I was into RC back in the 80s and flew a variety of .15-.40 sized sport planes. I got out of it during the whole wife/house/kid thing and then got back into it a couple years ago when telecommuting afforded enough free time to get back into a hobby. To do something different than what I did 25 years ago, I got into electric foamies. Now I want to get into flying more precisely and become a good pilot, even if just recreationally as opposed to competitively.

My one good plane was a 3DHS 48" Edge. That unfortunately got totaled in a mid-air a couple weeks ago. At least I saved the gear. The only wood plane I'm flying now is a 41" Leader 480. First pattern style plane I have had. I only have three flights on it and those were mostly just to start getting the thing trimmed out. I was hoping to have that and the Edge to switch off. I want to work on precision but it's still fun to mess around a bit with 3D. But for the next several weeks or months, the Leader 480 and my 3D foamies are it.

I was thinking of getting a nice 62-64" plane but the thought losing the Edge scared me, not just the risk of mid-air, equipment failure or pilot error crash. The club field is less than 10 minutes from my house which is convenient but it's not the best of fields, lots of trees and surrounded but somewhat treacherous wetlands that has swallowed many club member planes over the years. In the trees, after a few hours with a sling shot, you'll probably get your plane back. In the swamp, maybe when it freezes over of maybe never.

I really want to try to stay well under $1K for my next plane. I though about taking the gear from the Edge and getting a Vanquish MkII. But then I have a 41 and 48" plane that do pretty much the same. I might get another 3D plane (EF Extra EXP 48") for that gear just for variety.

So, I was originally thinking a 3DHS Osiris or Sebart Wind 50e but now I'm thinking I don't want to risk a $400 airframe at my field. I figure it's probably going to cost $500 in gear for a plane that size but maybe if I start with a cheaper airframe but put good gear in it, it won't be a disaster if something happens to it (as long as I can find it and get my gear back).

So I'm thinking a Monolog 70 or HK Airoso might be the place to start. Based on some build threads I've found on each, both will need some tweaks to get working right but both are relatively cheap.

-l2t

Been at this awhile -
Find a good deal on the SPLENDOR by Horizon and put in a simple rx
It's electric -good batteries will cost a bit about 50 bucks per
It flies as well as any pattern model and is dead simple and cheap to repair to boot plus really takes abuse
It is NOT a 2 metre but will do all the tricks and at a very good speed.

learn2turn,

I see you have another thread here at RCU.
I will 2nd that Splendor as a new practice plane & as a starter plane.
Just get an ar610 to replace the AS3X receiver. You can try with AS3X receiver for a while before switching to other receiver also.

It will be more than enough to fly sportsman sequence.

I saw this in Toledo, looks like a dynamite pattern foamy. I would buy one if I had an extra $140 (basically RTF):
http://www.gravesrc.com/THE_WINGS_MA.../abmgm040p.htm

I was considering buying that one for a year or more but went for a EF Leader 480 instead. The Leader is built-up and about the same size (an inch or two bigger). So the Sunrise would just be another plane in the class of the Leader.

They do make the Commander 40 which is the 40-sized pattern foamie. I think it's basically a foam version of the TaiJi (sp?) wood .40 pattern plane.

I'm going to think about either a .40 to .50 plane for the next few months. The Monolog 70 is on the short list. I really don't want to spend the $ on something real nice like a Sebart Wind 50 now, too much risk of losing it at our crappy field.

Honestly, the Monolog 70 flies better than the Wind 50. Having setup and flown both of them in the last few weeks, I really like the Monolog. They both fly well, but with the deal F3A unlimited has now, it really is hard to beat.

Arch

There's a Great Britain site with a really good build log on the Monolog 70. Like a lot of inexpensive planes, it looks like there's a couple issues but they are pretty easily tweaked, more easily than the ones I've read on the HK Aroso.

Any idea how long the deal on the Monolog 70 will last at F3AUnlimitted?

Was thinking about hitting the wife up for a practice pattern plane for Xmas but if the sale will end, maybe I should pull the trigger.

(The way a lot of online stores work, everything is always 30% off. I don't know who F3A works.)

Can anyone explain the trade-offs between the A50-16S setup with 6S and the A50-12S with 5S?

One way to look at this is what one has on-hand, if anything. For example, I came to pattern from electric sport flying. I already had 6S set-ups, so my Osiris got the A50-16S at the time. That was a few years ago. If I were to start-over, I would go 5S: A little lighter and the 5S packs can be paired in series to make 10S for a 2m set-up. There are other ways to look at this, no doubt. Weight, flexibility for other uses of the LiPos, etc. and some matters of preference. Why not give 5S a try since you are going for a pattern set-up?

Good choice giving the Monolog another look: Arch is right, there are some really good deals and BJ Craft is producing excellent value products for the various price points.

The Monolog is slightly larger than the Osiris and Wind 50. Not by much, but more volume. I have flown it on both 5S and 6S. I definitely preferred the 6S setup. It is a much more efficient setup. I agree with Dana that 5S is more convenient if you are going to be jumping in to a 10s full blown 2m soon, but if not, then I would definitely go 6S. It is much easier on the equipment as the amp draw is lower and things run cooler. Even if you think a year or two down the road you might go 2m, then go with 6S. By that time, you'd need new packs anyway.

