Trainer Kits
 

I'm new to the hobby and looking for sugguestions on which kit to build for my trainer. I read good things about Sig kits, but I'm thinking of the tower trainer kit to save a few bucks. Any sugguestions on mods to make or other kits?

Trainer Kits
 

Hi ChasW,
welcome to the hobby/sport,my favorites in order of first choice, Sig LT25,Sig LT40,Goldberg Eagle, Great Planes PT40,on all trainers with beginners,add triangular wood to landing gear for support,build it and have lots of fun.
Have a goodun,John.

Trainer Kits
 

I recently built an LT-40 and thought it was a great kit. I built many C/L planes years ago so I have building experience but this was my first R/C plane.

Some of the things I really liked:
1. Everything fits with almost no trimming! (Not like the old days)
2. The instructions are very complete and simple to follow
3. It comes with almost all the hardware needed- fuel tank, spinner, wheels, etc.
4. All of the surfaces are pretty easy to cover (no compound curves)

The 3rd point is worth thinking about if you are on a tight budget. I'm not sure what is typical for other kits but these small items definitely add to the cost if you have to buy them separately.

I built mine with less dihedral than the plans and used an aluminum formed landing gear instead of the wire gear that comes with the kit. For power I used an OS46FX. It took me 3-4 weeks of semi-dedicated effort to put it together and cover it. If you have never built a plane before then you should probably figure on more time than this to do it right.

It flys great- super stable but no problem doing rolls, inverted flight, etc. The guys that taught me to fly told me it was one of the best trainers they have flown.

By the way, most of the guys around here think I was a little nuts to build a trainer instead of buying an ARF- even though they admit that the end result is much more solid and flies better. And I don't think that building from a kit is much cheaper in the end. But I really enjoy building!

Trainer Kits
 

Thanks for the advice, I've been reading post for about a week on different sites and the members here at r/c universe seem to be the most helpful. I think its the best site online. When I make a decision I'll appreciate coming here for help.

Trainer Kits
 

I built an LT-40 this summer and now have over 100 flights on it.

The kit was complete I built it per the plans and used all the supplied hardware which included everything except the rubber bands.

It built quick straight and easy(3 weeks). I followed the instructions exactly. everything fit all the servos were placed per plan all the push rods were bent and fit per plan. I used a new OS 46-FX and even the throttle hookups were per plan(I did add a little nose weight to make it balance).

The plane flies great takes off easy does loops rolls cuban 8's inverted, all very nice for a trainer. My instructor could not believe how easy it was to take off and fly, I flew 5 times with an instructor and was taking off and landing on the third flight(thanks the to FMS sim). I solo'd on my 6th flight, no one else at the field.

I think this kit is a great way to start, I especially like the fact it came with all the extras(fuel tank, control rod linkages, horns, wheels, gear, hinges(CA), servo tray(ply), motor mount, spinner, screws, etc. The instructions even tell you which kind of glue to use for every joint, I built mine with the use of three types of CA, no epoxy.

:D

Trainer Kits
 

Most of the guys in our club had/have Goldberg Eagles, they fly well. Also the Sig KAdet is a tried and true trainer but the nicest trainer I have flown IMO is the PT-40 from Great Planes.

Oh yes, I learned how to fly on a Telemaster 40! Lets not forget the Telemaster which is a great design and OLD as the Kadet.

I actually flew my Telemaster 40 on an old K&B .29 and it was a good trainer, kept me out of trouble. Then a .40 replaced it when I got better.

I just bought our club a new trainer (they have short lives) and got a Hangar 9 trainer ARF. It flies really well and the two student pilots say it flies as nice as the Eagle II it replaced.

AJC

Trainer Kits
 

Hey ChasW:

I just built the Great Planes PT40 MKII and am training on it now.

This was my first kit so I can't really compare to others, but the folks at the field were all impressed with the plane, especially when they learned it was my first attempt. The plans give an option for more or less dihedral, (Novice or intermmediate). I went with the greater dihedral since I had never really flown before. Everyone comments on the "extreme" dihedral. Apparently no one ever builds a trainer with this much. Both instructors who have flown it with me have said the plane is extremely stable in the air. I have no trouble with it and consider it a good first plane.

Suggestions I would make no matter what kit you go with;

1) Invest in some tools. (or find a source to borrow from) It seems like a lot of money up front, but your success and satisfaction are at stake. The PT40 plans list all the rcommended specialty tools needed.
2) Take your time. I had to remind myself constantly, "Half the fun is getting there." Of course once I got it to the field and in the air I realized what B.S. that was. But the time taken to do it right pays off in safe and successful flights.

Balsa USA Stick 40+
 

The Bals USA Stick 40+ is one of the most widely used trainers. It is inexpensive, easy to build and easy to fly. The quality of the kit is very good. The trainer is ugly but it is tough as nails and will take a beating that many trainers won't. Unlike the other trainers that are built to take a beating, it is very light weight and flies like a true trainer instead of a brick.

Trainer Kits
 

ChasW,
I can give a big thumbs up for the Tower Trainer. My dad bought one with an OS 40 and was going to teach himself to fly with it. Unfortunately he passed away from prostate cancer before he got the chance to try. I decided I was going to learn to fly to honor him (and a lot because I have always wanted to fly RC). I took the plane to the local flying field and found somebody that would teach me to fly using an old MRC 6 channel radio (no buddy box here). The tower trainer was a very VERY good plane to learn on.

It's been 6 years since I learned and I have had a bunch of planes since then, but the tower is still hanging in my garage. I kept it mainly out of memory for my dad, but it's still flying. I use it as a trainer for teaching new fliers with. It got so bad that chucks of covering where coming off of it every time I flew it, so I recovered it in monokote and converted from wing mounting with rubber bands to using wing bolts. It's got over 200 flights on it and it still flies like a dream.

Just my 2 cents worth

Tower Trainer
 

I built the Tower Trainer with my nephew (he is 12) about a year ago. Not a bad kit. Went together easy and flies well. He actually built and covered the plane himself. Spend more if you like but for $50 I think it's one of the best deals out there :D .

Trainer Kits
 

I've heard that all of the above mentioned are good. The only ones I have actually built are the Great Planes PT-40, and the Goldberg Eagle, and I would recommend either. Although, if you build the PT-40, it has two wing diheadral options, build the one that uses less even though they say the one with less is for more "advanced" flying, IMHO, the "beginner" wing has too much dihedral.

Which ever you get, I'm glad to see that you plan on building a kit instead of buying an ARF. Trainers are easier to build that the planes you will be flying later, so you need to start aquiring those building skills now!

tower trainer kit
 

Does the tower trainer kit have a plastic upper fuse like the ARF or is it wood?

Trainer Kits
 

According to the discription, it is a "built-up box type fuse" So there should be no plastic.

Trainer Kits
 

I've been flying my Tower Trainer 40 ARF/OS 40LA plane a little over a month. The only thing I dislike about it is the stick-on covering material used.....but for $100 built I can't complain. It flies well and is fairly rugged. I've bent the nose gear a few times during some hard landings. Didn't have to add any weight to balance it out. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another if this one dies.

BTW: The fuse is balsa/ply (mostly ply). I didn't notice any plastic fuse parts.

Beau

Trainer Kits
 

Why bother building trainer get an arf trainer and start flying now.
Buy a sig four star forty kit and build it for your second plane.