I want to get into LRFs, but I don't know where to start. A lot of the info I'm finding is out of date (for example, recommending RFFS receivers). Are there any up-to-date guides?

It seems like there are currently two RTF options, the plantraco butterfly and the night vapor. Many of the others I see mentioned seem to have been discontinued. Is that correct?

I'd love to eventually try building one of the <10g mylar planes for really slow flight, but is that reasonable for a beginner? I'm thinking of threads like these:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1156429
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1430068
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2064608

I've never built an R/C plane, but I've designed and built FF hand-launch and catapult-launch planes out of paper (whitewings-style) so I have some grasp of the aerodynamics. I'm struggling to understand all the options in terms of materials and components though. Films vs. mylar vs. tissue, depron vs. balsa, IR vs. radio, it is all a bit much.

Anyone have suggestions on a good starter project? Or even just suggestions on techniques/materials which are on the easier/simpler end?

Search this forum for the "Square 9" plans and "Deltang" receiver. The Butterfly power setup will work fine. You will need a small battery. I would not use the Bahoma magnetic battery setup. It sounds and looks cool, but is a PITA to keep working consistently.

The Square 9 is an easy build and is the right size for the maneuverability you will need for tight spaces. You can get a lower wing loading by going larger, but it can get difficult to make them turn.

The Mini Vapor will also fly in limited space provided you don't start hanging bigger batteries, motors, props etc. on it. Looks like all versions of it are discontinued now. Watch the classifieds and eBay.

I found this website useful for mylar covered carbon fiber frame building techniques :

http://mnewell.rchomepage.com/Techni...echniques.html

For wing/tail feather covering , I have used the ( free ) thin , lightweight produce bags at the grocery store .

Probably the simplest , easiest way to build one is with an all-in-one brick like the one in a Night Vapor . Bricks are available for DSM2/DSMX , Tactic and FlySly/Turnigy radios .

To make a REALLY slow flying plane , MAXIMIZE wing area and MINIMIZE weight ( light wing loading ) .

Look at these threads,

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2536150

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2547392

You need to get a 4mm motor probably with a gearbox, and then a RX about0.4g, should have an ESC, 20mah lipo and an actuator.

Can have foam carbon or wood construction

Mike

For a living room flier, unless you have a rather large room, most brick based planes will fly too fast for a novice pilot (he says he's never built an rc plane and is coming with a background in free flight so i'm assuming hes never flown either)

so going lighter is the way to go. going higher than ten grams starts to get difficult to fly in a small space as you need to either 1, start hanging on the prop 2, start building bigger 3, make lift augmenting devices (which are difficult to trim)

so with that, the simplest option is to get a Deltang receiver, one of the 4ch RTF transmitters, and build something out of thin carbon, or balsa both covered in very thin film.
free flight film like ultrafilm: http://www.indoorspecialties.com/index1.html

some info: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...highlight=derk

Excellent, thank you all for helping narrow it down!

With tx/rx, it seems like there are several systems which are frequently mentioned:

1. DSM2/DSMX
2. Plantraco
3. Various IR systems , like http://indoor-airplane.jugemcart.com/

There seem to be very lightweight versions of all of those, so I'm inclined to go with the DSM stuff because I can get a nice transmitter which can also fly other planes & quads. Am I overlooking some benefit to the plantraco or IR stuff which would edge out DSM?

Originally Posted by derk

For a living room flier, unless you have a rather large room, most brick based planes will fly too fast for a novice pilot (he says he's never built an rc plane and is coming with a background in free flight so i'm assuming hes never flown either)

Good point, I've never flown an rc plane either. I have other flight experience, but I don't know if any of it carries over:

• freeflight gliders (whitewings planes, I design my own plans)
• various flight sims (lots of microsoft flight sim and IL-2)
• Toy R/C helicopters and quads (the $30 kind)
• private pilot

Originally Posted by zovirl

Excellent, thank you all for helping narrow it down!

With tx/rx, it seems like there are several systems which are frequently mentioned:

1. DSM2/DSMX
2. Plantraco
3. Various IR systems , like http://indoor-airplane.jugemcart.com/

There seem to be very lightweight versions of all of those, so I'm inclined to go with the DSM stuff because I can get a nice transmitter which can also fly other planes & quads. Am I overlooking some benefit to the plantraco or IR stuff which would edge out DSM?

I would go with DSM for exactly the reason you stated .

There's nothing wrong with brick based planes . Slow flight is mostly a matter of light wing loading - overall weight RELATIVE to wing area . If you build a VERY lightweight airframe with a LOT of wing area , it will fly slowly . And an under-cambered wing helps .

And for actually learning to fly RC , start in a large , open space ( even outdoors is OK in ZERO wind ) , then work your way up to smaller and smaller spaces until you can fly in your living room .

IR is limited to useless outdoors and flying more than one plane at a time takes some doing. The gear is also not as available, though fun to build if you are so inclined. DSM will give you more flexibility than Plantraco, but otherwise the Plantraco is a proven system.

6 years ago I had Plantraco AND a DX6i ( DSM2 ) , I no longer have the Plantraco but I still have the DX6i . And the Plantraco is ( IMHO ) expensive for what you get .