Need second opinion on my LHS suggestions

[GorillaSkull]

I have a DX6i, and have been practicing on Phoenix Flight Sim for about 2 months. I have all the orientations down the only thing I need to work on is landing approach and landing. MY LHS suggested my 1st plane be the T-28 Trojan from ParkZone. I made a comment about it not being the best starter from what I hear and he said that it should not be a problem. He said that I dont need a trainer because the sim is doing the training. I dont know if I agree with him and want more experienced pilots to weigh in their opinions to help me out.

I do like the super cub but I am not interested in starting 3 channel because I feel the sim has helped me surpass that by giving me the muscle memory enough to handle 4 channels. How ever the flight speed of the trojan is what scares me for my first bird.


I found one that looks like it might be good. The name is Hobbico Flyzone Piper Cub J-3 Select and it has 4 channels and a very good price. If not that please suggest something for beginners that has 4 channels and under 300$

Also I noticed the Apprentice, the Piper J-5 Trainer, and Super Cub LP please if anyone has suggestions or opinions on any of these planes please share.

[jap71173]

Originally Posted by GorillaSkull

I have a DX6i, and have been practicing on Phoenix Flight Sim for about 2 months. I have all the orientations down the only thing I need to work on is landing approach and landing. MY LHS suggested my 1st plane be the T-28 Trojan from ParkZone. I made a comment about it not being the best starter from what I hear and he said that it should not be a problem. He said that I dont need a trainer because the sim is doing the training. I dont know if I agree with him and want more experienced pilots to weigh in their opinions to help me out.

I do like the super cub but I am not interested in starting 3 channel because I feel the sim has helped me surpass that by giving me the muscle memory enough to handle 4 channels. How ever the flight speed of the trojan is what scares me for my first bird.


I found one that looks like it might be good. The name is Hobbico Flyzone Piper Cub J-3 Select and it has 4 channels and a very good price. If not that please suggest something for beginners that has 4 channels and under 300$

Also I noticed the Apprentice, the Piper J-5 Trainer, and Super Cub LP please if anyone has suggestions or opinions on any of these planes please share.

you are correct in that the T-28 would not be a good starter plane. Flight Sims are great tools for learning orientation but thats about it... it's not like flying the real thing.

Out of all the planes you listed, i would say go either with the Apprentice 15e or Super Cub... but there may even be better choices for you. The goal is to get a high wing trainer that is slow... there are alot of trainers out there that are still too fast for the new pilot (speaking from experience).

hope that helps

[wolfewinde]

Good radio - that will help you get started

Sim practice is good, but it is not an airplane. Personally, I think the Trojan is a stretch for a beginner.

Wolfe

[NJSwede]

Welcome to Wattflyer! Great to have you here!

I love my T28! I think you'll find a lot of people here that agree it may be one of the best parkflyers ever designed.

That being said, it's designed as second airplane, not a first. Although it has a lot of dihedral and self-correcting characteristics, speed is going to be your problem.

Go for a high-wing trainer, but skip the 3 channel stuff. They're not really easier to fly and you'll outgrow them quickly. If you have access to a club or an experienced pilot who can help you, go with something like the Apprentice. If you're planning on teaching yourself, I'd go for a cheaper starter plane, such as a Dynam Hawk Sky or something like that. You just don't want to put a lot of money into something you're most likely going to mess up pretty bad... Just my personal opinion. You'll get ten other conflicting opinions and there's nothing wrong with that. It just shows that there's more than one path into this wonderful addiction.

[dkrhardy]

I had the J5 and it was supposed to start you on 3 ch and upgrade to 4 ch. Sounds good but does not fly that well as a 3 or 4 ch. IMHO! It ended up as an organ donor. Motor/ESC/servos live on, plane does not.

I have the S Cub, flew a long time as a 3ch and now has a flattened wing with ailerons. Flys nice, good as a 4ch but still docile. Big difference from how it flew as a 3ch however.

I have an Appren15e and it sits all alone way too much. Good flier, big and easy to see, docile. Maybe too docile for me now. It is speedy when you want and smooth and slow on final.

J5 -pass on that one. S Cub - great 3ch trainer and EASY to mod to a flat wing 4ch. My friend did ailerons on his and didn't flatten the wing and it still does well. Appren is all around a friendly easy to see 4ch. If I were to offer advice, I'd say the S Cub. Good starter and can grow with you.

[wolfewinde]

The Multiplex Mini-Mag is another good choice. It flys well as a 3 channel or a 4 channel and you don't have to mess with the wing.

