My first plane is a Wingo, from Hobby Lobby. It is a GREAT flying plane (But not in the wind!). I would like to go to a second plane with more positive control, perhaps a symetrical or semi-symetrical airfoil with Aileron, rudder, elevator and throttle controls? Would like it to be fairly stable (But not very self-correcting) and not too fast! Any suggestions? Am I on the right track in my progress?
I have no instructor and am trying to learn by myself.

Jim (jbot)

If you're pretty good on that Wingo and want to try a slow 4-channel. Check out the Flying Styro Crazy Sparrow. Kinda funny looking but it might just fit the bill.

Thanks Aaron. I'll look it over. I appreciate your suggestion.
Jim

Aaron,
I went to the Hobby Lobby site to see a video of the plane flying. Looks like a good aerobatic plane. However, in watching the video, it seems slightly sensitive on the controls. I think it is because it is so small (38" wing span as opposed to Wingo's 45" and a wing area of 251 sq. in. as opposed to the Wingo's 436 sq in.

Any sort of low-wing aircraft (especially a 4-channel) is going to be a little more sensative then a rudder/elevator high-winger.
They're not that hard to fly...

"Slightly" sensitive is nothing to worry about. There is no law saying that you have to set the plane up that sensitive; the Hobby Lobby Sensitivity Police won't be kicking in your door

If you happen to have a nice transmitter with dual rates, you can set the plane up according to the instructions, then "dial down" the control throws to 50% or so on low rates. When you get up high and want to play, flip the switch(es) back to high rates.

They still owe me a new door

jbot, if you get that crazy sparrow, pls post your experiences with it. I'm also trying to learn on my own and the wingo is also my first plane. I've been to my local hobby store today where they have the crazy sparrow, but I've been told there that it would be too hard to fly without help from an instructor. It would be great to hear your experiences with it, if you buy it.
Judging on the hobby lobby clip it looks like a plane that behaves well and is quite stable, but any plane looks like that when someone advanced flies it
In the mean time I'm waiting for my gearbox for the wingo to arrive, I hope that will make some change. It's a great starter plane, the wingo!

The Crazy Max is a nice second airplane with ailerons.

Dave,
Where did you find the "Crazy Max"? I have checked the Hobby Lobby catalog and do not see it there.

Best Wishes,
Jim Bottom

Hi Jim,

For some reason Hobby Lobby doesn't carry it. They don't carry the Slow Stick either, also a popular airplane.

Here is the link to someone who does:

http://www.slowflyers.com/airplanes/.../crazymax.html

They're charging $49.99. I bought mine at my LHS for $40.00.

The Crazy Max isn't pretty, but it does fly nice and for $40 you can get a complete set of spare parts!

Hobby Lobby is an independent importer of airplanes. Both the Craxy Max and Slow Stick are distributed by major "exclusive" distributors in the USA, Global Hobby and Horizon Hobby respectively. Hobby Lobby could carry both Global's and Horizon's products, but they'd have to buy a dealership from each distributor, and move $X worth of their product every month...

I rather like the fact that Hobby Lobby has stuff that nobody else has. You can get the Crazy Max from Hobby PEOPLE, and the Slow Stick at practically every local hobby shop in the USA.

It's true that Hobby Lobby has a lot to choose from. It is where I go when I want to get the big picture on what is available in electrics.