When is it okay to go bigger?
 

I have been flying (twice a week) for 2.5 years. I do great with my 4* .40, Pulse 60, Extra 300 (GP w a O.S. 55AX) and Aeroworks Extra 260 (w a O.S. 91fx).

My question nis, when can I get a bigger plane. I'd like to go with a 50cc Aeroworks Extra. Bigger just flies smoother. Is there something I should consider...When did others move up?

It this is not the right section please let me know.

Thanks,

Paul

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

Bigger is easier to fly . . . but the downside is that if you do goof up the costs are greater. Dorking a $1,500 or $2,500 model ruins your whole day for weeks at a time. If you are having success with a .91 Extra 260 then a 50cc will not present any different flying problems. The sticks are the same ones your fingers move and over the same amounts with the same effort.

There is also a much more involved set-up for a high-performance 50cc. You may be looking at radio mixes, servo equalizers, battery combiners, possibly ganged servos, electronic engine kill, etc.. Have someone who's flown gas pre-flight check her for you.

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

I agree with Charlie on his first part, a bigger plane is easier to fly then the smaller ones and if you can handle the 260 then you should slide right into a bigger plane. Set up can be different if you are using all the new high end gear. I'm still in the stone age with my planes so my gas engine set ups aren't too much different then my glow set ups. It can get as high end as your pockets are deep.

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

Yeah, but whatever you do, take it easy for the first few flights and get the feel of the plane before you get any more exotic with your flying.

CGr.

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

skill wise their isnt that big of a difference from jumping to a 50cc, granted you will have get used to the larger size taking up a lot more sky, they cant turn around as quick, different approch/landing and whatnot. if you can fly a .40 well you can fly a 50cc well enough not to crash while you get used to the plane (flying in circles and basic stuff)

what it really comes down to is how often do you crash the smaller ones and could you afford to crash a bigger one?
i know plenty of modelers that should really be sticking to .40 but are flying 1.20's and crashing them all the time.
i would say your ready when you can put the plane in basically any manuver and get out of it in one piece, somewhat low to the ground. when you can land w/o damage 95+% of the time and when you feel comfortable flying in any weather short of a hurricane .

whats the best manuver you can do? are you flying pattern/imac? whats the point of going bigger, for what reason flying wise?

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

I decide a long time ago that bigger is better. As you get older your eyesight gets worse and airplanes.60 size get harder to see, so giant scale it the way to go. Realistic fighlt is but one of the advantges of larger planes, I'm sold on 1/4 scale and better because of it.

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

You can go bigger as soon as you can afford to crash more expensive planes :D

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

There is a whole lot of wood knocking here...But here goes. I can land dead stick (when it happens) with little or no damage. Last year I had my only crashes (two on the same day)...We think someone was on the same channel as me (I have switched to 2.4) because the planes were both doing some weird stuff...Rebuilt both planes easily though so not too bad. Oh, yeah there was also some nasty wind that day.

I don't know the names of the maneuvers (sp) but just basic stuff...I generally don't like to get too crazy.

The point of going bigger is so the plane is not as touchy, more stable in random wind and easier to see...Plus it just looks cool.

Anyway, how about some personal transition stories...When did you switch?

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

The first time I heard a gas engine in flight.

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

My biggest plane was the Aeroworks 60/90 Extra 260 until Christmas this past year when I got my 88" Extreme Flight Edge. It's more nerve-racking to fly, and I've been into 3D and IMAC for a while.

If you're just wanting to do sport flying, the big planes really won't fly that much better. There's nothing impressive that a 150cc plane will do in the world of sport flying compared to a 40-sized Ultra Stick. The only difference is size and awe. I mean, I just think that if you're only doing sport flying....then ego is the only reason to get a big plane.

Also, stay away from Aeroworks. They're pretty and easy to build, but they're heavy and fly relatively poorly. None of their planes make weight, and they're all snappy (confirmed up to 50cc).

