Grex

Im wanting to build my own trainer.

Ive checked out the kits available on various sites but are expensive to get shipped to Australia e.g. approx. $110-150 US to ship a kit which is only $90-100. Unfortunately, where I live everyone is selling ARF kits, no DIY kits.

Can anyone recommend a good set of plans for a trainer? or a place that sells plans?...

Thanks
G

Lnewqban

Check plans and drawings at these sites:

http://www.profili2.com/eng/default.htm

http://www.rcmplans.com/index.php?ma...eyword=trainer

The attachment is not a plan, but good reading about one of the best trainers.

CanDo

Here are some more trainer plans:
http://www.airagestore.com/planes/plans/trainers.html

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Knowing nothing about what you have in OZ I wonder where you will be getting your wood?? Here in the states we have a number of places that sell balsa and the different plys in bulk so building is very cheap if we buy a bulk order of different wood. I usually buy enough wood to build several planes so I have it on hand. Do they have outlets like that way down under???
Gene

John Hancock

Do you have real big import fees? Why is shipping so costly? Seems like UPS may be able to ship stuff there cheaper than your cuotes.

Quigleywins

Grex my man to me there is only one trainer and that the Big "T" I have the plans and I live in Kyneton . Now that only a short drive from Melbourne. The Big T was a Kit but mine is built from plans drawn from the kit parts. I have also put a photo on for you to see the shape. I have mine powered with a Merco 61 I have powered it with a OS 55 AX , and my friend flys his on a OS 46 AX It flys great The instructors love it ,its hard to get them to give you a fly when I was on the buddy box. yours Paul T
The first Photo is with the 55 the second is with the 61

Grex

I have no idea why it so costly.. Thats just the quotes ive been getting. Maybe its a subtle way of say they dont really want to ship OS? Import/duty is not an issue for items <$1000AUD.

Balsa wood and other rc supplies are not an issue. Plenty of the hobby stores stock the stuff, hardware stores...etc. Apparently the balsa kits dont sell that well.. I did find a place that carries some Greater Planes kits but they are all larger scale or Aero/3d and not suitable.


Quigleywins,

I like the look of the Big "T". Do Airbourne sell the plans?

Thanks everyone for you suggestions/information. So many to choose from, its hard to know which design/plans are better when you a novice... Iguess I just pick one and go for it and learn along the way..

Quigleywins

No it comes in a kit with a half size plan ,my friend Tony had the Kit and drew his own plan before building . i have a copy of his very good and well detailed drawings ,its big I will need to measure the wing span and get back to you on size but it flys like a dream. Yours Paul T

Quigleywins

Now I've been out to the shed and measured the wing span of the BIG "T" it spans 70 inches . I also have plans for the Goldberg Eaglet 50 and the Great Planes PT 20 and some where I have an ET trainer these are plans from kits that I'm yet to finish , I hope some one else has see a Big T AS you need more advice than mine take care. Yours Paul T PS what part of Melbourne are you in Direction and Distance from GPO.

AlphaWhisky

Hi Grex,

I`ve just now come across your post...

As a starter to this great hobby upwards of thirty years ago I asked just that same question then. At that time I took the advice of a then wise old instructor and ordered a set of plans from RCM for the Chuck Cunningham designed 'Instructor'. After all this time and an awful lot of rc model experience along the way I applaud that advice and would go down the same track again.

I looked on the RCM site listed earlier here and not really surprised to see this plan still listed - ref plan #177. Those modellers who have been around for a while will confirm that the designer, the late Chuck Cunningham, was one of the hobby`s all time great designers.

The model itself is maybe not the prettiest to look at, but is very much a timeless and extremely practical trainer design. It is a straightforward build using balsa, some plywood, and covered with plastic film, involving building techniques still commonly used today. It is a no-nonsence 4 function model - mine was powered with an OS 40FSR which I still use from time to time.

You will need a good instructor with a buddybox to learn how to fly it, but once mastered, and wrung out, it will still be easily capable of winning today`s sportsman aerobatic schedules. and that would be just the start.

I can`t recommwend this design more highly as a trainer - have a look at it......

All the best.

Alan W

AA5BY

Sig's LT-25 is a kit but full size plans come with the kit so no doubt are available from Sig. Scratch building would not be hard though the laser cut kit is is a piece of cake to build. It is all balsa (no ply), a tail dragger so nice for grass, is very light, uses a .25 engine though it is large enough at 62 inch wing span to see well. It is very light and flies exceptionally well on the wing and is a great trainer and because it is all balsa, is easy to repair. The one draw back is that due to its lightness and generous dihedral, it does not make a good gusty or cross wind day flier.

Grex

Quigleywins,

Thanks for getting the dimensions. At 70' , there will be no problems spotting the telemaster.From the GPO im around 10-15mins away depending on traffic.

AlphaWhisky
"I can`t recommwend this design more highly as a trainer - have a look at it......"

The Instructor looks alright to me. Its sounds like ist more than up to the task of being a trainer.. I think ill grab a few plans just out of interest i.e different design elements...etc


Thanks again to everyone! Your advice is appreciated..

ARUP

Use plans seen on internet as guidelines to draw your own. It's very simple! Pick your engine then go from there. A 'Hershey bar' wing, a long box to bolt stuff into and onto and some tailfeathers are all that most trainers are!

noveldoc

My Feedback: (2)

Would consider Sig Kadet Senorita. A bit of a difficult build but awesome and stable flyer. Has a lot of built up bird cage structure so cheap if wood is costly.

I got plans from the parts area on the Tower Hobbies web site.

Instruction book would really help building. Maybe advertise for one on this site?

Tom

noveldoc

My Feedback: (2)

Here is an URL for the instruction manual for building Kadet Senorita

http://www.kavanrc.de/instructions/s...enioritap1.pdf

Tom

noveldoc

My Feedback: (2)

Order the plans here http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmar...FV5.html?E+Sig

You may also order an instruction book if you want.

Tom

Johnkpap

There is a nice plan to download

Here : http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8684059/tm.htm


The RCM trainer and X-pert are good options

I have a number of plans I can E-mail, Free as well as a number of classic trainer plans (on Paper I can copy and send to you at cost).


PM me for more help with free plans.

Johnkpap

grimmy55

Get a Kadet you cant go wrong they fly themselves and as for buying Balsa in ozzie try www.arbee.com.au they are a craft shop but there balsa is the cheapest in australia

Boolarra

Try Radio Control Headquarters of Werribee, they stock several trainer kits.

Airborne Plans Service has several Trainer Plans. Good Luck. Boolarra.

Grex

Ive decided to build a RCM Trainer. I had a good look at the instructions for the Senorita which are extremely helpful, translating the plans into the final product.

Thanks for everyones input and advice

Grex

noveldoc

My Feedback: (2)

Remember you can buy a book from RCM that details building this trainer.

Good choice compromising well between quality of flying and ease of building.

Have fun with both!

Tom

wazzbat

Interesting read Grex. I am in a similar position to you. Living in Perth and getting back into the hobby after 10 years out. I have ordered a set of plans for the Brumby Trainer from Airbourne and also 3 sets of plans from RCM - the Trainer Junior, Instructor and the PT 40. Hopefully I will get them this week so I can decide which one will be easy enough for me to build. I only ever built one plane and that was a Hustler MKIII in kit form so I don't know how I will go building from plans??? It will be interesting to see how you go. Good Luck with your build!