Discussion Sticky: FAQ/Advice/Help with getting started

[Troy]

On the smaller digital servos, I have found the opposite to be true of speed and torque. The main advantage is the centering and precise movement but even then I still can't feel a whole lot of difference other than my trims seem to stay centered better.

I second Andy's comment on plastic vs. metal gears. Metal gears have to be manufactured with some extra tolerance because of gauling. Nylon will just slip and slide when tight, metal wears and gauls. I don't worry about stripped gears since the cause is usually worse on the airframe....

[Masterpiece]

Originally Posted by defendedbear

How big a difference between digital servo's or analog. Are the digitals worth the extra money. Do they center better, act faster?

From somewhere I read, there is not a lot of difference between anolog and digital servos, if you buy really good brand servos. The torque can be just as good and so can the speed. The digitals just have better holding power because they have more relay responses per second than an anolog servo (or something like that , I don't know the full details or tech talk)

[DigitalFlyer]

Servos are nice but how about some recommendations for planes? I am looking to get into high performance planes and need a good place to start. I've mainly flown parkflyers with batteries sized 1300 - 2100 mah. Whats a good starter high performance plane that will allow me to reuse my batteries? Thanks.

[jsnaphook]

Hi DigitalFlyer. What brand and how big (cell count) are your batteries? That can help determine what airplane can match your reusing batteries criteria. What type of flying do you want to do?

Juan

[flying evader]

I think we need upfront the different type of airframes to fly and characteristics.. Many people want to get in, but don't know the difference between F5D and F5B. They just know they want to go fast... (don't we all....)

[epwierman]

F5B models include planes like the Surprise, Racketenwurm, Avionik, Zoom and many others. SoaringUSA has lots of pictures to see. They have about 6 foot wing spans and big folding props, in the 16 inch range. The motors are used very briefly, like 3 seconds, for quick accelleration, then the plane glides between say 150 to 100 mph.

F5D models include the Jibe, Nemesis, Avioink and many others. Again, SUSA has a ton of pics to see and compare. These models are a lot smaller and use tiny props in the 5 inch range. They fly power on, usually wide open, for about a minute, and attain speeds around 170 to 180.

That's a quick and dirty. Hope it helps. :-)

[epwierman]

Originally Posted by flying evader

I think we need upfront the different type of airframes to fly and characteristics.. Many people want to get in, but don't know the difference between F5D and F5B. They just know they want to go fast... (don't we all....)

Here's a good place to see some "go fast" models of both F5B and F5D varieties.

http://www.neumotors.com/20061222/Welcome.html

[Masterpiece]

Originally Posted by epwierman

That's a quick and dirty. Hope it helps. :-)

"Quick and dirty" ..... just how I like it

[Kenny Sharp]

Originally Posted by gp125racer

OK, Im looking at getting into some performance flight strictly for fun right now.

Ive order my stevens aero adrealine rush that Im going to gear with a gws 3900kv inrunner or a medusa 5300kv inrunner. I consider this platform something in which I can get used to a little more speed than which I am now.

What would you all consider a good entry level plane that allows growth into more speed etc? Ive had my eye on the slipso400 as I love its looks and it seems to perform very well.

Im looking to spend approx $350 including motor, esc, servos, receiver, and plane (kit, arf, etc)

I appreciate any feedback you can provide. Ive been reading the threads for a few days now, its incredible how fast these planes can really move out.

gp125racer

Sorry to say, but with $350, you will not be able to buy even a motor and esc. If,...that is...you want high performance.

That said, my advice is to work your way up from warmliners to hotliners...then F5B.
Buy a Siren and build it strong. Put in a BL480 4D w/4,4:1 gb, and 3s 3200 lipo with a 13x8 prop and fly.

After that, buy a New 1509 1D w/ 6.7:1 gb, a CC125 esc, a 16 in. oversquare prop, and a larger 3s lipo.....then put it in a flapped Ion, www.SoaringUSA.com, or a flapped Caleb, www.nesail.com.

After that, if you still like it, spend some real money and go with a modern F5B airframe. You can keep the same hotliner power train, maybe prop up a little, and put the motor full on all the time, on a spring loaded switch.

After that, move to San Diego and learn how to properly fly the course.

[jsnaphook]

gp125racer,

Look in the for sale/wanted forum for a good used fast airframe. You may find something that will fill your need for speed, maybe RTF even, that's within your price range. But be cautioned that some airframes may be "well experienced". Like you stated, you will be using this as a platform to get use to the speed, so you will crash it... at least once. Good luck with your hunt. There's no turning back once you take the plunge.

Juan

[jsnaphook]

Ion with flaps NIB sold for a hundred dollars U.S. in the for sale forum. What a score! That's what I'm talking about.

Juan

[Ebolavoodoo]

...

[jsnaphook]

I have noticed guys asking for recommendations for fast airplanes. Maybe time for guys to post their list of recommended planes here and reasons why.

If you are looking for a fast airplane, check out the for sale forum here

http://www.rcgroups.com/for-sale-wanted-201/

Juan

[arocholl]

Hi there,

I've been flying a 700W configuration in a ION for 2+ years now, and want to move on to a more powerful configuration.

I am not ready yet to spend 600€+ in a bird, but looking more on a 300-350€ bird to be midway between ION and real competition F5F.

I am ok paying what it really takes for a F5F/F5B motor+ESC, so I can hopefully reuse it later on a real F5F competition bird, say in 2 years timeframe, propelling it up and putting real money in the batteries.

So I am basically looking for advice on what is the best intermediate model I can get for up to 350€, that can accomodate a real motor.

Currently options I see are:

Surprise V: http://shop.modellbau-freudenthaler....uct=RFM%205300

Wilco: http://www.topmodel.fr/product_detail.php?id=12123

RWII Sport: http://www.soaringusa.com/products/p...ategory_id=262

Any other options you would recommend? I am not looking for something like the Ion, I want 1 piece wing Carbon that can resist reasonable abuse.

For this entry level I am looking at no more than 120A, but capable of moving up to 250A in the future. So my motor + ESC combinations options are so far:

NEU-1512-1D6.7/1 http://www.soaringusa.com/products/p...ategory_id=277

Is there any other NEU motor suggested instead? They are all in this price range and not really sure what is the best F5F option for the future.

CastleC ESC 180A: (it may support 200A+ burst, right?) http://www.soaringusa.com/products/p...ategory_id=278

Is Hacker B50 + gear as a good option as a NEU?

Is a MEGA-22-30-1 + gear as a good option as NEU?

Thanks in advance

[arocholl]

No suggestions anyone? Any help really appreciated.