Next Plane - need suggestions

[Bonez]

I have pretty much mastered the Firebird II and am ready to go onto a new palne. I have ordered a JR 5-channel radio (I want that P-51 with retracts someday ) and am also considering the Machine Works Backyard Edition simulator prior to buying.

I am thinking of the Tigermoth or a Pico-stick. Which is better for a newbie? Is the stick more robust and repairable rather than an all foam fuse? I fly early in the morning when there is no wind but would also like to get some evening flying in but there is usually a gentle breeze. Which plane is better?

Thanks in advance.;)

[DougBinder]

You could step up to a DuskStik. You'd have to build it but, with the laser cutting, it's a quick build. You'll find that with the built up wing, the DuskStik is a more precise flyer than a PicoStik.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Doug Binder
Mountain Models
www.mountainmodels.com

[2NG]

***I have pretty much mastered the Firebird II and am ready to go onto a new palne. I have ordered a JR 5-channel radio ***

Hello Bonez,

If you really want to level up in this fantastic hobby, I would suggest, that you look into MountainModels.com, though I am the only one, that regretly am miss'n out half the fun, for not owning one of their kits.

Level up. ARF's, ARFing can be fun, for box to field concept, plug and play is not time consuming, but if you think about it. What if you crash? How will you know how to identify each part? And have a better assessment in repairing it?

Kit building can help you in that department, and can help you be a better and patient pilot, as well, as have a feel for your airplane.

I am not affiliated with anybody, but as a fellow flyer, trying to keep the kit building as a part of this hobby.

I am thinking of the Tigermoth or a Pico-stick. Which is better for a newbie?

I have those. Balsa is a way to go, save $$$ and like I said level up. The TigerMoth Fever is over:(

***I fly early in the morning when there is no wind but would also like to get some evening flying in but there is usually a gentle breeze. Which plane is better? ***
I have to go along with Doug..DuskStik, then when your good enough, get a Piper Cub kit :)

2NG - genovia

[GHMBO]

Hey 2NG
Keep plugging those Cubs. Look these plans over and tell me what you think
http://maryjo3.freeyellow.com/planscal.html
about 1/2 way down the list.
Jim

[2NG]

Thanks GHMBO,

I'm printing it right now:) . I was going to post a question about modifying my one of my Cub with an aileron, now you came up with the plan, you read my mind:) scary (hehehehe), but before, I'll try anything fancy. I will try Mountain Models airplane, the SwitchBack, just to have a feel, building an airplane with ailerons, and get my hours in factory building as well, before I scratch build, but for sure, I'll get busy in my aileron modification.

Thanks Jim:) Your a super guy, thanks a million. A friend of mine, well appriciate this as well. - 468/f is into building, himself.

[flyinhigh]

Hello everybody :D
Hey Mountain Models,I just ordered a Cessna from them on saturday.talked to Doug Binder he is really a nice guy and helpful too.Im not sure if the Cessna will be a good trainer for you since I have not flown one yet,But it uses the same motor drive as alot of the GWS slowflyers (the A drive)and a 9x7 prop.
Now the Tiger is a good plane to learn on,I got many abusive hours on my overweight tiger before the wings broke.But a light one you should have no troubles.All in All I am running away from foam planes now tho.I have another Tiger along with the abused one and have come to find balsa is much more enjoyable for me to build and alot more solid feeling.
So if your skeptical about foam,I completely understand.
Give Doug a try he seems to be a very honest guy and will do all he can do to help you out...
Good Luck
MIKE

[CalmAir]

Hi Bonez,

Your question is a common one, and though we could sit here and recommend a lot of nice aircraft, it may not be what you are looking for.

To help narrow it down what size area do you need to be able to fly in?

Do you have a preference in construction, balsa or foam? Kit or ARF? They both have their strengths and weeknesses.

Are you looking for one that is faster than the Firebird, or just something different?

As far as the Pico Stik and Tiger Moth I have both here. I prefer the Tiger. The foam fuse is not hard to repair, it generates a lot of lift and will let you get out of situations that many aircraft will not. If you get the lithium ion packs you can enjoy 25 to 30 minute flights with both. Once you are used to flying the TM, I have found it easier to fly in a breeze than the stik, but bear in mind anything over 5 MPH will keep you busy with both. You will enjoy those two much more in calm conditions. If you have a lot of days with wind you may consider something else. If you are very comfortable with the firebird you may become bored with the TM or Stik very quickly.

Just my 2 cents. Let us know what you are shooting for. A P51 is a whole different plane. You may want your next one to be a transition to the P51, so more speed and manueverability might be a goal for the next one, to help you transition on up.

Regards,
Dale

[Bonez]

Many thanks for the inputs.

I have been flying in a large double practice soccer/football area at my local junior college. I also have some soccer/baseball field parks right down the street. I hope to be able to fly in the baseball park someday. But for now the added space of the larger field is less stressful.

Building is not a problem I have built planes from both in my past (high school days). I just thought that foam would be easier to repair and get back flying sooner in the event of a heavy crash. Or do they fly apart into many pieces?

I am self-teaching and want to progress to larger, faster, aerobatic and scale planes. The Firebird II has been good but I want to learn traditional T/R/E planes and then T/R/E/A. I want the feel of a plane that needs all those inputs rather than the throttle controlling altitude and speed. Further, I was reading/told that a "stick" plane flys off the prop and do not "feel" like a traditional fuselage plane. Comments?

I am also planning on using the Cockpit Master Backyard Edition simulator prior to flying a T/R/E plane to help transition from the Firebird II.

I am leaning towards the Moth but that Mountainside Duskstick looks intersting too, as does the Pico-stick. I will use the simulator and forum comments to help me decide.

Many thanks for the forums comments - please keep them coming. Your experiences are valuable.

[Dave Robelen]

Hi Bonez,
The Duskstik is a delightful flyer, but you will be grounded by the slightest breeze. For a really tough lightweight, the Litestik is still a decent model. There are many ways to modify and pep it up, and when you ding it, the repairs are quite reasonable. For all of the affection toward the Tiger Moth, if you are looking for a "stepping stone" model, the "stik" is a good choice.
Regards, Dave

[DougBinder]

Hi Dave,

I respectfully disagree with the statement that the DuskStik is grounded by breeze. I routinely fly in winds greater than 5 mph. While that's certainly not a lot of wind, it is also not a light breeze.

The DuskStik has quite a lot of rudder authority, giving it control in windy weather. It also does well with the GWS 280 motor if you want more punch.

I believe more than a few people were surprised at last year's DEAF meet by the amount of wind I would fly my DuskStik in.

Of course, there is a catch. Bonez has expressed that he is still fairly new and flying a light plane in gusty conditions does take a bit of practice. None the less, the DuskStik is a more precise plane than a LiteStik so will respond quicker in gusts.

Doug

[Dave Robelen]

Hi Doug,
Thanks for checking in. My impressions were formed at an indoor fly-in where the Duskstik was right at home. As far as a fresh modeler flying a lightly loaded model in a breeze, I would suggest they wait for very light wind condituins with any of these mode;s.
Regards, Dave

[DougBinder]

Originally posted by Dave Robelen
As far as a fresh modeler flying a lightly loaded model in a breeze, I would suggest they wait for very light wind conditions with any of these models.


Absolutely. Learning to fly ahead of the plane takes some experience, especially with a R/E plane that has some inherent delay to your inputs.

Doug