danoman

I'm an old school R/C pilot.
I haven't flown in a few years, but got really good at it when I was flying R/C a few years ago.

I'm looking into getting a foamie... but, after looking at all the different equipment and batteries, servos, speed controllers... I'm now more confused now then I was when I started looking into getting back into R/C flying.

Here's what I have... nothing, but $400.00 to $450.00 to apply to all new plane and equipment. My wife (isn't it always this way, hehehe) is ok with stuff up to $450.00. If I exceed this, well... you married guys know what'll happen.

Anyway, I'm ready to get back into flying again, but I sincerely don't know what to buy, and scared I'm gonna blow all that money, just to have a stupid little "necessary" part that I didn't know I needed. (I'm sure you all know that feeling when getting into something new that you've never done before, and I really don't want that look from my wife saying, "you blew all that, and need to get more... BEFORE you can even fly it...? You can hear her under her breath, "what a waste...") I belive most of you know exacially what I'm talking about...

Is there a combo out there that is a "decent" set-up (in Foamie form) that will include everything I need to get the bird in the air... from the radio to the battery, charger, speed controller... etc.

I'll be able to invest a little more this summer, but for now, my limit is $450.00.(that unfortunately will have to include shipping too...)

I was looking at something like the Funtana, or something similar, or in that ballpark. I'm just looking for a nice flying plane with all the trimmings and extra gravy please. Hahaha... by the time I get done re-learning, it won't look like it came, but...

Anyhow... I'm really lost here on what to get, and belive me... I need help.

Just a list and where to order would be great. (prefferably all at the same place if it's possible, to save on shipping charges) I know everyone has their favorites, but I'm needing a complete list, so I can get this order out, and get high with R/C flying again...

Big questions, I know...
Thanks for your support guys,
Danoman...

Rat1

Well if you just want to get into the air for now then maybe something in an RTF form such as an aerobird or something. If you can swing the ARf and building needed then maybe one of the Mountain Models.com planes. For less then 300.00 you should beable to get the mountain models magpie with both the slow fly wing and aileron wing along with the needed servos, speed control, battery packs and charger and with some looking on the net you should beable to find a Hitec flash 4X or 5X radio transmitter and a hotec 555 receiver for less then 100.00 or maybe even 75.00.

Check out the site mountainmodels.com.

They have some nice all foam models, all balsa models or combination foam and balsa models that will suit most of your needs.


My next mountain models purchase will be the Panic which is an acrobatic model made out of epp foam and depron foam.

Another option is to possibly build your own. for less then 50 dollars you can pick up a bundle of blue fanfold foam from a building supply store and make your own profile planes or even something more elaborite. There are alot of sites with free plans for building fan fold foam planes.

Matt Kirsch

My Feedback: (21)

Aerobatic for under $450? I think we can swing that.

Have you considered a ShockFlyer? I know you see videos all over the place of these little marvels doing all kinds of crazy stuff, but they're capable of being mild as well. Just build it stock, set the balance forward, reduce the control throws by half, and you have a nice "intermediate" level plane to get your feet wet again. You can easily do a Shocky for $450 with top-notch equipment, and have enough left over for that gravy

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

Below I list electric planes, parkflyers and e-gliders for beginners to advanced pilots. Some come ready to fly, some are almost ready to fly (add your own radio gear) and some are kits. All of them are electric. If you are looking for your first plane, you should find something here to peak your interest.

If you are used to having ailerons, the first four planes may not be for you as they are T/R/E planes suitable for new flyers tyring to teach themselves to fly. However take a look. You may find one of them attractive. There are 3 and 4 channel planes, many of which are foamies. You asked for a list, here it is!

I don't recommend two channel R/T electrics, so you won't find any on the
list. They can be very easy to fly and can be a lot of fun, but they can also
be very easy to lose. A three channel R/E/T is a better choice as a first
plane, in my opinion.

New Electric Flyer FAQs
http://www.ezonemag.com/pages/faq/a105.shtml


READY TO FLY STARTER PLANES - Parkflyers
No building - they practically fly right out of the box
These also glide well so you can thermal soar
with them under the right conditions.

