Most durable Foam plane

[chipnkim]

As soon as I get the chance I will have an Albatross.

[Big Johnny]

Hey Hank, I floded the wing on my Mini Super Cub after I hopped it up a little. The wing don't like negitive G's. It folded like a cheap paper plate. The fuse is still in the top of a pine tree.

[Turner]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

...Just from what I see there I like her better than the Apprentice...

Yeah, I have for a long time wanted to add an Apprentice to my little collection but the FunCub looks like a better fit now. That Radian looks like fun. If there was any sort of slope site near me I would have gone in that direction.

[Big Johnny]

The best trainer ever designed is the Sig Senior or Seriorita. You can even buy them as an ARF now. If you can't learn to fly with a Senior, you need to take up another hobby such as needlepoint.

[Rockin Robbins]

I'll tell you what, this thread has the greatest collection of planes in it of just about any thread I've read anywhere! SIG Senior--there's a blast from the past from one of the all-time most successful trainers from when EVERYBODY built kits. It's a shame to see kits take a nose-dive in popularity. I think after you learn to fly, you're cheating yourself if you don't later build a kit. But AEAJR carries the opposing viewpoint far better than I could say it. Once you get someone hooked on flying, THEN he's more motivated to successfully build if he is so inclined. Excellence in repair skills does not necessarily come from building skills.

[chipnkim]

Originally Posted by Big Johnny

The best trainer ever designed is the Sig Senior or Seriorita. You can even buy them as an ARF now. If you can't learn to fly with a Senior, you need to take up another hobby such as needlepoint.

Can the Sig planes electric or are they to heavy?

[chipnkim]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

I'll tell you what, this thread has the greatest collection of planes in it of just about any thread I've read anywhere! SIG Senior--there's a blast from the past from one of the all-time most successful trainers from when EVERYBODY built kits. It's a shame to see kits take a nose-dive in popularity. I think after you learn to fly, you're cheating yourself if you don't later build a kit. But AEAJR carries the opposing viewpoint far better than I could say it. Once you get someone hooked on flying, THEN he's more motivated to successfully build if he is so inclined. Excellence in repair skills does not necessarily come from building skills.

This has been a great showing. I just wish I had found all of you earlier.

[Turner]

You can definitely do larger planes with electric power but it can get expensive. Check out these threads that are all about electric conversions.

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3297
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45222

[HobbyJumper]

Does anyone know why both the Radian and Fun Cub are currently unavailable? Odd that both are off the market. Hope it's not permanent.

[Turner]

This is pretty common in the foam plane market. I'm sure new stocks will be available in the near future.

[dkrhardy]

I've seen the radian fly ... waaaaay too slow and sloppy. The HZ S Cub is great and many easy mods to do. that Fun Cub looks to be a contender! Please remember that video is a GOOOOD flyer on the sticks, but still ...........

[pattern14]

Originally Posted by dkrhardy

I've seen the radian fly ... waaaaay too slow and sloppy. The HZ S Cub is great and many easy mods to do. that Fun Cub looks to be a contender! Please remember that video is a GOOOOD flyer on the sticks, but still ...........

My radian flew ok, and I taught one rank beginner on it, but it is hardly durable. I thought this was the "most durable" thread. The Z foam used in those things is just above styro in my experience, I had to replace the fuse with a scratch built EPP one, the tail with core flute, and really reinforce the wings, after thay had broken several times flying in winds too strong. To it's credit though, the wing design is brilliant, and makes a first class sailplane. I never considered it "sloppy", but I guess it depends on what your used too. My easy star was more suitable for a trainer ( although it's foam was hardly any better), but the constant wind eventually ruled it out in favour of more robust designs. Planes crash, it just depends how fast you want to get back in the air

[Big Johnny]

Originally Posted by chipnkim

Can the Sig planes electric or are they to heavy?

