Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

I am an instructor at our local field and yesterday had an experience with a new student and trainer ARF that I felt needed to be passed along. I can't cover this subject in just one short snippet paragraph so know this. I am taking the time to try and help you avoid a costly mistake that could cause you to leave the hobby early on.

First let me say we all have been there :) What airplane should you buy to learn on? There are several choices, but first let me encourage you to go to your local flying field and find out what trainer boxes your club has in stock and what ARF trainers are recommended by the experienced pilots at your local club. Then find the hobby store the field members use and believe in. It always helps to have someone at the store help you make the best decisions for you, and not someone just wanting to sell something. On line services just can't do this. It helps to have local experienced people available to offer real help. How do you place a value on this ? I don't think you can.

My student arrived with his pride an joy. An 'Easy Fly' trainer ARF. I tried to find it on different web sites but couldn't. So, who knows who makes it? It's junk IMHO.

The horizontal stabilizer and the vertical stabilizer were all so lose and flimsy they would have easily broken off on the first hard landing. Before the maiden flight my student used epoxy to glue these critical control surface to the fuselage. Not sure what the directions stated, but using epoxy to secure the horizontal stabilizer and the vertical stabilizer - the tail, to the fuselage are are critical steps in the assembly process regardless of what the directions say. Glue it or lose it!

The engine came lose on the maiden flight. One screw fell out and we were fortunate to not have the engine come off. This would have caused us to lose the airplane for sure, or it could have caused an injury. I can't tell you how often we see this thing happen. Make sure the engine is secure with no less than 440 socket head screws into blind nuts with blue lock tight. Throw away anything metric that you can......

The engine used was a MDS 40. Once we had the engine secured we had no less than four dead sticks. I worked on it and then asked someone with much more experience to also take a look. Still had problems. Not good for the guy trying to help you learn, let alone for a new soloed pilot once you are on your own. I got it down ok each time, but man, this kind of repeated engine failure is not common.

Ok, there are different opinions on engines. I am going to share just one. Go with an OS product....Get a model with an OS 40 LA or OS 46FX. These engines are usually used on 40 sized ARF kits and can be found in several different ARF trainer kits. The 46FX can be used in a second airplane when you are ready to advance to your second airplane and is certainly a better engine. The 40 LA is fine, if you are on a limited budget and not sure if you are going to stay in the hobby for long. IMHO there just seems to be fewer problems with OS engines. Now someone is going to come along with a different opinion on this which is fine. Get an OS and you won't be sorry.

The wing halves were held together with tape. You have to be kidding me. Tape????? I can't believe a value minded mfg. would instruct someone to use tape to hold the wing halves together. This is almost criminal. Again, use an ample supply of epoxy and glue the wing halves together. Be careful to not get epoxy on any of the movable surfaces or control rods. Not good if you do. Using epoxy will ensure that the wing halves do not come apart in flight when you are doing more advanced maneuvers like loops, spins and other fun things you will be wanting to do shortly.

Speaking of control rods, the control rods were made from wooden sticks with short wire rods taped to them. Again this is just plain junk....Throw these away and get 440 sized control rods. They are less likely to bend than 256 and much less likely to fail than wooden control rods with taped wires attached.

The tank was not wrapped in foam. This may have been the cause of the dead sticks. Vibration is one of the leading causes of bubbles in your fuel tank and line which causes the engine to run rough or not at all. The tank should be wrapped in foam and then inserted in the slot for the tank. You may have to use a dermal tool or exacto knife to shave the wood around the slot the tank fits into. Be careful to not cut yourself and to not cut more away than needed. I would recommend a Dubros, Hayes or Sullivan tank of the same size and silicone fuel tubing. Why you ask? Most stock ARF tanks are cheap and will fail at the stopper causing fuel to leak into your airplane. This creates a mess and is very hard to get out, even with the various absorbent products you will learn about about, most likely the hard way if you don't listen to this sound advise.

