Beginner confused about what plane

[codys]

Hello all

I have wanted to get into this great hooby for some time and now i am going to take the plunge but damn am i confused about which plane to got for.

I have been told by a few people that the Hobbyzoe Super Cub LP will be one of if not the best one ot start with.

Ok here is where i an confused, the Super Cud LP is a 3 channel plane right with no alerones (spelling) where as most other planes it will go for in the future with be 4 channel with alerons.

So learning on a 3 channel plane that uses the rudder to turn and not the alerons like on 4 channels meodels, will i have to learnall over again once i upgrade planes?

am i better starting off with a 4 channel unit?

What are the suggestions interms of planes to start off with?

Sorry for the noob questions but its driving me nuts

[firemanbill]

The Super Cub is an awesome plane to start with. That and a Sim and you'll be up in no time.

If you want to start out with a 4 channel you can do that too but I would highly encourage you get with an experienced flyer that can train you how to fly. There is a lot more difficulty involved and it'll be expensive if you don't get help.

Either way it's a good idea to get help, but especially with a 4 channel trainer.

And Welcome to Wattflyer!

[skyman]

Yep, first before you buy a plane, get a sim. You can start on a 4ch, but it would be very difficult. You would more than likely total it in the first 30 seconds of your first flight. Hobbyzone champs, super cubs, skyfly 1s and 2s are all good planes to start on.

[buzzbomber]

Originally Posted by glenncol

Hello all

...So learning on a 3 channel plane that uses the rudder to turn and not the alerons like on 4 channels meodels, will i have to learnall over again once i upgrade planes?...

To address this point: No. As long as you switch to 4 channels with an appropriate (read: docile) plane, you will not have to learn all over. The control inputs are the same with the exception of coordinating the turn by adding rudder. Either way, your primary turning functions are controlled by the right stick.

[codys]

Wow guys thank you for the warm welcome

Thank you for the great advice each of you, as usual i am trying to do the quater mile sprinting before i can walk, I will stick with the cub but will also look at the skyfky planes as well and as suggested get a sim to practice on.

Where i want to get to is a EDF Jet that goes as fast as possible, but i love watching the dog fighting and would be great to get into that sometime soon

Thanks heaps again

[flydiver]

Originally Posted by glenncol

Where i want to get to is a EDF Jet that goes as fast as possible, but i love watching the dog fighting and would be great to get into that sometime soon

EDF jets are an exceedingly common, expensive, and frustrating way to start the sport. Think maybe as your 3rd or better 4th plane unless you practice a LOT, and progress rapidly.

[Monterey10]

As a new person, I was attracted to large planes, but, since learned that you need a lot of space to fly said large plane.

Some of my friends, who are very good at flying were flying 21" wingspan planes, just because we have smaller parks in our area. You don't have to drive so far. Also, the batteries are cheaper. Just avoid windy days.

Regarding the actual plane, If you have grass fields, you're looking at belly landing on the grass. High wing planes with some dihedral will fly steady.

[Angler-Hi]

As recommended, the HZ Super Cub is a good beginner plane with an excellent track record. I would invest in a sim and start practicing, at least a bit before heading to the field. The two biggest obstacles for beginners are, orientation (as the plane's coming towards you) and landing. Some folks learn on a 3ch bird and some start out with a 4ch.

The great thing about the Super Cub is that when you're confident with flying her on 3ch, you can modify the wing to allow for a 4ch plane, by adding ailerons. If you crash or have a few hard landings, just keep at it. You've chosen a great place to get advice. The pilots here have a combined, world of knowledge. If you have any other questions, don't be a stranger. We're all here to help...it's how we all started. Welcome to Wattflyer friend, and good winds.

Mike

[NJSwede]

FWIW, from beginner to beginner: I had more luck with The Champ than the Super Cub. The Champ needs a much smaller field, doesn't fly away from you as quickly, is almost $100 cheaper (US prices), has a more modern radio, allows radio upgrade to full size tx...

Then again, I just got into the Hobby, and I'm probably biased by the fact that The Champ gave my first 100% successful flying experience.

[xmech2k]

I think the dividing line between 3 or 4 channel for trainer is the students prior knowledge and possible experience with aviation.

The big difference between the 3 or 4 ch, of course, is with 3 ch the plane should be designed to be self-righting, in regards to the bank angle, probably more so than a 4 channel. The pilot in this case, is steering with the rudder, more like driving a car or riding a bike. The plane's design works to keep the wings level.

With 4 ch, the pilot controls the banking of course. For someone familiar with how full scale (I didn't say 'real'! ) aircraft fly, like if they've used flight sims like Microsoft FS, or X-Plane, it will be familiar to them, and more 'natural'.

Having been flight-simming for many years before picking up the RC hobby, I could not imagine going with a 3 channel setup. As a matter of fact, I have a hard time making myself steer with the left stick on my RC sim when I try a 3 ch plane. I know, you could set the rudder to the right stick, but losing the aileron control is a different experience.

Be aware that when I refer to flight-sim experience, that doesn't include many video game's versions of how planes fly or are controlled. My son has his XBox360, and I found that the default way many gameswork the character's view, the vertical control (Look up/down) is backwards to how aircraft controls work. So you push the stick forward, you look up, pull the stick, you look down. So teaching my son to fly is a bit extra challenging...

Also, the way many games have you control the planes can be creative in all sorts of ways, so for people with this kind of simulated flying experience, the rc learning process can be worse than starting from scratch, as they have to unlearn the wrong things they've already learned.

Well, sorry to ramble. Just waiting for the rest of the family to get up this Xmas morning, so I have some time to kill. (Man, I wish I could sleep so good.)

[FlyingMonkey]

I like the HobbyZone Champ as well.

I've had a bit of luck introducing new people to flying, with this little plane.

