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RE: Good First Planes
My son is 5 years old and has developed an interst in flying model planes. He has so far only beeing fooling around with the rubber band powered planes and recently a friend of mine invited him to see him fly a model air plane with a wingspan of 60". Boy was my son excited whenhe acme home. My friend is childless and is quite willing to take my son under his wing (since I have no knowledge in this area).
Q: what plane should I start my son out with? My friend figures that my son is still to young to fly but could get his own plane that wil be flown by one of the adults (me after trainging) till my son slowly gets the hang of things. He has suggested this plane http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=577 The plane must be electric and should be capable of 20-30 minute flying sessions. Building the plane wont be a problem as both my friend and I are adept at building stuff. It must be electric and should be something that my son can live with for a few years. Easy to fly yet capable for more complex manouvers when needed. I am open to suggesstions. |
RE: Good First Planes
I went with the Parkzone SuperCub instead. Its a trainer that is capable of aerobatics. It doesn't have ailerons like the plane you linked.
Also, the supercub is foam... so its easy to fix with tape and glue when it crashes. The good news... it costs half as much as the one you linked. Check out the supercub at www.myrcsupply.com or other places. In the parkflier's forum there is a huge thread... 210 pages on the supercub. Browse around in there and listen to all of us go on and on about how much we love this plane, how easy it is to fix, and how we've modified it. Plenty of newbies have cut their teeth on this plane... I'm glad its the one I chose. My only concern is the flight time you mentioned. Flights last about 7-8 minutes. You might want to buy 2-3 extra 8 cell batteries if you want to fly for a half an hour. |
RE: Good First Planes
ORIGINAL: SackOHammers Check out the supercub at www.myrcsupply.com or other places. In the parkflier's forum there is a huge thread... 210 pages on the supercub. Browse around in there and listen to all of us go on and on about how much we love this plane, how easy it is to fix, and how we've modified it. Plenty of newbies have cut their teeth on this plane... I'm glad its the one I chose. My only concern is the flight time you mentioned. Flights last about 7-8 minutes. You might want to buy 2-3 extra 8 cell batteries if you want to fly for a half an hour. are there any electrics that are capable of being up in the air for say 20-30 mintues. We live a bout 30 min from the nearest field where you can fly and I would like to make th trip worth it. I was hoping to have 2-3 batteries with each battery lasting 20-30 minutes so we can fly for about 1 hour total. |
RE: Good First Planes
I have limited experience, but from all the reading I've done I don't think you're going to get that flight time from a single battery pack.
However, if you happen to be near your car, you can charge NiMH batteries with a car charger. Just don't do this unattended.... don't want your car to catch on fire.... same thing goes for charging batteries in your home. I think with the right LiPo battery and throttle management you can get flight times around 12-14 minutes with a supercub. |
RE: Good First Planes
ORIGINAL: SackOHammers I have limited experience, but from all the reading I've done I don't think you're going to get that flight time from a single battery pack. these adverts claim that these planes can http://www.hobby-lobby.com/miss-stikjr.htm http://www.hobby-lobby.com/tipsy.htm is it a case of over zealous advertising? |
RE: Good First Planes
No, thats not what I meant. You can get that much time even from a NiMH if its charged well. But the 20-30 minutes you asked about twice on this page would be harder to achieve. You might get closer to 20 mins with a LiPo, I've seen threads of guys getting slightly over 20, but also getting dangerously low on Voltage... close to damaging the battery.
