I want a plane

[wannarunem]

What is a good starter plane for a first time flyer? Something easy to fly and nothing to big. I want to be able to store it rather easily. Id like something that I'm not gonna get bored of once i learn how to fly it. Id prefer a beginner to immediate skill airplane....not to costly if possible.

 

[racin_38]

i am getting a areobird challenger from hobby zone looks cool and it is reasonably cheap at like $120 RTF ,now thta price is at my hobby shop but it looks rather nice and easy to fly
Just my $.02

 

[digger]

What size? Glow or electric? Kit or ARF?
The trainers are high wing. Most are capable of simple aerobatics. Rolls, loops and inverted. I would reccomend getting something with 4 channels. That way you are already used to the ailerons when you want to try something aerobatic. Most people have trouble with tail-draggers.

Do yourself a favor and find a flying club. Most of the guys will help you anyway they can. They will hook you to a "buddy" cord on your first flights. It is more fun flying than fixing one you have crashed. 4 or 5 flights with an instructor, you will still have a plane. Be well on your way to solo.
Most clubs require you have AMA. $50? For insurance. Pretty good thing. It is medical, property damage and they insure your plane if it is stole out of your car (up to $1200?)

Here are a few you might look at.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEKF3**&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWH71&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJ555&P=0

Look at the next plane you want to buy. Start with that size engine. You will already have everything but the plane. Just my $.02. Good luck with your decision.

 

[4u2nv]

if your a total noob at the air, your best bet is to get the simplest electric there is, and work your way up. My 1st plane was a nitro "trainer" but was still way to advanced. Ended up costing me alot of money till I relized I needed something easier than that. Then I got a Firebird scout, which taught me alot actully and gave me a good grasp at flying. ($50 at hobbyzone) then I got a 3 channel electric and learned more with the rudders and such and then went to my nitro trainer. Then eventually I went to a p-51 mustang, and a couple others. Big thing for me was thinking I can handle more than I actually could. Keep it simple. Also if your really serious get a Flight Simulator. They help alot too.

 

[retarded pilot]

if your a total noob at the air, your best bet is to get the simplest electric there is, and work your way up. My 1st plane was a nitro "trainer" but was still way to advanced. Ended up costing me alot of money till I relized I needed something easier than that. Then I got a Firebird scout, which taught me alot actully and gave me a good grasp at flying. ($50 at hobbyzone) then I got a 3 channel electric and learned more with the rudders and such and then went to my nitro trainer. Then eventually I went to a p-51 mustang, and a couple others. Big thing for me was thinking I can handle more than I actually could. Keep it simple. Also if your really serious get a Flight Simulator. They help alot too.

the man speaks the truth ..start simple and by all means get a flight sim. will be the best money you can spend

 

[MustangMan]

I really wanted the new Parkzone P-51 (being a Mustang and all) but everyone I talked to said start easy with an electric high wing. I still haven't purchased my first plane, but I'd rather fly something "simple" than look cool in the air for five seconds with my P-51 before it noses into the ground...

 

[wannarunem]

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEKF3**&P=0

This one here probably suits me the best. I have heard its a good trainer as well. I hope I can cut the cost of the plane in half by getting it off ebay. Id be happy with a used one. Thanks for all the advice guys!

 

[vgibbens]

this is the trainer I was looking at. Supposedly has self righting capabilities. Of course, now that I look at it again, it's temporarily out of production.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByCategory/Product/Default.aspx?ProdID=HAN2475

 

[FastEddy]

I'm re-learning to fly with a "Slow Stick"
Cheep, easy to fly, hard to crash, easy to fix.
When you get better you can get a faster motor for it to learn loops and simple aerobatics.
http://www.rchobbies.org/gws_slow-stick.htm

 

[wannarunem]

I'm re-learning to fly with a "Slow Stick"
Cheep, easy to fly, hard to crash, easy to fix.
When you get better you can get a faster motor for it to learn loops and simple aerobatics.
http://www.rchobbies.org/gws_slow-stick.htm

this is very very interesting...a lot cheaper too....reading about it now

 

[FastEddy]

Another 35.00 for servos, 25.00 for batteries, and a Radio.
For the money its a great way to learn. There is nothing more frustrating then having to fix your RC every time you crash. With this if things get out of control you just let go of the stix and it comes down slow and easy or straitens out so you can continue to fly.

I built an electric trainer kit and its much more difficult to learn with. It comes down much harder and doesn't fly as slow. With the slow stick you can stay in the air at a fast walking speed. 2-3 mph as compared to 5-7mph with my other one. It may not seem like a big difference but it is. It also weighs about 3x less.

 

[wannarunem]

so all i will need is servos and batts? It comes with a controller? Seems kinda low price to include the remote. I read the description, maybe i looked over that part.

 

[FastEddy]

Sorry about that, you will need an ESC.
I'm using a pixi 20 or 25 dont remember whats in it.

 

[wannarunem]

no prob bro...Is it possible to get the plane in the air for $150 in addition to the initial cost of the plane? I know nothing about this hobby...cost of remotes..etc

 

[FastEddy]

Depends on the quality of the radio and batterys.
The radio is the key. you can get a cheap used one for 50.00-75.00 and be in your price range. Looks like a lIpO battery is out of the question.

 

[wannarunem]

well..i would consider a Lipo if it will make flying more enjoyable. I will look around for radios on google. thanks man!

 

[kwong2001]

You can easily get away with a .40 size trainer as long as you've got someone to buddy cord with.

Also, buying a flight simulator will help a TON learning how to fly. I had like 2 months on the simulator, and passed solo certification at my flying field after 9 flights.

 

[wannarunem]

who sells the simulator?..id sure try it.

 

[kwong2001]

Great Planes has Real Flight, that's the one I used. There's supposed to be one that's better but I forgot the name.

 

[FastEddy]

The sim is a great thing if its in your budget. From what I understand, your looking to spend less then the sim will cost.