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

Are you involved with other Gas flyers, or will you relitivly be exceeding your local peers? A mentor that is accessable, say an hour or closer will be a great asset during your transition. An experianced set of eyes to look over your first set-up. And to have examples in his hanger to actually see how some of the details are overcome and taken care of. If you bust out on your own the learning curve will be different. Lots of photos and forum comunication will ease the transition.
I'm totally confident that you will transition, and enjoy the advance. This is your hobby, attaining goals is very rewarding, as this step will be. A used set-up airframe from a semi local flyer is a good way to step into Gas. I have bought a few set-ups in the last year, where pilots have sold 1 or more of their big gassers to advance into electrics. A grand can really get you a great combination.
Hope this helps.
-Snuts-

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

You really don't need to spend great amounts of money to get into larger gas airplanes. It can be as simple or as complex as you want. My 1/4 scale Cubs and 1/3 scale RV3 are set up similar to my .60 airplanes with better servos and bigger batteries, I use Zenoah 23cc in my Cubs and a older 62cc in my RV3, which really doesn't cost more than a YS 4 stroker. For my 1/4 scale Katana, I did spend a few extra bucks for a DL 50cc and better metal gear servos. Bigger planes do fly better.

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

You might move up to a 1.20 size glow such as a Four Star 120 or similar size plane. You get the same flight characteristics as your four star 40 but with a larger plane. This will give you some time to get used to a larger model that won't break the budget, well, sort of, probably uses what you already have for some of the components, is not quite as severe as some of the larger size 3D type planes are.

I have a Tiger 120 (now discontinued) that is very similar to the Four Star 120 and it flys just great. It seems that it does is done in slow motion.

That may not be what you are looking for, but it is bigger and would be an intermediate level as ou move up to gasoline powered - more expensive - aircraft.

CGr

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

paully, I don't do 3d and I personally like flying around in my circles doing an occasional loop or roll or something. 3d high alpha stuff just isn't my kind of flying so don't think that just because you're intersted in moving up to giant scale you have to go that road. The point in flying RC is to have fun. If you enjoy the way you're flying now, then it's all good no matter what you fly.

I bought my first gasser after about a year of flying. I knew I wasn't ready but it was such a good deal I couldn't pass it up. To top it off, I went from a 40 size low wing nitro Pulse to a 160 size Ultimate bipe gasser. Now keep in mind that in my opinion it is bigger and yes, it does fly better because of that, but it was a lot bigger jump than I expected it to be. I didn't do myself any favors trying to go bigger and doing it with a bipe to start out with! After that first flight with the bipe, I could have polished off a case of beer easily just to calm my nerves...........if I still drank.

That bigger plane will handle more stable..........er, well once you get over the thumb and knee shakes, and if you take it easy to begin with you'll be fine. Have someone help you set it up and maybe even buddy box you for the first couple fights until you feel a little comfortable with it. That's what I did and I'm very glad I did.

Yesterday I just flew a rather old......heavy as a boat anchor Aeromaster bipe with a US 41 gasser that I was given, so I guess you could consider it my maiden on that one, and man it was like starting all over again. Within a couple weeks I should be getting into a 50 cc Extra. Once you get into the gassers, you don't get out of them either. I flew my Pulse yesterday for the first time in what must have been a year now. It was a treat to fly, but those biggins sure do look cool don't they. Just remember, if you dork one it is certainly more expensive so be prepared because if you fly, you will also crash.

Anyway, it's pretty much up to when you're ready to make that jump. Everyone told me that the only thing holding me back from flying that Ultimate when I got it was ME! If you decide to make that step up, hold on and enjoy the ride........there isn't anything else like it in my opinion.

Paul

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

"boat anchor Aeromaster bipe"? Great, now I'll never build my Giant Aeromaster.

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

It was/is an old kit build that the guy built to last...............really last! This thing will be flying while everyone else is flying space ships. If it ever crashes, there will be a 6' deep crater and the plane will be laying intact in the bottom of it!

