a 3channel really needed to learn?
 

Hi, I've been flying rc helicopters for a year or so now, and am wanting to get into planes as well. I've been looking at the super cub, or the aerobird extreme, but noticed they are both 3 channels without ailerons. I know you can add ailerons to the sc, but does it need a brushless and a li-po to get some real power to it? Anyways my main question is this, is a 3 channel really that much better to learn on than going straight to a 4 channel. Just wondering because I've been flying FsOne for several hours every day this last week or so using the H9 Alpha.40 trainer, and doing fine, can fly it till I get bored. I do just as good with the Stryker. With the ABX though, I get bored about the time I get off the ground. I'm still in highschool, so I don't have the money to buy a supercub, 3 weeks later get bored and buy a step up. So how much harder would it be to learn on a 4 channel, or something with ailerons, such as the PZ P51, or the Aerobird Swift?

Thanks,
John

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

Hi John,

I think the wing dragon 4 can be bought with a three channel wing, then you strap on the 4 channel wing later. Other options, although not RTF (although maybe you can get them done that way in the states) are Minimag from Multiplex - tough little 4 channel. GWS Estarter and Tigermoth both can be made to do some fun stuff as well.

By the way, if you are find 3 channel RET boring do be a little careful about 3 channel AET (like swift and PZ warbirds) - it can get limiting as well. Oh, and if you are finding the flying boring turn on some wind - a lot of wind. And of course when you say fly until you get boared you are including landings right? I also note you mention the PZ p51 - that plane in particular it would be good to stay clear of - tricky to fly, but probably more importantly, tricky to launch.

Understand your point about not having money to blow on two planes. Dare I suggest it but that makes it *really* important that you don't buy something beyond you which you turn into a pile of foam 5 seconds later.

Cheers,
Oz.

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

I agree, in your quest to find a long-term plane, you might buy something that's too hot and crash it.. leaving you with no plane.

I have no experience with these planes, but from what I've read, the Tigermoth, the Mini Mag, and the Estarter are good aileron trainers. But, I guess that is exactly what OZ said above. I didn't read until just now.

I'm already thinking about using the tigermoth as a trainer when I want something more challenging than the supercub.

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

Thankyou both for your replies. I'll definetly stay away from the PZ p51 now. I understand that if I get something too advanced then I will probably be right back to no plane very soon after getting one. Oz, yes I am including landings in the sim flights, havent messed up one for a while in any less wind than about a 15 mph crosswind. Are all of the pz-warbirds as bad as the p51? I think all I need to stay interested until Christmas is something that can do a few loops and rolls, then I'll need something more. Really wanting to stick with RTF, because I have a tendency to look over small details. Made quite a few small mistakes when I built my Century Swift helicopter, luckily the manager at lhs is kind enough to look over models for free, especially if they were bought at his store. Where could I find this Wing Dragon 4? SackOHammers, do you have a supercub? If so could you tell me how well it performs loops.

Thanks for answering,
John

John

Edit-I know it's probably not the best to learn on, but would it be possible to learn on the F-27B Stryker? I can fly it fine on the sim, but I'm affraid it might be a bit different in the field.

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

I have the Wing Dragon 4 and learned with the Wing Dragon (yellow) wing. It worked quite well.

Here's the link for the Wing Dragon 4: http://www.hobby-lobby.com/wingdragon4.htm

Here's the link for the Wing Dragon where you can get the non-aileron wing: http://www.hobby-lobby.com/wingdragon.htm

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

Thanks for the links to the Wing Dragon. Looks like it is about what I was looking for. Anyone know if there are parts from other models that can be used on it, don't like the idea of ordering everything of the net and paying shipping each time.

John

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

I lucked out when I bought my WD4.

Both the plane and the extra battery were on back order. Their shipping is only $7.99, but H-L has a deal that if what you order will fit in a 4x4x4 box they will only charge you $3.00 shipping. When their shipment came in the battery was first and did fit in that small box, so they charged me the $3 shipping.

Later, when the plane came in, they didn't charge me any shipping at all, so I only ended up paying the price of the plane. This ended up where I only paid $3 total shipping for both battery and plane.

Heck, if I had bought locally the state tax alone would have been more than that.

