I hate to do this, but..
 

As much as I hate when people make these types of threads in other forums I visit, I have to admit I need some sound advice. I am new to flying r/c planes, but have been into cars and trucks for quite some time and even have some flight(1:1 scale) experience. I am looking to get my first plane, and I know everyone wants to recommend to me the slow-stick or more likely, the hz super cub. First off, I will have someone to teach me and access to a sim, so Im wondering what plane you can recommend for me. I would love for my first plane to have ailerons, and possibly parts I could use in the future. Id like to do things right this time around, and get something good the first time. So far ive been looking at the hobbico j-3 and c182, along with the flyzone Bl j-3 cub, and a few others. Any advice is appreciated, except the fact I really dont want the super cub.

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

everyone has their favorite plane and the one I strongly suggest is the Sig senior cadet. it's a large plane and very easy to fly and land. get the ARF as it has all four controls I used a 60 size engine as it only call for a 40, but I fly half throttle. Saves fuel and I can do all I want at half throttle

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

If you want to go electric, the Hangar-9 Apprentice 15e looks nice. It's RTF and comes with a full range Spektrum DX5e 2.4GHz radio system, brushless motor/ESC, and a LiPo battery/charger.

[link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL2725]Eflite RTF Apprentice 15e Electric Trainer[/link]

If you want to go nitro, I'd recomend getting a trainer ARF and outfit it with the gear of your choice, or maybe try the new Alpha 40 RTF package with the DX5e radio system.

[link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HAN4400]Hangar-9 RTF Alpha 40 Nitro Trainer[/link]

If you will have an instructor, it's important to note that the cheap RTF electrics like the Super Cub (with the 27MHz radio systems) typically don't have a transmitter with trainer-box capability, so the best an instructor can do is set up the plane for you and maiden it. The DX5e radio in the above RTF packages does have trainer-box capability, so you can fly on a "buddy-box" with your instructor, and extend the life of your trainer plane!

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

b4life182, you didn't really specify if you wanted electric or gas/glow engine, but judging from the ones you are considering, looks like you want electric and high wing. You also didn't say how big an area you had to fly in or if you are going to a club field. If you have plenty of room, the E-flite apprentice is definitely an option the fits your wish list, but it will take more room to fly in than the Flyzone J-3 or the Cessna and costs a lot more. But it will also stay with you longer and parts would be usable in more/larger planes than the Flyzone stuff. Not aware of a Hobbico J-3, did you mean Hobbyzone or Parkzone?

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

Be4life182,

Stay away from anything from Flyzone! They are way underpowered and heavy, also cheap
electronics. You'll spend another $70 - $100 upgrading it to brushless, esc and lipo and it's
not worth it, trust me! If you don't want to get a HZ Supercub and grow with it and mod it,
look into the 4 ch Cessna from SkyArt-tec (sp?)

Hemicuda

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

Thanks for all the help guys. I figured since this was in the electric training forum, people would assume I wanted electric. However, nitro isn't out of the picture completely. My friend tells me just to go gas and I wont regret it but personally I started out with gas trucks, and moved to electric so I figured I would just go electric. But anyways, for the person that asked my first choice as of now is the hobbico flyzone j-3. The 4channel radio is buddy box compatible, although it uses a brushed motor and nihm's. So far I like it the most because of the ailerons, which similar begginner foam planes do not offer. The space I have is fairly big, people fly gas in the field all the time but I figured id start out on something with less range to begin with. Thanks for the suggestions, ill be sure to check them out.

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

Be4life182,

Last warning, do not let the aelerons talk you into the Flyzone J-3 cub. The 36 in wing doesn't
provide this bird with enough life. It's just too heavy and underpowered, but if you want to
throw your money away, go ahead. I wish I had listened to everybody and got the HZ Supercub
and not the Flyzone, but I didn't. Your choice, just trying to help.

Hemicuda

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

Thanks hemi, I will be sure to stay away from it then. I know how J-3 fly, and if this one is under powered Im going to stay away. Any word on the cessna? Looks like I got to do some more research, im almost back to square one now, which is better then buying the wrong plane.

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

Anymore help guys? As of now im stuck.
Im looking for...
-good pricxe
-4 channel w/ ailerons
-Electric
-fairly easy to learn on

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

There isn't a perfect plane. There are pros and cons to every choice.

You might want to examine why people recommend what they do and use that to help you determine what your path might be.

IMHO....

I'd set a budget of about $500, because stuff always costs more than you think. Every 'upgrade' ends up making the final package quite a bit more, so it helps to decide what you need, will need, or want that will make it enjoyable.

There is nothing wrong with a slow stick if you fly it in calm winds. Sure, it's kind of ugly, it feels flimsy, but it will teach you how to fly and you'll have few problems especially if someone is there to assist you. You don't have to marry the plane. Just use it to get you started.

Later, take the electronics out of that and put them into a GWS Estarter and you've spend just another $40 or so and you've got a small, but decent 4 channel trainer that will teach you a lot and give you room to grow. Lots of videos around of people doing crazy things with that plane. After that, you'll have a better idea of what you want to do and where you want to put your hobby dollars.

If all you want is one plane to see is if you'll like flying or something to fly once in a while, the HZ Supercub is a good start. It's comes complete, it's easy to fly, people like it, and there is a lot of support for it.

Unless you want an aerobatic plane or are ready to do crazy things with a plane, it doesn't make much difference if the plane has ailerons or not. The turning basically all happens with the right stick. When you start to care, the rudder just makes the turns look better.

When I wanted an upgrade, I didn't modify the trainer because I wanted a plane that was designed to fly well from the start. So I built a Formosa.

My philosophy is to get a plane that will do the job you need it to do now. Don't expect a plane to fulfill every role that a beginner or 'expert' would need.

