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Hey this is Kyle I'm 14 and trying to get started in the sport?hobby. I was wondering if any-one could recommend a plane that is easy to build and fly. I also need to ask about a radio transmitter. What kind should I get? I need one that will last awhile. Thanks for your time and have a nice day.

sincerely, Kyle Newsom (ironwonder72)

I need help getting started
 

For a Radio I would recommend a 6-channel radio computer that can have multiple models. That’s what I am doing so it will last me a bit of time.

Something like this should treat you well http://www.futaba-rc.com/radios/futk55.html.

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hanger 9 alpha, avistar, Kadet Lt40 are all good trainers.

futaba 6X super 6ch computer radio, lets you store up to 6 different planes on it.

avistar with a magnum .46 works great


goodluck

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kyle glad you want to have fun with us...as stated above hangar 9 alpha trainer is a very good starter, it comes with radio, engine, and can be put together in an hour. but you need to first find the field nearest to you and find out what they have as for buddy box set ups...then look for planes and radios....what ever you do do not go at it by yourself, get help from a club.....spooner

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Ok i'll throw some other options up that i think are more suited to a 14yo thats probably on a limited budget.
Most models are flown with 4 chanels but i agree that 1 extra chanel is handy so for a real tight budget go for the hitec Laser 4 or if you can stretch it go for the Hitec Flash 5 if, the Flash 5 will do 90% of what you will ever need, have a look at servo city for prices www.servocity.com/ServoCity/index.html
from there the sky is the limit for $$$ and functions

for a good flying budget plane you cant go past SPAD, have a look at the SPAD forum on RCU and the web site for FREE plans or ARF www.spadtothebone.com

For engines there are many choices, i like the Thunder Tiger range for good value but there are many choices, heres a list of what i would buy depending on size, a 46ish size is probably a better choice than a 40 because most second, third, fourth planes etc are suited to the 46ish size, 2 stroke are cheaper than 4 stroke so i've only talked about the 2's

TT42 excelent value and a good engine
tt46 good engine
gms47good engine
os40la easy to tune but lacks power and is to expencive for what you get
os46la easy to tune but but there are better engines for similar $$
OS46fx excelent engine but is a bit $$ if you can aford the extra $$ this is the one to get

there are many other engines but these are the ones i have experiance with

hope that helps and HAVE FUN

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go to tower hobbies and do a serch on each one of them...........hobico AVISTAR............Tunder tiger .46 Pro...........and the 6XAE for a radio.......good luck man ............get a good lawn mowing job!!!!

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As for radios, as Woodsy said, you NEED a 4 channel radio. 6 channels are nice to have, but it's not a requirement, nor is a computer radio. If your budget allows for a sophisticated radio, by all means get one, but don't think that a fancy radio is required piece of equipment.

As far as brands go, check with your local club. They will tell you who can train you, and you will need to have a brand compatible with their buddy box.

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If you dont get a good radio, you will find yourself spending money on another one to fly better planes. If you can save yourself the money now and get a relatively good one www.futaba-rc.com/radios/futk55.html , 180 bucks if I'm not mistaken, well worth it.

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Check with your local club, you might get lucky, some one might have extra equipment, fo really cheap. or like the Club i'm in they have a club trainer for the newbie's to use.


Goodluck, just remember to check out all your options

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Go to the SPAD website and check out the Debonair plane. This plane will serve you well. Get a Thunder Tiger Pro .46 engine for $77 at Tower Hobbies and a Hitec Lazer 4 radio kit from them as well for $120. You don't need a more expensive radio than this right now and it's the best value for the money.

You'll need some basic tools, along with a dremel tool if possible and one adult to assist. A couple weeks of on and off build time and for around $270 you'll have a good flying plane which you can say that you built.

It doesn't matter which plane you get, you'll still need an engine, radio and some hardware. When you shake it all down the actual price to build the Debonair is about $15 - $25. And here's the beauty of SPAD; gutter pipe and yard signs weren't designed to fly, but you can make them to fly and fly well.

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why do you need an adult helper..........i build alone.......my family dosent want anything to do with my planes......... :D

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if you've never built models, then it might be a little challanging, but the again, he might have a knack for it.


(boxing)

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If you're buying a 4 channel radio for 120, why not just spend another 50 and get a computer radio, that way if you want a bigger, better plane you wont need a new radio. You can usually sell computer radios for more at places like ebay if you don't like rc, no one really wants to buy a used 4 channel radio at over 80 bucks.

thanks ya'll for your help
 

Hey this is Kyle thank you for all your help. I was at my grandma's house looking in the building and I found 4 super tiger .40's and a fully built Kadet Senior. As you can tell my grandpa was a builder and a flyer but he's past away and I was wanting to know if that would be a good trainer, it has a 78" wing span and is designed for a .40 sized engine. I also found a futaba 4 channel radio which is from 1974, will it still work?
Thanks for all your help and have a good day.
sincerely,
Kyle

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The Kadet is perfect for a trainer.

As for the radio, look at the back. If there is a Gold Sticker on it, it should be ok (the sticker is about 1" long x 3/8" high). If not, you'll have to replace it. (In 1991 the FCC required all radios to broadcast a narrower frequency band. Some older radios were converted, all that were converted or built to the new narrow bands carry a gold sticker on the back)

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Wow, where's grandma's house? Maybe I should come have a look around.

Mainly because he doesn't need a computer radio. Besides, he's 14 and could use the money to buy cigarettes.

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same here, i wish i could make a find like that, i'd be just like a little kid in a candy store

hey this is kyle again
 

Hey this is Kyle. I think that my uncle Daniel and I are going to visit a flying club this weekend. That is the right thing to do...right???? Well I got to go. Thanks for the help buddies.

Kyle :)

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"I think that my uncle Daniel and I are going to visit a flying club this weekend. That is the right thing to do...right????"

yep its the right thing, take all your new found gear with you and ask some one from the club to go over it and give you some pointers to things that may need fixing.

good luck

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bring your stuff to the field on a club day and ask them to look over it.......they will all have you working on your plane for the entire day!

AMA
 

Hey ya'll I was reading a magazine and there was an ad that said AMA insurance...do I need it...how much does it cost? ...Kyle

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AMA is required by all AMA Clubs. You may not need it right now, but you will have to get it once you start flying. For members under 19 the fees are only $15 a year.

Here's a link to an online application:

https://host42.ipowerweb.com/~ama-di...Application.pl

Hey this is kyle
 

Thanks Minnflyer for the information and the website I bookmarked it ...Kyle

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AMA is NOT actually required of all clubs in all areas. It is required at most, however. It is also required at ALL clubs you will find listed on the AMA website, since they only list their chartered clubs. There are non-AMA chartered clubs out there.

Most of the ones that don't require AMA do require some kind of proof of insurance that specifically coveres model airplanes. (Some homeowners cover this stuff, some don't). So, check with your local club(s).

AMA IS required at all of the clubs near me, and I honestly think it's a generally good idea, and worth the money, especially the various youth classes.

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Thanks Montague for your help :)
Kyle