Flew like a dream. [sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

victorzamora, I disagree about Aeroworks weights. They are pretty light-weight in the 1.20 and lower categories. The problem is that the airframes will come apart if crashed or wingtips hit the ground during flight easier. Take a look at comparable wingspans, lengths, and weights of GP, Phoenix Models, and Seagull Models planes. I have the GP Extra 300 SP which has a 55" wingspan. The aeroworks .46-.61 Edge is 5.5 lbs with a 60" wingspan and will fly great aerobatics with a .46 TT Pro, .46AX, ST .45, and more. It will 3D with a .55AX or a .61 of almost any MFR. BUT... if you crash, there is usually more damage to the Aeroworks frame & wings because of airframe and wing lightening of weight.

Also, Heavy Metal Thunder & PMD have very good points. Research what they have said in this forum.

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

Does you field support larger aircraft well? Are others flying larger aircraft at your field without any problem? If so, then go for it. If not, then you will need to find another field that accommodates larger aircraft. Please don't push the limits of an inadequate field.

We just about lost our field when some of our members started flying larger gasoline models. The neighbors had been fine with our 40-60 sized 2-stroke and up to 125 4-stroke glow engines. When the gasoline engines started flying the neighbors started the emails and legal threats. We have stopped all gasoline engine activity but our field remains in jeopardy. Once you get the attention of your neighbors it is just about impossible to turn back the clock.

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

Our field is plenty big...We have members that have jets because the size is adequate.

[link=http://www.foxvalleyaero.com/our_field.htm]http://www.foxvalleyaero.com/our_field.htm[/link]

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

Nice!!!!! I wish there were a field that nice around here!

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

Not sure I ever switched?? Today I was flying 60 size planes. I found out right away that bigger takes up more room in the van!!:D My only problem was I was flying my big planes and they looked just like my 40 and 60 size planes in the air. My advanced instructor walked out and reminded me of the size difference and let me know I was flying over the hiway and a farm on every pass. Other then that I don't see a lot,if any difference between the sizes. They take off and land the same, maybe better?? Easier to control.

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

For me I will stay at about the sixty sized airplane because of a couple reasons, The biggest is space or lack of like shop space and even hauler space! another reason is the cost! But also am happy flying many diffrent planes and at this size I can. I just turned fifty so as the eyes go so may the smaller planes and will one day have to go bigger for that reason, but as for now sixty seems to fit me!

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

I agree with Gray Beard here. Bigger isn't always the solution. Yes, I have and fly bigger planes. But I still fly 40 and 60 sized planes more than I do my bigger ones. Why?? It's easier to get in the air. With a bigger plane you have to pull it all out of the truck, put it together, and get it ready to fly. That can take up to 30-45 minutes of work. With a 40-60 sized plane I can put it in my truck assembled and ready to fly. 10 minutes after I'm at the field I can be in the air flying. The smaller planes can do everything a bigger one can. And they don't hurt the pocketbook as much when they crash.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with a bigger plane. But they aren't always the answer. As was pointed out above, you really need to figure out why you want to go bigger. If it's just because that's what you think you're supposed to as you progress in the hobby then a bigger plane may not be for you. Now if there are good reasons to go big then by all means do so. But remember that there are no boring planes, only boring pilots. I can have as much fun flying a 40 sized trainer as I can a big gasser, it's all in what you do with them.

Just my 2 cents worth

Ken

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

I have to agree with Gray Beard, I went from 40 size to 90 size and wondered why it looked the same to me.I was flying it farther away, to make it "look right." Guess I should have started with the big one. lol

RE: When is it okay to go bigger?
 

RCKen is right! I have seen guys show up at the field with the big planes the same time I get there and I have two or three flights in before they are ready to fly! I am always to anxious to fly! Like I said sixty seems to really fit me! And there are allot of great planes in that size! I like putting a Saito 100 in the War-birds and a good 60- 76 in the others! I do have a super tigre 90 in a Sixty stick that is allot of fun! But do enjoy your decision, I know I sure have mine!