Wolfe

[Wrongway-Feldman]

Have a look at the flyzone switch. It comes with two wing configurations.
Start with the high wing configuration while you learn the basics. Then as your skill progresses switch It to the low wing sport flyer configuration.
It two planes in one and will safe you from having to spend money on that second plane.

[kenchiroalpha]

Originally Posted by Wrongway-Feldman

Have a look at the flyzone switch. It comes with two wing configurations.
Start with the high wing configuration while you learn the basics. Then as your skill progresses switch It to the low wing sport flyer configuration.
It two planes in one and will safe you from having to spend money on that second plane.

Hi
I second that
I have one, shes great for the novice to the experienced pilot alike
In fact i keep her in my vehicle at all times for spur of the moment flying fun
Take care dear friend
Yours Hank

[Duco]

Hobbico NexStar Select, what I have learned to fly on, includes a Real Flight Sim in pkg that was well used to learn from, a great radio system, brushless motor, silver series ESC, BIG and almost flies itself, well almost!
I have never once regretted making this my trainer and will keep in the air for future pilots who want to learn on her.
But what ever you go with, go.

[Wrongway-Feldman]

You can check out the nexstar mini as well. Its the nexstar but a little smaller.
It has some great anti stall features. Comes with airbrakes / flaps.
The only drawback, in my opinion, is that it is of balsa construction which requires more skill to repair than foam.

[Toby B]

flew a long time as a 3ch and now has a flattened wing with ailerons.

Like everyone says... that's how I learned. Started with 3 channels with dihedral,
added ailerons, then eventually flattened the wing. I too would think that a
convertible trainer would be good- but don't be afraid to build it with a relatively big motor. Start out at
lower throttle percentages, and then when you want it, you'll have the oomph
to get yourself into trouble.... and that's where the fun is, often!

And yeah, foam is soooo much more forgiving.

t

[dkrhardy]

Flew my S Cub, flat wing, ailerons, today .. 2 batteries. Then flew the MUS .. 2 batteries. Good day but cut short because the wind picked up!

[mybad]

Coming from helis, the Super Cub is my first plane.

This plane is NOT SLOW! As a beginner, I have to be really careful not to fly it out of sight! Of course, that is at WOT, but it still covers a lot of ground at 2/3 throttle.

Be sure to buy the BNF version. No reason to buy another radio.

The BNF version, although 3 Ch, has ports for a 4'th channel. A lot of people convert theirs (I personally have no experience with this though). A lot of people further upgrade to brushless motors and all kind of fancy mods.

I do have experience with the float kit. For a mere $25, you get the floats and a larger prop. I am having a BLAST with the float kit! It is intended for experienced flyers, but with mild winds I began flying with floats about two weeks into the hobby. If you have any open water around you, you'll be glad you bought the SC and the float kit.

I've had some crashes (all my fault flying after sunset and losing orientation of the plane), but have been able to tape and glue the plane back together each time. She still flies great! If I fly reasonably without unnecessary chances, I take off and land without incident.

Consider the Super Cub. This plane has a wide, fanatical following.

[kenchiroalpha]

Originally Posted by mybad

Coming from helis, the Super Cub is my first plane.

This plane is NOT SLOW! As a beginner, I have to be really careful not to fly it out of sight! Of course, that is at WOT, but it still covers a lot of ground at 2/3 throttle.

Be sure to buy the BNF version. No reason to buy another radio.

The BNF version, although 3 Ch, has ports for a 4'th channel. A lot of people convert theirs (I personally have no experience with this though). A lot of people further upgrade to brushless motors and all kind of fancy mods.

I do have experience with the float kit. For a mere $25, you get the floats and a larger prop. I am having a BLAST with the float kit! It is intended for experienced flyers, but with mild winds I began flying with floats about two weeks into the hobby. If you have any open water around you, you'll be glad you bought the SC and the float kit.

I've had some crashes (all my fault flying after sunset and losing orientation of the plane), but have been able to tape and glue the plane back together each time. She still flies great! If I fly reasonably without unnecessary chances, I take off and land without incident.

Consider the Super Cub. This plane has a wide, fanatical following.

Hi
Welcome aboard
Im pleased to meet you
Take care
Yours Hank

[mybad]

Thanks for the welcome Hank!

That SWITCH looks really cool, I must admit. But if you're a beginner and going to learn on your own without an instructor, the Super Cub is still a good choice. Perhaps my second plane will be a Switch?