RC Trainer...Advice Please

[Supaf1y]

Looking to get into RC planes and was wondering if some of you experienced RC pilots wouldn't mind recommending a trainer plane. Prebuilt or semi-prebuilt, if there is such a thing. Budget for initial trainer, radio and such is about $500.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Maverick]

Go get the Slo V trainer. It has everything you need for flight in it and is almost ready to fly. About 10 minutes to assemble the plane and then charge up the flight battery. It has decent performance and is very forgiving of a new pilot. Since it uses a digital radio and receiver you don't have to worry really about signal interference. It will also fly in a smaller space like a school yard but it won't take much wind at all.

[TalonX]

I have been flying r/c for 30 years.   I recommend the Hangar 9 trainer.    Get a solid .40 engine (like OS).    Get the best radio you can afford for later planes.

R/C isn't cheap.   You will need money for a starting box, etc.  You can go lowball, but you will end up replacing the cheap junk later, netting a higher cost in the end.

Cheap is usually crap.

[AquaShrimp]

Slow V to start with.  

I was taught the standard way.  Had a trainer to help me fly my .40 trainer for many weekends.  However, my dad taught himself to fly in the backyard.  Started on a Slow V, moved up to something faster after 6 weeks.

[Grayeagle]

got MSFS loaded up on the computer?

Practice flyin from tower view to build the reflexes you need ..ie: comin at you and drops a wing, move aileron lever *to* the low wing.. on a low slow approach it's somethin ya gotta do by reflex, and only way to get it is practice.

taxiin at ya, move rudder the direction it's veering.. etc.

You need to do it without thinkin about it

-GE

[eagl]

If you think you're in it for the long haul, invest in a JR 2.4ghz radio up front.  They'll set you back about $700 but you will NEVER lose a model due to radio interference using one of these radios.  They're based on 2.4 ghz networking technology licensed from Spektrum, who also sell their own line of radios.  The JR radios are very high quality, and the digital format pretty much guarantees zero interference from other radios.

Trust me on this...  Every experienced modeller I know is jumping on the bandwagon.  It's only a matter of time before users of old radio styles will be relegated to second class citizen status at flying clubs and RC airfields.  Heck, they already are at some fun flys and competitions.

[eagl]

Consider one of the software training packages.  I bought the "aerofly professional" package, and it's great for off-season practice or for evening practicing of new skills your instructor just showed you.

There are others, I have used this one and it's nice.  The price is also competitive with the other competing versions.

[FBBone]

Originally posted by Supaf1y
Looking to get into RC planes and was wondering if some of you experienced RC pilots wouldn't mind recommending a trainer plane. Prebuilt or semi-prebuilt, if there is such a thing. Budget for initial trainer, radio and such is about $500.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

We really need more info. on what your after.....do you want electric or nitro.......how big of an area do you intend to fly from......do you have ANY previous RC experience........will you have any help at all with final assembly and/or maiden flight?  These are all big factors and without knowing them, all suggestions are just guesses.  

Also, you might try your question at www.rcgroups.com or another RC related BBS as well for more definitive answers.

[FBBone]

Originally posted by eagl
If you think you're in it for the long haul, invest in a JR 2.4ghz radio up front.  They'll set you back about $700 but you will NEVER lose a model due to radio interference using one of these radios.  They're based on 2.4 ghz networking technology licensed from Spektrum, who also sell their own line of radios.  The JR radios are very high quality, and the digital format pretty much guarantees zero interference from other radios.

Trust me on this...  Every experienced modeller I know is jumping on the bandwagon.  It's only a matter of time before users of old radio styles will be relegated to second class citizen status at flying clubs and RC airfields.  Heck, they already are at some fun flys and competitions.

The more people that jump, the less likely I'll have to wait for a frequency pin!:p
JR is one of the top of the line for sure, but you've already blown his budget.  Airtronics just released a 2.4ghz that can be had for just over $200.00.  Not as many bells and whistles to be sure, but I've been in RC for 20+ years and I still cringe at the thought of dropping $700+ on a radio.  I think it would last a noob quite a while before he needed to upgrade.  Futaba also has some nice 2.4 units for under $400, and you could still get a Spektrum DX7 for about the same.  But hey, Its his $$$, 72mhz has been fine for years and would still serve him well for just over $140.

[eagl]

I didn't know Airtronics had gone 2.4.  Thx.  I have owned and used an airtronics radio for years and I never had any problems with it.

