Ok, We'll start this off with saying, I do have Heli experience, and a a lot of surface RC experience. I also catch on pretty quick :p

I want to dabble in other modes of flight, only electric though.

What would be a good first airframe for myself?

I keep eyeballing the 3d foamies, as they look like a slower more heli like.

I seem to do okay with them in the simulators, until it comes time to land :freak:

I would like a RTF. that way I don,t have to mess with my heli gear.

Almost forgot, I will have to be learning all by my lonesome :cry:

Any suggestions?


Thanks, Jim

You might get by with a 3d foamy if you set it up with very small amounts of throw in the control surfaces. But it won't self correct its flight if you get in trouble. I scratch built a Piper Cub foamy out of depron sheet and carbon fiber reinforcing for my daughter who is 11 years old. She and my 6 year old son have no problems flying it once it gets a little altitude. It will fly at about the speed of a fast walk and all you have to do is let go of the sticks and it will correct itself into level flight. I imagine the Greatplanes Flat Outs Cub would fly much the same way, its's a litte heavier and the foam is more brittle than the depron I used but it is easy to repair with foam safe CA.

Glad to hear somebody else thinks it's possible.

My 2 LHS's think I'm nuts, and one even refused to sell me a foamie insisting I start with a gas trainer, and then didn't want to sell that to me because I'd be teaching myself.

So in theory I could snatch the bird right out of the air by hand if I was in trouble?

have you seen the little plastic and carbon fiber 3d planes? they don't look like much but seem to be pretty indestructable in the videos.
I think they call them slowflyers.

I'm wondering if I can adjust the throws enough on one of them, it should be just a matter of changing positions on the servo horn and setting the EPA right?

Thanks.


Jim

Boeing 737, sit in first class!!!!:thumbsup:


Ha Ha, Us car guys can't resist.


Good luck with your purchase, the guys on hobbytalk are always a ton of help.

Lester

Actually go to Rcgroups.com, Theres ALOT of great guys and an actual beginners section :), I would reccomend a Parkzone Cub :), or the Parkzone Typhoon 1 or 2 (much more 3D than the cub, but harder to fly)
Seeya,
Mike

I started out on an Aerobird 3. Its a pretty decent plane for the money and can take quite a beating. I now moved up to a Stryker F-27C and think it was too big of an jump. You are smart not to start with a 3D foam, they are real touchy to stick movement but can take alot of beating. The Aerobird 3 is definatly worth looking at.

I am thinking the same kind of thing. I am trying to figure out the best starter plane. I like the idea of the foam planes it sounds like they are easy to fix and hold up pretty well. I don't want any part of gas. I have had a few gas trucks and I really hate gas now. I don't think I will ever get another gas RC but thats me, I know a lot of people that do fine with gas.

I was thinking about the Multiplex Easy Star

Airplane nitro engines are on a differnet level compared to buggy or truck engines. They do not have the rpm's as a buggy engine there for do not wear out that easy. Once you tune them they are set and forget for the most part. I probally had 12 gallons of fuel through my trainer plane and had no problems with engine, now can you say that for a buggy engine?
Electric planes are real funny in the wind. You will need a very calm place to fly. Any of the great planes flat outs would be good but you would have to turn your travel way down to learn on. Also you would have to buy all the equipment to go with the plane.

The Multiplex easystar is a great 1st plane. The elapor(sp) foam is very durable and the plane flies great. As with any airplane there are various was to improve performance. RCGroups.com has a very large thread on the easystar and I suggest you check it out. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=793787 This is not a 3D airplane but will do plenty of acrobatics with the right modifications.
I taught myself to fly with this plane and I will always have one. Its a great Hawk chaser and mines been attacked on more than one occasion! As a matter of fact I bought another one last year for my sons first plane. The stock brushed motor and NiMh batters are fine. When you upgrade (don't be in a hurry to do so) a brushless motor and lipos are the way to go.
If you have any more questions just let me know and I'll do my best to help out.

I have a suggestion. I have flown well over 20 years and for electric flying I highly recommend a wing. Hobby Lobby sales these for $ 19.95 I have to say this is one plane that is a lot of fun for the money. I have seen these wings hit the ground at 90mph and come out with no damage. Servos are the only thing that was damaged. The wing can fly very slow or if you like put a hot rod on it and hit 100mph with no problem. And best of all its cheap. If you can fly Heli. You should be ok on a wing. Just turn the rates down on the servos until you have the hang of it.

David