Is this a good trainer plane? CG Freedom 20

[Crim]

Was looking at the Goldberg Freedom 20 Kit, and was wondering if this was a good trainer for a newbie?

Thanks for the input!

Steven

[fhhuber506771]

If you mean http://www.carlgoldbergproducts.com/freedom20.htm then yes its a trainer. its a little closer to stand-off scale for a Cessna thn a lot of other trainers the same size.. but it should do fine.

I have not seen one of these kits... (fairly new on the market.) But Goldberg kits are typically pretty good.

[ivanc]

It looks nice.

My primary concern will be the environment you live in. Here in Midwest USA most of the time is quite windy for smaller than 40-size trainers.

Another downside of the smaller size plane is that you'll have to fly it closer in order not to lose orientation. Flying closer means also lower, so a new pilot has less time to react. The most critical time with smaller trainers is landing approach - a new pilot needs longer final approach in order to have the time and ability to adjust the speed and descend of the plane. Longer landing approach also means making the turns to base and final farther from the pilot. A smaller trainer is harder to visualize and figure out the actual speed of the plane and as such is easier to stall in the turns. The turns are also at lower altitude so there might not be enough time to recover from such a stall.

[Viper Pilot]

Ah yes, that evil wind!!

But, as ivan said, wind and small planes do not mix well. Makes the learning curve all whacked.

Stick with a 40 or larger, and you'll be flying 90% of the season!!!

VP

[orenda635]

Yes, a 40 size is way better for training. It handles wind better and it's easier to see. If you like CG models, this is what you need.
http://www.carlgoldbergproducts.com/eagle2arf.htm

[BuzzBomber]

Yes, a 40 size is way better for training. It handles wind better and it's easier to see. If you like CG models, this is what you need.
http://www.carlgoldbergproducts.com/eagle2arf.htm

I'm not saying that view is wrong, but I just don't buy it. I have owned and flown a Mini Telemaster(45" span), a Telemaster 40(78" span), and a Sig Kadet LT-25(63" span). Out of the three, the Mini Telemaster is able to handle the most wind, even without benefit of ailerons(the wing has a pretty hich aspect ratio, so I think that helps), the LT-25 is second(I still fly that in wind that grounds most people, but I have to fight with it the whole time), and the Telemaster 40, along with my father's Kadet LT-40, are pretty much grounded when it's blowing above 8-10, because they're such floaters. Go figure. Plus, if you pick a sensible color scheme, it's not much harder to orient a 55" span plane in the sky than a 65" wing. The "40-size is better" dogma is accepted mainly because that's what people are familiar with, IMO. I think the Freedom 20 is not far off being an updated Eaglet with better decals, and should be a fine trainer. It'll also cost a bit less to get going than a typical .40 trainer(less $ for engine, uses less fuel, cheap standard servos, etc.) Of course, my viepoint may be skewed because our field is surrounded by trees and thus dicates that smaller models are easier to get in and out of 'the patch' ;) .