will find that in the worst event of a crash, the repairs or replacement of the .40 and .60 sized airplanes are way cheaper than those in the Helis world.

RE: First Plane
 

Sounds like you have the bases covered, I learned to fly helis and airplanes somewhat simultaniously.
I have had several cheap Walkera's, a Blade CX (first succesfull flights), Blade CP Pro, ECO8, Raptor 60, Hirobo Shuttle, 2 T-Rex 450 XL's, T-Rex 600, HDX-450 (maybe better than a T-Rex) and a JR Venture. A bit carried away? Maybe so I sold most of them and bought a couple of nice airplanes including a Great Planes Super Stearman. I only have the Venture and HDX heli left but am looking for a good deal on a T-Rex SE.
I think the precission needed to fly a heli make me a better airplane pilot. You will catch on fast I am sure.

RE: First Plane
 

Stay away from the p-51 even though it says its a trainer trust me its not.
My neighbor thought it would be a cool first plane but its not. It may be a
good second or third airplane. My neighbors instructor crashed it the third
week he had it. the sim is way different than the field. I suggest a hobbico
hobbistar 60 mk III. it has a semi symetrical wing and flies pretty sweet.

RE: First Plane
 

I'll second what ztate said. The P-51 PTS is a great secondary, or advanced, trainer. I have a student who has one that was a replacement for his Sky Raider Mach I that went in due to radio interference.

If you do get it, take the speed brakes off the landing gear and go with a 2 blade 11 X 5 prop. We flew one flight with all the aids on and the 3-blade just to see what it would to, and it was a dog on the edge of a stall all the time. Even with the wing tip extension on and flaps in the down position, it's still not a good trainer to learn on. Look into something like the Alpha 40 instead. I have a student who's been flying his Alpha 40 with the stock 3-blade prop and it does just fine, or did until he decided to go out on his own before he was ready and dorked in with a nose plant - now guess who gets to do the first flight after his repair [sm=rolleyes.gif][sm=spinnyeyes.gif].

Hogflyer

RE: First Plane
 

Gordon You and I are in the same boat. I fly the Trex 450V2 aswell as you know from my previous post, and if you can handle that bird in figure 8s you wont have any trouble flying the mustang. I only had 2 previous flights on fixed wing and that was with the high wing trainers or should I say Blimps with a fusalage! lol BORRRRING!! Dont worry my freind, the Mustang was a wise decision and the larger motor will only help. Just because you own a Corvette(Mustang) doesnt mean you have to do 180mph all the time. It comes with a trottle stick.;) Definantly take the gear doors off though! they really srew up the flight caractoristics.

Trevor

RE: First Plane
 

yup take off all the extras and set the flaps all the way up. It is faster than any other trainer and it is less freindly to repair, a lot less.
Do to your previous RC experince I can understand not wanting a conventional trainer. As an instructer I would say get one any way and master it well then move on. A Sig LT Fourty or Goldberg Eagle and and only use 1/2 the recomended dihedral. If you do the Goldberg Eagle leave the side window knockouts in and build up the windscreen with balsa and micro baloons then just use your plastic windows as monokote patterns for the window look, much more durable and looks as good as any other trainer. I would recomend a 2 cycle 45 such as the OS 45 AX or TT Pro 45 (46?) these planes were designed for this power to weight ratio. Good Luck![8D]