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

be4life182,

Take your time, this is SIM season after all, not flying season.:) Do your research and then shop around.
Like you said, get the right plane the first time. Visit some of the sites that are advertised here @
RC Universe, it doesn't cost anything to look around.

Hemicuda

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

The thing is its a Christmas present, so I am running out of time quickly. Thanks for the advice though, ill keep looking.

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

HELLO GIFT CARD! Solves everyone's problems but everyone affraid to give them. I told my
wife a long time ago, I'd rather have a gift card and get what I wanted than to have someone
get the wrong thing and be stuck with it. Good luck with your search. If you want 4ch and a good
deal, go with the Eflite Apprentice...5ch spectrum 2.4 ghz RX/TX and it's RTF and the gear will serve
you well into your 4th plane. ($300)

Hemicuda

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

Get a CG Tiger 400($100), beef up the landing gear(I got CF gear $20), put a GWS 2808/18T ($22 brushless) in it and use 3S 1100-1250 Lipos($20ea) under the canopy, 20amp brushless ESC($40), Hitec HS-55 servos(3x15), aileron, rudder, elevator. Flies well, balsa and regular covering for easy repair. Get an Optic 6 or Eclipse 7 new or used here($80), add XPS module ($100)and 6 channel park flier receiver($40)(no antenna or antenna on a chip actually)(under the canopy). Balance charger($80) Can fly it out of sight with that setup.

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

Gift card would be alright, but then It would be a question of what website. Regardless im realy looking into the apprentice, and if not maybe trying to find a cheap supercub to last me a summer or so, not sure though.

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

So I was wondering what people could say about this...
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGVZ3&P=0
I believe its a good trainer, but im not sure.
If not the other ones I am looking at are the apprentice, the flyzone j-3 brushless, and nothing =(
If worst comes to worst I may try to get a used supercub but I dont want to spend 160$ on a plane im going to want to get rid of in a year and has no components I could POSSIBLY use in the future.
Thanks for the help so far guys

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

be4life182,

That's a nice ARF, which it still needs the innards. TH has the glow RTF version of this plane on sale for
$239(orange version only) plus you'll save another $20 on the discount code...that's $219 for a glow
trainer RTF...40 size engine, TX/Rx, servos and everything plus shipping. The electric rtf version
comes with a brushed 600 motor and a ni-cad battery, not even a ni-mh let alone a lipo!!!
Glow version a great deal, but unfortunitely I'm broke or I'd get one,

Hemicuda

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

Oh, and you'll be happpy with the Hobbyzone Supercub or the Eflite Apprentice, either one.
$140 difference and ones a great plane and the other is alittle better but more money. your choice.

Hemicuda

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

HEMI, on tower it says the superstar only needs servos and radios, so thats not much. I already have a charger for my cars. This is defiantly going to be a hard decision.

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

be4life182,

@ Tower, type in the search section, superstar....everything concerning the superstar pops up.
RTF (READY TO FLY)means it comes with servos, radio TX/RX, ENGINE... everything! ARFs (ALMOST
READY TO FLY) only come with the main sections already built but you have to put it together (same
as a RTF) but usually that's it. You have to have or buy radio gear, servos, motor or engine.
The yellow/orange one is $40-$60 cheaper than the blue or red version. Remember RTF come with
everything, usually, and ARF you have to buy what it says is required, as it's not included. Some
ARFs might come with a motor or engine but you still would need everything else.

Buy the way, from what I hear... you would never get rid of your Supercub. You will outgrow it
in your skill, you might upgrade this and that on it, and mod it...but most people hang onto
theirs because it's a dependable easy to fly plane. The only thing hurting the Supercub is it's
radio gear, toy frequency 27mhz, Modding and upgrading this plane is easy and has a VERY
popular following.[8D]

Hemicuda

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

I cant believe it but I may just go with the SC. Although, I have been reading good and bad things about the J-3 BL. Not sure what im going to do here, probably just get the money for now.
For now its between
Apprentice(pricey)
hz super cub
pz j-3 bl cub
superstar .40 or EP

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

be4life182,

Get them all buddy, get them all! You can never go wrong with a Supercub. I flew one this summer
at the field after a training session on a Sig Kadet, and I couldn't believe how easy it was to fly
compared to my Flyzone Cub. You can get the Supercub now, by tax season be ready to upgrade
to 6 or 7 ch radio and a 4ch bird! I'm getting what I should have bought from the beginning,
A Supercub, in the spring. keep me posted!

Hemicuda

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

I want the cub real bad, but dont want to spend another 200$ upgrading it. I'm probably just going to ask for the cash now until I can figure it out.

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

be4life182,

You DON"T have to upgrade the Supercub, just some people like running all their planes on the new 2.4ghz
radios. You'll be totally ok with the plane as is at this stage of the game. It's a plane you can grow with.

Hemicuda

RE: I hate to do this, but..
 

I can easily see the confusion that your question has caused. What I have to say may or may not please you. First I am glad to hear you wish to start with an aileron plane. I see no need at all to go through all the rigamoreo that so many do buying this then that before getting anwheres near to what they really want. With the exception of just can't afford better but spend more in long run. My advice is get no less than a 6 channel 2.4 Spectrum you now have something that will be good forever. For the plane my choice is the E- Flite Taylercraft. Not actually a basic trainer but since you have an instructor no need for anything other than it. I have myself 22 airplanes of all types, glow electric, gas, 3d, pattern, sport but love flying that Taylercraft. It is a great easy to fly relaxing plane but can do most anything you will wish. I would not recomend it to a total novice without an instructor but you seem to be one that will easily love this plane and fly it with out any problem. Anyhow if you go this route your set for years to come. If you can afford it for few more bucks get the DX7 JR Spectrum.