First Plane Suggestions

[seaneparker]

Hello -
I'm a complete RC novice (though not a balsa plane novice, but I have not yet purchased my first RC plane)
In the end, I'm interested in prusuing endurance autonomous UAV prototyping (though definitely not with the first plane I get).

So I'd like to start with a plane that's:

1) electric;
2) more like a glider than a scale model, i.e. slow moving, large prop;
3) a model that might be good to start learning on, yet also has some of "extra capacity" for wieght/modifications, as my experience with the plane grows. IOW: as I work with the plane and learn how to fly it, I'd like to gradually modify/experiment with it to see how it behaves with more weight, etc.;
4) made of traditional balsa/ply construction rather than foam, for example.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks and God Bless
Sean

[Tim Wolff]

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/srtele-arf.htm

[flyingrally]

Given it is more plane than glider this one should do everything you want and is pretty open to upgrades as you get moe confident. Hobby Zone Super Cub. Do a search there is heaps of info in here.

[portablevcb]

If this is your first R/C airplane I'd recommend a smaller trainer. They are inexpensive and can be 'dinged' a bunch. If you want to build it, then go to Laser Arts and look at their line of planes, all balsa, foam and balsa or all foam. They even have one model that might work as an experimental platform for what you want, their aerial photography platform (Magpie?).

Once you can fly, then get a plane you can do more with. The investment in the smaller plane will be a pittance compared to what you need for a much larger plane.

FWIW, there are a lot of autonomous UAV's that are not that big. And, with the standardized military control systems prices are coming down fast. Look in the UAV forums.

charlie

[Ercoupe Ed]

Actually the Hobby Lobby Telemaster is a good choice.
Actually, the bigger they are, the better they fly.
You can also experiment with extending the wingspan some, perhaps another foot or two.
This airplane has tremendous lifting capacity, is slow, and flight corrections can be made easily.
I'd recommend a good PC RC flight sim program to train on while you build.

Good luck!

Ed

[staggerwing]

You have this listed in the giant scale forum ----is this what you want/need ?
If not, there are a bunch of $100 or so 2M RTF EP gliders out there ---a small investment for a lot of training.

[boomerace]

One of the Telemasters. I have the 6 foot Electro and 8 foot Sr Telemaster.
boomer

[wrenwright]

Get a Telemaster. I would say the 12' one, but the price is a little high at $350 for the kit....especially if you don't have much experience flying.

[wnppmy]

I love gliders, flew these many years back, back recently into the hobby w/cool electrics, Super Cub is often mentioned as a good starter, far as one to grow I would concentrate on a good trainer and then move on from there..suprise for me was the inexpensive Firebird Phantom at $59, amazing little guy, will give some clues of thermals as well as the SC, had both nearly out of site, Phantom abit more zippy but still a trainer, fragile boom area, read the threads, Phantom was my second electric and love it as flys in small open areas when you become abit accomplished, just flew it this AM for near 8 to 10 minutes before work, winds easily 5 MPH and smoothed out, landed in the narrow street, like this one....

Telemaster, haven't had this one but witnessed them fly, nice trainer, very large and fly nice and slow, beauty, can't beat them...<>.. note the Super Cub flys nice and slow reason for its suggested as a trainer, and SC is tuff, takes loads of abuse...

Good luck BEST

[wnppmy]

Can't beat a Telemaster, witnessed them fly, nice size, beauty, Super Cup has slow characteristics, and will come up often, have one takes loads of abuse, will thermal for you easily, suprise tho reall not a first plane is the Firebird Phantom, $59, unbeatable price, now as had practice on the SC, fly Phantom in smaller areas, just landed it in the street moments ago, is fragile on the boom, read threads...Super Cub will take loads of abuse and keep flying...

I'll also suggest the Telemaster, SC less prise, I would simply select a good trainer and then move on to another one to you liking, don't try to get it all in one basket...

[marketsage]

I would suggest getting into some R/C club - and talking with an instructor. Without an instructor you'd probably crash on your first flight attempt - regardless of the plane. Do this before you even buy and build the plane.

Now if you have lots of simulator experience, you can learn to fly on your own with some slow electric parkflyer in a very large field away from people, trees and buildings. The light wing loading on a parkflyer will stand up to abuse and hard landings better than a balsa-built up plane.

[AmpAce]

The Telemasters are great airplanes. I have a Senior ARF, which I use as a aerial photo platform, among other uses, and it is easy to fly and will pack a large load.

I've seen the ARF on sale at Hobby Lobby for around $130. and at that price, it's a super deal.

I have to agree with Charlie, (Portablevcb), though, in that since you are just starting out in R/C, you are very likely to demolish your first plane, no matter how well it flies, especially if it is made of balsa.

I haven't flown the Hobby Zone Super Cub, but have seen them fly. They fly well, though I don't think they would pack much of a load compared to the Telemasters, but of course they are a much smaller plane. I think that for a first trainer they would be fine, since they take so much punishment and keep on flying, but they are foam.

GWS also makes some foam models that fly very well. I learned on the Pico Tiger Moth, and for me it was just about perfect. It looks like a real plane in the air, flies very slowly, and with great stability. Being a biplane, it's a little more fragile than some, but mine still survives, although somewhat warped, and very heavy with glue from all the repairs. Another great GWS trainer is the Slow Stick, which flies very slowly, will thermal, and will pack quite a load for it's size.

I really think that you would be better off learning on a simple to fly foamie, that is relatively cheap, because of the likelihood that it will be damaged during the learning process. After that one of the Telemasters would be a great second plane.

AmpAce

[akron]

Hello -
I'm interested in prusuing endurance autonomous UAV prototyping
Thanks and God Bless
Sean

If this is your goal, please join a local flying group, and know what the laws are. You will need insurance.
People might get worried when there's autonomous hobby UAVs flying around.

And while you're doing that, get a Hobbyzone Super Cub to crash with, and a Hobbyzone Micro Cessna to scoot around the trees in your yard, and local park. Those are an absolute blast when there's lots of stuff to fly around/in/through.

-Andy

[Peteohms]

Sean,

Though it does not meet all of your specs. I recommend you look at the Easy star. It is tough and is glider like. It is most likely to survive your learning curve. It certainly can be used for video and photos.

It is the trainer of choice at our field.

Pete

[Tim Wolff]

I don't know why this escaped me the first time I read the inital post??

In the end, I'm interested in prusuing endurance autonomous UAV prototyping
Sean



Then join the Military...seriously. No RC club in its right mind is going to allow anything like this at their field.

[staggerwing]

So with all of these nice replys to Mr Parker's one & only post, where is he ?
Maybe he was prusuing an endurance autononmus reply contest.

[boomerace]

So with all of these nice replys to Mr Parker's one & only post, where is he ?
Maybe he was prusuing an endurance autononmus reply contest.
Well he only posted once and maybe just didn't like our advice so he left for good! :rolleyes: :eek: :D
boomer