I've recently gotten into the sport and fly a trainer now. I am confused with all the different types of categories of airplanes. What is the sport plane category, fun flyer, etc.?
Here's what I'm looking to do: I would like to get into aerobatics, however, I don't like the 3D stuff. I want an aerobatic airplane that flies like a real plane and not 3D. What are some good choices for a beginner that don't have 3 D characteristics?

well jig

The answer is not so simple. Most all the airplanes that the top pilots are flying are dual purpose that is to say.
They fly both presicion and 3d well. It is all a matter of setup's. For example for the serious 3d guy's they move there cg back, Get maximum throw from all there surfaces with lots of expo. 3d is not really flying in the sence you know it, you fly well past the stall speed of the aircraft and basicly stay in the air due to angle of attack and motor power. For pressision flying you limit the throws to be smooth and gracefull and the plane always perform better with the cg moved up slightly foward. The overall flight of course is totaly different. With the computer radios we have these days you can have the setups programed in so you switch back and forth from 3d to pressision. (Not always the best solutions) What i have seen is the most successfull is to have a dedicated airplane to fly pressision, that is setup for pressision only and not mix the two setups. This of course is only a view that I have but i think is a valid one. I have seen a ton of guy's that are 3d monsters only to be mediocor
pressision pilots the two skills are very different and so are the setups. As for airplanes you must be the one to decide that, Budget, transport, storage ,etc. typical planes are extras, edges, velox's, yaks, etc etc, If your new to this like you say you should look first at a small aerobatic plane before going big. It will save you alot of money. Examples that come to mind are the aerotech velox i beleive they have a .60 size one, also aeroworks have some nice offerings, as well as goldberg. Good luck in your quest. Aeobatics is a great way to add purpose to your flying.

Good luck

Tony Fandino

Thanks for your reply Tony. I fly at Airbus 300 for a major airline and have always wanted to do more than the ho-hum drum of line flying and learn more about aerobatics. Question: I was looking at the new Great Planes Chipmunk. It's ARF and I have experienced people who can help me build it. Any comments on the chipmunk for a first aerobatic airplane?

The Chipmunk is a good plane, but you may want to look at some of the lighter planes out there. I'm not sure if there is a Chipmunk on the market that has a good wing loading. If you fly one of the new'er designs, you will be hooked, (Aero Works, Carden, TOC, Colombo Anderson, CHP, QS, Composit Aircraft, ect.

You didn't say what size plane. But here are a few that are in the glow-range for power. http://aero-works.net/store/detail.aspx?ID=75 http://www.wildharerc.com/Products/Edge120/edge.html http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/gpma1365.html http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/gpma1305.html

Jigeye

If I may, I'll offer another alternative. If you are currently flying your trainer you might consider an "intermediate" plane as your second as opposed to a Scale Aerobatic plane. Not that one couldn't go to something like a Chipmunk - a Carl Goldberg Chipmunk was my third plane- but a plane like a Goldberg Tiger or Sig Four Star are excellent 2nd planes that will get you into the air quickly and are an easy and enjoyable transition from trainer to introductory aerobatics.

My second plane was a cousin to the Four Star- a Mid Star: It had a mid/shoulder wing with either a symmetrical or semi-symmetrical wing and would easily do most of the introductory aerobatics. When I stepped up to the Chipmunk it was easy.

Both the planes I suggest come in 40 and 60 size, can be purchased as ARFs for bargain and will be a lot of fun to fly. Forgiving yet capable.

Dave Michael

Jig

I think dMicheal is on track that is the chipmunk at one time was an airplane which flew aerobatics in wac.
But the model had quite a few bad habbits one of the worst is its tendency to tip stall. I don't know at what level your flying but i don't think the chipmunk would be the best choice. Rather I would suggest an extra 260 or an edge 540 or the velox or yak all are great designs with minimal bad habbits and when setup right probably fly easier than you trainer. Don't rush to make a descession take your time and do the research. Hell you started on the right track just posting your questions here..


good luck
Go to a IMAC contest and check things out.

Tony Fandino[8D]

does size really matter when choosing a plane to learn with? i like smaller planes; about .32-.46, and was looking at the .32 size 3.25 extra from lanier with like a 47" wingspan, or the ultra sport .40+ from great planes. i guess i really don't want to go bigger cuz then i have to buy a larger engine. and that start getting expensive and too fast. i like flying low and slow most of the time. get too fast and i just get nervous. are the smaller planes actually more jittery than the larger?

Smaller planes are more sensitive to wind. Bigger planes are also easier to see in the sky.
For me, flying a small electric plane is a question of space for building and storage. Yes, and being able to fly close to home.

jigeye,

Like Tony said, there is more to consider than simple categorization.

The FIRST thing you need to decide is, what size model do you want? Know that, like full scale, the bigger they are the easier they are to fly; with exceptions, of course.

The Chipmunk is indeed a good aerobatic "trainer", in some examples. The Goldberg 60 size is a real jewel with a modified wing that won't snap at the drop of a hat. It is relatively easy to build too, as wood kits go. Dunno about the larger Great Planes version, but I don't recall reading any major negative complaints about it. One problem with this style (wing-mounted mains) of plane is a tendency to nose-over while taxiing. The Goldberg does this; again, dunno about the larger GP.

I'll agree that an Extra or Edge is a better choice. It is amazing how stable they are when set up with docile throws and slightly-forward center of gravity. And no ground-handling problems.

You've definitely come to the right place for advice. SOMEBODY here will have had experience with anything you choose.

So keep reading and asking questions. It can be a difficult decision, due to the broad selection available today. Heck, I've been in the hobby for almost 20 years, and agonized for MONTHS over which model to buy when I decided to get into bigger planes.

And, IMAC is a great place to begin. I became interested in improving my skills, as opposed to just boring holes in the sky, and have been dabbling in IMAC. I really have no interest in competition, for competition's sake, but learning how to PROPERLY trim a model, fly manuevers according to a set procedure, and having to pay attention to many aerodynamic considerations I once took for granted, have all contributed to making me a better pilot.

I hear you re "3D"; I have absolutely no interest in that sort of thing either. IMAC is cool, and very challenging. Get on the IMAC site and download all the articles, etc. that are available; then study them. There is an incredible wealth of knowledge in those few documents alone.

Welcome aboard...