Ok - Am just about finished building my E-Starter. It's my first ARF. It wasn't too bad - just took me a while since I went slow and careful!

So now I am about to experience the DREADED FIRST FLIGHT - assuming the electronics work as they should. Any tips would be appreciated. I have been flying for about a month and can handle the Aerobird FBIIST and the Commander pretty well. I have also flown the ABX successfully, if cautiously. But this is my first experience with Aileron's other than on the flight simulator.

What can I expect from this plane? What is the best way to launch it the first time? I usually do rolling take-offs with the other planes - is it safer to do that or should I hand launch it? Will it glide well at low speeds or will it tip stall?

I also have a battery question. My hobby shop sold me a 9.6V, 8-cell, 730 mah, Ni-MH battery. Will that work ok or will it burn out the stock motor?

I flew mine with a 6 cell GWS nicad and the CG about 1/16" in front of where the booklet said to and it flew excellant . It was my first 4-channel after flying a couple of 3-channel planes. I rarely ever used the rudder and usually hand launched it over a grass field. The landing gear will break off easily even on the lightest landings. I just took mine off and bellied it in and there were no problems. The plane flew very stable and the stall was very easy to deal with. The plane flies pretty fast so make sure your field is plenty large till you get used to its speed. I would still be flying mine except I had 2 planes on 1 radio and dumb me got in a hurry and forgot to reverse a servo. Things went bad in a hurry and I drove it into the ground. Oh well needed an excuse to build my Corsair. I've read alot of bad things about the E-Starter but I had a blast with mine. Just hope my GWS Corsair will be half as much fun!

If you have been practicing on the sim, you should have no problem. For the first flight, I would take off from the ground, from a hard surface. If it's out of trim and you toss it, if your like me, the reflexes are not fast enough recover before hitting the ground. The battery the the hobby shop sold you will be fine. I fly mine with a 9.6v, 650mah pack with no problems, even at full throttle. I even use a 3 cell Li-Poly, but I have to use throttle management with it. The E-Starter is very stable and a great aileron trainer. If you don't want to use the ailerons, the E-Starter flys well with just rudder control too.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

Heya Jim,

LOL I never seem to be able to correct fast enough on a hand launch if the plane does something unexpected, which is why I am always tempted to try a rolling take off from pavement. BUT, I hate crashing on pavement, so it's always nerve wracking the first few times on a new plane. I think I wil go with your advice on this one though.

Glad to hear it wants to fly well. I do want to use the ailerons, I read that this was a good aileron trainer which is the main reason I got this one over some others.

Am waiting for the battery to charge in the TX so I can set up the conrol rods and then it will be ready to go. Unfortunately, the winds in this area are supposed to be picking up for the rest of the week so I am going to TRY to be patient and wait until they calm down to under 10 mph before I fly it. Aggghhh -it is soooo hard to wait to try a new plane!

Well the E-Starter is an excellent pane, its my first. The guy that helps me fly says he wants one again because it is flys sooooooooo good. Just dont make the same mistake, cheak that you chanels are the right way (mine wasent, one prop later I was flying again).