suggestions for complete kit.

[twistedinfo]

OK, I’m brand new to this hobby, I have an airfield right down the road from where I live so I can get some help with training and a friend of mine just bought Realflight G3, he has a projector so its life like. Now on to my question.
Could someone give me a recommendation on EVERYTHING I should buy to get started? A wish list from tower hobbies or one of the other online suppliers would be great. My email is twistedinfo@yahoo.com.

Thanks people.
Jeff

[ivanc]

I'll start it empty and add up stuff editing it - so watch it as it grows :p.

Hobbico Avistar 40 Select 4-Channel RTF 59" (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMU53**&P=0) - $279.99
Hobbico Ultra-Tote Prebuilt ARH Yellow (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL417&P=0) - $32.99
Hobbico TorqMaster LC 12V 7Amp Battery (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL370&P=M) - $17.99
Tower Hobbies 12 Volt AC Charger (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJC38&P=M) - $10.99
Tower Hobbies Tower Power Deluxe Power Panel (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXACW8&P=M) - $19.99
Tower Hobbies Tower Power Starter 12V Deluxe (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJC35&P=M) - $19.99
Hobbico Banana Plugs (6) (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL362&P=6) - $3.49 - you need 2 to replace the aligator clips of the starter with banana plugs so it will connect to the power panel.
Hobbico 4-Way Wrench w/Plug Storage (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL387&P=M) - $3.99
Great Planes Filling Station Can Fitting Set (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJ811&P=M) - $4.69
Hobbico Recoil Fuel Tubing 5' (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL380&P=M) - $4.49
Great Planes Silicone Fuel Tubing Standard 3' (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK129&P=M) - $2.19
Tower Hobbies Tower Power Glow Plug (equivalent to OS #8) (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJA89&P=M) - $2.99
Tower Hobbies Tower Power Glo-Starter Long w/o Meter (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLN89&P=0) - $14.99
Tower Hobbies Hand-Crank Fuel Pump (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFAW2&P=0) - $9.99
Cool Power Omega Fuel 10% 4 Gallon (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGHC1&P=0) - $49.99+$20.00 - I would recommend you buy it from your LHS instead of from Tower as Tower charges either too much for quarts or additional $20.00 for 4 Gallons.
APC 11x5 Sport Propeller (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX1556&P=0) - $2.79
Ad #010A8 for a $40.00 discount on orders $300+ - if your order is over $400, then place 2 orders - one for $300+ with $40 discount and another one for $100+ for another $10 discount. If over $450 - one for $300+ ($40 disc.) and one for $150+ for $15 discount, and so on.

Get AMA (www.modelaircraft.org) insurance (membership).
Read the manuals before and while assembling the plane :rolleyes:.
Ask questions on everything related to the plane here (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=230).
Get an instructor to help you break-in the engine.
Get an instructor to perform a preflight check and teach you how to di it.
Get an instructor to maiden the plane and trim it in flight.
Get an instructor to teach you fly the plane using a buddy box.
It might be the same instructor for the above :).

[LuckyArmpit]

Or you could go with a Nexstar. Generally runs about $350 and includes everything except for the field box which your gonna need sooner or later anyways. The start up cost is high but, most of this stuff you use for your 2nd plane, 3rd plane etc.
Or, if you know prices/model your gonna get or, find someone that knows rc glow planes etc, get some of your items off of ebay. I just bought (2) 4.8 volt rx batteries that are 2100 mah for $12 and they are new.

Dave...

[ivanc]

The NexStar is a nice trainer too. But my recommendation goes for the Avistar because with its semisymmetrical wing it provides for more aerobatics once being comfortable with landings and take offs. Most of the advanced pilots flying at our field keep an Avistar in their fleet for several reasons - first flights for the season, some fun flying, bomb (washer) dropping and other fun fly contests.

[Mendnwngs]

Love my avistar.

Its also a nice platform for my wireless video cam.

-Jason

[garyinpa]

You suggested the "Tower Hobbies Tower Power Glo-Starter Long w/o Meter." Why the long starter and why not the meter?

[Ozprey]

What about Radio gear? There's been no mention of it, so I might chip in with some suggestions.

1. Futaba Skysport4(or equivalant): http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEFJ4**&P=

OR of you want to go upmarket, I can recomend the Multiplex Cockpit MM :http://www.multiplexusa.com/product_fs.htm

Take whatever Recivier comes with your transmitter, but for a trainer, Futaba S3003 servos are perfectly adequate.

Peter

[tridim]

What about Radio gear? There's been no mention of it, so I might chip in with some suggestions.
1. Futaba Skysport4(or equivalant): http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEFJ4**&P=
I'd recommend against the Skysport. Maybe it was just me, but mine lasted a whole 3 weeks before it became obsolete.. I upgraded to a 7CAP and don't regret it at all. If you have any desire to stick with the hobby through more than one plane, drop the cash on a entry level computer radio right off the bat. It'll save you money, and give you expo, dual rates, 3 more channels, model memory, servo end points and a kill switch all for just a few extra bucks.