Aerobird Challenger - RTF Electric - $150
I started on an Aerobird RTF. I love it and recommend it highly I have over
300 between my original Aerobird and the newer AB Challenger. I also thermal
and slope soar this plane. Flies well and stands up to hard landings. The
add on fun accesories for night flying, air to air combat and drop module add
to the fun!
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=HBZ3500
Review
http://www.hobbyzonesports.com/Disco...ID=1289#Page01
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147621
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/aerobird_video.html


Slow-V from Parkzone - $140
Best flown in still to under 5 mph breeze. The is the best choice for people
who only have a small space to fly. Can also be flown indoors in a gym or
similar space.
http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/pro...p?prod=PKZ1300
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_20...tm.htm#2089493
Video
http://users.cwnet.com/dhsc19/Slo_V_Aerobatics.wmv
Night fly module on a Slo-V
http://rc-galaxy.com/messageboard/mb...ViewMsg&num=-8


T-Hawk - RTF - Excellent Value - $170
Comes with extra wing, tail and battery
Flies well and stands up to hard landings
Can be flown on 27 mhz or 72 mhz
http://www.toytx.com/thawk3chrtf.html
T-Hawk - Without Radio - add your radio and receiver
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/wittran.html
T-Hawk Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...ighlight=THawk
Videos
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawkvideos.html


Easy Star - RTF - $180
Super tough foam. Comes with 72 mhz radio in the US.
Good parkflyer and a good glider
Radio in RTF package can be used to fly other planes
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240025.asp
Easy Star - ARF - Add you own radio gear
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240009.asp
Discussion Thread on Easy Star
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258656
Video - touch and gos
http://plawner.org/video/easygo.wmv
Video - Testing the planes's behavior
http://plawner.org/video/easystar.wmv


ALMOST READY TO FLY and EASY TO BUILD KITS - STARTER PLANES

Some of the planes in the previous group are available ARF as indicated.
Below are ARF and kit planes. You will need to buy a radio if you don't have
one, so you might want to read these articles on radios. Radios. The
articles are written for sailplane beginners, but all the info applies to
electrics too.

Entry Level Radios - If you have to go cheap
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=44

Computer Radios - The recommended path for almost everyone
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=65


ARF typically means you are not gluing balsa pieces together, then covering
with Monocote or some other shrink film. Below are ARFs and some are very
easy to build kits. In each case you must add your own radio, receiver,
servos, speed control, batteries and battery charger. They all come with a
motor.

Slow stick - $40
Best flown in still to under 5 mph breeze. This is an excellent choice for
people who have a smaller space to fly.
Can also be flown indoors in a gym or similar space.
The RTF Slo-V above is essentially a copy of this plane.
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=GWS1040
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...hreadid=122951

Tiger Moth - $50
Best flown in still to under 5 mph breeze.
This is an excellent choice for people who have a smaller space to fly. Can
also be flown indoors in a gym or similar space. Cool looking little plane.
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=GWS1020
Review
http://www.backyardflyer.com/BY/articles/tiger_moth.asp

Tipsey - $55
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/tipsy.htm
Review
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/pdf/gr6232.pdf
http://rcgroups.com/links/index.php?...at=198&id=3871

Magpie - Easy to build Foam kit - $50
Has trainer wing AND an available sport wing
Master the first, then advance to the second.
http://www.mountainmodels.com/magpie.php
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...51#post3502851
Video
http://www.mountainmodels.com/Magpie.wmv


Balsa Wood Kits - If you like to build with wood, these are highly
recommended.

Dandy
http://www.mountainmodels.com/dandy.php

Dust Stick
http://www.mountainmodels.com/duskstik.php


ELECTRIC GLIDERS

Have you considered an electic glider? Usually larger than the typical
parkflyer, they also tend to be quite stable and fly a bit slower, which makes
them easy to fly.

If you would like to try soaring with the birds, then an electric glider might
be a good choice. These planes are launched with an electric motor. They can
be flown around using the motor, like a parkflyer, or they can be flown to
height, then the motor is turned off and you hunt for thermals, just like the
birds.

They can do loops and simple aerobatics, but are really optomized for thermal
soaring. The Aerobird and the T-Hawk, which are often mentioned as first
parkflyers, glide and thermal pretty well, but they come with fixed props.
These planes include folding props which make the plane more streamlined and
so it can glide better than a fixed propeller plane.

Some are RTF which are fully built, include all the radio gear with everything
installed. Battery and charger are included with the RTF planes. Some are
ARFs where you assemble the simple package, then add your own radio equipment.
Some are available either way.

With these planes you get a good first plane, a good first electric and a good
electric glider. It may not have been what you were thinking, but it may be
exactly what you were looking for.

Easy Star - RTF - also listed above
This is a Park Glider - can be flown as parkflyer or glider
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240025.asp
Easy Star - ARF - Add you own radio gear
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240009.asp
Discussion Thread on Easy Star
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258656
Video - touch and gos
http://plawner.org/video/easygo.wmv
Video - Testing the planes's behavior
http://plawner.org/video/easystar.wmv


Ascent - this is a park glider ARF
It can be flown as a parkflyer or a glider
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...ProdID=EFL1075
Review
http://rcgroups.com/links/index.php?...at=237&id=4233

Spectra - 2M - RTF
78" wing span - perhaps too large for a parkflyer, but a good first e-glider
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXVJ51**&P=ML
Spectra ARF -
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXADK2&P=7

Electra - 2M ARF
78" wing span - perhaps too large for a parkflyer, but a good first e-glider
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDJB2&P=7

If you are not familiar with soaring, it is a lot of fun. Flights can be as
short as parkflyer flights, or can last for hours, if you find lift.

