A beginner level RC Plane - any suggestions?

[Tsippy]

As I mentioned in another thread, I am going to get involved in RC planes and was hoping that some of you might be able to suggest a good entry level model to learn with? I have an instructor lined up (girlfriends dad who has 50+ years experience ) however he has always built his own planes rather than buying them ready to fly and so cannot really advise on that.

As I am only a beginner, I don't fancy building a model only to end up with it doing an impression of a kamikaze pilot and ending up in bits on the ground So I guess ideally I'd need something that's

1) Fairly robust
2) Ideal for learning basic techniques
3) Easy to set up

Eventually I'll start building my own, but I'll take things one step at a time!

Cheers for any advice

[DIW35]

I taught myself to fly using an Acrowot. Only purchased it because it looked good. It was only after I joined the local flying club that they told me it wasn't suitable to learn on. However, it was too late by then, as I had already learnt.

I'm sure others will be along shortly to offer more suitable advice.

[Tsippy]

I did similar with skating, apparently the rather expensive skates I bought were for the more advanced skater and not good for learning with, I was hoping to avoid doing that again

[Zaxxon]

Once you have got your model, you should download one of the simulators (some are free)
That will help with basic control, I have seen major improvement in friends who have had a go within 20-30 mins

Should help with coordination of controls and orientation of the model

[Stig]

Just get yourself an ARTF (Almost Ready to Fly) or RTF trainer. Unless you're keen on IC power (nitro etc.) then stick to electric engined stuff - clean, quiet (and that makes a big difference when it comes to flying) and no issues with rough running.

You need to decide whether you're going for 2, 3 or 4 channel setup (I'd go for 3 personally ie. throttle, aelieron and elevator).

Could do worse than join a local club and the BMFA (definitely the latter for public liability insurance purposes). They'd offer good advice.

Then there's budget....

[Tsippy]

Cheers, is there a good brand or ones to avoid? I've looked on a few sites and my budget of £150 seems to be enough for most. I'd stick with electric too, I have enough trouble trying to get rc nitro cars going

As for the simulators, any idea on where I can find them?

Thanks for the help

[Zaxxon]

Getting BMFA insurance is very important, these things can kill.

I'd pop down to your nearest club and ask around, the help and advice you will get will be far better, also they will have instructors.

These models take about 3-6 months to pass solo and get an A cert

[jenkotvr]

If you decide to go Nitro, I can highly recommend this:

http://www.elitemodelsonline.co.uk/Products/Aircra...

I've had 2 of these and they fly very well, stable, not too fast. predictable etc

For the money you can't go wrong, couple it up with a Irvine or OS engine and you'll have a perfect learning package.

BTW I learnt on my own with the above but would recommend joining a club (Less pant soiling)

Good luck

Edited by jenkotvr on Thursday 6th January 15:34

[Stig]

Tsippy said:

Cheers, is there a good brand or ones to avoid? I've looked on a few sites and my budget of £150 seems to be enough for most. I'd stick with electric too, I have enough trouble trying to get rc nitro cars going

As for the simulators, any idea on where I can find them?

Thanks for the help

Get yourself a copy of RCME (most good newsagents). Plenty of ads to take your fancy

Re. brands, Hobby Zone, Ripmax, Parkzone etc.etc.etc.

Something like this would be a good start (shop around for best prices though)

http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/hobbyzone...

[Waynester]

Zaxxon said:

Getting BMFA insurance is very important, these things can kill.

I'd pop down to your nearest club and ask around, the help and advice you will get will be far better, also they will have instructors.

These models take about 3-6 months to pass solo and get an A cert

6 months...before you can even have a solo bash on your little leccy trainer??

I'm out of the way of built up areas (more sticks here) and have been pootling my little eletric RTF trainer about for a while, self taught too. I just applied what i learnt in the real thing years back, Chipmunk & VentureGlider.

RCME good shout, always good content

[Groovydale]

The usual hot potato, self taught or join a club, its a matter of personal choice. IMO the rise of park flyers makes self taught a better proposition than before. The damage you can do personal or otherwise is limited with a foamy trainer especially if flying solo in some field or other. Join the BMFA and get insurance when the stakes get higher. Get a copy of RCME, web sites and rc forums for info. Would defo not start with nito. Get not so small, foamy, leccy high wing RTF. Hobbyzone cub ideal but lacks ailerons but easy transition when upgrade to next model.

