Newbie Plane selection and other questions

[New Pilot]

Hi,

I'm pretty new to RC planes. I have an Easy Star that I have never crashed and a Freedom Flyer which has met the ground many times. (It was my first plane)

I'm interested in this plane (Megatech Capital Flyer Nitro)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&P=IA&I=LXEZF8
I like the changable wing Dihedral and the 3 inch wheels for grass t/o and landings.

Does this seem like an appropriate aileron trainer ?

Also, I have a Flash 5sx with a 555 reciever and I wonder if I can run standard size servos with it or do I need a full size reciever ?

I did a search in this area for this plane and came up no results, If I missed something I'm sorry just point me to and I will read it. This is my first posting, so I'm new to this too.

Thanks in advance.

Hopefull Pilot/AMA Memebr since last week :)

[ivanc]

If you have flown the Easy Star successfully then t you do not need another high wing trainer. You can move to a low wing plane like the 4* or CG Tiger.
The 555 receiver is a "full size receiver", limited (by the number of the connectors only) to 5 channels. And in fact ANY receiver can drive ANY servo. When digital/high torque servos are used a separate thicker cord for powering them is used but this has nothing to do with the receiver - the reason is that their current requirements (from the battery pack/s) are too high so thicker power wires are needed.

[DaveSawers]

There is a significant change in technique between a rudder only model and one with ailerons. I would strongly suggest an aileron trainer such as the Capital Flyer, particularly if you do most of your learning without the benefit of an instructor.

There are many aileron trainers of this type and probably little to choose between them.

You are fine using the 555 with full size servos, but why do you want big servos? If you already have them, then fine, otherwise smaller servos are lighter and just as powerful, if sometimes a little more expensive.

Hitec servos are high quality and reasonably priced.

[ivanc]

Oops, I was thinking about GP's Easy Sport reading the Easy Star :o. Dave is right - go with a high wing trainer. I would recommend you the Avistar (because it's VERY popular, so you'll get a lot of advice when you need it) but the Capital Flyer would do the job too.

[New Pilot]

Sorry, I don't know if there are more than one type of 555, Mine is a micro 555 that came with HS-81 servos. The plane requirements says standard servos. Which when I researched was maybe a HS-322 ? If the HS-81 can handle it I might use them, but with a steerable nose wheel I don't feel the HS-81 could be used for the rudder.

I have a little aileron experience, flying the plane is a non issue. I also have a E-Flite Tribute 3D that I can fly (although it is very hard, 3D is not for begginers) The landing part is my big problem, the Freedom Flyers wheels were too small for grass (would flip no matter how well it came in) and the Easy Star lands itself so I don't learn much with it.

Looking for something I can land in grass and get to where I feel like I can bring a mid wing plane home safely.

As I have seen in someones signature here, take off is optional but landing is mandatory. So learning the landing seems important, because I like to take off ;)

[DaveSawers]

Steerable nose wheels are a waste of effort, particularly on grass. Doesn't matter what size servo you put on there, it will surely break. Fix the nosewheel in the straight ahead position and use the rudder for steering on the ground. It's just as effective and simpler too.

[ivanc]

The 81s are too fragile for a .40 plane. What Dave meant by smaller than standard servos are the 85MGs or the 225s but they are more expensive. 322, 325, 422, 425 are all standard servos which I used for a while. I started using GWS Park HPX (more torque than a standard servo, don't be tamed by "park" in the name - they are not for park fliers) - $14.84 at my LHS and GWS Micro 2BB MG ("huge" torque - 75oz.@4.8V) - $19.25.

[fhhuber506771]

well.. the only way you can use the 81's in that plane is... one servo each aileron and one for the throttle... then buy 2 'standard" sevos for the rudder and elevator.

the 81's torque is more than half that of a standard S-3003 (Tower TS-53 is the same servo)... so that would work (saving you from needing 2 servos) But the installation modification would be... interresting for a beginner. (I could do it... but I'm not going to be at your house.)

See the threads about space needed (search on my username and you'll find them) to see how much room that airplane will need. Its a LOT more than your previous park flyer.

The airplane itself looks good from the specifications... its a slightly larger than average .40 size trainer. Being larger.. it should be able to fly a little slower and be able to be visible at a longer distance giving you a better shot at success than say.. a Tower Trainer 40.

I can't see anything to say against the airplane... I just have not actually seen one yet. Megatech has a decent rep in the RTF package deal $90 to $150 models....

[New Pilot]

The Radio set I bought comes with a 270mah RX battery, with my electric plane I didn't need a RX battery. But with Glow I will need a RX battery, can someone recommend a size or mah for running 4 standard servos. The 270 seem barely adequate for the HS-81's I would like the battery to last maybe 2-3 hours so It's not something I'll be waiting to charge to fly. Oh and should I go with a 4.8v pack or step up a cell to a 6 volt ?

I'm leaning towards a 4 stroke engine, is there any reason a beginner should use a 2 stroke instead of starting with a 4 stroke ?

[joeygoose]

New Pilot,

The Capitol Flyer seems like a good choice. Mind you I’ve never flown one, but it seems to be getting pretty good reviews. It looks very similar to the Great Planes PT-40, which was my first nitro trainer and real joy to fly.

Other notes…
- Your 555 has adequate range and could certainly be reused.
- As a few of people have already said, go to standard sized servos. .40 sized planes require a bit more torque than those 81s can put out.
- You’ll be fine with a 2 or a 4 stroke – you probably know the pros and cons of each. If you’re on the fence, I’d probably recommend a 2-stroke simply because they’re less expensive and have fewer moving parts.
- For 4 standard servos you should be looking at a 4.8v pack somewhere between 600 and 2000 mah. 1200 mah nimh (aa sized) would probably give you the performance you’re looking for.

Good luck,

Goose