So what airplane should you buy? Like I said, ask the experienced pilots at your local field to get good local advise. The experienced people there will not steer you wrong. If you would like my personal opinion, email me and I will be glad to make a recommendation. Just please ask someone who can help you before you buy the lowest priced model on the market. Then don't be bashful in asking the same folks for help in the assembly process. It may take you a little longer, but you will have fun learning and your airplane will perform better and get you hooked on RC vs running you off before you find out just how much fun it really is.

Ok, this was long, but maybe just one new person to the hobby will listen. If so, then it was worth the time to type it. I sure am glad the person who helped me get started took the time to do so. Have fun and good luck.

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

Roger

You are very correct in all you have said. The standard answer should be when someone asks. Buy a trainer a big one PT40 or PT60 so one can see it better. Along with the correct size motor maybe a little larger, so it can be used on the next plane and a radio that will do them for some time (years). And above all get your insurance (in Canada maac). Find your local club and ask for help.

I flew control line for years a long time ago. So when I dicided to get back in called a friend who has flown for years and said what should I get.

Well I had quite a list : Greatplanes PT60 kit(I like to build) with yellow covering (so old eyes can see it) O.S. four stroke FS91S II, radio Futba 6X computer system. Expensive, yes. Plus all the nessary bits, tools and glue etc. to get started RIGHT. And above all read the instructions, any thing not understood phone, call or ask.

Their are some forums right here and very good freindly people to get info from. One should remember that the only dumb question is one that is not asked. :)

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

Thanks DVM. Sometimes you wonder if anyone is listening...

I felt bad really bad for the student pilot. He actually did a good job in his assembly process, considering what he had to work with. The airplane had been assembled neatly.

Manufacturers are trying to keep cost down and the assembly process easy for beginners, but there is a point of going too far. These very low end ARF manufactures are cutting so many corners to keep the cost down and to be able to advertise short assembly times that they are doing more to hurt the hobby and also creating potentially dangerous situations.

I sincerely wish the manufactures and companies marketing their products would take more care in putting a decent quality product out there for people to learn on. This is not about ARF bashing. It's about demanding a quality product at a fair price that does what a reasonable person would expect the product to do.

Manufacturers, if you are listening.......

1. Allow a student to learn how to fly.
2. With a product that will hold together.
3. That comes with decent quality hardware - not junk
4. With operational functions that work as needed for flight.
5. And requires reasonable maintenance

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

I've seen 'em come, and I've seen 'em go.....the EZ Flyer didn't last long. I wonder why? (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

We've all seen guys who are learning on all sorts of planes. I trashed a Goldberg Eagle II while learning, then, I think, an old Sig Kadet MKII. I didn't have an 'official' instructor - just my brother, who was a good pilot, but who assumed things had been done by me - when they hadn't. I lost planes due to every conceivable error or omission... dead batteries, old rubber bands, failed hinges.....you name it.

I ended up with (and love it) a Balsa USA Stik .40 and, way back then, a Goldberg Electra electric sailplane. I like to build, so I got to put in the hardware I wanted (and then pay the consequences if it was a bad choice).

For ARF trainers, it has to be a proven entity. Ther4e's so many variables, that, as experiendced guys, we hardly think about, that a rock-solid plane should be highest on the priority list. It doesn't have to be OS - but it shouldn't be a fly-by-night or oddball engine, either. I ran Enya .40SS's forever. Not the most power - but stone reliable. My Stik was stone reliable and if there impending issues, you'd see them - they weren't hidden by monokote or anything. My radio was cheap - but never glitched.

Student pilots need to learn to fly - not learn to dick with components because they're broken (again) or unreliable.

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

Maybe I mis read, I am aware that the plane was checked out at one point from the story and description given but what I am curious about, was the plane gone over thoroughly before its first flight?

Thanks
Blackie

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

I agree with all that has been said here, except for the statements about ARF's. Not saying all ARF's are bad, but there is nothing wrong with starting out building a kit. That's what I and many other have done and are still doing.

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

CRFlyer - You said, "Not saying all ARF's are bad, but there is nothing wrong with starting out building a kit." Hey, I don't disagree at all. Likewise, I think you would agree that deciding which way to go depends on the basic skill set of the individual, and whether or not he or she has access to good help in the assembly/building process. I'm sure you have seen the debates regarding kits vs ARF's. Not trying to debate this. Regardless of the product type, it all comes down to personal choice and the quality of the product selected.

