My parents recently bought a cottage by a lake and now I'm thinking of buying a seaplane. I have never owned an R/C airplane but I have a strong experience with nitro cars and trucks. I would like a seaplane that is .50+ and can also adapt to wheels. An ARF or kit is fine with me. Does anyone know of a seaplane that is good for beginner? Thank you.

If you nevered flown an airplane your better off getting a trainer plane to start off to learn the ropes of flying before going near the water. Once you understand the how to fly you can always add floats to land on water. Also a .50+ engine is a little big to start if you ask me, I would start with a .40 first. Just a suggestion!

What lake you plan on flying this thing on? Simcoe?

Spoonie

Thanks for the suggestion but I am really in to R/C cars and trucks so I don't want to buy trainer, then a scale, etc. There are a few flying clubs around me and trainers so I could get a radio with a buddy pack port so maby I can buy a good plane and just slowly go from there(???). I would be flying on Georgian Bay around Wasaga Beach. Thanks for the suggestion though. Do you know any planes that would be good for me? Thanks

If you are not willing to start with a trainer, I can save you a lot of time. Send me $600 (US). Then forget about airplanes.

This will cost you about the same as a trainer and the stuff you need to support it, but it will save you the agony of learning to start the engine, taxiing into the bank while you realize there are no brakes, going real fast and water looping, or maybe getting airborne and having no clue what happens in the third dimension and making your plane into a waterlogged monokote bag of balsa splinters.

I have to agree, no matter how much car experience you've got you can't dive straight into the deep end, it will end real bad.

To answer your original question...any high wing trainer will make a good float plane..the Sig Kadet is one of the best...

Ditto, if you get i trouble with a car, you can stop.

You can't do that with a plane

PLUS, with a car you have ONE dimension (Right and Left) with a plane you have 3 - Right/left, Up/Down, and Axial Roll. That's the one (Axial) that many people forget about, and the one that most often gets people in trouble. You tend to forget that once your plane is rolled at a 90 degree angle, the Elevator is no longer going to make you go UP. Combine that with the fact that there are no breaks, and you will see how fast a crash can happen, doing it over water just makes it that much more painful ("Yea, the radio is soaked, and my engine is at the bottom of the lake")

So lots of people who THINK they can do it, can't.

However, here's the good news...

You can get a good trainer, like the Sig LT 40, or the Alpha 40 etc.etc.etc. and put floats on it.

Learn at the local club, then strap on the floats, and go tackle that lake!

Looks like you're convinced not to go the trainer route. My float plane is a Falcon Ready ( [link]http://www.falcon-trading.com[/link]). Its a 40 size that flies great. It's all plastic and foam so no rotting to worry about. They also have a Cessna on floats (this was not available when I bought the Ready...would be my plane of choice). This one is a little bigger.....60 size. A guy in my club has the Cessna. It looks great and he claims it flies even better.

We have a cabin in northern Wisconsin. The day I took my Ready out on its maiden, I had 15 boats in front of our place. Did loops and rolls with no problem. Had to buzz them a few times so they would move so I had some place to land. This winter I modified it with flaperons. Can't wait to take her out in a couple more months.

Forgot to mention...assembly is pretty easy too.

Thanks flying_frog. I was looking at the Cessna 177 before. What do you all think about [link=http://www.falcon-trading.com/product.cfm?prodID=7]THIS[/link] plane? Is it suitable for a beginner?

Definitely!!! That is the one I was talking about. If this came out 6 months earlier, I would have purchased this Cessna instead of the Ready. It's a 60 size made of plastic and foam, so no fear of rotting. From what I understand, if you get it with the float kit, you also get the landing assembly for land (at least mine came with both). But I would double check to make sure you get both types of gear. Good luck!!! Let me know how you like it.

Thanks so much for your help. I like the idea of using plastic for the whole plane. So how is your (or anyone elses) experience with this company? I haven't heard of them before. Are they good quality products?

Quality is great! From what I understand, they are a small distributor. I called a few times for help during construction and they were fantastic. Then after I don't know how many flights, I needed to replace the rudder on the float. Totally my error (don't ask). I received he replacement parts within a few days. They also wanted to know if a problem with the plane caused the part to break, in case there was a design flaw. They really care about their product and customer satisfaction.

We had them talk at our club meetings a few times. They are very knowledgable people with a lot of experience. Always tinking ahead.

I put an OS .46 FX 2-stroke in my Ready. I would go with either OS 61FX or an OS FS-70 4-stroke in the Cessna.

Seems to be a good company. The only problem is that my LHS doesn't carry Falcon Trading products so accessibility isn't as good as other manufactures but I still most likely will get the Cardinal.

About the engines....I would like to go with a 4 stroke but on the site they recommend a 91 4 stroke. Should I go with a 91 or is that overpowering it?

Also, what is a good complete radio system (with 4 servos)? Perferably one that accepts a buddy box.

I am a big fan of supporting your LHS. Can they order it for you? If not, I would just order it online.

After looking at the specs of the plane, a 91 4-stroke might be a better idea. Because of the extra drag in the water, you may need that extra power to get on plane. Just get a good match with your prop size and pitch.

As for radios, everyone have a personal favorite. In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with either a Futaba or JR radio. Both have buddy box plugs. I would go no less that a 6 channel system in case you add flaperons or expand you airplane fleet at some point. Personally I have a Futaba. Guys in my club are diehards on either side. Each has their own good features and drawbacks. You just have to weigh the pros and cons to determine which you prefer.

Falcon is an excellent company, I reviewed one of their planes last year (I had to choice of getting the Cessna on Floats, but chose the Aerobat instead). If the Cessna is anywhere as good as the Aerobat, it should be a winner.

