OT: RC Airplanes
- Thread starter crumbletop
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crumbletop
New member
So I've been to PAC R/C and to Danielle's. Both nice stores. I'm now going to check out flying sites/clubs. Won't be able to get anything going right away, but my son is loving checking all this stuff out. I ordered us a flight simulator, so that should be fun 
mixer911
New member
:lol:.... Lets just say still recovering from a long weekend.. First time i looked at RC (reef central)since Thur.
Crumble, RC Groups is the place to start researching. Next deciede if you wanna do slimer(nitro) or electric. I used to fly nitro years ago, but now the electric revolution has taken over. I personally think I have more fun flying electric. No nitro, glow plugs ect to worry about. Not to mention all you do is push your throttle stick and the motor starts by itself. Then if you really wanna get into it (pun intended) you can fly FPV with a camera mounted on the plane and you wear video gogles.
But to start out just like with a reef tank, do your homework first. There are a lot of crappy planes out there and you wil not be happy if you crash it and your done. On the other hand there are some great manufacturer's out there also that make really tough planes.
Forgot to mention Hobby Lobby they are in Brentwood
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crumbletop
New member
OK -- so because of some of the talk on this thread, I've also started looking into an electric instead of glow (looking at the pros and cons of each). It looks like I can get an e-flite t34 complete setup for about the same as a hanger 9 alpha 40 + flight box. The electric looks like a nice option that would grow with me better than a straight trainer. Any thoughts?
T-34 (http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL4800)
Alpha 40 (http://www.hangar-9.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HAN4400)
Both of these planes are sold locally.
T-34 (http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL4800)
Alpha 40 (http://www.hangar-9.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HAN4400)
Both of these planes are sold locally.
NeveSSL
Got tubes?
I would personally recommend the hi-wing (Alpha 40) as it will be more stable in flight.
I'm personally about to buy a GWS E-Starter. Its a much smaller plane than the one's you're looking at, but is easy to fly and can be had with two li-pos and a brushless motor... which means tons of continuous fun with a good charger for about $150 or less.
However, the Alpha would also be a great start. Once you get the hang of it, you can then move to smaller planes (which are now just as capable as their larger counter parts) and not have to drive so far to fly (hence, parkflyers ).
Man, you've got me jonesing for a plane, Jack. :lol: I actually kept my radio when I sold all of my stuff, so all I need is the plane! Rick told me I can bum his charger.
:lol:
Oh, which reminds me... I highly recommend getting a computer radio if you can. Now its actually hard to not buy one, but just FWIW its well worth.
Brandon
I'm personally about to buy a GWS E-Starter. Its a much smaller plane than the one's you're looking at, but is easy to fly and can be had with two li-pos and a brushless motor... which means tons of continuous fun with a good charger for about $150 or less.
However, the Alpha would also be a great start. Once you get the hang of it, you can then move to smaller planes (which are now just as capable as their larger counter parts) and not have to drive so far to fly (hence, parkflyers
). Man, you've got me jonesing for a plane, Jack. :lol: I actually kept my radio when I sold all of my stuff, so all I need is the plane! Rick told me I can bum his charger.
:lol:Oh, which reminds me... I highly recommend getting a computer radio if you can. Now its actually hard to not buy one, but just FWIW its well worth.
Brandon
crumbletop
New member
You need to get that job first!!!
mixer911
New member
I agree, you will get really bored with a trainer like the Alpha. Not to say you won't have fun with it, but after you learn to fly (which won't take long) you will want something that flys less like a slug. With most electric planes since they are lighter, you can actually learn on a more advanced wing style. This will not limit you to just a trainer. Alot of electric planes are made from foam or a combo of foam and balsa, so crashes usually have little or no damage.
Eflight makes some pretty good stuff, not the best, but pretty good. I have had two of their planes (Mini-Edge 540) and they flew great.
I don't think he will have a 4 stroke on his trainer
, I used to love the sound of a nitro motor also, but electric brushless motors and Lipoly batteries have made me never look back. Now if we are talking 1/4 scale with a radial motor, that is a little different. But for everyday fun flying, electric hands down. Electrics are so powerfull now I litterly do not even need to take off on a runway. I can hand launch a place the size of the 40.
rcmike
Active member
I don't really know about that T-34 but I bet it isn't going to be quite as easy to fly as a trainer. I would really have to fly one though to say for sure. In the videos it looks like it flies pretty good. One disadvantage of electric is that it takes LiPo's an hour to charge. That is pretty fast but with a nitro you can land and just fuel it up and go again. With the electric you will probably want to get more than one battery.
Zach, Yeah, I have a ultimate biplane with a Saito FA 82 on it. Can't beat it.
Zach, Yeah, I have a ultimate biplane with a Saito FA 82 on it. Can't beat it.
mixer911
New member
I agree, the T-34 looks to be a little more advanced and too much for that plane to learn on. If you wanna spend that kinda dough go for a Precision Aerobatics Katana MD.