However, I will say I'm not very well knowledgable about all the different planes out there. I'm sort of a newbie... but most of the beginner planes people talk about here... the Parkzone planes, etc, aren't going to give you 30 minutes. Those planes you linked look small and VERY light. I think that those would be close to indoor planes... depending on where you live, it might be a challenge finding a zero wind day to fly those. But someone else could post here and tell me I'm completely wrong and I wouldn't be offended at all. :) Those planes you linked there will cost over $200 to get you in the air. Take a look at the SuperCub, you can get it by shopping around for about $110. For that money you could buy a few 8 cell NiMH spare batteries and still cost less.... plus you get a much better plane. With a few spare batteries you and your son can enjoy an hour at the park flying. |
RE: Good First Planes
Hello guys(and any Ladys) out there I am new to this(electric planes) . I mostly do rc sailboats, but the other day when I was sailing I saw some guys running some park flyers. I was interested in what they were doing , the same as they were interested in my sailboat. I also fly sailplanes , and I have a basement full of them, some in pieces and others whole. But I am interested in building a electricplane. My question is about motors. How large a plane will a speed 400 motor fly? What type of controller do I need(can I build my own)? what type of batteries are needed? I want to design my own plane, something like a delta wing. ( foam if you know what I mean). Thank you very much. This is my first post:).
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RE: Good First Planes
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I have some sail boats for sale or trade If interested. Been doing alot of flying now.See the Pics. Ron
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RE: Good First Planes
... the Parkzone planes, etc, aren't going to give you 30 minutes....Those planes you linked look small and VERY light. I think that those would be close to indoor planes... depending on where you live, it might be a challenge finding a zero wind day to fly those...Take a look at the SuperCub, you can get it by shopping around for about $110. For that money you could buy a few 8 cell NiMH spare batteries and still cost less.... plus you get a much better plane. With a few spare batteries you and your son can enjoy an hour at the park flying. when i asked the locals few had any knowledge about electrics. i now suppose that this might be becuas ethe strong winds we have make light electrics (electrics are lighter than oil burners) unstable. given that I have to now ask a new question. are there any electrics that can handle windier conditions? The supercub http://www.hobby-lobby.com/supercub.htm is on the top of my list. Almost everyone recomends it. I was just wondering if there were other alternates. i was considering these too http://www.nitroplanes.com/4lustrarecon.html http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_planes_e...a_stick_25.htm http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_planes_h...ulse_xt_40.htm also the locals here all recommend i get a 6ch. RC and planes as large as the ones linked below why? is not a 4ch RC adequate? http://www.hobby-lobby.com/seafury.htm http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_planes_e...j-3_cub_25.htm http://www.hobby-lobby.com/supertigermoth.htm http://www.hobby-lobby.com/tb20.htm one guy even suggested the challenger or the geebee from hobby lobby but i think he was joking or did not understnad that we are beginners http://www.hobby-lobby.com/challenger.htm http://www.hobby-lobby.com/geebee.htm they also said i should not get a RTF but get a plane whose wings can be detached easily so i can transport it in a car. |
RE: Good First Planes
ORIGINAL: darticus I have some sail boats for sale or trade If interested. Been doing alot of flying now.See the Pics. Ron I have a lot of boats too I would like to sell. Building models is habit forming. |
RE: Good First Planes
Well, I would hate to put so much money into something like a seafury and have a 5 year old son crash it.
I have problems with the SuperCub when its windy. I have taken it out and flown it when it was too windy and more than once I have landed it within 45 seconds with sweat on my brow and felt lucky to still have a plane. With the stock equipment it does not handle a lot of wind. The wing is so large and the plane is so light. You know... when you're walking to the place on the field where you want to take off and as the plane is under your arm the wind wants to carry it away. Not a good situation, haha. When I had so many windy days in a row I was wondering if I should look into a heavier plane or upgrade to a stronger motor and LiPo in the Supercub. My final decision was to just be more patient with the wind... fortunately the park I fly at is very close and I can just drive there in 5 minutes to find out if the wind is ok or not... and not be too disappointed if there is too much. It does not sound like your flying area is so close. I learned by flying a flight simulator first (the free FMS simulator