Slightly different beginner plane?
 

Well I have a slightly different look on getting a beginner plane. About 10ish years ago I tried flying. I would have been early teens and didn't have a clue what I was doing. I built a slow stick with the center of gravity WAY too far forward and within two packs had the nose jammed into the ground more times than I wanted to count and destroyed the bird. Now its time for round two.

Things have came a long way since then. The one good thing I did then was buy a decent for the time 6 channel FM computer radio. It is an old Futaba 6EXA radio which is far enough to fly out in the boonies where I live. The other benefit I have now is that I have played around with an eflite cx2 and mcx which gives me the LP5DSM controller. Nothing special but its DSM. I still have all the micro servos from the slow stick and they are in good shape. I have the micro receiver as well.

I have put a lot of simulator time in trying to learn single rotor helis. When I get frustrated with them I load a few of the piper cub models and play with them. I have become fairly proficient flying them and am ready to try one out. So having a decent FM radio and a DSM radio what ARF would you start with? I would like something with aileron controls as I think I would get bored before too long if it were only a 3 channel. Not really looking for 3d but I want more than rudder. I have plenty of room but will be doing this on my own without someone on a buddy box. Any suggestions for a radioless setup either pnp or bnf that will be easy enough for someone with a bit of sim time but still have 4 channel control? I know I can dial things very conservative with the 6EXA to keep me out of too much trouble.

RE: Slightly different beginner plane?
 

Your not that different to me. I had a rest period of38 years and returned to the fold 2 1/2 years ago and yet to put one in the air yet. My latest effort is the butterfly kitted by dynaflite its needs just the Fus to be covered and I will be out of reasons not to have a go. The reason I chose this craft is it should fly its self ,large wing span ,lots of glider design with small power. but on elerons but you might like it' Sunday week its going in the air if the wind is right.
I will be watching to see which way you jump Yours Paul

RE: Slightly different beginner plane?
 

just so you know the TX that came with the Blade CX2 has a very short range. use your Futaba TX. but suggesting a plane, I'd recommend the Parkzone T-28 Trojan. and some CA for the learning curve. although I'd recommend the Supercub for a first plane. also be sure you leave plenty of throw if you try and make it to timid you're risking not having enough control surface movement to control the plane.

RE: Slightly different beginner plane?
 

The LP in LP5 is the Low Power version. It works well, but the range is limited. I believe it is 200 or 300 feet, maximum range.

RE: Slightly different beginner plane?
 

The range on your Eflight controller is too short for an airplane and the DSM receiver will not work with your Futaba radio.
You need a negative shift 72 Mhz receiver, (or auto shift or shift selectable) something like:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXKYK3&P=ML or of you are going with a small parkflier:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXRSS1&P=ML
Those are just samples of receivers that will work with your 6EXA

RE: Slightly different beginner plane?
 

Quigleywins : If you are trying the Butterfly on your own and not used to flying be FORWARNED that even with smaller engines they have a habit of going UP in a hurry. Sometimes straight up if you have the settings to high. I'd suggest you apply power fairly slow to start and be ready for anything.
Once you have flown it a couple times it won't be any problem, it's just that first time. NICE PLANE ! ENJOY !!! RED

RE: Slightly different beginner plane?
 

Going at this alone, as you saw awhile back, is tough to do. Even if you are careful, even if you read alot of stuff online about it, and even if you use the sim alot you still are handicapping yourself by trying to learn this alone. I promise you will come out cheaper and with less effort joining a club and getting training. The simulator can teach you orientation and stick feel, but it cannot teach you how to read what the plane is doing or how to set up your plane so that it will fly right. I don't mean to discourage you, but most guys who try to do this alone, either out of ego or out of trying to save money, wind up failing and quitting the hobby. If you're serious about learning RC flying, a club is the way to go.

There are exactly 24 different clubs within 50 miles of Toledo, one in the city. It shouldn't be hard to find a local who can get you started right.

RE: Slightly different beginner plane?
 

To expand on what Jester said, yes it can be harder to go at it alone. That being said, it's far from impossible. I started flying all on my own. I crashed a few times, destroyed some parts, spent some money sure. Then again I had a good time doing it. I was away from the hobby for about 10 years while in the military, but now I'm back into it. Had a couple great flights on my Superstar. The only flight sim I have ever messed with is Falcon 4.0: Allied Force which isn't quite the same lol.

You can do it if you want to, just know that you're going to tear things up once in a while. I'm sure by now you have at least a basic handle on flight, but go with something simple. Get something like a telemaster, a cub, something slow and forgiving. If you go the club route, you will probably crash less. If you go at it on your own, you'll probably spend a little more, but also have some satisfaction of doing it yourself and teaching yourself. It's not necessarily ego, some of us (like myself) get a high degree of satisfaction out of figuring it out on our own.

A little maturity and self restraint goes a long way. Get a forgiving plane to start with, follow the instructions and get help on the forum if you need it, take baby steps your first few flights, and as you get more comfortable open it up a little bit and see what you can do.