I haven't built a CL airplane from a kit since..... hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm........... 1960something

I'm not even sure where you can find them anymore.

And a thread was just started here in RCU that talked about starting a couple of young boys flying CL. It mentioned starting them out on a Cox Corsair or somesuch. I groaned out loud when I read that. And I suggested the guy look around for a trainer. That's pretty lame advice. It's correct, but not very "in depth." And it dawned on me that I didn't have a clue where he'd find anything like a trainer.

Anybody???????

Give this site a check out.
www.brodak.com
Larry

I REALLY like the Brodak .049 Trainer ($14.95). I've built four so far. Well designed; good plans and instructions. The only "mod" I've made is to add a 1/64" plywood doubler to the forward fuselage from the firewall faired to just behind the wing. I haven't flown it yet but the Brodak ARF Baby Clown seems like it might make a good trainer, too (anyone who's flown one please feel free to comment here). I did the same thing with mine as the Brodak Trainer and reinforced the fuselage from the firewall to just behind the wings with 1/64" plywood.

If you don't mind a bit of easy building the Brodak Trainer is the way to go. I've assembled one in a weekend minus the painting....and that's not using CA.

Let us know what you find out, good luck

Rob

PS Does anyone have any experience with the Bratco ARF 'Skybaby"? Might be able to fly that one out of the box but I haven't heard any definitive reports. Don't know if it would be suitable as a trainer, though. Right now I'm modifying a Cox Hyperviper but I hear these aren't good trainers and I'm doing some moderate modifications to make it "flyable".

This one it tough and easy to build.
http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Platterins.html
http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Freeplans.htm
Dave

The .049 powered trainers tend to be a little on the squirrelly side. I got my son airborne on a simple balsa .049 trainer called the "Student". If you fly over grass they are hard to do a rise off ground (ROG) takeoff. Upon landing they flip as soon as the wheels touch down.

He graduated to a Brodak Training Streak with a .15 engine. That's where he learned to take off, land, wingovers and inside loops. It has a basically flat bottom airfoil solid balsa wing so inverted is a little tough.

After the Training Streak he moved over to a U-Key 15 ARF (no longer available in this size) and mastered inverted and outside loops.

I have high regards for the Top Flite Flight Streak ARF which works very well with the LA 25 and would probably moved him to this after he could fly out the tank on an .049 ship.

For kits, the 1/2A Brodak Basic Trainer is an excellent trainer airplane. Do reinforce the fuselage front. The plastic motor mount tends to break the fuselage where it ends.

The SIG Skyray is another good kit. You can set the controls at minimum at first to make it steady, then increase controls to make it do stunts.

Both of these use simple, easy to repair sheet construction.

There are some excellent free plans online if you want to build from plans.

George

One can get a nice looking RC trainer, "everything you need in one box". If such a CL trainer were marketed, I bet we would see a few more new CL fliers.

Hey Guys, I know I'm late to this post but wouldn't a Cox PT19 trainer be good. I've got three of them which are in great shape, but I think one is made in China?!

Rock,

If you flew CL in the 1960's, you haven't forgotten how. You will be surprised at how much work it is and how wobbly you can be.

If you're interested in training new fliers, as some have mentioned in here a bit larger model is easier to do it with. Typical .35 type profiles... Ringmaster is still available (and the kits are a LOT better than the old Sterling work!) SIG makes a SKYRAY 35 that is pretty sturdy (as well as the original 1/2A version). RSM has a few suitables. Brodak has already been mentioned.

Something like a SKYRAY 35 for you to get your hand back in, then trimmed a tad noseheavy, makes a very suitable trainer. Enough airplane and pull to fly in more wind than 1/2As can handle. Enough reserve maneuverability that even a trainee, after several laps two-hands-on-the handle*, might just be able to avoid the ground with the usual panic overcontrol move. I did mention sturdy?

(* - an excellent way to familiarize a new CL flier is for you to hold the handle from the front while the new guy holds the grip. You take the model off, and when ready get the guy in front of you so you can circulate together with both holding the handle. You can take over immediately if needed. The new guy gets an idea of how much - rather how little control is needed, and how the model feels. As the idea gets through, you can hover your hand in front of the handle until you get confident of 'his' ability. And you can take it back for the first landing or two.)

A SKYRAY 35 can fly extremely well, balanced right. That suggests it can survive some rapid returns to earth and still be there for advancing into fancier flying.

Welcome back!

Note that this thread started last August. Hopefully anyone reading it back then is flying by now.

Additional suggestion: A very basic trainer, although useful, is soon outgrown. A plane trimmed to fly well but using a handle with lines closely spaced to limit control is much more useful. As you learn to fly you can move controls further apart until you have full capability of the plane.

As Lou mentioned, a Skyray 35 is a good plane.

George