Suggestions on a first plane.

[miket43]

Just something the son and i can throw around. Something that will take a beating and can be put back together cheep. tell me what you think

[xspare]

It's no speed demon or aerobat but the HZ Super Cub seems to be a pretty common club trainer. Replacement parts are inexpensive. BNF version would be good if you've already got a DSM2 TX.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HBZ7380

[Bob O]

It's no speed demon or aerobat but the HZ Super Cub seems to be a pretty common club trainer. Replacement parts are inexpensive. BNF version would be good if you've already got a DSM2 TX.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HBZ7380+1

The SC is a great plane for a trainer. My daughter flies one.

And I have another that I use to train new pilots. Mine is an aileron trainer though. I clipped the center section out of the wing, installed ailerons, and glued it back together flat using a CF tube for reinforcement. I don't use the wing struts anymore. I also put a PZ P-51 Mustang powerplant in it.

[Mojappa]

I'd recommend the Hobbyzone Champ over the super cub. It's a lot smaller and therefore can take much more of a beating. My dad was wanting to fly and the LHS sold him on the SC but reality soon kicked in and the first crash broke the tail off the plane. Not a bank breaking crash but discouraging nonetheless as it was done for the day and he didn't know any more about flying than before that attempt. He then picked up the champ and was flying it on day one, he even pulled a loop on flight 2, and landed it is a breeze. It's small enough to land nearly anywhere and (Edit: it can go) slow enough to put it where you want it. Most damage is repaired by tape and/or glue with the occasional carbon rod added for strength. The micro planes may be small but unlike helis that doesn't always mean hard to fly and it does translate to much better crash resistance. Unless you exclusively fly over asphalt the micro planes just keep on ticking after unplanned run-ins with terra firma. I couldn't tell you how many crashes his champ took but it's way more than the ONE that the SC took. My .03

[Kington99]

Ultrafly tutor/mentor- dirt cheap for a big balsa trainer but with the right prop on it goes like hell but is still very stable. Love mine.

[BenHeli]

The No Brainer from SweetRC is a great learner/beater plane. It's made from EPP foam so glue and go in case of a crash.

[NobleKnight]

:thumbup:The No Brainer from SweetRC is a great learner/beater plane. It's made from EPP foam so glue and go in case of a crash.

[JettaManDan]

Hawk Sky is a good choice too...

[Rotorbroke]

I had great luck and easy learning with the PZ Champ. Flew it in my small front yard and taught myself in about 4 minutes. Definately had controlled flight well in hand on the first battery. Too bad they don't sell a BNF version. BUT, 20 batteries later, and flying well above my head, literally and figuratively, I lost orientation on my little champ and he flew away. He had a full up 160 Mah battery so if you see him go by, it's mine. Anyway, I replaced him with the PZ UM J-3 Cub which is slightly smaller but does come in bind and fly, and I can't bring another radio in the house. He flies in the back yard and does great carrier take-offs and landings from the local park picnic benches, and I can fly him a couple hundred feet away AND fly him back without having to walk to retrieve him. Hovers pretty good in a stiff wind too. I have the PZ UM P-51 for when I get a little braver and get back to the park. You can't beat the price of the CHAMP. I don't know how you can get a radio and plane any cheaper and cheaper even then the bnf planes.....

[Beachcomber]

I recommend the Multiplex EasyStar as a first plane. It did great for me. It's a 3 channel (throttle, elevator, and rudder). I plugged the rudder into the aileron channel of the receiver, so I could fly using right stick, like heli, and like 4 channel planes. Flies slow giving you time to react and think. And no, I'm not associated with the company or dealer.

The hardest and least forgiving thing to learn on RC planes is Landing. One variable to learn is how much throttle the plane needs on approach and landing, which changes depending on wind conditions. The EasyStar removed that variable, because you can land with zero throttle. This thing just floats nicely into the landing approach, and with a little up elevator just before touchdown makes this belly-lander a no brainer in any kind of grass.

Made of Elaptor foam, fairly stiff but also forgiving. Easy to repair using CA and Kicker.

[03svtsnakevert]

I would also recommend the Guanli J3 from nitroplanes.com...inexpensive, brushless and can be repaired often which is evident by ne hitting a utility pole head on...lol

[miket43]

so i bought 2 of the super cubs.. did a brushless conversion and added alirons. Love this planes and i am having a blast with it. Also bought the champ and a vapor. Both great little planes and tons of fun. I am looking for a foamy right now. Specifically the
Ms composite citabia.

[marcoeldragon]

How about the UM T-28, got mine Monday and really love it so far. Full 4 channel control, stable but capable of some great stunts, inexpensive in BNF and easy to repair, steerable nose wheel, and easy to remove gear for grass landings. For me it's a great re-trainer from 4 years of helicopter only flight.

[lazor 22]

I say HZ champ would be the easiest but it would get boring so I say get a UM T-28. Or if you have a club, a HZ super cub would probably be the best.

[Beachcomber]

Wonder if Mike is still checking his thread.

Not sure whether a low-wing fighter plane is going to be the best trainer for him.

[lazor 22]

If it flies anything like the UM mustang, I think it would be a great first plane.

[FLAME747]

I just started flying planes about a month ago, Love the Hobby zone Champ, Just be careful when the wind is gusting from various directions. it's a handful.

But if the wind is coming from one general direct, and you point the champ into the wind, and reduce the throttle - it just stays their floating flew it this way this morning for about 15 minutes on a 160 mAh pack - Again very little throttle was used, LVC usually kicks in around 9 minutes of normal flying.

Crashed many times - nothing broken yet.

Just loving it.

FCA

BTW Just finished putting together a PNP stryker - Time for speed

[GlockDoc]

Here is my first plane. After playing with heli's for a couple of years, this was easy!

http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=240860

[miket43]

I Still check the thread. I have 2 cubs and the hz champ. have a blast with them

[Vern]

Review the mini Super Cub with ACT that you can over ride as you get better and it WILL take a beating.

[ElIntocable]

WMParkflyers.com McFoamy! I'm still building mine. Just need to install servos and mount electronics.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/DLE88/McFoamyBeginning.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/DLE88/Truss2.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/DLE88/Truss4.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/DLE88/Truss3.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/DLE88/Truss1.jpg

[xspare]

Nice. :drool:

[Stadanco]

Battle Axe from tenriff RC. Flies a little squirrley but I have about a dozen hard crashes on mine and its still kickin. Get two of them and have a blast taking each other out.

[ElIntocable]

Here she is all done!

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/DLE88/Finished2.jpg

Gotta clean up my wires! :o
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/DLE88/Finished3.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/DLE88/Finished4.jpg

[Mojappa]

Looks nice.