Blackie - Yes, the airplane was checked thoroughly after assembly and basic modifications were made. Likewise a thorough preflight was performed before the maiden flight. That said, new people in the hobby, who simply do not know better, become easy prey to the manufacturers who are marketing these cheap trainer products for under 200.00 and advertised to be easily assembled in a few hours. Even the best ARF kits demand attention to particular flaws. All the checking in the world won't correct design, manufacturing and material flaws. I guess we could send all student pilots packing if we think their airplanes are junk. We would be sending many people home with their pride and joy in their hands if we took this approach.

I am simply suggesting, to those interested in purchasing their first airplane, to not fall into this trap. A student pilot and an instructor should be able to expect a quality product to work with that will, at the very least, get the student and the instructor through the training process so the student pilot can solo and then advance to their second airplane. I wonder how many new folks went home thinking the instructor broke their airplane? Not good for any element to the hobby. Even the best product can fail, but your more likely to have a positive experience with a quality product.

There are excellent engines, very good ARF and full assembly trainer kits on the market. If you are paying attention this thread, again, ask an experienced pilot at your local flying club before you buy something that simply lures you in because of the cheap price tag and quick assembly time. Pay 200.00 or better and buy a quality product with a good engine, and good transmitter that will match the buddy box at your local flying field. I promise this will get you hooked on the hobby and set yourself up for much fun to come. Here are a few good suggestions. Check out this thread on RCU. I just saw this and felt it was a good start, but still ask those at your field for the best suggestions. http://rcuniverse.com/showthread.php...357&forumid=22

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

I agree that there is a lot of junk out there. I do have a couple of things to chime in on:
Actually, the finer threads on metric bolts make them better at handling vibration than something as corse as a 4-40. (Check out the nuts and bolts on all the helos out there). That said, most ARFs come with cheap hardware, and you will be well served to replace cheap crosspoint screws with quality socket head stuff, metric or english. Heck, a lot of guys I know (myself included) will removed the garbage bolts that come with a lot of engines, like the garbage OS ships as muffler bolts, and use better quality screws. A lot of guys pull the head bolts on their OS LA line engines and replace them as well. (The OS engine isn't garbage, but the muffler bolts on the smaller engines are. OS isn't the only company guilty of this either).

The MDS (Mostly Dead Stick) .40 is an engine with a known problem. The origional carb was a horrible design, and the manufacturer has now released a new carb design that totally fixes the engine. You can mail back your troublesome MDS .40 or just the carb for a replacement carb that will make the engine run quite well. I agree that OS engines are good engines. The Evolution engine is showing up a lot with my students, and is proving to also be a solid power plant. Thunder Tiger and Magnum are two lower price brands that run well.

The wings being held together with tape is actually quite common with a lot of basic trainers. They like to advertise that no glue is necessary. Apparently, someone in marketing decided that people are afraid of glue. Anyway, I've flown several planes with the wings held together just with tape, and haven't had a problem with them, with one exception. But I always recommend the owner glue the wing together.

Pushrods made with the 2-56-sized rod attached to a wooden dowl have been the norm for many many years on the smaller (.40 and under) planes. There is nothing wrong with this approach as long as the pushrods are assembled "correctly". Correctly means more than just some tape. The dowl should be groved and have a hole drilled crosswise. The metal rod should be wrapped with heatshrink tubing or thread and epoxy. You don't need 4-40 gear in a plane of that size, espeically a trainer, though there is no reason why you can't run 4-40 if you want to.

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

would you recommend a hanger nine extra easy with a"xf421ex" tx and everything included but fuel-am about to purchase and wanted a little input

Hangar 9 Xtra Easy
 

grussel,

I would. That's what I learned on. It's a great flying plane. The only thing I suggest is run at least 3 tanks of fuel thru it while on the ground. Then evaluate how the engine is running (get help from someone experienced if you need to) and decide if it's ready to go up. The MDS seem to take a little longer to break in. Once broke in it will run great.