I'll have to look into the airtronics 2.4 as an alternative to the JR...  The JR radios are really nice, and the best thing is that once you have a gucci transmitter then you don't buy any more.  You just buy more RX modules every time you build/buy a new plane.

[Sol75]

If you are looking for a "larger" model that will prepare you for the "field" fliers, rather than a park flyer, I would recommend the Hangar 9 Alpha.  Although now they do have a new model out that has a DX6i Spread Spectrum radio, it is low wing, which im not sure how well that will work.  You want that high wing for stability.  I have successfully instructed MANY students using the alpha, and all have been pleased with it.  It comes ready to fly, and the engine and radio gear are transferable should you auger, or when you are ready for a new aircraft.  Keep in mind however, that eventually you WILL want to upgrade radios, as the alpha comes with only a 4 channel, but the servos and reciever could still be used in a new plane with a new radio so long as you use the 72mhz band.  if there IS a hangar 9 alpha available with the DX6i i owuld go that route.  I personally own both a JR 10x radio, and a DX7i spread spectrum, and I fly mainly on my DX7.  the 10x i reserve for my scale models that need mroe than 7 channels, such as my jet.

[SirLoin]

I would go with a 40 sized trainer(electric this size not in yer budget).I have a slow-v but don't recommend it as a trainer.It can show u how to fly but you need a dead wind and it's not a good platform for learing the ins & outs of R/C flying.

a 40 sized trainer is built crash resistant,forgiving flight charactoristcs and way more fun when u are able to open up the throttle at a safe altitude.The hardest thing in RC is learing landing approaches and a slow v doesn't fit the bill as a trainer.

[Supaf1y]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. I do know that it's an expensive hobby but, without intentionally sounding smug, it is a hobby that I can afford and one that I have been looking to get into since I was a kid. Finally I'm at a point in my life where I can do this. The $500 initial budget is flexible of course but I wanted to set a limit so I didn't go overboard on my first plane in case I find out this hobby isn't for me. I don't think that will happen at all but wanted to set it somewhere and $500 seemed reasonable. But getting a good radio that will last me for years to come sounds like a good and smart idea.

Since starting this thread I found a R/C Club just a few miles from my home ( http://www.flyaways.org/ ) and it looks like they have a training program so that will help. The Slo-V seemed like a good idea but SirLoin does seems to bring up some valid points about that.

I think I'm leaning more towards a 40 sized trainer and if I remember correctly I think I saw a couple that came with flight sim software. Found the link http://www.rc-airplane-world.com/gas-rc-airplanes.html

So I guess I'll do what the local R/C Club suggests under their "Instruction/Get Started" tab and that is to come see their club, meet with one of their trainers, do a test hop and get some more advice on what equipment to buy, buy the equipment then start training.

Thanks again all...can't wait to get started but I also know I need to control myself and not go too fast and get ahead of what I am learning. Meaning I would love to go out right now and buy a plane, radio and other needed gear but I will just practice a bit of patience.

EDIT: Question - What is the advantage/disadvantage to starting with a 40 sized trainer compared to a 60?

[FBBone]

The only real differences are cost, which are minimal in my opinion, and size.  The .60 will cost a little more initially and will drink a little more fuel over the time that you use it, it's just not that big of a deal.  If you can afford the .60 size trainer then the extra size can be a benefit, but its not really necessary.

You've made a wise choice going with a club and an instructor.  The hobby is fun and rewarding, and not all that expensive after your initial investment.  Thats when the term "nickel and dime" starts to come into play!:D  All in all though, it can be as costly as you'd care to make it depending on your flying style.  Besides if you REALLY want to get expensive, start flying RC helicopters!!:eek:

[FBBone]

Originally posted by eagl
I didn't know Airtronics had gone 2.4.  Thx.  I have owned and used an airtronics radio for years and I never had any problems with it.

I'll have to look into the airtronics 2.4 as an alternative to the JR...  The JR radios are really nice, and the best thing is that once you have a gucci transmitter then you don't buy any more.  You just buy more RX modules every time you build/buy a new plane.

Airtronics 2.4GHz HERE![/b]
I just ordered one for my electric heli radio since I mostly fly in my back yard and the park and I've always been worried about someone else switching on while I'm airborne, getting shot down it the pits and 72MHz is prone to it around here!  I've always had good luck with their stuff so I can't see why this would be any different, but who knows.