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How do I get started with the future in mind?
I've spent most of the summer flying a Wing Dragon and having a lot of fun with it, and am at the point where I am ready to "Move Up" so to speak. The Wing Dragon is a great plane to learn on, and was great for someone like me who has very little time, and wants to spend what little time I have flying instead of building. As I look toward my second plane, I'm looking for more universal parts that can be used in future planes, as opposed to continuing to buy new RTF planes every time.
My problem is that I'm still a bit leary of LHS's. 8 years ago I was a 20 year old kid with stars in my eyes and went into my local LHS looking to get into model airplanes. The owner told me they were out of trainers but that I looked like I could handle a glow engine Spitfire... (I'm sure you know where this goes from here.) $900 later, I still have the Futaba Radio from that endeavour, but that is about it. It took me quite a while to get back into a position where I could enjoy the hobby again, and I just want to do it right. I work at a Drag Strip and work most weekends and a lot of late nights, but I do use the track as my own airfield, doing touch-and-go's on the track, skimming the grandstands, and weveing between the light towers. However it is a rarity that I can get to a Hobby Shop, as my nearest is an hour away, the same distance as the nearest RC Flight Club. So in a lot of ways I feel on my own, and am just looking for help putting together a good 4 Channel Cesna shaped plane/package that uses "Standard" Equipment I can use in future planes. I've seen a lot of packages around on the internet, but many seem to be the bare minimum necessary for that plane. NiCad Batteries or cheap chargers etc. I know not everything can go from one plane to another, but I would like to have fun with the hobby, and not get burned by it again. |
RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
Well, if you want to go electric, gwsexpert.com has a nice deal on slowsticks. They have the plane with all the things it needs: http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_inf...roducts_id=345 and you can add a receiver and a crystal etc to it. Most of these parts will transfer to a different plane. This is without a transmitter, since you already have one. If you wanted the complete package with everything, you should select beginner packages from the left side menu, and then whichever one you want. I know the slowstick is a great plane to learn on, but if you want a faster plane and 4 channel, then try the e-starter, which they also have under the Package Deals section
Alex |
RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
Thanks, I had been thinking about the E-Starter simply because I wanted to step up to a 4 channel setup. My one concern is the batteries. The E-Starter kit at that site says it doesn't come with a battery (though the picture shows one in the kit) and the main reason I wanted to buy parts instead of RTF was that I wanted to just start with LiPo batteries and get the charging equipment for that only. What battery and ETC would go with an E-Starter?
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RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
Check out the electric planes at hobby-lobby.com. I have delt with them many times and they always deliver. The package is usually at my door in two days. This nice part about dealing with them is all the parts needed to complete the plane are listed with the airplane, so its guaranteed to fly well. They also have video's of most of them. These components can also be used in other planes. There are many other great places on line to buy planes but this is maybe the easiest for a newbie. Good luck.
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RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
This may help. I recently put together a complete slow-stick package for myself and two friends.
Here's a link to a little writeup I created that shows 2 slow stick packages. http://www.geocities.com/kdahlhaus/RcPlaneWriteup.pdf |
RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
Never seen a wing dragon before, but my guess would be that a Slow Stick is not one step up.
Not sure of your skill level, if you start with the Estarter, you may want to wait until you have crashed, er, flown, for a while before you get into Lipos. They are not as crash resistant as other types of batteries. If you do decide on the Estarter, your choice of battery will vary depending on the motor you get with it. It comes in a variety of flavours. It used to come with the option of a 350 motor, but Tower only has the 400 motor so maybe GWS is packaging it only with that motor now. The 350 flys well with a 7 cell battery. I use Cheap battery packs' 1150 mah Nimh cells which work fine. If you get the 400 motor, you probably want to step up to an 8 cell battery. Get some good cells, ones that will provide enough amps for the motor. You will likely end up carving some foam to make them fit & balance the plane though. I quite like the Estarter. It's my third plane. |
RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
Yeah the Wing Dragon is probably similar to a Slow Stick, as it is a 3 channel plastic/foam plane similar to a Multiplex EasyStar. It was a great way to get back into the sport, flies pretty well, and has taken quite a beating and keeps on flying. On a calm day (kind of a rarity where I fly unfortunately) I'll play around a bit with soaring, on a 10-12 mph wind day (the norm) I'll point it into the wind and let the wind assist in aerobatics. It does get tossed around a bit by the wind, but in a lot of ways that makes it more exciting to fly.
What I am looking for though is something that can handle the wind a little better, so I can spend a little more time in control instead of "Riding a bucking bronco" I also want to move up to an airplane with alerons to continue my progression up with the sport. |
RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
check out the squirt 400 from stevens aeromodel with the optional aileron wing
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RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
Sounds like your ready for the GWS Tigermoth 400. A good updatable plane:) Flies good with the existing setup but will work better with a Himax 2025 -4200 motor. Good update also is a Triton charger, which is very versatile. Thunder Power 2100 ma lipo batt. Tkis power system can be used in many planes. I have the same system in a GWS Zero which a little hotter. If you have a confined space the TM 400 would be the better of the two. The TP 2100 batt will cruise around for 1/2 hr on a charge. Hope this helps.
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RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
Thanks everyone for the comments. Am I being unrealistic in thinking I am going to take some components from whatever plane I get and put it in future planes? Generally do people have a radio for each plane, or a a few that they can use in whatever plane they decide to take out of the "Hangar" that day. Maybe I'm trying to be overly cost conscious after getting burned the last time, but I keep looking at every possible plane and thinking, "What other planes could I used this Motor/Servo's/ETC/Batteries/ in."