Also, a 91 4-stroke will be ideal.

But I will warn you again... I don't care HOW MANY hours of car racing you have under your belt, GET A QUALIFIED FLIER to help you, or your first flight may very well be your last.

Don't worry about getting help and all, I have a few fields and clubs around me with trainers. I just wanted to let you all know I have a strong experience with glow engines.

Should I get used to the concepts and techniques before going out on the water? Is there a noticable difference in taking off and landing in water? Like I said before, I put most of my money into cars and trucks so I don't want to screw up the plane.

My LHS (there are 10 by me) never even heard of Falcon and when I went on Falcon's website, there are no dealers in Canada. I will go into the biggest one of all of them and see if they can order it in because it would be cheaper and faster if they did it.

Would the O.S FS-91 Surpass II be a good engine for this model? I don't want to spend a lot on the engine and in the car world, there are better engines then O.S so I want to make shure I'll be getting a good deal. What price wouuld this be around?

And for the radio, would the Futaba 6XAPS be a good system for me? I have no clue what to look for when it comes to planes. Also, what price would this be around?

Well thats about all the questions I have now. Thanks guys

Minn is exactly correct. As an instructor for 10 years now I can't tell you how many stories I've heard of people not starting with trainers, or instructors ,and wrecking everything. That is why Jim Casey said what he said. Then they go find and instructor and buy a trainer and do things the right way. Buddy cords don't care if the plane is on floats or wheels, they still work great. I agree with the earlier posters who said it is easier to learn on wheels, but it is not out of the question to be trained on floats. I'm sure some people in you area would gladly come to your folks cottage to help you out (especially if you feed them!). Looks like you've already found some people right here on RCU that could help you out.

First, I went to the Falcon site and you can order direct from them. The plane with float kit was USD 275 plus S/H.

As for taking off and landing it is a little different. For take offs, I found that you have to gradually increase throttle until the plane gets on step. Then a little up elevator and she pops right out of the water. Don't try to force the take off.

Landings are a bit different too. I found that the floats add enough extra weight on the bottom where if you're not coming in quick enough, the plane acts like a rock falling out of the sky (unless you add flaperons). Your approach has to be low to the water then just set her down lightly. Just remember to take off and land INTO the chop/waves.

The OS 91 can be run pretty much out of the box (after break-in of course). Not a lot of adjustment necessary. The OS runs about USD 210. There are others that cost more and some that cost less. Saito, for example, will cost a little more, it's lighter, but takes a little more break in time and possible adjustment. I'm a big OS fan.

As for the radio, that's the one I use. It runs about USD 250. I love it. Just get a good receiver and servos and you're on your way. I stick with either Futaba Brand or Hitec. I like the Hitec a little better.

By the time you are done, this whole set up will run about USD 900 or C$ 1100. Good luck!!!

If you are deadset on an R/C seaplane then by all means go for it. But heed the advice about acclimating yourself to a trainer first. It's best to get some stick time with an instructor before you go all the way, and it is harder than it looks. For another alternative, you might consider an R/C sail boat. They don't go too fast but they are fun and very relaxing! Just my 2 cts. Good luck to you and I hope you have a great time at the lake!!

like everyone else says, get trained on land first. i would guarantee a crash if your first flight is from water. it wouldn't be so bad on land because you might break a prop or tear some covering, but on water, a bad landing can flip your plane over and possibly destroy your equipment. or get a $1500 G-23 powered racing boat and have fun.

MOST IMPORTANTet yourself the largest fish bet you can find as it will work real good for picking up the smaller pieces that float.Be sure to wrap the Receiver in a baggy with foam so it willfloat to pick up.Good idea to attach the engine to something that will float too as it will go directly to the bottom when you hit!This is from experience!Good Luck!

Take a look at the co-pilot from FMAdirect.com
https://www.fmadirect.com/site/fma.htm?body=Store
On the above link click on Co-pilot Part Number: CPD4
It costs $99 down from $119 or $129. Been out for over 2 years.
After a dozen flights using a buddy box, and never having been allowed by the instructors to land.
I bought the Co-Pilot and went out on my own, I did every thing fine. It was a big help.
Just like the flight tests of Co-Pilot I put the plane in an intentional roll pointing straight down to the ground and I removed my hands from the sticks of the transmitter. The plane became level in less than a second, well may be a second.
Every time the plane comes towards me, if I get confused I just let go of the sticks, breath, re think what I'm doing and take over again but with the plane already in level flight.
This thing works.
With a six channel you can use a channel to turn it on/off if you want to.
If your extra channel has a rotating knob on it (may need 7 or more ch. to get the knob), you can even control the aggressiveness (for lack of better word). But you don't even need an extra channel.
It weights 1 ounce.
Under their support link, if you read all the way down to the bottom, you can find some copies of the flight tests done by different magazines.
Good luck, by the way I don't work for them, I'm just a VERY satisfied customer.

I forgot to mention, the plane I used was a Hangar 9 Ultra stick 60 with a Thunder Tiger 120 Pro on it (1100ma battery and 6 O.Z. of lead in the rear to get it to balance).

Bad for beginners due to:
It has Zero Dihedral angle = means level wings, so it does not correct itself back to level.
It has full symmetrical wings, not flat bottom like a trainer.

The Co-Pilot handled it. The instructors were having a fit seeing me (a total beginner) with that thing.
Well I know I was wrong to do what I did, but since you are intent to go out on your own against every advice, the Co-Pilot will surely help.

Good luck; let me know if you get it and how you liked it.