First Plane?
 

Hi all,

I am thinking off starting in this hobby as it always been a childhood dream of mine to fly RC Planes and Helicopters.
I have been flying a Honeybee King II helicopter for about 3 months and I think it`s time for my first airplane.

I suppose it`s an old question but what plane to start with?

I have radio, rx, sevos, li-po`s etc so I`m thinking of a ARTF kit with brushless motor.
From what I can gather the norm for newbies is a high winged Cessna/Piper type with a wingspan of about 40 to 50 inches. I realise the norm is for 3 channels but with some heli experience behind me I think I`ll try with 4.

So, any suggestions/corrections or advice is more than welcome.

Thanks everyone,
ants.

RE: First Plane?
 

Bigger is better, and today the norm is to start with 4 channels. If you go to the beginner's forum, there is a 'sticky' with a list of recommended planes to start with. I don't know much about electrics 'cause I fly glow planes, but I'd look for something similar to the Tower Trainer from Tower Hobbies. Inexpensive and is everything you could ask from a trainer plane. I'm sure people have made it brushless, and there is probably a brushless counterpart out there too.

Welcome to the hobby, it's loads of fun! I've wanted to do this since I was a kid, too, and just started this past summer. It's been a real trip, and has even led me to fly a full size Cessna!

Have fun...

RE: First Plane?
 

You should get some answers here regarding electric models. RCU also owns a site called http://www.wattflyer.com that is dedicated to electric flight.

If you will be joining a BMFA chartered club http://www.bmfa.org and working with an instructor, you will get different recommendations than if you will be learning on your own.

RE: First Plane?
 

Check out hobbyzone.com. The Hangar 9 Piper J-3 .40 would be a good choice that can be converted to glow engine later if you wanted.

RE: First Plane?
 

Have a look at the Multiplex MiniMag, can be set up as 3 channel to start, can fly it like that for a few weeks and then go to 4 channel in about 5 / 10 mins !!!

Get some fixed wing Simulator time as well which will help !!!

RE: First Plane?
 

i learnt to fly a gws slowstick (3 channel) by myself. the thing is so easy to fly and its only $25 and when you are ready go up to the estarter (4 channel) ($30). get a brushless not a stock brushed motor
if you want to move up in the hobby and eventually start flying nitro's i would get a 6 channel radio, since they arnt much more expensive and will save you money in the long run. if park flyers are your goal then the futaba 4yf is fine.

RE: First Plane?
 

Hi,

Thanks all,

I have a Futaba 6EX 2.4GHz radio system, as well as a basic 4 channel set up so I should be okay there.

I have been googling and came across the E-flight Taylorcraft which seems okay for learning and then basic aerobatics.

I could be wrong!
Any advice?

Thanks, ants.

RE: First Plane?
 

I've flown one with a park 450 in it, good flying plane also if you want to stay electric! But it may be more difficult to convert to glow later if thats what you have in mind. I mis-read what you said about your rc experience, upon reading it again, you might consider a foamie until you get a little more experience. I usually reccomend a Super Cub for begginers. But if you're dead set on starting out 4 channel, you might look at the Skyartec Cessna, or something similar. E-flite apprentice is also very good but is pretty expensive for something you are probably going to crash a few times while learning.