New trainer

[TomBates]

Well guys, I think I found a great plane for a trainer. From what I can find out this is a nice one and my future instructor kind of agrees. I'd like to know if anyone here knows about it or maybe even has one. It's a large scale Cessna 182. Check it our if you will and thanks for any input. http://www.parkflyers.com/html/cessn...rge_scale.html

[Billmanak]

Looks nice, but what part flies off at 20 sec into the video?

[oem flyer]

I think the advertising for this plane is a little misleading. First, a full scale cessna 182 has a wingspan of 36'. At 59" for this model, this would work out to between 1/7 and 1/8 scale not 1/5. The term " large scale" is generally refered to in the modeling world as 1/4 scale or larger. What they may mean is that it is a large (for a parkflyer) scale plane. I would be a little sceptical of the all up weight of 3lbs. Sounds light for a plane of this size. The run time of 14-16min. for a 2200mhr battery also sounds stretched. The kv rating of the motor really tells you nothing of its size, only how many rpms per volt that it will run. That being said, this may well be a very nice plane-I don't have one or know anyone who does. This is just the thoughts I had when I read the ad.

[Nitro Blast]

Tom, for the price, I'd be sending you a different way.
The Easy Star, The Slow Stick, there are other airplanes that are much better suited to learn to fly RC than a full-blown Acro-Cessna that hovers.

It looks like fun (and that was the rudder that snapped off) in flight and was promptly edited out... but dont be fooled by a snazzy ad. Walk into your local hobby shop, and see what is there. Plunk down the same or less cash and walk out the door with a plane and accessories your instructor is comfortable with.

You'll have the support of the LHS (you will need them later) and have a plane you can get parts for LOCALLY.

[phillipmorris]

Do the homework, read the threads...

I've flown a Parkflyer but not that one, mine was an advanced biplane that really wasn't too bad, just to let you know there are perhaps better ones out there for you...

Proven ones are the Super Cub, Slo-Stick, Easy Star, and I've flown all 3 of these, my best ones turned out to be the Super Cub #1, and the Easy Star very nice glider, Slo-Stick was poor with any light breezes and mine failed for me...now this is one pilots experience, best bet is to read the threads on all of these and make your best decision...

Super Cub, later Night Flights
Easy Star Glider, nice long flights

Later on....
Stryker B, not the faster C, flying wing, good aileron intro
Apprentice, larger, nice 4 channel plane
Hanger 9 T34 Mentor, off the charts, Progressive Beginner Settings, Lands like an Airliner, my top plane todate but have low wing experience or an advanced pilot..<>..

Note my maiden on the Mentor I failed to check the prop and my first flight only 25 feet off goes the prop, it turned even downwind, still managed to land with slight nose in to the grass, new immediately this was no ordinary ship, dozens of flights, this puppie lands smooth as silk, no contest, A # 1, trust me my weak link on new planes is the landing !!

[Leo L]

Tom,

Welcome to RC Flying! I would be very reluctant to get that Cessna. In addition to the comments made above, I advise you to check out the reports on ParkFlyers. Their planes look great, but are usually quite fragile and spare parts are difficult, if not impossible, to get. Most of their planes have very poor quality radios and I believe this one would be no exception. Look at their advertising: the difference in cost between an RTF Cessna and one without a transmiter and receiver is $20. How good is a radio system that costs $20? By comparison, look at the planes offered by ParkZone and you will see that the difference in cost between their RTF and PNP planes is about $70. And PZ radios are not top of the line by any means.

All foam is not created equal. The strongest foam is used by Multiplex in the EasyStar, Minimag, etc. Close behind is the Z-foam used by HobbyZone, ParkZone and E-flite. The foam used in the ParkFlyers planes is very fragile and is the same that is used by the "great deal" planes sold all over the internet and on e-bay. Trust me, even with an instructor you will spend more time repairing one of these planes than you will spend flying it.

Consider getting the E-flite Apprentice. It may not look quite as nice as the ParkFlyers' Cessna, but you will have a much better experience in flying it.

[TomBates]

After reading all of the responses it kind of looks like I may revert back to the Apprentice 15e as I stated in another thread. Just too many negative responses on Park Flyer Cessna to be comfortable with. I've had the Apprentice at the top of my list for a while now and I think that's the one that Santa will bring me. Thanks to all of you for replying. This is a good way to get the needed info. to make a decent decision.

[TomBates]

Originally Posted by jonemere

Are you interested in an ARF/Foamie, or do you want to build one? If you are interested in building,t here are several you can look at. From Mountainmodels.com, you could look at the SmoothE Sport, the Dandy Sport or the Switchback Sport. From Stevensaero.com you could look at the Squirt 400 with the aileron wing. All of these fit the parkflyer category.If you want something larger, there are multiple options to pick from.If you could define your needs/desires a little further, i.e build, ARF, Foam, etc. there are a lot of suggestions that can be made.

Thanks for your input jonemere. After much on-line time looking around, and bugging all these guys, thanks guys, and soul searching I finally decided on the Apprentice. It was my Xmas present from my son. Yes, I got to choose it. Now it's sitting in my shop waiting for decent weather so I can maiden it. It's a long ways til spring time here where I'm at.

[Leo L]

Happy New Year Tom.

I think that you'll be very happy with the Apprentice. Its a high quality plane from a good manufacturer. Let us know your experiences once you get to fly it.

[TomBates]

Will do Leo. I'm really looking forward to flying it. So far my only experience is with the Avistar with my instructor and I have a feeling the Apprentice will be similar. Gonna have fun this summer !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ministeve2003]

I'd stay away from anything parkflyers.com has... they have the worst customer service in my book... they sound friendly on the phone.. but will never actually send any replacement parts even if they tell you they will...

SK

[TomBates]

I've pretty much written Park Flyers off Steve after reading one of Leo's posts. It sounds like they don't have too good of a reputation and their quality isn't very good either. In any event, the E-flights Apprentice was my choice.

[ministeve2003]

cool, that one is a bit pricey, but looks pretty good... I've seen 2 of them in person, as long as you have someone helping you, it should be a good choice...

SK

[deepsouth14]

I have an Apprentice, and it is a great plane. I also purchased a Decathlon
from Parkflyers. It was a total waste of money. Underpowered and very
fragile. My advice is to avoid the Cessna like the plague!!!