This article may be helpful in understanding lift and the fun that e-gliders
offer to the electric flyer.

Finding Lift
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=57


MORE ADVANCED PLANES

After you master a starter plane, you can move on to one of these more
aerobatic and 3D flying electrics. Here are a few planes that would be lots
of fun and would represent a real challenge. Most have videos associated with
their links.


3 Channel Aileron or Elevon Planes

F27-Stryker - RTF
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=PKZ1200
Video
http://rc-galaxy.com/Video/F-27_Stry...ris_7-9-04.wmv
Review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=392

Sky Scooter RTF - Also available ARF - 3 Channel
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/sky_scooter_pro_2.html
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/sky_s...o_2_vid_1.html
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/sky_s...o_2_vid_2.html

Multiplex Space Scooter - RTF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGZV5&P=7
ARF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGZV4&P=7

Multiplex Microjet - ARF
http://www.multiplexusa.com/product_fs.htm

Viper Twin - ARF
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/viper.html
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/trailervid.html
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/smoothvid.html

Zagi XS - ARF
http://zagi.com/index.php?main_page=...&products_id=1
Video page
http://www.zagi.com/index.php?main_p...812dbc8b76c42f

Zagi XT - ARF
http://zagi.com/index.php?main_page=...&products_id=5
Video Page
http://www.zagi.com/index.php?main_p...812dbc8b76c42f


Planes that can be 3 channel beginner planes or 4 channel aileron trainers.
Kits

Magpie - Easy to build Foam kit - also listed above
Has trainer wing AND an available sport wing
Master the first, then advance to the second.
http://www.mountainmodels.com/magpie.php
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...51#post3502851
Video
http://www.mountainmodels.com/Magpie.wmv

SmoothE - Easy to build Balsa and foam
http://www.mountainmodels.com/smoothe.php
Funny video
http://www.mountainmodels.com/SmoothEsmall.WMV

IFO - Easy to build kit
Demo at the 2000 Tournament of Champions
http://www.wildrc.com/htmlpages/movies/toc2000.mpg
Flying Combat in a gym
http://www.wildrc.com/htmlpages/movies/mk3combat.mpg


4 Channel Aileron Trainers
RTF, ARF or Kits

GWS E-starter 400 - Simple Foam Kit
http://www.servohut.com/estarter.htm

GWS Tiger Moth 400 - Simple Foam Kit
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...ProdID=GWS1020
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=345
http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazi...345/TM400m.wmv

Mountain Models Dandy Sport - Balsa kit
http://www.mountainmodels.com/dandysport.php
Video
http://www.mountainmodels.com/ds1.wmv

Multiplex Magister - RTF or kit
This plane is much larger than the others
Close to a .40 glow trainer in size
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGZV3&P=ML
Review
http://www.smoothair.ca/reviews/Magister/magister.htm
Video - This is not with the standard motor
this plane has an upgraded brushless motor
http://plawner.net/video/magister_funday.wmv
Video - Brushless
http://plawner.org/video/magister.wmv


More Advanced Aerobatic and 3D Planes
ARFs and Kits

Switchback - Built up wood Kit - very popular
http://www.mountainmodels.com/switchback.php
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...51#post3502851

Tantrum - Built up wood Kit
http://www.mountainmodels.com/tantrum.php

Flash Back - Built up wood kit
http://www.mountainmodels.com/flashback.php

Shockflyers - 3D
http://www.shockflyer.com/

Pitts Special Biplane -
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/pitts.htm

Eagle 3D Foam ARF Aerobatic plane -
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/eagle.htm

Tipsy Nipper - Foam ARF
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/nipper.htm

The Cobra - 3 D Foam Flyer ARF
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/cobra.htm

Pigi - 3D Foam Flyer ARF
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/pigi.htm

Mini GeeBee - 3D Depron Flyer
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/minigeebee.htm

Capirol foam ARF
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/capriol.htm

three-d - ARF built up wood
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/threedee.htm

Firecat - ARF - wood built up
http://www.espritmodel.com/l_firecat.html

MUSIC PUBLISHER

aeajr...I need to thank you for your great articles on computer radios..I just ordered airtronics vg6000..my 1st computer radio...I only can afford t have 2-3 planes at a time..so this radio should be plenty for me...thanks again...and if I have anhy questions on setup..I was wondering how much expirience you have with this specific model..

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

I have never used an Airtronics radio, but I hear that model is very easy to use.