new to planes

[crankbait]

I am looking to purchase my first plane. I know I am going to open up a big ole' can of worms here. What is the best plane to get started with. Such as low price on start up. Doesnt cost a lot of money if you crash and so on. I dont know much about the planes but I go to a lot of clubs and watch the planes in action. Thanks again

[aeropal]

I go to a lot of clubs and watch the planes in action.
What beginner planes have been recommended by those club flyers? Have you researched the previous threads in this forum discussing this topic?

[Leo L]

I suggest that you go with an electric ready-to-fly (RTF) plane, either a 2 channel or 3 channel model. These are low cost entry level planes and you get to spend most of your time flying (and crashing) rather than building. As you get more experienced, you can then expand into building. At some time you will crash, so I also suggest that you buy a plane that has a pusher prop, rather than a prop up front. Although there are many sites on the internet where you can get planes and replacement parts, the convenience of a local hobby shop, where they can give you pointers, advise, etc. cannot be overlooked, so your selection could depend on the plane(s) carried locally.

You get what you pay for, so I suggest that you stay away from any beginner plane that sells for less than $100.00. There are many tempting deals on e-bay, but the really cheap ones are not worth the money. Buy from a known quality manufacturer. Talk to your local flyers and to your local hobby shop.

If you go to the HorizonHobby website, you can find a journal titled "Runway", which traces a man's entry into R/C flying and his various encounters with the two main enemies: wind and trees. Although his experience is based around Horizon Hobby products (HobbyZone and ParkZone), his experiences are universal and the journal is very well written.

I'm only a beginner, having started this April. Hope that you get started soon, because flying is trully a rewarding experience.

[aeajr]

You asked a big, open question. Here come a big answer:

Getting your first plane? What should you get?

If you have an instructor, follow his/her advice as to what to get as your
plane. Getting info here is good, but discuss it with the instructor before
you buy.

RTF, ARF or KIT? What does this mean?

An RTF, Ready-To-Fly, typically requires virtually no building. Everything is
built. You attach the wing and perhaps the tail and you are done. Typical
investment of time is 15 minutes to 2 hours. The Aerobird Challenger is a
good example of an RTF plane.
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?prod=HBZ3500
RTFs ALWAYS include an installed radio system an may also inclued the battery
and charger.

ARF vs kit. How are they different? Depends on your definition.

ARFs and kits always require you to buy and install the electroncis. However
some of the makers, such as Mountain Models and GWS, offer select packages
that include the kit and the electronics. You still have to assemble/build,
but all the guess work is taken out of what electronics to buy. This makes it
very easy for the first time builder to get it right. The radio itself is
usually not included in these "complete packages"

Most wood KITS are a box of sticks and sheet parts that are cut from larger
sheets. You glue them together to form the structure then you cover it with
heat shrink film, some other covering, or paint the finished structure. Build
time could run 10-30 hours including gluing, covering and fitting out with the
electronics. The Mountaion Models Switchback would be an example.
http://www.mountainmodels.com/switchback.php

As an example, Mountain Models wood kits, are typically very complete and
often include the motor, the hardware and the covering material. For some
people, kit building is as much or more fun than flying the planes. If you
want to tackle your first wood kit, Mountain kits have an outstanding
reputation for ease and completeness. This thread talks about their planes:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=295225

Wood ARFs are typically kits that are already built and covered into major
structures such as fuselage, wings, tail, etc. Here you are doing final
assembly. The Ascent is a good example.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByCategory/Product/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL1075
Typical build time is in the 3-10 hour range. Much less time and
much less skill is required. Then you install the electronics.
Here are some examples from Great Planes:

All foam kits, in my opinion, are more similar to ARFs than they are to wood
kits. They typically consist of large molded pieces that glue or friction fit
together. typical is 3-10 hours to complete. The Graupner Tipsey is a good
example.
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/tipsy.htm
Some foam kits call for covering but the Tipsy, for example, does not.
When required, covering can often be done with tape which can be very easy for
the new
builder. So I consider most foam kits to be more ARF than kit. Multiplex and
GWS kits fall into this kit/ARF class and are usually very complete. As a
first step from an RTF, these can be very good choices.

Foam/wood kits are likely to require some stick and sheet assembly, but
typically much less work than an all wood kit. The Mountian Models
SmoothE is a good example.
http://www.mountainmodels.com/smoothe.php
The fuselage is wood but the wing is foam. Very easy for the first time
builder to be successful.

There are many other brands that provide very high quality products. I use
these companies as examples because I often recommend their planes.