[stevecooper]

Originally Posted by FlyingMonkey

I like the HobbyZone Champ as well.

I've had a bit of luck introducing new people to flying, with this little plane.

I really liked your Champ, That thing rocks, bubsteve

[Angela]

Hi, sorry to post to this thread, im new on here and dont know how to work this site - im also new to rc helicopters, got one for my daughter, its just the fxd 3.5 channel helicopter - its just a name to me but hopefully someone on here will know it. Anyway the helicopter needed charging, was working absolutely fine apart from the battery going, anyway ive charged it and now it wont lift in the air, everything else its working fine and the blades are rotating....im puzzled cause like i said it worked fine before it needed charging. Does anyone have any ideas of whats wrong and how i fix it? my daughter loves it and the shop have none left. Thanks

[stevecooper]

Were a bit of a loose group here and not to worry,
On the web site I saw It takes 150 mins to charge, does your's have a separate charger on does it charge from the tranmitter?, hope this is the one you have , if not I'll find it, bubsteve
PS Welcome to wattflyer!

[Angela]

thanks for replying, no its not the one, its just the small one - A68673 ? its times like this I need a man here to help me lol.....sorry forgot to mention it charges from both the remote and/or the computer

[foamjetpilot]

Gotta love those Rough Green Snakes...do they get airsick bubsteve?

[Angela]

im getting confused on this site - dont know whos replying to what post

[FlyingMonkey]

Originally Posted by Angela

im getting confused on this site - dont know whos replying to what post

The best way, is if the person responding, quotes the person they're talking to.

[FlyingMonkey]

Originally Posted by Angela

thanks for replying, no its not the one, its just the small one - A68673 ? its times like this I need a man here to help me lol.....sorry forgot to mention it charges from both the remote and/or the computer

One of these?

http://www.chinatopwin.com/kp-fxd-3-...nel-31611.html

[stevecooper]

Originally Posted by foamjetpilot

Gotta love those Rough Green Snakes...do they get airsick bubsteve?

CG on um's a Crap-shoot!!
sorry bout the wrong chopper but thats Google for ya,
are you useing rechargeable batt's?? they are 1.2 V and you need the alkaline type thats 1.5V to charge it,, I' had that prob before and this worked. i'd try the computer charge to see, bubsteve

bubsteve

[Flubber]

Hi Angela.

I fly alot of small lower priced stuff. Maybe I can help. Most of my planes that charge from the transmitter (radio) have a switch on the craft that needs to be moved to a certain position to charge. One plane had three positions off, on and charge. If the battery is not getting charged it will not take off. Please check that and let us know if it is something else we are missing.

Terry

[Flubber]

Glenncol

Just stop thinking and start flying. Three channels or four makes no difference once your brain thinks in the correct pattern. To get to that joyous place, you must fly alot. Planes go up and down, right and left. The controls do not matter and the three channel trainers are an awesome place to start. I do not own a super cub, but I have flown at least a dozen. I can get it up three mistakes high and give the controller to a beginner without a lot of worry. If they mess up, the plane usually rights itself before they can get the controller to me, My first choice would be the mini mag from multiplex you can add ailerons and it flys so well.
Terry

Terry

[Angela]

Thanks Terry, it just has 2 switches - on and charge, think i'll just have to buy another because I dont have the receipt, got it a few months ago to put away for xmas.

[Angler-Hi]

Originally Posted by Angela

Thanks Terry, it just has 2 switches - on and charge, think i'll just have to buy another because I dont have the receipt, got it a few months ago to put away for xmas.

Hi Angela and welcome to Wattflyer. Can you post a picture of your heli and the remote? Alot of time a picture can be very helpful.

Mike

[Angler-Hi]

Originally Posted by xmech2k

I think the dividing line between 3 or 4 channel for trainer is the students prior knowledge and possible experience with aviation.

The big difference between the 3 or 4 ch, of course, is with 3 ch the plane should be designed to be self-righting, in regards to the bank angle, probably more so than a 4 channel. The pilot in this case, is steering with the rudder, more like driving a car or riding a bike. The plane's design works to keep the wings level.

With 4 ch, the pilot controls the banking of course. For someone familiar with how full scale (I didn't say 'real'! ) aircraft fly, like if they've used flight sims like Microsoft FS, or X-Plane, it will be familiar to them, and more 'natural'.

Having been flight-simming for many years before picking up the RC hobby, I could not imagine going with a 3 channel setup. As a matter of fact, I have a hard time making myself steer with the left stick on my RC sim when I try a 3 ch plane. I know, you could set the rudder to the right stick, but losing the aileron control is a different experience.

Be aware that when I refer to flight-sim experience, that doesn't include many video game's versions of how planes fly or are controlled. My son has his XBox360, and I found that the default way many gameswork the character's view, the vertical control (Look up/down) is backwards to how aircraft controls work. So you push the stick forward, you look up, pull the stick, you look down. So teaching my son to fly is a bit extra challenging...

Also, the way many games have you control the planes can be creative in all sorts of ways, so for people with this kind of simulated flying experience, the rc learning process can be worse than starting from scratch, as they have to unlearn the wrong things they've already learned.

Well, sorry to ramble. Just waiting for the rest of the family to get up this Xmas morning, so I have some time to kill. (Man, I wish I could sleep so good.)

I couldn't agree more!! I actually started out on a 4ch plane with no experience what so ever. I bought a 4ch plane while waiting for my Super Cub to come in the mail, lol. Flying the SC after flying my 4ch was so weird...but I enjoyed the SC with very relaxed flights. I also had a buddy of mine with me when I flew for the 1st time as well, lol...he's a great pilot. But yes, I totally agree with your post friend. That's why I commented on how some folks start with a 3ch and some with a 4ch.