with a $15 USB controller from ESky). I am SO glad I did this. It made my first flights and landings so much better. I think had I not done the fligth simulator I would have crashed due to panic on first flight... but learning on the flight simulator made me confident.... I only spent about 3-4 hours on it and it made a huge difference. So, perhaps get your son to do that first... especially if you're looking at some of those expensive petrol planes. I am thinking though... that you could probably get away with an electric. Electric planes, from what I've read, are much stronger than they were a few years ago. I've seen some pretty big electric planes in the catalogues and in the forums. I'm sort of a newb at this so I do not feel comfortable looking at those other planes and making recommendations. I hope someone else chimes in about planes (not boats hehe) so that you can get some more qualified advice. Hopefully someone like Leo will spot the thread. |
RE: Good First Planes
Well, I would hate to put so much money into something like a seafury and have a 5 year old son crash it. I have problems with the SuperCub when its windy..My final decision was to just be more patient with the wind... I learned by flying a flight simulator first (the free FMS simulator with a $15 USB controller from ESky). .. So, perhaps get your son to do that first... ..I am thinking though... that you could probably get away with an electric. Electric planes, from what I've read, are much stronger than they were a few years ago. The idea of a flight simulator is excellent. My son wont be making solo flights any time soon. for the first few visits he will watch my friend fly and then me. But the idea that the plane is his will keep him excited. If the Supercub is a bit too light what would you suggest? Do remember I have to import the plane to India (with eletric motor and RC controller). I will have to import it as a kit becuase otherwise the RC controller might get stuck in customs what will any Radio Frequency gadget getting the "thrid degree" nowadays so I would like to get a plane that is not RTF but to be assembled. |
RE: Good First Planes
What are thoughts on the Cessna EP400 planes?
Here is a link for one. 129 bucks for a brushless plane... http://www.hobby-estore.com/d11-cess...-airplane.html |
RE: Good First Planes
I don't know about that plane. It looks ok?
This is a 4 channel plane with ailerons...if you're trying to teach yourself you might want to start with a 3 channel plane without ailerons. For 4 channel trainers, people recommend the Mini-Magister, the E-starter, the Gemini, or the Tiger Moth. I'm building a Tiger Moth right now and I'm seeing already it is not a stout plane. I don't want to crash it because repairs will be more difficult than the Super Cub. I think the mini-mag would be easier to repair. With some of these planes, though, you'll have to order radio separately. Hmmm, let me go find another thread and link it here real quick. be right back EDIT: Ok, I just spent 15 minutes looking for the post and I can't find it. Last week I made a post about an RTF... I found it through a banner-ad on this website. Basically it comes with everything, plus a slimmed down version of Real Flight simulator for that plane. It has a 4 channel controller, batteries, all that... plus I think it was a balsa electric. It was a bit more expensive... around $350 US? Bit it might be more towards what you are looking for. I wish I could remember the name or find the link. EDIT2: ah, ok found it. Again, never flown it or ready much about it, but the advertisement looks good. hehe It comes with simulator, brushless motor, 6 channel radio. Batteries are separate. http://www.towerhobbies.com/products...co/hcaa09.html |
RE: Good First Planes
I am new at rc flying and I have decided to get the super cub as my first plane. Is is recommeded to purchase extra parts as well or if anyone has any other suggestions please let me know!
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RE: Good First Planes
Bowlind,
Please try not to post the same question in multiple threads. See my reply to this question in the thread below this one. Cheers, Hammers |
RE: Good First Planes
I think you made the right choice. The super cub has ACT (anti crash technology) which is great for beginners I got a parkzone slo-v for my first plane. That was a mistake I went through a whole plane before I mastered it. The super cub is also a great choice because it ill have plenty of power(a 480 motor)
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RE: Good First Planes
ELECTRIC PARK/GLIDERS