F3A Unlimited isn't like a lot of the larger online stores. If they have a sale, it is because they are overstocked or just offering good deals. It truly is 30% off as it wasn't that long ago that it was more expensive. I would call them and see how their stock looks. Anna is great to deal with and if they have a bunch in stock, it may last a while, if not, you might want to jump quickly.

Arch

Another thing I could do is spring for the Monolog 70 airframe while it's on sale and worry about gear later. I might not even have time to set it up until this winter. I like that the combo comes with what I consider high-end gear (Castle/Hacker) but at my level, am I going to notice the difference between a $120 motor and a $60 motor or a $120 vs $60 ESC? Some of the lesser brand stuff is still pretty darn reliable. I wouldn't skimp on servos. Might go for Savox digital.

-l2t

For motor & ESC, consider quality as a matter of longevity. You may or may not notice any difference, until a lesser motor throws a magnet or an ESC lights up. If going with budget gear, shop well and get as much quality as possible.

How about a Dirty Birdy, $300 at target.

If you want to come west to Springfield for a day, a couple of us are flying pattern and I can set you up with a Patriot 3D pretty cheap. We're headed to Syracuse this weekend for a contest but anytime after would work.

Scott

L2T-
I know the cost of gear adds up very quickly. There is no doubt that most of us will recommend what seems reasonable, we are all out to enjoy the hobby and promote pattern flying. There is a reason that you won't see the less expensive brands recommended. Let me tell you about my early experience:

I started out with glow and got into pattern early. It was not long before I was looking for a decent plane with good performance. I found myself with a glow engine and a fuel pump, or a glow engine with a pressurized fuel system. Both gave me incredible performance, but both gave me lots of down time and dead sticks. It really took away from my flying time and learning.

It was suggested to me to try electric, so I could focus on flying and not engines and tuning. So I did just that, and tried to save some money with a less expensive brand motor. I read that the motor worked well for some guys with the ssame plane so I went for it. It was not long before the motor spit magnets, and again I was suffering down time and not flying my plane. I waited a long time for the motor to get fixed under warranty. I actually got a replacement motor, seemed to work OK but made funny noises, so again I'm wondering if the motor is working right and not concentrating on flying (eventually this was all resolved, changes were made to the motor design and things worked out, but it cost a lot of time, aggravation, and some extra money).

Had I spent a little more money up front and went with the factory recommended power setup, I know now that I would have had many more hours of flying and a lot less headaches. I have learned that trying to cut corners generally bites me in the behind. I have grown so sick and tired of trying to make something into what it isn't as it ends up costing so much money and time.

The reason the 'good stuff' costs more money is because it generally has better quality control and better customer support. The chances are a lot less likely something will go wrong, but if it does, you can rest assured the problem will be taken care of quickly. Having a reliable system that you don't have to worry about power and can just focus on flying the airplane, is PRICELESS.

Here is another example of a similar situation where someone (with the monolog 70 nonetheless) is struggling due to cutting corners on motor selection:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/elec...-let-down.html

I would also suggest that using quality equipment is the better option. You can do a years worth of contests with the leader 480. That will give you time to work on just the basics of the sportsman pattern and get you used to being judged and performing on demand. Please do these with an airplane you have a good comfort level. Spend the winter putting together a good set-up. You get what you pay for. Electronics can fail and paying a bit more for support and better quality control can do a lot to help you. It is my opinion that flying pattern well has a lot to do with stick time. Flying your sequence over and over till you have all the maneuvers memorized and have good ideas how to handle things like a bit of a breeze in your maneuvers. Quality equipment will keep you flying vice fixing.

For gear there's MasterCard: An invitation? Priceless!

I really appreciate all the advise.

I'm thinking I do want to spring for good gear even if I have to spread it out, get a plane, next month servos, next month lipos, next month accessories. A hobby is something you are suppose to throw a hundred bucks or two in a month to keep busy, it doesn't have to be $1000 all at once and then nothing for the rest of the year.

My wife knows I lost my 48" Edge in a mid-air and want to get a new plane to replace it. So if a big boxes shows up, it's okay. Little boxes are fine, so servos and accessories and such can arrive whenever. But, I have all the gear from the 48" and really want to replace it and not miss the sales on the Monolog. That would be two big boxes. That would take some serious "splainin".

-l2t

Hello there;
Welcome to the world of Pattern flying, and hope that you find it as enjoyable as we all do. I agree with your idea of spreading out your purchase over several months. From all the pilots I've spoken with, getting the best equipment you can afford is key to being successful in Pattern flying because it allows you more time to fly and less hassles that lower cost equipment can offer. Also, remember that this pattern plane will be an investment in both your skills, time and money, and the better equipment you can afford will give you piece of mind and more flight time when practicing. Your making a wise choice in spreading the overall cost out across several months, and that Monologue will be a good plane to start with.
Good luck and again, welcome to the Pattern Flying world, and look forward to your flying skills improving by leaps and bounds your first year or two in the sport.

Mikey