[Zaxxon]

3 mths is quick if your going to learn to pass the BMFA A certificate.

Pits safety, aeroplane preperation, take of and landing (on tarmac runway) circuits, dead stick stalls etc.

Some people take a long time, and as you know it's not a lot like flying a real aeroplane, just the principle is the same. You don't get the feeling and sensation of what the plane is doing and the orientation problem catches most novices out.

I would recommend a club but if you have access to a wide open space then learning yourself is good fun as well, I think a simulator will save a lot of money and cyano though.
One thing that joining a club will teach you, these things arent toys and should not be treated as such.

[Waynester]

Good advice thanks chaps. The way I fly is visulisation(sp).....basically I put myself in the cockpit, that way I keep orinentated.
It's when you take your eye off it for a split second or in the sun that's worrying as you can lose the plane

will find out where the nearest club is when I move.

Likely to stay leccy, enough power, quieter.

What's the consensus on these fan jets...any good , duration, speed, flying characteristics?

Edited by Waynester on Thursday 6th January 21:46

[Groovydale]

Bought a Lander Panther running their 4 cell 68mm 3570kv EDF earlier last year Retracts were useless as we fly from grass and the legs just dug in. The plane is just managable as a hand launch, its about 2kg or so all up. Once away it gains speed rapidly, the first few flights were a bit intense to say the least. With no retracts to create drag its hard to slow down to land, and regular damage caused by belly landing too fast. The plane is no more after a radio failure The EDF suvived so fitted it into the Cougar (same plane but swept wings) This flys quite simmilar. slightly faster roll rate but more stable in pitch. I get around 5 mins max from 3200 4 cell and usually land after 4 min. Not for the faint hearted
and needs a good space to fly in. Dont fly it much as its one of those that you know you will crash sooner or later

[Emsman]

Www.flyingwings.co.uk

Look at a v trainer, or v trainer mini.

Superb.

Stable, easy to set up, suprisingly agile, and I think they now have an optional wing to progress onto.
You can honestly fly them at the ground and they just bounce.

Best trainer by far

[Waynester]

Groovydale said:

Bought a Lander Panther running their 4 cell 68mm 3570kv EDF earlier last year Retracts were useless as we fly from grass and the legs just dug in. The plane is just managable as a hand launch, its about 2kg or so all up. Once away it gains speed rapidly, the first few flights were a
bit intense to say the least. With no retracts to create drag its hard to slow down to land, and regular damage caused by belly landing too fast. The plane is no more after a radio failure The EDF suvived so fitted it into the Cougar (same plane but swept wings)
This flys quite simmilar. slightly faster roll rate but more stable in pitch. I get around 5 mins max from 3200 4 cell and usually land after 4 min. Not for the faint hearted
and needs a good space to fly in. Dont fly it much as its one of those that you know you will crash sooner or later

Can be a bit of a handful then? I asked as the Market is flooded with the RTF & ARTF kit, and some of them look very good, just wasn't sure about how the comparison performance/thrust was next to a genuine jet turbine?
Price is probably the main 1

Tbh I love my warbirds to much, and my eye had been caught by the FMS Mitchell bomber with retracts. Had a test in RCM&E & came out quite favourably....for a foamie.

[Groovydale]

The Lander 68 EDF can push out around 750watts on a 4 cell. Has a thrust of around 1300gms. The cougar weighs around 2kg (lander says 1.5kg so mine must be one of the heavy ones or the scales goosed)Along with the clean lines of the jet it doesnt hang about. The sound is quite good not quite turbine like, more like a Dyson on heat
Like the Mitchell myself, would make a good first twin. Hobbyking lists a Mossie alongside the Mitchell which may be also FMS. Would realy like that if it was available here

[Waynester]

Groovydale said:

The Lander 68 EDF can push out around 750watts on a 4 cell. Has a thrust of around 1300gms. The cougar weighs around 2kg (lander says 1.5kg so mine must be one of the heavy ones or the scales goosed)Along with the clean lines of the jet it doesnt hang about. The sound is quite good not quite turbine like, more like a Dyson on heat
Like the Mitchell myself, would make a good first twin. Hobbyking lists a Mossie alongside the Mitchell which may be also FMS. Would realy like that if it was available here

There's a thought, Mossie would be superb, and at least then we would be flying the flag for old Blighty.