I had so much fun with the Wing Dragon, because I took it out of the box and flew it. Now I'm finding myself spending more time worring about buying the wrong stuff that I'm missing out on the fun. I guess I'm just looking for general perspective on how other people build and fly. If it is not a waste to have new equipment for each plane, I'll quit worrying about it and get another plane. |
RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
1 Attachment(s)
Many of the radios today have multi plane memory. If I want to fly the Zero, I go into model memory and punch in that plane and all the controlls go in the right direction, right amount of throw, etc. plug the batt in and fly. Trans holds 36 models, I think, and I have 21 installed. Many planes you can leave the servos in and move the motor, speed control and rcvr, from plane to plane. One screw to hold the motor on and velcro to hold the controller and rcvr. I always take 4 or 5 planes with me, ready to go. Once you buy all the goodies they can be very cheap to fly if you build your own. this one is an 8.00 sheet of depron and the motor you build yourself for 10.00 for the kit.
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RE: How do I get started with the future in mind?
MORE ADVANCED PLANES -
After you master a starter plane, what should you go to next. That is all according to where your interests lie. There are 4 channel aileon planes, 3 channel aerobatics planes and then there are the extreme aerobats, pattern planes and 3D planes. Which you choose is up to you. THREE CHANNEL ELEVATOR/AILERON OR ELEVON PLANES These planes introduce ailerons but do it on a 3 channel design without a rudder. They typically have throttle/aileron/elevator control, or they have elevons which combine the function of ailerons and the elevator into one surface. They are quite aerobatic with the limitation that having no rudder they can not perform rudder guided or enhanced manauvers. Knife edges, for example, make extensive use of the rudder. There are a few RTF packages here. The rest are ARF or kits and will require you to buy a radio system. These are a lot of fun! Computer Radios - The recommended path for almost everyone http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=65 Carbon Falcon - This may be the ultimate take it with you plane Folds up to almost nothing for travel or for keep in the car fun! http://www.acesim.com/rc/p2/p2.html Review http://rcgroups.com/links/index.php?...at=198&id=4236 Video http://www.acesim.com/rc/p2/videos.html F27-Stryker - RTF - $170 Fun Keep-in-the-car plane Just pop off the tail fins and it goes back in the box!!!!! http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=PKZ1200 Video http://rc-galaxy.com/Video/F-27_Stry...ris_7-9-04.wmv http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_videos/p...mallformat.wmv http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_videos/p...yker_video.wmv Review http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=392 Sky Scooter Pro 2 RTF - Also available ARF - 3 Channel http://www.parkflyers.com/html/sky_scooter_pro_2.html Video - Stock http://www.hitecrcd.com/MikesSpace/Movies/ssclip2.wmv 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 Video http://www.bungymania.com/videos/fil..._sun_stunt.wmv Multiplex Microjet - ARF http://www.multiplexusa.com/product_fs.htm video http://www.bungymania.com/videos/fil..._launching.wmv http://www.bungymania.com/videos/fil...ight_speed.wmv Viper Twin - ARF http://www.parkflyers.com/html/viper.html review http://www.parkflyers.com/Viper_RCM_PSD_LowPDF.pdf 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 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 Park Jet - Easy to build kit http://mountainmodels.com/parkjet.php Video http://mountainmodels.com/ParkJet.wmv FOUR CHANNEL AILERON TRAINERS These planes introduce the full set of flight controls consisting of ailerons/elevator/rudder/throttle. They are a logical next step for the pilot who wants to take their flying skills to full 4 channel control. All of these planes can perform aerobatics, but are primarily designed as 4 channel trainers with high wing designs . This makes them easier to fly but less aerobatic than the mid or low wing planes. RTF, ARF & Kits Magpie - with both wing kits - $55 Easy to build Foam kit - Has trainer wing AND and aileron sport wing Master the first, then advance to the second. They offer a complete package with both wings and all the electroncis for $160 http://www.mountainmodels.com/magpie.php discussion threads http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...51#post3502851 http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...=SmoothE+build http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...51#post3502851 Video - slow fly wing http://www.mountainmodels.com/Magpie.wmv Sport wing http://www.mountainmodels.com/MagpieSP.wmv SmoothE - $50 Easy to build Balsa and foam 4 channel aileron trainer http://www.mountainmodels.com/smoothe.php Discussion Threads http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...=SmoothE+build http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...&page=19&pp=15 http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=276761 Funny video http://www.mountainmodels.com/SmoothEsmall.WMV Models Dandy Sport - $45 http://www.mountainmodels.com/dandysport.php Complete Package $155 Video http://www.mountainmodels.com/ds1.wmv GWS E-starter 400 - Simple Foam Kit - $50 http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_inf...roducts_id=551 Available as a ARF complete package kit with radio - $150 http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_inf...roducts_id=611 GWS Tiger Moth 400 - Simple Foam Kit - $70 http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_inf...roducts_id=203 Complete kit including Radio - $175 http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_inf...roducts_id=658 http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=345 http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazi...345/TM400m.wmv Multiplex Magister ARF - $110 http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGZV2&P=ML Multiplex Magister - RTF - $299 http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGZV3&P=ML This plane is much larger than the others Close to a .40 glow trainer in size Review http://www.smoothair.ca/reviews/Magister/magister.htm Discussion http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309397 Video - This is not with the standard motor this plane has an upgraded brushless motor http://plawner.net/video/magister_funday.wmv BeginAir - RTF or Receiver ready RTF - $180 Receiver Ready - $110 http://www.parkflyers.com/html/begin-air.html Review http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=443 video http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazi...3/BeginAir.wmv Cesna 182 - 4 Channel RTF - $180 http://www.ewebcart.com/cgi-bin/cart...=1&item_id=144 Includes 72 mhz radio and wall charger. Sku# 4303 $179.99 4 Channel with 72 Mhz Radio (Intermediate Level Recommended) Video http://www.parkflyers.com/html/cessna_long_movie.html |
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