I know this might stir up some controversy, but... is there any recomended kits or arfs for a first pattern plane? My club is starting a BASIC pattern program and don't think my Gee Bees or bipes will score well. Thanks for looking

There are a lot of arf's to start in pattern, a search will reveal the kits and arf's. I have seen a lot of people starting to fly pattern with a stick and flying excellent, the main thing is to start and to enjoy yourself.

Francois

This one is inexpensive and flies well.[link]http://www.texasrcplanes.com/ouya40.html[/link]

I think the Focus II is the best value for a first full 2meter plane, the Sport Focus is reportedly a good 110 size starter. The Venus II is a very good smaller still plane <I've been beaten by that one several times<G>>.

G

George (LC Heli Lover) hit it right on the head. The Focus series is hard to beat for ARF's. The Focus II is a great 2m starter and the Focus Sport flies great as well, only a little smaller designed around a 1.10/1.20 size motor. Excellent Value's as well and great customer service with Dave Guerin,

Arch

Since you said ARF that rules out a Black Magic but you may want to take a look at the Northeast Aerodynamics Aquila:
http://ne-aero.com/2maquilaf3aarfarc.aspx
It's almost a 2-meter size plane but it's reasonably priced and it will fly on the smaller 1.20 2C and 1.10 - 1.40 4C engines.

John Pavlick
Team Black Magic, Tech-Aero Designs

Ditto about the Aquila.
Regards,
Dean Pappas

John ... I think its a darn shame the BM does not come in an ARF version, I would be lining up for it!

Gas ... how big or small a plane are you looking at? For small I tried the WM Spot On and it flies decent. The Excelleron 90 tracks well too. I love my Sebart Angel 50 but that is EP.

Thanks for the input. I was looking for a .40 to .60 size plane. Kit or arf makes no difference to me. One of more experienced pilots at my club suggested a 3D plane with the rates turned down. Don't think that is a good idea given my newbish pilot skills. Oh yeah... electric powered planes and I DO NOT get along well. The planets are never aligned right for EP, and that makes for bad ju ju. the largest engine I have is a 1.20 4c. I have several .46s, .52s & .61s 2c. Is a larger plane easier to learn precision techniques with?

Larger planes are much easier to learn with; they make the things you do right look great, and really show you where you can improve I went from flying a.46 'low wing trainer' (Phoenix Dolphin) to flying the Great Planes Venus II, and the difference is really beyond words. I'm keeping one .40 size (Venus .40) around just to beat on (really because I can't sell it), but will be flying my two larger planes 99.9% of the time.

I like the Venus II a lot; it is built very strong, and is really easy to put together. If I had not rushed into it so quick, I'd probably have gotten the Focus Sport for the adjustable two piece wing, but at the time the price and ease of the VII was what I needed.

what's the deal with an adjustable wing? I'm kind of interested in the Focus Sport.

Makes it very simple to fine tune the trim of the model. Wing adjusters are easy to add to most models if not already supplied with them. I added them to my Aquila. You can buy them at Central Hobby.

With the two piece wing you can properly adjust incidence. And it's easier to carry in two pieces.

NJR ... what are wing adjusters? I am kinda lost. Thanks!

Here's one. The 4-40 bolt adjusts that plastic block up & down. You can't see it, but sticking through the fuselage side is a continuation of the plastic block, in the form of a dowel shape. That just inserts into a phenolic socket in the wing root. You need removeable wings that mount on a wing tube to allow the adjuster to work.

Jeez, for that size powerplant, you might want to take a look at the Oxalis 50. Very nice flier compared to many similarly sized models. Does good precision stuff.

Having said that, none of the smaller models, including the Oxalis 50, fly as well as the larger 2 meter models. If you guys can invest in the larger models, it's a better flying approach, but more expensive to set-up, feed and maintain as you would expect.

MattK