Trainers
 

Hi I am new here and have been doing a lot of reading online. I have a few newbie questions. It seems the more I read about some products that intrest me I read to stay away from them. What whould be the best setup to buy . As in trainer plane type and size, engine type and size , type of radio what brand and channles I plan on joining a local club and having a Instructor help me learn to fly it.? Planes as far as building If it has clear plans I can build it. Or a ARF is not out of the question.
All input and welcomed
Thanks
Lman

Trainers
 

Try this-

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...171&forumid=22

If you just do a search here on this forum, you will find endless amounts of information on the question you just asked.

This is my recommendation...

Buy a SIG LT-40 ARF, Thunder Tiger Pro .46 engine, and a simple 6 channel computer radio compatible with what the instructors use out at the local flying field..

Thanks
 

Thanks Brian I will check those urls out.

Trainers
 

I'll second Brian's recommendations. Good choices.
Dennis-

Thanks
 

Thanks Brian I will check those urls out.

Trainers
 

Getting an ARF for the first plane avoids the disappointment of crashing your masterpiece. If you can afford it, get an ARF to learn on then start building a kit for your second plane. That will get you going in a hurry!

Tom

Trainers
 

I have pretty much the exact setup that Brian recommends (different engine) and it has worked out well.

* The LT-40 is a good airplane.
* A .46 engine is a great match for the airplane.
* You'll never regret having a computer radio. It makes so many things much easier...take my word for it, and in the scheme of things they don't cost that much more than a non-computer radio.

Have fun.

Trainers
 

There is something about getting a computer radio for your first radio that bothers me...

When you have a computer radio with your first airplane, it usually keeps you from setting everything up the way they should be mechanically. With a standard 4 channel radio you have to learn how it all works and set it up without all those features on the 'puter radio.

If you go with the computer radio, I highly recommend that you set up all the control linkages without touching the EPA, CNT, or D/R or anything else on the radio. You will know what that stuff is once you get your radio...

The only reason I recommend a 6 channel computer radio(Airtronics RD6000, Futaba 6XAS, Futaba 6EXA, or a JR) now is because almost everyone ends up with one a little way down the road. Most decide they would have been better off with one in the beginning...

Trainers
 

Brian,
While I certainly agree that you should learn how to adjust things mechanically, being an instructor and having to help adjust all those mechanical linkages (especially throttle), before helping someone learn to fly sure gets old! :D
Dennis-

Trainers
 

Before you go out and spend all kind of money, I suggest that first you should join your local flying club, gather up all the information regarding flying instructions. Speak to your chief instructor regarding trainers and radios, buddy boxes etc.... you should also go to the flying field where you can find out more from other students. Most every beginner has their favorite trainer, all trainers look very similar but not all of them have the same flying characteristics. The Goldberg Eagle II is a very good trainer with an O.S. 46FX, in the past you had to build this trainer but now you can buy it as an ARF, you can't go wrong with this trainer. Building takes longer time, good for the long winter months. Regarding the radio get the 6 ch./comp. as was recommended.
Good luck
Garthwood

Trainers
 

I agree that a 6 channel computer radio is a good choice, but ONLY if you can afford one. The extra 50 or 60 bucks may seem trivial to some, but to others it's a matter of "buy a 4 channel now, or a 6 channel computer 6 months from now" (and God only knows what unexpected bills will crop up in the next 6 months!)

So while a 6 channel computer radio is desirable, there's nothing wrong with starting out with a basic 4 channel. (For that matter, most of the planes I see at the field on a regular basis can be flown just as well with a basic 4 ch)

And the 6 channel computer will always make a great Xmas (Chanuka, Birthday, Kwanzaa etc.) gift in the future.

Thanks
 

Hi I would like to thank everyone for there replies. I am going to contact some of the local clubs in the area and see what type of raidos the instructors use. visit the fields and go from there . I like the planes and equiment recommendations from all of you.
Thanks again
Lou

RC..........etc
 

Minnflyer:
Any body going into this hobby should know it's not cheap, first two things one has to consider is (1) Do I intend to stay in this hobby or is it just a fad ?. , if one is not sure or easily frustrated, I'll say buy a 4 channel. (2) How much can I afford to get started into this hobby ?. If the misses (wife, girlfriend, mother whatever) understands you, then she'll let you spend all kinds of money, at least she'll know where you go in the evenings or weekends. Just don't tell her that you've crushed and totaled the thing. I suggest starting a piggy bank for those who can't afford the extra $60.00 U.S. The 4 channel radio can be used later as a buddy box to teach somebody to fly.
Regards
Garthwood

Trainers
 

One of the reasons I bring this up a lot, it that I was in the same position once. Recently out of the service, married with a baby, and little income.

But I HAD to fly!

I was 3000 mi away from the rest of my family (so no access to dad's stuff) and I found a 2-channel Futaba radio in a pawn shop. This was my first Futaba radio - Talk about a "step DOWN"! In those days, if you came to the field with anything but the industry standard [Kraft] you were laughed at!

Imagine... buying a JAPANESE RADIO!

I then scratch built a small sailplane, and had a ball with it.

It was years before I had the time and money to get back into it full swing.

But I still had lots of fun in the meantime!

Trainers
 

Yep, lots of ways to get in with out spending a lot of money. Used transmitters and flight packs and engines. Engines by a pile of different companies, many of which are quite good. SPAD and/or foam airplanes. It doesn't have to cost a big pile to get involved.

Trainers
 

Lman,

You should do the research ask questions and look around at your local club to see what they recommend. This all will increase your R/C vocabulary.

IMHO after you have done the research that basically one trainer is so similar to the others in terms of performance that it doesn't really matter which one you pick.


One last thought. The Best Trainner is the guy who is going to teach you not the plane. That seems to get lost in these threads. A good instructor (trainer) couple with most any plane designed as a trainer EQUALS Success and enjoyment. Don't get caught up to much in the debates about which one is better and why pick one get the instructor and GO FLY!!!!

Trainers
 

The best trainer plane without any doubt is the Sig Kadet Senior! The slowest and easiest to fly !

Trainers
 

I believe the Sig Kadet Senior is a 3 channel plane, not the best way to start in my opinion. But....

Each of us has an opinion on how you should start, and what you should buy. It's usually based on our own, or an associates experiences, or based on the information we've read here.

While I think a simple 6 channel computer radio is the better first choice, Minnflyer is absolutely right concerning cost. All anyone needs to start is a 4 channel radio. Many of us are 'slaves' to brand names, but Tower (for instance) sells their own brand, a perfectly good 4 channel set-up at a very reasonable price.

Crashem also made a great point. All our well intentioned suggestions don't matter nearly as much as the instructor. The vast majority of trainers and radio gear (and most engines) operate well enough for you to learn how to fly.

So find that instructor, buy SOME kind of trainer, and go fly! :D
Dennis-