Set-up for first glow trainer

[M. Michael Meyer]

My son and I are beginning to scout out what we want in our first glow trainer. Here is what we are looking at right now:

1. Sig LT40 Plane
2. OS .40 FX Engine
3. JR 8103 Transmitter

First, any comments on this?

Second, any recommendations for a receiver and servos?

[orenda635]

That's a good setup. Try upgrading the engine to an OS 46AX

Couple of options for the Radio. You could try a JR flight pack. Lower cost JR compatable Hitec flightpacks are good too. A four channel Hitec pack will run you $74 US. 4ch JR packs will run you $115. Neither come with batteries. They vary in price. You'll need a 4 cell battery. The shop will tell you what to get. You'll also need a crystal for the receiver to match the transmitter. The shop will tell you what to get there too.

[LESSOR2]

Yes, go with a 46. :)

[Dead Beat]

all 3 are good OS! makes avery nice engine . i like the sog planes i have had a few and they good flyers as fo the JR I have had my 8103 for about 5 or 6 years now very nice radio

[BMatthews]

Just buy any brand name radio system with recievers and servos as a package. Pay the extra to get the nicads with the system and 4 servos all at once. If you stick with the big names theres no such thing as a bad radio these days.

[kiswa]

I'm getting a 'package deal' that includes the transmitter, receiver, batteries, charger, and four servos. The package deal is less than what I would have to spend on the parts individually. If you can find a deal on something like that online, I would recommend going that route for the electronics.

The plane sounds good, and I would also say to go with a .46 engine size.

Have fun!

[Mendnwngs]

Ill second a TX / RX package..

There is one packasge that I feel is a wonderful deal. Futaba 6EXA package.. comes with a futaba 6 chan computer radio (Nice entry level comp radio IMHO) 7 Chan RX, 4 Bearing s3004 servos, battery, extension cable, switch, and crystals. Whol kit is ~$180 at tower. If you get the kit, your essentially getting a computer radio for $60 as the included flightpack alone costs $120 (without crystals)

I have 2 6EXAs, great radios.. Especially for the pice.

-Jason

[thacherd]

Ill second a TX / RX package..

There is one packasge that I feel is a wonderful deal. Futaba 6EXA package.. comes with a futaba 6 chan computer radio (Nice entry level comp radio IMHO) 7 Chan RX, 4 Bearing s3004 servos, battery, extension cable, switch, and crystals. Whol kit is ~$180 at tower. If you get the kit, your essentially getting a computer radio for $60 as the included flightpack alone costs $120 (without crystals)

I have 2 6EXAs, great radios.. Especially for the pice.

-Jason

This is the radio I use with my SIG LT-40, and I put a OS .46 AX on it. Great plane, great transmitter, great engine, no complaints!

[Stuart Linfoot]

I'm flying a kadet LT40 with an OS 50 FSR (older engine) and the thing screams, and will just about do unlimited virtical, but still slows down really nice.

when I put the plane together, I had a transmitter, but no flight pack, so I went with the Hitec stuff, it's been flying for well over 3 years now with no problems.

I don't know how the 46 compairs to the 50 I have in mine, but with the 50, for a training plane, I'd say it's almost to much power,

to keep the cost down, I'd think a 40 would work just fine, although I've never flown a kadet with a 40, that's just my observation, and I could be wrong.

[fhhuber506771]

Try an 11X4 APC prop if using the .40 (10X6 is not the only prop you can put on a .40)

Try 11X5 if using a .46.

Run the engine a little rich on the top end and you won't over-rev with the slightly light load on the .46 (YOU won't ever need full throttle while learning to fly it anyway.. but your instructor might hit it to save the thing)

The reason for these prop recommendations is simple.. longer dia and lower pitch = more efficient durring the take-off run. You get off the ground faster, with more tollerance for an accidentally excessively steep climb. You will also be automatically limited some on top speed in dives even at full throttle. You will be able to slow down better for landing.

All of that is good for beginners.

LATER.. you can try for more speed (but won't get much more than those props will give on that airplane anyway)

[Blackhawkckc]

I have a Sig LT-40 I built from kit. Its my first plane and ive been in the hobby for about a year. Its a great plane. But I would strongly recommend the 46 as well. This plane is really about the size of some 60 trainers. I've noticed that older instructions for this plane, mine included, recommended a .30-.40. So when i put it together I put in the 40 thinking that would be plenty. I was wrong. The newer instructions for this plane say to use a 40-46. I'm using a JR 662 radio. Overkill for this, but i plan on staying the hobby for a while and i don't want to have to go buy a nicer radio when I'm done with the trainer.

[P-38J-Lightning]

Im not sure if that radio is computer. but if not you should get one computer. it will save you alot of money in the long run.
Happy Flying,
Kramer

[clipclop]

The 40 size motor with the 11 X 4" prop is the best solution on a trainer , my son learnt on a V Mar challenger 60" trainer powered with an Old OS40H (70's) and found no power problems .
Most people tend to overpower aircraft and dont really learn how to fly the aircraft( they fly the engine instead)
Stewart

[Dengar]

I learned how to fly on a SIG kadet senior powered by a .40 K & B (later replaced it with a .40 OS). I loved that plane and pushed it as far as it could go. You could fly it inverted if you want full up and did not try to turn :)