SPACE

How much space do you have for flying? If you have totally clear space of at
least 600'X600', about 9 square acres, approx 6 square football/soccer fields,
then I
can recommend one class of plane. Call this class 1 - CL1

If your space is more like 200X200 (one square acre) then a different plane is
in order. Call this class 2 - CL2

If it is less than that, different again. This we will call this class 3 -
CL3

These are my own designations and are based on my subjective ranking of the
space a new flyer should have when learning on his own. An experienced flyer
can fly faster planes in smaller spaces, but a new flyer wants to have more
space so you are not in a constant state of panic trying to turn. Now, you
can get above the edges of the field and expand your space, but if you lose
control, you drop in woods, on top of kids or smash someone's
windshield. If that windshield is in a car is traveling down a road when you
hit the windshield, you could cause an accident or worse.

So much for space. You get the idea.

I don't recommend pretty planes as first planes. They are too easy to break,
too hard to fix and look bad in short order. So you won't see any especially
pretty or true scale planes. Make one of those your second or third plane. I
also don't recommend two channel R/T electrics, so you won't find any on the
list. If you want one of these, I would suggest the Firebird series from
HobbyZone. They can be very easy to fly and can be a lot of fun, but they can
also be very easy to lose. You should plan to fly them in dead calm air when
you are first starting.

I feel a high wing three channel R/E/T plane is your best choice for a first
plane. R/E/T will require a little more learning than the two channel R/E
planes but is a better choice as a first plane, in my opinion. These use the
same control inputs as more advanced planes and can be flown in more wind once
you have mastered them in calm conditions

[aeajr]

Below I list electric planes for beginners. Some come ready to fly, some are
almost ready to fly (add your own radio gear) and some are kits. All of them
are electric. If you are looking for your first plane, you should find
something here to peak your interest.

If you are totally new to RC Flying, these articles may be helpful.


RC Planes Are not like RC Cars
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=17

Stall
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=31

Launch into the wind
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=43

Parts of the plane and how they work
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=54

The RC Pilots Cockpit
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=59

Flying the Plane
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=64

New Electric Flyer FAQs
http://www.ezonemag.com/pages/faq/a105.shtml

Six Keys to Success for new e-flyers
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355208


READY TO FLY STARTER PLANES - Electric Parkflyers
No building - they practically fly right out of the box
These also glide well so you can thermal soar
with them under the right conditions.


Slow-V from Parkzone - $140 - Space CL2/3
Best flown in still to under 5 mph breeze. This is the best choice for people
who only have a small space to fly or who have an indoor place to fly, such as
a gym or
similar space.
http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?prod=PKZ1300
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2074785/anchors_2089493/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#2089493
Review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=426
Video
http://users.cwnet.com/dhsc19/Slo_V_Aerobatics.wmv
Night fly module on a Slo-V
http://rc-galaxy.com/messageboard/mb.asp?M=Slow_Flyers&CMD=ViewMsg&num=-8


T-Hawk - RTF - Excellent Value - $170 - space CL1
Comes with extra wing, tail and battery
Flies well and stands up to hard landings
Can be flown on 27 MHz or 72 MHz
http://www.toytx.com/thawk3chrtf.html
T-Hawk - Without Radio - add your radio and receiver
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/wittran.html
T-Hawk Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243202&highlight=THawk
Videos
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawkvideos.html


Easy Star - RTF - $180 - Space CL1
Believe this goes easily back in the box to keep in the car
Super tough foam. Comes with 72 MHz radio in the US.
Good parkflyer and a good glider
Radio in RTF package can be used to fly other planes
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240025.asp
Easy Star - ARF - Add you own radio gear
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240009.asp
Amazing information site for easy star
http://www.mpx-easystar.de/
Videos
http://plawner.org/video/easygo.wmv
http://plawner.org/video/easystar.wmv
Mods, upgrades and more
http://www.mpx-easystar.de/
Adding ailerons
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350408&goto=newpost


Aerobird Challenger - RTF Electric - $150 - Space CL1
Great keep in the car plane - take off the wing and it goes back in the box!
I started on an Aerobird RTF. I have over 350 flights on my Aerobirds. I
also thermal
and slope soar this plane. Flies well and stands up to hard landings. Their
add on fun accessories for night flying, air to air combat and drop module add
to the fun!
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?prod=HBZ3500
Review
http://www.hobbyzonesports.com/Discover/Articles.aspx?ArticleID=1289#Page01
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147621
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/aerobird_video.html