I wouldn't glue the wing halves together, use the tape. If you don't think the tape provided is adequate use 3M packing tape or something similar. It works great. I recently crashed mine nose first at a high rate of speed and the wing did not separate one bit. I snapped the muffler of the engine but the wing is fine!

Be sure to use lock-tite on the tail mounting screws and you won't have a problem with them loosening.

Good luck and enjoy!

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

Hi grussell,

At the top of the Beginners board is a thread with several good trainer recommendations. I read your original post and the comments from others. I have not had any experience with the airplane you ask about. I would encourage you to ask the people at your club and to find out what trainer boxes your club supports. This is an important step simply because it makes it easier for you to hook up on a buddy box at your field with an instructor. Less hassles if your equipment is compatible with the equipment at your club.

As an instructor, if a person came to me and asked what trainer to purchase, I would say go with the Hobbico Superstar 40 as a first airplane. IMHO I personally like Futaba electronics and OS engines. The OS 46 FX is a better engine than the OS 40 La. The La comes with this combo trainer ARF kit so if you go with this kit you will want to consider what engine option to go with. Others will tell you different things. In the end you have to make your own choice based on this kind of research. Again, check with the experienced people at your local flying club. If JR and Hanger 9 are the in house favorites, then I would probably go with that. Just pick a model that is well represented by others in your club. You most likely will be glad you did.

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

Roger,

I have been looking for a site like this, and more specifically advice that you have given here in this thread for a lonnnng time. It is greatly appreciated!

I am also thinking about diving into this hobby and the thread about good beginner planes was also a HUGE help.

I'm at the local AFB once a month to teach Motorcycle Safety and the local club here in Westfield, Mass has a nice field they use frequently located right across the street. After years of riding by and watching, I've finally decided to take the leap.

I've built model planes when I was much younger, and am very mechanical ( bikes will do that to you!). The idea was to go battery operated RTF at the start for about $50.00 However, the gas-powered ARF seems the way to go now. I just seems that you will get more out of the initial investment with the gas powered plane.

I look forward to more of your insights. Thanks again for sharing!

Trying to select your first airplane? Read This
 

Karaya One,

Hi and welcome to RCU and the hobby. I could have used your help when in High School. I had a Honda CB 160 (dating myself) and had an accident with an 18 wheeler. Ouch, but lived to talk about it. :D

Thank you for the positive response. I too remember only too well what it was like when first starting out. I am not an expert by any means. I do try to offer helpful suggestions to help new people in the hobby avoid making mistakes that can be easily avoided by talking with people in the hobby who have been there.

One thing is certain, you will find many opinions on RCU. The vast majority are really good. Not that they agree or disagree with my point of view. My point is simply that this website provides a wealth of information from multiple points of view for anyone interested in doing a little research on the site. The site search engine provides a wealth of information. All you have to do is use your own reasoning skills to make your own decisions based on what you find.

That said, personally, I prefer glow and gas powered airplanes. This is a personal choice. Each RC hobby enthusiast will find their personal preferences in abundance on this site.

As for your comments, well, I tend to agree. If you are asking, I would recommend a good glow engine powered trainer for your first airplane. The trainers listed on the first thread of this site are all good glow powered trainers. In the past few years we have see Park Flyer's make a big splash into the hobby. Frankly, they do have their place in the back yard or local park, but not close to or at a well organized flying club for new student pilots. There are too many stories of new folks in the hobby who have purchased these inexpensive airplanes, only to crash them in the first few minutes of attempted flight. In the long run you end up spending more money because many of these new pilots end up trashing the Park Flyer's and purchasing a glow engine powered trainer that can be connected to a buddy box for flight training. If you have the budget for it, let me also suggest the G-2 simulator by Great Planes. It comes with a 4 channel radio that matches the radio for trainers using Futaba electronics. Good products for new and experienced pilots. Again, my personal preference, but not the only good products out there. As many of us in the hobby recommend, find a local flying club and find out what they are using for buddy boxes. Hook up with a good instructor and make a friend for life. Hope this helps and have fun.