Sure you can get everything you need from Heads-UP Seniors have such a low wing loading that they will fly good on this setup

http://www.headsuprc.com/servlet/the...lectric/Detail

[Rockin Robbins]

Yes, have no fear about a SIG Senior being too heavy. It can be electrified on the cheap and perform just as good as the slimey version.

At one time electric power was too wimpy for a normally built design and planes had to be extensively lightened to fly with electric motors, but that is no longer true. Pretty much anything that was designed as a trainer will fly excellently and pretty economically with electric power.

But if the plane is light AND has a pretty powerful motor, this happens: Zero to 400' in just a few seconds. Less than $100 in the plane including radio receiver.

YouTube Video

[dkrhardy]

pattern14 - maybe "sloppy" was a poor choice. It is very stable looking, but so slow to turn. As a trainer, I fear the student may be lulled into thinking most planes give you that much time to do a turn, or that much time to recover from a mistake. Maybe "lazy" is a better word? I did not know they were fragile.

[Big Johnny]

Yesterday I bought a used DX7 that has only been used a couple of times. It was a package deal. DX7, E-Flight Micro Extra 300 and a E-Flight Foursite and about 20 batteries all for $240.00 I love the DX7, I'm mad at myself for not buying one sooner. I have never flown a micro and gonna try it later. Wish me luck.

[chipnkim]

Good Luck!

[Big Johnny]

Excellent first flights on the Extra 300. What a blast to fly. It will keep you on your toes.

[chipnkim]

Originally Posted by Big Johnny

Excellent first flights on the Extra 300. What a blast to fly. It will keep you on your toes.

Well wish I could say the same. The wind was gusty and I tried to sneak a maiden in between gusts. I am such a greenhorn. Not a complete lose but needs some fixing.

[JohnnyB]

I started with the parkzone Radian, so far so good!

[Rockin Robbins]

I started with a sailplane too and heartily recommend that course! But you gotta like sailplanes or you won't have a lot of fun.

[flydiver]

Sailplanes are a +/-.
IMO the Radian is too fragile for learning unless you are one of those folks with talent. You won't know though until you've maybe destroyed it.

Case in point. I've got a pretty remedial buddy. Went through 2 Easy Stars, 2 Super Cubs, and 2 Slow Sticks. I got him a Radian to use on buddy box just about the time he discovered do it yourself KF foil wings on the slow stick. He flew the Radian 2x and sold it to me. He thought it was INCREDIBLY boooorrrrring. It didn't DO anything. It was well over a year before he figured it out and wanted it back.
Now, if he had gotten that plane first he would have ruined it in minutes, probably seconds. It does not take to crashing well at all and is a LOT more $$ to fix.

BTW, if you are a REALLY lame pilot I think the ES is the better plane. Like most folks he liked the Cub the best but he sure beat the he!! out of the thing and it busts up much easier.

[MaxAdventure]

Originally Posted by Turner

This seems to have gotten a bit off track.

....

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

I agree that the thread has gotten off track.

Originally Posted by chipnkim

Can the Sig planes electric or are they to heavy?

Pretty sure I'm accused of straying off track, I'll PM you my experience with 4lb + electric so I don't dilute the thread any more.

[Mr. Clean]

I have a Wild Hawk (along with 5 other friends and family) which is similar to the Hawk Sky, Easy Star, etc. I really like mine and love to fly it. These planes seem to me to be very durable and good performers. Yes they do break if hit hard enough, but they can be repaired easily (I should buy stock in hot glue). See my signature for my blog link and you can see what mine has been through and come back from.

[dditch66]

I have a slow Stick that has survived many low speed crashes.
The Dynam Hawksky is durable but very repairable. I"ve seen people wrap them in clear packing tape and add some carbon fiber rods to make them pretty darn tough.
Dynam Hawksky Review

I used mine for reciever testing all last year and some pilot training. It is all beat up but still flying. Stock everything except now an upgraded motor and ESC to handle the new motor.