Is this reasonable?
 

Hi,

I'm a total newbie and need some advice. Last year, my wife bought me an Airhogs Defender RC plane (don't laugh, we've all got to start somewhere). I wanted it to see if I would even like RC flying, and for $25, it was a worthwhile investment. I cought the bug and decided to pursue it further.

I was going to have some time off last summer and stopped by the hobby shop to get a plane I could fly in the back yard. I don't know if the guy saw me coming or just didn't know any better, but he sold me an Aerobird Extreme. After putting it in a tree and nearly destroying it out of frustration, I decided it wasn't a beginner's plane (borne out by what I've gleaned from here).

From what I've read here, the good starter planes are Aerobird Challenger, Slo-stik, T-Hawk, and Slo-V. I'm leaning towards the Slo-stik, but the Aerobird is appealing because I bought the drop module for the Extreme and would like to use it. I was able to comfortably fly the Airhog in my back yard which is roughly 200 feet by 200 feet. Is it reasonable to expect that I could fly any of these planes in the same area? My flying interest right now is to get out early in the morning or after dinner in the evening when I've got a little time to kill before putting the kids to bed. I don't want to have to go to a flying field (about 25 minutes away). After I get more proficient, I'll tackle the Aerobird Extreme again.

Any insights would be great!

Mark

RE: Is this reasonable?
 

It all depends on how much you want to spend. Most of the models you suggested should be flown in no less then a 500x500 ft area by a beginner. This being said I can fly my Slo V in a 100 x 200 ft area without too much trouble but then again the Slo V and Slow Stick will fly at ultra slow speeds which gives you plenty of time to react.

If you really want to go the RTF (ready to fly) route then I do highly recomend the Slo V from ParkZone If you are nto sure you want to step up to three channel control then maybe get the HobbyZone Scout or Firebird II st. These are two channel control in which you adjust altitude using motor power and the stick controls direction.

If you are thinking of going the ARF (almost ready to fly) route with the Slow Stick then you may want to check out the GWS pico moth as these are nice slow flying models that are very easy to fly. You will have to pick up two pico (sub micro) servos a small speed control, a small feather type receiver and a radio transmitter, battery pack and charger. It might run you a tad over 200.00 for everything through a GWS dealer. It all depends on the radio gear you get as some have spent over 350.00+ on getting a plane and the needed radio gear etc.

The T hawk is ok but then again it is very similar to the aero bird in that you need to learn throttle control or you will be in the trees in a quick hurry.

All in all it might be best to find a park nearby that is large enough to fly in. Or you could try and learn 3D type flying were most of your flying is in a 50'x50' area.

Another great thing to get stick time is to download the free FMS simulator and get an axis game pad to use to control the airplanes in the simulator. It will cost you about 17.00 for the Axis game pad.

You can download the FMS simulator from this site ---->>>>[link]http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html[/link]

If you need help configuring the Axis game pad to control the planes just ask. It is easy and very helpful.

Also do a search ont he FMS site for other models as there are hundreds of models to download and fly. Including the T hawk, Slow Stick, Slo V, Stryker ,Tiger moth, J3 Cub and many many many others. There is a user that goes by the username Gunners that has created a Par editor to edit the some of the flight characterists of these models so that you can have more speed and adjust the center of gravity to your liking.

RE: Is this reasonable?
 

It wasn't the plane, it was the space you were trying to fly the plane in. The space was much too small. If you had a larger space, you would've had a completely different experience.

RE: Is this reasonable?
 

I agree with Matt, although the Xtreme probably isn't a beginner plane. I am new to RC planes and have an Aerobird Challenger the first field I went to looked like it was pretty size, but as a beginner with no help trying to trim a new plane I was at the end of the field before I knew it. I don't think there are to may planes that a beginner can fly in a back yard. I found a really large field and have had no problems flying my Challenger there. I land in a field, so I leave the landing gear off the plane and belly land it.

RE: Is this reasonable?
 

Hi guys,

Thanks for the feedback. It looks like I'll have to take a few afternoons off from work and go to the flying field this summer.

Mark