Trainer Plane Help

[dougc]

I am looking to buy a nitro plane. I might be getting a Kadet trainer plane for $30 But I am not sure of that yet. So I want to keep my mind open on other trainers. I want it to be a kit, and I am will to spend $150 on the kit Also what engines are good? I thinking of going with OS and What radio is good? Do I need a 4 or 6 channel radio? what field stuff do I need?
I know nothing about planes but I have a friend that flys planes and he is going to use the boddy box with me so dont worry about me flying it into the ground. Please post I need help with this stuff. Sure he will help me but I want to know what is out there.

Thanks
Doug

 

[kwong2001]

A standard 4 channel radio will work fine. Although, if you find you REALLY like flying, you'll be wanting something like an 8 channel computer radio eventually. But for the time being, a 4 channel will work fine. Make sure it's the same brand as your friend's radio and it supports the buddy box.

You'll need a tote box, tools, glow igniter, 12v starter (chicken sticks suck to use). It's also a good idea to get a few extra propellers since those get broken when you're learning to fly.

Also, i wouldn't recommend building a kit. It's not like r/c cars. Building planes is a lot harder. Get an ARF. They run around $100 now. Any 40 size plane will do. For engines get something that ball bearing, it'll give you a little bit more to work with later on.

I'd also recommend getting an AMA membership and joining a club to learn how to fly. They have great programs for n00bs and you'll find it's a big help.

Also, not sure how much money you have to spend, but it's a good idea to get a flight simulator. I prefer real flight myself. It'll help build your coordination up before you do the real thing, and it helps tremendously. I was on a simulator for 2 months before ever flying and r/c plane and it took me 9 flights for my solo certification...it helps a ton.

 

[dougc]

I am working on getting the flight simulator. I am going to be getting a kit because my friend said that the ARFs are poorly built. Since he is building a plane this winter he will help me with thebuilding of mine.
It took you 9 flights to get your solo certification to fly solo? That seems good I hope, I can fly solo after a month of the of training ( flying the real deal) can you please post some links to some good starters, power pannels, and batterys for the pannels.

What should I be looking for in these power pannels.
I have about 200$ for the plane 200$ for the radio 100$ for the motor and 200$ for the odd stuff. SO i have about $700 to get a plane flying.

I only plan on owning one plane but I am allready looking at some aerobatic planes.

 

[kwong2001]

If you get an ARF from a quality manufacturer, it will be just as good, if not better than if you were to build it yourself.

Here's a few things you'll want to have:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMZ56&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXACW8&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPX81&P=0 (not a must, but it's good to have when you're tuning)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL370&P=0 (and a 12v charger)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL396&P=0
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAZG3&P=0 (long glow igniters are better since you don't wanna be close to the prop)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL417&P=0 (we use this one)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGWD6&P=0 (i prefer an electric pump, but some swear by the manual kind)

A powerpanel isn't a necessary thing, we actually only use ours to charge the plane on the field. But if you run a 12v starter with a cord, you'll need it. Also, our first glow igniter required you to hook it up to the powerpanel so we did use it quite a bit as n00bs.

 

[Rolex]

Kwong covered everything in post #2, and I agree, your first should not be a kit. Until you are familiar with flying, go with an ARF. You don't want to have an 'incident' with something you spent so much time on. Personally, I love building the kits as winter projects, so you can always train on an ARF, and build the kit for next summer.
The Avistar is an excellent trainer, .40 engine, and semi-symetrical airfoil. One step up from a flat bottom wing, but able to perform a lot better.
Go with a 6 channel Computer radio. JR sells one for $269.....unless your friend has a Futaba. You need the same brand for the buddy box. I also have Futaba radios, and both brands are excellent.
A 6 channel radio will allow you to fly with flaps and retracts in the future, and the computer lets you set gentle to extreme on the controls.

For my 12V starter, I use the rechargable jumper pack with cables that I keep in the car trunk. Then you don't need the power panel.

 

[dougc]

Thanks posting all of those links. I will post pics of the plane I get... when I get it.

 

[Rolex]

Check into the Avistar. There are a few different versions, but they are all pre-built. There's the basic with no engine or radio, another one with engine (and servos, I think) installed......just add radio and receiver, and another complete and ready to fly, with radio, receiver and servos installed, but only a basic 4 channel.
When you want to step up to another plane, the Avistar will sell immediately. It's the trainer of choice at my field.

 

[scottm]

Good advice guys. I had an Avistar, and I agree it would be better to go with an arf. I crashed it a few times, and the big advantage of the arf is you can just buy a new wing or fuselage if needed. The avistar is stable and smooth, but will loop, roll and fly inverted better than most other trainers. It comes with an OS LA46 that is a perfect engine for the trainer. No sense crashing an expensive engine like an OS FX or a Saito. When it is time to sell, the Avistar is a known quality, less of a gamble for the buyer, so you have good resale value.

Futaba makes an excellent 6 channel computer radio designed for beginners, the 6EXA, only $179 on tower. I was very happy with mine, it does 90% of what my JR 8103 does for 1/3 the cost.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCZR6**&P=7

As for accessories, I had a big flight box with power panel and everything. Now I have a used starter I got for $20 that I power with two 6-cell r/c car batteries, and a regular Hot Shot 2 glow charger. I have a small AA-battery powered fuel pump that works great, but I can't remember the name and I can't find it on tower. All of it fits in a small tool box.

 

[dougc]

Thats I was looking at that plane at my lhs if I am going to buy a trainer plane I am always going to keep it that way when my brother wants to fly I would teach him on that or let him learn.

 

[dougc]

Well I now own a Kadet mark 2 It is a good little plane but every old.
Someone started building it and stoped it. So I have to build some of it like sand the wing reseal the gas tank add the linkage, cover it, and other small stuff like electioncs and motor. This seems like a good plane, It has no wing flex at all and no wing warp. for 25$ this plane is not bad at all. but I didnt have to build it I just have to polish it up. I hop to be running by spring.

 

[scottm]

That will work great. Just get an OS LA 46 and a Futaba 6EXA and you are set with good stuff for cheap.