[ivanc]

You suggested the "Tower Hobbies Tower Power Glo-Starter Long w/o Meter." Why the long starter and why not the meter?I recommend the Long Glo-starter as its battery sits higher than and away from most props. The meter is another component which might fail and IMO is not worth the price difference. I always keep spare glow plugs. If I'm suspecting the Go-starter I'd connect one of the spare glow plugs to the starter to check it. If I suspect the glow plug in the engine I'll take it out of the engine and connect it to the already tested good glow starter.

[redh]

Go visit the club and see if you can locate an instructor that may help you learn tio fly, then take his suggestions. Both of you will be better for it that way. ENJOY!!!!
Red

[Ozprey]

tridim,
you overran the capabilities of a skysport4 in three weeks? I find that truly amazing. I've had an older Attack4(my only Tx) for 2 years, running 5 planes and have only ever needed one onboard mixer.
I stand by what I said, although I think the cockpit is the best value mid range computer radio on the market(I'm going to start quite a debate with this, I think) if you want to go from the outest with a Computer radio, but I think it's a bit exsesive for a begginer.

Peter

[tridim]

tridim,
you overran the capabilities of a skysport4 in three weeks? I find that truly amazing. I've had an older Attack4(my only Tx) for 2 years, running 5 planes and have only ever needed one onboard mixer.
I stand by what I said, although I think the cockpit is the best value mid range computer radio on the market(I'm going to start quite a debate with this, I think) if you want to go from the outest with a Computer radio, but I think it's a bit exsesive for a begginer.
Peter

Yep, I bought a 5 servo glow plane after 3 weeks of flying my electric Dandy GT. I needed the extra channels, expo and the trim memory. Triple rates are nice too.

[dbruening80]

Just a thought, why not go to the flying field close to your house and see if anyone has a trainer for sale? I'm sure you will find something. My trainer went through 3 owners in about 6 months. 10 years ago this would be difficult as most trainers were demolished rather quickly, now with the popularity of flight sims, trainers seem to last a bit longer and most guys move up in equiptment pretty soon after they've soloed. I'd imagine you could get a used nexstar/avistar ready to fly for around $200-$250.

If you want a new plane, my vote would go for the avistar, a bit more manuverable and still a good trainer.

If slow and easy is your thing, check out a sig senior or sig lt-40, they come in kit form and as ARFs

Personally I would recommend building your first plane from a kit to learn how they go together, are covered, etc, but that is my opinion and to each his own

[Bob E.]

Personally, I wouldn't buy the Futaba 4 channel skysport either. It is $129.99 at Towers. For $20 more, you could at least get the Futaba 6YG Skysport. Then, you have the extra channels, dual rates, and end point adjustment. For $50 more, you could get the Futaba 6EXA, which is an excellent entry-level computer radio.

[Trogdor]

I recommend the Long Glo-starter as its battery sits higher than and away from most props. The meter is another component which might fail and IMO is not worth the price difference. I always keep spare glow plugs. If I'm suspecting the Go-starter I'd connect one of the spare glow plugs to the starter to check it. If I suspect the glow plug in the engine I'll take it out of the engine and connect it to the already tested good glow starter.

I agree with the long glo-starter but respectfully disagree with the meter. When you're new and even later having to mess with pulling out another plug or removing the plug to test the glo starter is annoying and a waste of time. The meter shows you immediately if the plug is dead or has a problem or the battery is low, no guessing, its saved me from farting around with tools or searching the flight box a few times I burned out plugs. Worth all 200 pennies more in my opinion.

[thacherd]

Personally, I wouldn't buy the Futaba 4 channel skysport either. It is $129.99 at Towers. For $20 more, you could at least get the Futaba 6YG Skysport. Then, you have the extra channels, dual rates, and end point adjustment. For $50 more, you could get the Futaba 6EXA, which is an excellent entry-level computer radio.

Go for the Futaba 6EXAS, which is the replacement for the 6EXA... I think it has more features. (It looks like they added a throttle cut switch)
Heres a Link: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?Q=1&I=LXHYK7**&P=GO

[thacherd]

Also, I haven't seen anyone suggest the SIG LT-40 Kadet trainer. This is an excellent plane, and an awesome floater. Might be worth checking out. I love mine. Here's another link: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFG19&P=ML

[Mendnwngs]

It looks on the preview, that the only difference between the 6EXA, and the 6EXAS is model naming. THe older 6EXA has throttle cut (like the 6EXAS) by flipping the trainer switch twice within 1 second.

(edit: And it looks like the new version has adjustable flaperon rates. The older version does not)

The older version has no provision for naming models.

Thats one of the main reasons I upgraded to a different radio, was for model naming.

-Jason

[thacherd]

It looks on the preview, that the only difference between the 6EXA, and the 6EXAS is model naming. THe older 6EXA has throttle cut (like the 6EXAS) by flipping the trainer switch twice within 1 second.

(edit: And it looks like the new version has adjustable flaperon rates. The older version does not)

The older version has no provision for naming models.

Thats one of the main reasons I upgraded to a different radio, was for model naming.

-Jason
Really???? I didn't know the kill switch on the EXA worked through the trainer switch. Guess I must have missed it in the manual. I have to stop reading those things in the middle of the night, and look them over while I am awake... (maybe while at work! HA!) Thanks Jason, These forums still amaze me sometimes!