RC Plane for a begineer/intermediate

[Wabsrck]

;) I am looking for a begineer or intermediate plane that I can fly. I already have a air hog remote control one but that thing cant fly straight for its life. I have built models before and am pretty good at it. I want to spend $150 or less. Any sugestions would be appreciated.

Right now I am leaning towards the aerobird challenger what do u guys think?

[Wabsrck]

I was also wondreing if the aerobird took off from the ground. And I want a plane that I can have for a while and also can do basic tricks. Thanks for your help!

[RacerRSX]

I have been flying for month. I fly the F-27 Stryker. It is a great plane, and very forgiving. Plus the parts are cheap. You can replace the plane for 20 bucks since it is a one piece delta. I bought an 8 cell battery that helps with climbing and wind. Overall it is a great plane, very stable and very manuverable.

[bigedmustafa]

I have a Hobbyzone Aerobird Challenger, and I found it a bit of a challenge to keep flying when I first started learning last spring. I eventually got the hang of it, and I like my Aerobird Challenger, but I wouldn't recommend it as a starter plane.

I would recommend taking a look at the Parkzone Slow-V or the Parkzone J3 Cub as an alternative to the Aerobird Challenger. They're priced similarly, but should be easier to learn basic flight.

[Wabsrck]

I am looking at for right now the Challenger and the J3 Cub. What are the differences between the two? How is one easier to fly than the other?

[bigedmustafa]

I've found that the Challenger's foam v-tail can be finicky and a bit of a challenge to keep trimmed out. The Parkzone J3 Cub has a traditional rudder and elevator and appears to be quite a bit more sturdy. I haven't personally flown the J3 Cub, but I've been told it is easy to fly and durable.

[Wabsrck]

Is the J3 Cub able to do flips and tight turns? I think that would be my best bet for right now

[Wabsrck]

Also the Challenger is $150 and the J3 is $160 it seems the challenger has better manuverability.

[Wabsrck]

Are there any differences between parkzones decathalon and the J3 cub?

Also could someone explain batteries to me? Like it comes with a car charger so you charge it in your car are there home chargers? Can you have more than one battery pack so you can land swap batteries then keep flying?

Your help would be appreciated

[bigedmustafa]

In theory, the Super Decathalon is supposed to be a sportier version of the J3 Cub. The Cub is more of a basic "trainer" style craft while the Super Decathalon is more of an aerobatic plane. In reality, however, I don't think there is much of a difference between the two Parkzone versions.

All three planes, the Aerobird Challenger, the PZ J3 Cub, and the PZ Super Decathalon are cable of loops and tight turns when using high control rates.

You can buy an AC charger for Hobbyzone/Parkzone batteries for about $10, I got one after my Challenger 12v charger started "false peaking" and failing to recharge my battery.

I've seen the J3 Cub fly and I've flown my Aerobird Challenger, I believe that the manuverability of the two planes is pretty similar. If you're shopping at a local hobby store, you might ask the manager or owner of the store to demonstrate the two planes for you so you can make up your mind. The store personnel will fly the plane, and you can get a much better idea of what you might be buying. Some hobby stores can't or won't do this, but many others will.

If you really have an affection for the Aerobird Challenger, then go ahead and buy it. You're more likely to stick with trying to learn to fly a plane that you like. If you buy the J3 Cub when you really want the Challenger instead, you'll always wonder in the back of your mind if the Challenger wouldn't have been better no matter how well the J3 Cub flies.

For a first plane, I actually think the Firebird IIST or Firebird Commander would be a better choice. They don't fly as fast as the Challenger, so they're a little easier to keep up with when you're first learning to fly.

Let us know what you decide on!

[Wabsrck]

Well my final decision is to buy the Firebird Freedom once it comes out(mid-november) I know we haven't discussed this in my topic yet so here I will start it. The ACT draws me in and also it has a pretty powerful engine. :cool: The plane is rated for beginner so I dont think that I will total it outright. Comments are welcome but right now im pretty set on it

[Leo L]

The Firebird Freedom looks like it should be a good choice for a beginner plane. I started this past April with a Firebird Commander, then went to the Aerobird Challenger, and now to the J-3 Cub. From the description, the Freedom looks like it combines the best qualities of the Firebird and Aerobird, plus some. Good luck and post your experience.

[sixguns1998]

;) I am looking for a begineer or intermediate plane that I can fly. I already have a air hog remote control one but that thing cant fly straight for its life. I have built models before and am pretty good at it. I want to spend $150 or less. Any sugestions would be appreciated.

Right now I am leaning towards the aerobird challenger what do u guys think?
I grew up on model RC planes. My father was big time into them when I was real young. As I grew up he grew out of them and sold most of them off. I have been in and out of the RC cars for a while now, since they arent dependant on weather.

Anyway, I bought the Challenger last weekend with two spare battery packs (highly recommend it) and it cost me $193US in Huntsville AL. Best $200 bucks I've spent in a long time. Better than my ski boat which was $9K, :mad: and I have flown three times as many times as I have used my boat just in 6 days :) .

Watch the video, and I would highly suggest downloading Pre-flight or FMS simulators for your computer. You can get full controller and software packages off of ebay for less than $100. Regardless YOU NEED TO PRACTICE on virtual airplanes first.

My first hand launch with the Challenger barely missed the ground and took forever to turn when I made full inputs :eek: . Then I remembered the video, landed the plane (little roughly) and set it up for "expert" mode. My personal opinion (remember I am a novice) is that you need to go ahead and set it up like that. It gives a greater control surface movement, and utilizes both of the "ruddevators" on the V-tail instead of only one side or the other.

Like you may have read in the various forums, FIND A REALLY BIG OPEN AREA! The challenger does require a bit of room to turn, since it doesn't have ailerons and a rudder.

Don't fly in the wind. Its a small light aircraft, so the wind will push it around alot. I was at work all day, charging my three battery packs, looking forward to some good flying at the local schoolyard. :D It was a little too windy, and I ended up walking nearly a quater mile to retrieve it from a friendly tree that caught it on a down wind rush to freedom :eek: .

So, I am about to boot up my simulator and fly around the island on pre-flight. I am already looking at moving up to the vz-25 or what ever the delta wing with ailerons is. If my girlfriend doesn't have a cow about the money.

Anyway, buy the Challenger with confidence, its a great airplane.

[HottsOne]

Ok, it is done guys! I have the tail design for the Aerobird all worked out. I know that there is something similar made of foam, but this composite tail is indestructable. See the videos on how it works and the final to see it in flight. www.putfile.com/hottsone email me if you want one.