These are some other fun planes also for beginners. The first one is really easy to fly and you can even do 3D with it. The second is a fun plane to mod with a good brushless motor and almost indestructable.
http://www.atlantahobby.com/shopexd.asp?id=5213
http://www.atlantahobby.com/shopexd.asp?id=6600
These are some other fun planes also for beginners. The first one is really easy to fly and you can even do 3D with it. The second is a fun plane to mod with a good brushless motor and almost indestructable.
http://www.atlantahobby.com/shopexd.asp?id=5213
http://www.atlantahobby.com/shopexd.asp?id=6600
crumbletop
New member
The T34 has some thingies on the wings that make them flat bottomed that make it a "trainer". They can be removed once I "graduate". The price includes the radio, battery, everything. The alpha would cost about the same once you include the flight box and stuff. I'll keep researching
mixer911
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15322557#post15322557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NeveSSL
Dang it, Rick... just had to share those, didn't you?
Brandon
Brandon, That is the tip of the iceberg
This thread has made me open that forum i was trying to avoid..... I am going to either get the PM Katana MD or the Mini. Found a guy on RCgroups with a MD. Only thing with the MD I would need another larger motor and speed controller (I have to many now 
) With the mini I could use one of me existing setups. The main Basics are a Radio, Reciever, servos, plane and motor. Then it varries from there depending on if you go nitro or electric.
For Electric you need:
Motor - I recommend a brushless, brushed motors are not powerful and that is what most think of when they hear electric
Speed Controller - Castle creations Controllers are the best, go to Castle for info on these
Battery - Lithium Polomer or Lipoly is what they are known as. Same batteries used in cell phones.
Radio - This is the controller. I use a Hitec Eclipse 7. it is a computer radio, and you can get them really cheap. They don't use 2.4 ghz, but they use a similar technology QPCM which allows you to select your channel on the radio.
Reciever - This is what goes in the plane and recieves the controller inputs. It tells the servos what to do.
Servos - Devices that move the ailerons, tail, elevator and throttle.
Charger This will depend on the batteries that you are using. If you are using lipoly, get a lipoly charger. NIMH chargers will destroy lipoly batteries! I use an Astro Flight 109, probably the best charger for lipoly batteries.
If anyone wants some good deals on stuff, just like with Reef tank equipment, look at the RCgroups For Sale Forums. I always get great deals there and usually do not have to buy retail. If you are looking for a particular plane or item and it is not listed, just post a wanted post. For example I posted one last night and had 3 responses within a few hours and found a plane I am looking for that is on backorder from retailers. And it is brand new. You will find a lot of hobbyists that have bought too many plane kits and have them laying around and willl want to sell them, and usually cheap.
mixer911
New member
This is my next project.
Check this video out, you will be amazed at what electric can do
http://www.precisionaerobatics.com/video_show.php?iv=Katana MD-FiberFusion introduction.wmv
Check this video out, you will be amazed at what electric can do
http://www.precisionaerobatics.com/video_show.php?iv=Katana MD-FiberFusion introduction.wmv
rcmike
Active member
Oh no doubt electrics are getting much better. The only reason I haven't gotten a large electric heli is the battery price. I have a T Rex 500 I won at Huntsville last year and that battery cost over $100. Here is a video showing what an electric heli can do. http://runryder.tv/helicopter/rrTV-...4fcfac266453146941532fe6168&IP=98.193.252.100
Lipos are a little different than cell phone batteries. Most of them are Lithium Ion. If you try to charge a lipo with a different type of charger or have the charger set wrong it can do much more than mess up the battery. If proper precautions are followed they are pretty safe though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBie8VVpY6g&feature=related
Lipos are a little different than cell phone batteries. Most of them are Lithium Ion. If you try to charge a lipo with a different type of charger or have the charger set wrong it can do much more than mess up the battery. If proper precautions are followed they are pretty safe though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBie8VVpY6g&feature=related
mixer911
New member
That Trex is a Awesome heli..... I would not let a battery stop me from flyin it
Which battery are you looking at? You can get a 3s 2600mah for about $75 and that is a Thunder Power, there are cheaper ones out there. Batttery prices are way down. Brandon can attest to that, he is the one that found some really good prices on some batts. I still perfer Thunder power, they are not that much more. Batteries last me at least 2-3 yrs. Man when I started flyin electric heli's in 03 we had to make our own batteries. Back then they were only Lithum ion, lipoly was just aout to be released. I actually still have some of the ones I built. Lithium Ion batteries have a metal shell, where lipoly have a plastic case.
Trust me I have first hand experience on how dangerious lipoly/Li-ion batteries can be! We used to have to use a modified cell charger to charge them. Before anyone new how dangerous it was we tried a NIMH/Li-ion charger (Original Triton) that said li-ion safe, well I found out the hard way that is was not.... The first lipoly safe charger on the market was the Astro 109 and I still have it. Awesome charger, have not lost one battery to it.