Have you considered an electric 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 optimized for 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 - $195 This is a Park Glider - can be flown as parkflyer or glider Great keep in the car plane! http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240025.asp Easy Star - ARF - Add you own radio gear http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240009.asp Build Thread http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350408 Amazing information site for easy star http://www.mpx-easystar.de/ Video - touch and gos http://plawner.org/video/easygo.wmv http://plawner.org/video/easystar.wmv Ventura RTF ParkFlyer/e-glider - $110 I have not flown this one but have read many good reports Includes one battery and a timed charger. Add a second battery pack and a peak charger and you are set. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGFK0&P=ML Review http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=393 Video http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazi...93/Ventura.wmv http://www.hobbico.com/gallery/hcaa2010-large.mpg Ascent - this is a park glider ARF - $69 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 The Hawk - Available RTF with Radio or Receiver Ready if you already have a transmitter. The slow glide of an electric glider makes an excellent trainer plane, especially if you have just a little bit of help. The package is very complete and the tough foam construction can really save you time on a repair bench. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6485665/tm.htm Easy Glider Electric - ARF - $89 REceiver Ready - $159 http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXMYL0&P=ML - This is probably too large to be considered a park flyer but the combination of great flying ability, tough Elapor construction and great thermal or slope soaring ability makes this an excellent first electric sailplane. This is what we recommend to the new glider pilots in our club. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKHS8&P=7 Flight Pack http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKYM0&P=7 Receiver Ready http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240107.asp Review of Receiver Ready Package http://www.rcgroups.com/links/index.php?id=5042 Multiplex Site http://www.multiplexusa.com/models/P...asyGliderE.htm http://www.modelspot.com/mpx/easyglider.htm VIDEOS Slope http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...89904446915326 http://www.elflight.dk/video5/easy-gl-hang.wmv http://www.hobby-lobby.com/media/MPX...liderSlope.wmv Aerotowed behind a Magister http://www.multiplex-rc.de/cms/vorsc...er_schlepp.wmv Flying Indoors http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/show...cat=506&page=1 Discussion Threads http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=347989 http://www.*********.com/forums/begi...highlight=keys Push-E-Cat - $95 with brushless motor 59" wingspan on an Epler 205 airfoil. About 22 ounces. EPP Foam 3 channel pusher design Thermals very well. Something like a larger, tougher Easy Star kit but with a brushless motor. http://polecataero.com/products/push-e-cat Discussion Thread http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331174 |
RE: Good First Planes
ORIGINAL: navin advani My son is 5 years old and has developed an interst in flying model planes. He has so far only beeing fooling around with the rubber band powered planes and recently a friend of mine invited him to see him fly a model air plane with a wingspan of 60". Boy was my son excited when he came home. My friend is childless and is quite willing to take my son under his wing (since I have no knowledge in this area). Q: what plane should I start my son out with? My friend figures that my son is still to young to fly but could get his own plane that wil be flown by one of the adults ... . I am open to suggesstions. He has more fun flying a $9 toy that just keeps circling above his head as he only needs to control the throttle/speed of the prop. And even then he hasn't mastered a light finger for landing the plane. Starting with a $30 2-channel toy plane is more than enough challenge for a child novice beginner. You need to first determine if he has the patience and attention span to really listen/learn the simple control functions of a 2 channel transmitter before you spend $200 on an RTF. You don't want to expect too much from him or you may cause him more frustration than enjoyment. Have you both enjoyed flying kites and building paper airplanes with gliding distance games. There is so much you can learn about flying with these simpler introductions before you even need to buy a $30 2-channel toy plane. Realistically these $30 toy planes are designed more for a 10 year old than a 5 year old child. Just because you read about some 10 year old that can hover a 3D Yak and perform other aerobatic maneuvers doesn't mean you can skip flying kites, designing and building paper airplanes and first learning to fly a $30 2-channel toy plane. 12/14 minutes is plenty long for a 5 year old that has a short attention span. If and when you fly your first model airplane for 5 minutes then 12 to 14 minutes won't seem like such a short time. You need to practice touch and go and landing so 12 minutes is good enough. It's not like you won't have spare batteries charged and ready to go. Who are you buying this plane for--Your son or for yourself. It's OK for adults to buy toy planes for their child, but then enjoy flying them just as much or more then does their child. |
RE: Good First Planes