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

Get a Slow Stick and go three to 4 ch, by add'in ailerons later or to start with, I started stock an now she's hop'ed -up, I've run a mess of flite set-ups ,350-400-480'sBrushed, 400-450 and a 480!!Out'is, nicads, two (7.4V), three,an 6( 11.1V) cell lipos, It's all FUN, your bub, scoooper

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

While not suggesting that a warbird is a good choice I thought I would answer that question for you. The general consensus is that both the FW190 and Spitfire are easier to fly than the p51. On the spitfire they also built some hand holds into the wing which makes is much easier to hand launch her.

W.r.t. Stryker B lots of people say they learned on these. When you push them on the subject you usually find out that they crashed them more than a dozen times, but the plane is fairly tough. Only thing is, you are back to Aileron/Elevator/Throttle. But it will certainly loop and roll. If you can fly it in FS One you can probably fly it okay in the real world - just make sure you have a *big* open space for your first flight. And personally - I'd still push you towards a 4 channel plane - with your skills (such as I can assess them over the net) pretty soon I think you will wanting a rudder...

Best of luck.

Cheers,
Oz.

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

Oz, I could get the MiniMag RTF, but it is just a 3 channel then that needs ailerons added to be 4 channel. Is that much different than the supercub? Just wondering because I would be ordering it from Myrcsupply.com and they are out of stock, whereas the lhs has the supercub and I am going there tomorrow anyways.

I got plenty of room, I think, for the Stryker, as I have a wheat field beside my house that is about 1/2mile by 1/2mile large and its been off for a while, but I see what you mean about no rudder then. Besides, ground takeoff sounds good.

Scooper- The slow stick looks like it could be a great machine to learn on, but can it do any aerobatics, I do like the fact that it wouldnt require a lot of space to fly in though.


John

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

new-heli-pilot::Loops an Intelmons are no prob, roll's on the upswing lasy like , Inverted at 20=30% down an plow'in ( fun stuff ) you can take her as far as you want an when you done get any GWS of other ARF Parkflyer and your slow-Stick stuff will go right in your new plane, I put the stuff off a Slow-Stick in a 5.00$ foam glider( It's my favorite plane!!) your bub, scoooper

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

Minimag is built to easily accomodate aileron channel and will be easy to convert. The HZ SUpercub has not been designed with Ailerons in mind and is quite a job to convert, and the stock electronics wont do the job either. Supercub can still be quite a fun plane - particularly with a 3s LiPo.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Oz.

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

Hey oz, how many mah would that li-po need to have for the sc? I have an 800mah for my BCP, would that work? I know it could be quite a job, but I really am very impatient, so not sure if I can resist the super cub when I see it today.

Edit-Or not, the lhs didn't have super cub in stock today, so I guess its back to MiniMag, WD4, or a GWS plane.

One more thing, I read somewhere that the Typhoon2 can work to learn on if you keep it in low rates and take it slow. Any comments on this?

John

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

new-heli-pilot::Typhoon2's Not a good choice, Shes a bear for a learner, How bout an E-Starter? your bub, scoooper

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

What else would need bought for the E-starter? I already have a 6ch tx, and a spare jr r700slimline RX. Actually I can't find the E-starter in stock anywhere, would the formosa be ok?

Edit-Just realized how many options there are with GWS planes. Is the GWS Tigermoth the one that was mentioned above in this thread?

Thanks,
John

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

There hard to find lately, I'll poke around an see whats out there, The Tiger-moth like the formosa's more of a point and shoot ( doesn't self recover ) NOT UN-DO-ABLE but I'll bet you can handle em, Are you go'in brushed or outie's nicad or lipo's??your bub,scoooper PS if theres a e-started out there I'll FIND IT!!

RE: 3channel a really needed to learn?
 

Thanks scooper. I managed to find one on e-bay with a flightpack http://cgi.ebay.com/GWS-E-STARTER-AR...QQcmdZViewItem Buy it now $119.99. Seller has 99.6% feedback out of about 20,000 transactions, so...
If you find one somewhere though, please tell me, would rather get it from a store than E-bay if possible.

John

RE: a 3channel really needed to learn?
 

hello