thekonz
RCTalk Talkaholic
Ok guys. my grandfather said something today about wanting to get a plane and i was wondering would be a good start.thanks
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Plane for my Grandfather
- Thread starter thekonz
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How much experience does he have? Has he flown before or is he new? And where will he be flying?
thekonz
RCTalk Talkaholic
- Thread starter
- #3
Sorry I didn't leave much info earlier. He has not flown anything at all. Brand spanking new, but he used to own his own car shop and is good at fixin stuff. He wants to build one from a kit. I think that's where he's going to get the most enjoyment out of. I'm looking to spend around $200, maybe a little more, but i just want to see what you guys think bc i have no expierence in flying either. So any help would greatly appreciated!!! Thanks all.
Hmm.. interesting.
Another question is does he want a nitro plane or electric? Will he be flying in a park or at a local club?
And by a kit do you mean he wants it all balsa and build up everything? Nice idea. Hell of a lot of reward in building your own plane. My only concern is that he'll build it and inevitably crash it while learning. And it's a huge sinking feeling watching something you've put tons of hours into go up in splinters. Tough call. There are a lot of things to consider.
So we'll start with:
Nitro or electric?
Park flying or at a club?
That'll start narrowing it down.
Another question is does he want a nitro plane or electric? Will he be flying in a park or at a local club?
And by a kit do you mean he wants it all balsa and build up everything? Nice idea. Hell of a lot of reward in building your own plane. My only concern is that he'll build it and inevitably crash it while learning. And it's a huge sinking feeling watching something you've put tons of hours into go up in splinters. Tough call. There are a lot of things to consider.
So we'll start with:
Nitro or electric?
Park flying or at a club?
That'll start narrowing it down.
thekonz
RCTalk Talkaholic
- Thread starter
- #5
I don't know about nitro or electric. I would think electric bc i have a nitro truck and I think tuning the engine and breaking it in might be too much of a hassle for him. I think he'll be flying in a park, bc i doubt he'd go to a local club or something.
Ok and on the kit. I think his main thing would be just to build one. maybe not totally from scratch like balsa, but I have no clue bc I've never tried building or flying. I can't even afford the addiction to the cars and trucks, so I don't want to get into planes yet. This is mainly to get him out of the house and out of my grandmothers hair and out of trouble. He'll go out to the shed turn the heater on and have some good time building something.
So, I don't know if there are any kits that have plastic parts of whatever that go together that he can just buy spares, but then again that might not be as time consuming and would sort of be a let down.
Sorry about all these questions.
Another well is there like a 100 plane that is almost all together that i could get and let him learn on that and me too. and then he could also put the kit together and then he wouldn't have to worry about breaking it, or atleast he would have the knowledge about flying and landing and stuff.
Ok and on the kit. I think his main thing would be just to build one. maybe not totally from scratch like balsa, but I have no clue bc I've never tried building or flying. I can't even afford the addiction to the cars and trucks, so I don't want to get into planes yet. This is mainly to get him out of the house and out of my grandmothers hair and out of trouble. He'll go out to the shed turn the heater on and have some good time building something.
So, I don't know if there are any kits that have plastic parts of whatever that go together that he can just buy spares, but then again that might not be as time consuming and would sort of be a let down.
Sorry about all these questions.
Another well is there like a 100 plane that is almost all together that i could get and let him learn on that and me too. and then he could also put the kit together and then he wouldn't have to worry about breaking it, or atleast he would have the knowledge about flying and landing and stuff.
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OK, in the world of beginner planes, there are a few good choices. If he's going to just run down to the park, you need to make sure you get something that flies slow and deliberate. Most of the starter planes are ARF, but require some assembly. I think 3 of the most popular ones are the GWS Slow Stick, the Multiplex Easy Star or something like a HobbyZone Firebird series. Of those, I'd be all up on the Slow Stick because it flies slowly enough for a beginner. It has rudder/throttle/elevator control. And it won't go so fast that it will be hard to track in a park. The Easy Star is nice, but has a bigger wingspan which might make it a bit trickier in a small park. The Firebird planes usually are inexpensive and fly pretty docile. Not a bad way to get started, but you guys will probably step up to something else before too long.
thekonz
RCTalk Talkaholic
- Thread starter
- #7
Ok. Candyman, I really appreciate all your input and i will definetly be asking you a lot of questions in the next couple weeks. Well what all do I need to buy other than the Slow Stick Kit like servos, radio, battery, ... etc???
I was looking at this kit on tower hobbies. www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHCJ2
Dang, I looked at this one and if he can learn to fly this one. http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_planes_hobbyzone_firebird_commander_2.htm
and when he's done with it i'll just take it back and learn to fly on that one.
Then I could get him a decent kit and he could put it all together and stuff. That's really where I think he will get the most enjoyment out of.
Do you think that would be a good idea?
I was looking at this kit on tower hobbies. www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHCJ2
Dang, I looked at this one and if he can learn to fly this one. http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_planes_hobbyzone_firebird_commander_2.htm
and when he's done with it i'll just take it back and learn to fly on that one.
Then I could get him a decent kit and he could put it all together and stuff. That's really where I think he will get the most enjoyment out of.
Do you think that would be a good idea?
I think whatever gets him going is a good idea. The Firebirds are popular and a good entry-level plane. They're inexpensive. And you can typically find parts if you need them. From what I read, the only thing to worry about is wind. They're light planes and the wind will push them around. But they can handle probably around 5 mph.
savagewild
RCTalk Basher
get a 40size twist.....great plane for beginning or even 3d flying.....as for nitro, the tuning is easier for planes than for vehicles.....still need to run about 3 tanks before finetuning......the only finetuning is usually on the top end leaning out.....the twist for learning to fly you set the controlls to minimum as possible because it has large control surfaces.....set the rods on the servo arms in the hole closest to the inside and on the wing ends on the outermost hole....that makes the sticks on the transmitter less sensitive & easier to control till he gets used to the basics.....this plane cab be flown very slow for a almost feather-like glide in or flown fast if he likes speed.....later on he can reverse those rods for some crazy stunt action but then ahe sticks on the transmitter become extreemly toutchy......
Nitrobuzzard
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for a beginner plane I would recommend a high-wing trainer. The trainer style planes main wings are held on by rubber bands in the event you drop a wing during landing, the wing won't be damaged as badly as having it "fixed" on the airframe. You can get these in electric as well. One that comes to mind is this one....
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJKU3**&P=ML
I have seen these fly and they are an excellent choice for newbies getting into flying. This plane uses all 4 channels, (throttle, elevator, rudder and ailerons) so if you or your grandfather decide to step up to a nitro bird, then you'll be used to the controls.
Good luck with it!
-Nitro
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJKU3**&P=ML
I have seen these fly and they are an excellent choice for newbies getting into flying. This plane uses all 4 channels, (throttle, elevator, rudder and ailerons) so if you or your grandfather decide to step up to a nitro bird, then you'll be used to the controls.
Good luck with it!
-Nitro
Oh damn, buzzard, you just reminded me of one that I forgot. The GWS E-Starter. It's an electric, slow flying, high winger. That would work very well, also. Just more food for though.
you might also want to look at the GWS Tiger moth. i have one and it crashes well. meaning you pick it off the ground and start flying again. Its slow can take off from the ground and there are easy upgrades you can do yourself.
http://www.rchobbies.org/gws-tigermoth.htm
http://www.rchobbies.org/gws-tigermoth.htm