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navin advani, My son is 5 years old and has developed an interst in flying model planes. He has so far only been fooling around with the rubber band powered planes and recently a friend of mine invited him to see him fly a model air plane with a wingspan of 60". Boy was my son excited when he came home. Q: What plane should I start my son out with? Can anyone beat Fisher's advice? So I go out an buy another XPV Mini and give it to this 70 year old guy who just bought a $100,000 dollar Audi Sports car (the one they advertised during the Super Bowl). I get a call from him the other day and he is talking about how cool his new car is. He presses a button on the dash and the headers open up and the whole car lowers for sport mode etc....... Once he is done telling me all about how wicked cool his car is and how much he likes it he gets a bit sheepish and tells me that he has just as much fun flying the $14 XPV Mini I gave him as he does driving his car. Now that is some recommendation. I have purchased 6 of these things and they all fly great. Everyone should own one. My son and I got a chance to fly our XPV Mini s inside a medium sized gym the other day. What a hoot. This is the first plane I have owned that could be easily flown inside a gym. Between the two of us we covered most of the air space, let several other people learn to fly and then chased each other around for a while, all on a single charge. You have to grab one of these planes next time they go on sale for under $20! Even at the regular price around $30 they are a real good deal. Cheers! Well over 100 flights with the Mini XPV and still loving it. Everyone needs one of these. I have taught several people to fly with this plane. It is very capable for a two channel under $30 model. Can even handle wind. I could not be happier with it. Unlike the AAs[AeroAces] I have purchased in the past this thing is indestructible. The stock AA[AeroAce] is useless in anything but calm conditions. The range on the TX (49 mhz) is great as well. I can fly it out so far that I cannot tell orientation very well. When a new pilot starts flying they are usually so worried about crashing the plane that they do not have much fun. With this thing I just tell them that crashing is no big deal as long as it is not into water or on a roof/tree. Usually they are hand launching on their own and able to return it into their own hads on one charge. That is a lot of learning for one flight session. I give this plane (if you do not get a lemon) 5 of 5 stars for value and performance. |
RE: Good First Planes
ORIGINAL: Swift427 Can anyone beat Fisher's advice? ... You have to grab one of these planes next time they go on sale for under $20! Even at the regular price around $30 they are a real good deal. What is an XPV? |
RE: Good First Planes
Thanks for reminding me to post the links for Fisher and Mini XPV ;)
membership search - “Fisher” http://www.rcuniverse.com/community/...rofile&forum=1 airplane search – “Mini XPV” (Xtra Performance Vehicle) http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_54...tm.htm#5484241 Is there a more enjoyable/fun 2 channel (first plane) for $30, whether your 10 years old or 70 years old? So I go out an buy another XPV Mini and give it to this 70 year old guy who just bought a $100,000 dollar Audi Sports car (the one they advertised during the Super Bowl). I get a call from him the other day and he is talking about how cool his new car is. He presses a button on the dash and the headers open up and the whole car lowers for sport mode etc....... Once he is done telling me all about how wicked cool his car is and how much he likes it he gets a bit sheepish and tells me that he has just as much fun flying the $14 XPV Mini I gave him as he does driving his car. |
RE: Good First Planes
Man this is an old thread that just keeps going:D Thanks for this thread Matt
I read every page. The plane I like the most is the Hobbico FlyZone Mini Ventura. I think it is a nice looking plane. I would get the large Ventura 39.75" but most of my flying fields are small and I think the Mini 31.5" will serve me better. I also just bought the Watt-Age Cessna 180 EP and flew it for the first time today. It didn't fly as well as I thought it would. But the winds that were gusting up to 6mph played a part in that. I did really seem nose heavy though. I am thinking about putting a brushless motor in it and a lighter LiPo and see if it will float better. I have the Firebird Phantom, Parkzone Vapor, Ember and Cessna and I can fly all of them very well |
RE: Good First Planes
nice posts this is what i been looking for thanks matt
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RE: Good First Planes
Well I bought a HZ Super Cub. I can't wait to get home from Iraq in a couple of weeks to give it a try. I hope that the weather is ok I only have a couple of weeks home before I have to come back. With that said I based my decision on the advice from guys on the forum. So thanks to all of you for making a tough choice a little easier. I have a Sig Astro Hog in the attic maybe I will get it down and see if I can get it finished and change it over to elec power. It is a .60 size so I guess I will hunt some more in the forums for converting it over. If someone could point me to a good starting point I would appreciate it.
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