I disagree. You don't NEED an 8103. The current generation of 6 channel radios will actually do everything you need. There are things that are nice to have in the higher end radios but they're certainly not required. Setup is more than just what's programmed in the radio. In fact much of the setup starts at the airframe before a radio is ever involved.

Of course.. that being said.. my new favorite radio is the JR 9303. I'm using it more than my 10X!

Wow, really?

I know its all opinion but to really get a plane PERFECT, you'll need a higher end radio. And it looks like Matt is aiming for a PERFECT plane, but i do agree that a good setup starts with the airframe before a radio is involved.

That is why I'm searching for the perfect plane. I know I don't have any skills in flying big gassers but I'm 16 and I think that gives me a little bit of an advantage. This will be my 2nd year flying airplanes and I don't have the money to mess up.

Anyway, I think I'm going to go with the TOC1 Edge do to it's size, aileron surface area, lightness and completetion of a hardware kit to come with it. I also plan on putting a DA-50r in it because everything I hear about these engines are good and nobody in general has problems with the engine and espesialy the company. As for a radio, I know I'll be useing a futaba tx and rx but for servos I can't aford top of the line. I think it'll look like this:

Rudder: futaba 250 digi (pull pull)
aileron: 2 hitecs (maybe futaba)
elevators: 2 hitecs

Is this a good setup and plane selection?

IMO, ail surface area doesnt matter as much as deflection does, if the plane is made for aerobatics, you can make the thing roll like a blur, but i promise you that you arent gonna be rolling the plane as fast as it can roll and you keep up with it, i have been in your shoes, i can roll g3 (YAK) just as fast as lesberg and keep up w\ it, but in real life, the planes are harder and more sensitive. This is hard for me to explain, I hope you understand. But the point im trying to make is, dont worry so much about ailerons.

BTW, im 16 also! Started flying christmas 2003 when I got my alpha trainer. I placed 2nd place at my first IMAC competition after flying for only 8 months. And TR my 33% Raven after only a year and 1 month. And now i'll be flying intermediate class in IMAC with only one season under my belt. And I also have LHS sponsor who gave me my 35% edge ( www.lelandstoytrains.com ) Go to tem leland. I think youngins do have an advantage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If there was such thing as a perfect airplane, everyone would own one. Find a design that looks good to you and buy it. Get it in the air and get used to its characteristics. With enough practice (not messing around) you'll advance your skills.

Thanks a lot Adam. I plan on compteing either this year or next just depends on my finances in the stock market. The closest I can get to rolling a plane in real life is my foamy. On a down line or coming out of a loop it'll get up to about 3 rolls a second. Is there a big difference between the foamies and the gassers?

Maybe I'll run into you at an IMAC sometime, I plan on watching this years for sure on it's last day to get a feal for the competition thing and to see what everyones doing to prepare etc...

Later
Matt

Also, thanks to everyone else. You all have been very helpfull to my desisions. Oh and if I find that perfect plane I'll be sure to let you guys know!!! But 'till then:

Happy flying

Matt

FWIW, you can probably put a H9 33% Extra together for just a few dollars more than a 28%-30%. Look for a good deal on a NIB plane and a NIB ZDZ-80 and you are in business with much more plane than a Wildhare.

Just so you can see what comes up out there, check out this thread classified... is that price good enough?

http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=82932

That's exactly what I'm looking for but the only problem's are the control surfaces. Otherwise I'd go down there and get it tomorrow. Man, I can't believe I'm passing this up lol.