Opinions as beginner plane?
 

Can I have some opinions on the Upgraded Brushless J3 Piper Cub 3-Channel Radio Remote Control RC Scale Plane RTF.
How it performs, stability and slow-flying, good for beginners and first-timers???
Any other opinions you would like to share.

Here are the complete stats:
http://www.nitroplanes.com/gl401-j3-brushless.html

I think this is a huge bargain for a ready-to-fly out of the box, totally complete and RTF plane.
I hope to hear some great things, but please share any disadvantages as well.

Thank you.

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

A J3 Cub is generally a poor choice for a trainer as they have some ground handling "issues", but that one is a small, light "Cub-like" park flyer with the color yellow and a high wing being about the ony similarity with a scale Cub and probably would be as good as any. Your best bet if starting out is to find an experienced pilot to help you out the frst few flights. Otherwise, cheap is good as you'll likely be going through a few before yo get the knack of it.

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

A good trainer is the Easy Star by Mutiplex, a down side is that it is a three channel. There are many other similar types sold by other importers, Nitro, Banana, and Toysonics to name a few. Some of them are better than the Easy Star as they are four channel and are up graded with a brushless motor, with servos, receiver and battery ready. They can usually be purchased for about $100. You will need to buy a couple of batteries and a charger. But buy yourself a decent radio as the radios that come with some of these cheap planes are not very good.

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

I've had a chance to maiden someone's Parkzone Brushless J3 Cub RTF:

http://www.parkzone.com/Products/Def...ProdID=PKZ4500

If the Nitro Models version is as stable and easy to fly as the Parkzone version, it should be a fine beginner's plane.

Good luck, and please feel free to post any additional questions as they might come up.

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

get the wild hog. its great plane to begin with when u get better you can modify it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjCRRpWbKA

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

A Wild Hawk is an excellent and inexpensive starter plane: [link=http://www.nitroplanes.com/rtfwiha54el3.html]Click me![/link]

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

I have that plane and its not a good beginner plane.

The Super Cub, by hobbyzone would be. They have the new one out with the brushless motor. People have tought themselves to fly with it. But it would be better with a little help.

My friend got one and broke it in two, he got with me then and I trimed it in and he did very well with it after that.

One guy posted he trained himself, with the super cub. But he went through 4 of them in doing it.

good luck, do get some one to help you if you can.

sticks

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

Heck, I'd buy one. Fly the heck out of it. Expect to spend more money on repairs. When you get fustrated - Get a simulator and find somebody to teach you to fly it.
But you can still have a blast in the mean time.-BW

Not sure but this looks like the same plane.
[link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghRDkCQdWi0[/link]

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

http://www.bananahobby.com/1937.html

Have decided that the Sky Surfer is what me and my cousin want. Can either learn on 3-channel with the ailerons unplugged or plug them in for use. I loved the review video and the price is reasonable. Thank you all for your help.

Just one question for your opinion. Does it fly just as fine with the brushed motor for $100 or is it worth it to pay the extra $30 for brushless? Or are they about the same as far as quality and performance?

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

A brushless motor tends to produce more power and flight time.

It also does not have carbon "brushes" which wear out over time.

However that said, it is likely that a brushed motor will outlast the plane itself.

But it's a decent enough beginner's plane which you should do well with.

Try to fly it with the ailerons installed so you start off "right".

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

Go brushless. The reason the brushed motor might oulast the plane is that you'll end up sticking it in a drawer and never using it again.-BW

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

Nah, he'll get 3-5 seasons out of the brushed motor. At that point he'll move onto something else, assuming the plane holds together.

That said brushless is much nicer.

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

You know I can't really say anything about the longevity of either brushed or brushless. I have one of both that are "out of service", both with bent shafts. But I found myself starting to push the brushed motors beyond their capabilities to get the performance I wanted. There is nothing wrong with getting a plane that dosen't have a brushless option, but I would plan on changing it as soon as I could. With a beginner it might be good to start with a brushed motor until you got used to the plane. Brushless motors can double the power with half the weight and I find that beginners use the throttle as an on off switch, forgetting that it has more than one setting.-BW

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

Once you go brushless, it's hard to go back.

But that said, we have brushed motors in everything from hair dryers to vacuum cleaners.

The brushes do wear out, but it takes longer than most people think.

However brushless setups do cost more, and a newbie is often shocked by the cost of things in this hobby....

Look at how many are unwilling to spend $400.00+ on an RTF Trainer... and instead opt for something that doesn't last very long or is unsuitable for a beginner....

You're right though, brushless setups are more efficient.

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

Do a search on Banana Hobby here on RCU and you'll find that they have a less than stellar service record. Personally I would be very hesitant to order anything from the based on what I have seen here on RCU.

Ken

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

This all sounds like giberish, is there a place to look at or read for a complete beginner like me?

(There aren't any rc clubs that I could find near me, so not sure if there is any one that could teach the basics.)

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

I am sure somebody will comment on this thread to help you with a location of a club near you. If you do not find one it is going to require a LOT of reading on your part. This hobby is a blast but it does take quite a bit of effort. Have fun.-BW

RE: Opinions as beginner plane?
 

RED BARON RC MODELERS
359 S MILTON AVE
SHELLEY ID 83274-1341
Phone: 208.339.5793

EASTERN IDAHO AEROMODELERS
4481 BEACH
CHUBBUCK ID 83202
Phone: 208-637-1018