Is this any good for a first timer?

[bullaculla]

http://www.towerhobbies.com/products/hobbico/hcaa12.html
What do you guys think? ANybody fly one of these?
Only $199 :shock: With brushless motor/ESC and futaba 4EXA.
Never flown a plank before, about time I give it a shot. I figure at under $200 it might be worth a try.

[Billybuck]

I think i'm going to get this one to start on this spring now that I have a good field to fly on.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSGY1**&P=0

[Pinecone]

Why not walk over to the plank side of the field and ask? :)

Those are copies of the basic .40 sized trainer used by lots of people to learn. Mostly with an instructor.

Lots of simple foamies that would be better for learning on your own.

[hamslice]

since you can fly helis i would not go for a trainer plank you will get bored fast. i would go with a 3d capable elect first. i flew a plank my first time no prob and it was a 3d plane. being able to fly helis really help.

[gdbontly]

I've been flying fixed wing for many years. Both of these birds are excellent trainers, but I highly recommend you get some help from an instructor before trying to fly one. If you really insist on doing this alone, the Easy Star would be a much better choice http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFXV0&P=ML. This link is for the RTF version, which includes the radio, but you can use your heli radio and get the ARF version for about $70. Of course, you will have to purchase a flight pack.

[istandalone]

come springtime it's the Flyzone Diable for me. ducted fan, nearly indestructable foam frame and cheap upgrades. plus i already have a bunch of lipos that will fit it, so that was a big plus- not having to buy yet another size pack.

[mporlier]

since you can fly helis i would not go for a trainer plank you will get bored fast. i would go with a 3d capable elect first. i flew a plank my first time no prob and it was a 3d plane. being able to fly helis really help.



I agree 100% and I am living proof. Just today I flew my Greatplanes Extra 300s for the first time and solo. It went perfectly. I have done coutless hours on the sim. I was scared of the landing but I had a coach helping me.

My first flight was ovals only and 10 low passes leading to my first landing.

Many told me this plane was to hard for me to fly. It is a .60 with a .91 engine. Well my sim time paid off. It was perfect.

I do take it slow. No aerobatics for now, simple circuits and lots of landing! I regret nothing.

Marc

[Airboss]

http://www.towerhobbies.com/products/hobbico/hcaa12.html
What do you guys think? ANybody fly one of these?
Only $199 :shock: With brushless motor/ESC and futaba 4EXA.
Never flown a plank before, about time I give it a shot. I figure at under $200 it might be worth a try.

excellent choice, good aileron trainer. it wont be long and you will be 3D ing a plank. enjoy and good flying.

[bullaculla]

Thanks for the replies guys. Its so cheap that it just caught my eye. I'll probably go with some type of plug and play since I already have a good radio with 40 model memory :shock:
Also, I have a few AR6100 rxs laying around. I do take breaks on the sim and fly a plank once in awhile. Very relaxing. I'm sure on my first plank flight, I will be able to take off and fly around no problem. Landing is another story, and I assume its not as easy as those plank guys on the other side of the field make it look :)
Thanks again, and i'll let you guys know what I end up with.

[Airboss]

that is true, landing is much harder than the take off. start practicing on the sim with a 10mph wind blowing across runway. then try to harrier the plane by holding up elevator to keep nose up during approach. the larger 3D panes fly best.my favorite is the yak54 3D gasser.