Want to build a trainer kit and electrify it.

[Droiddr]

Hi all!

I am getting back into the R/C hobby after a 10 year pause. I flew a stick plane as my first one, then moved to an extra 300 .46 size ( I plan to electrify that one).

I am looking for a trainer kit to electrify it.
Some people have suggested the Bridi Trainers (Krafty 60, loadstar 40).
I know there are also good kits from great planes and sig.

I want a trainer that is good for a beginner but also has some power and maneuverability. I plan to use it to get back into the hobby and have friends fly it and my kids in a year or 2.

Could I please have suggestions on trainer kits that convert well to electric?

Happy new year to all!

[CHELLIE]

Originally Posted by Droiddr

Hi all!

I am getting back into the R/C hobby after a 10 year pause. I flew a stick plane as my first one, then moved to an extra 300 .46 size ( I plan to electrify that one).

I am looking for a trainer kit to electrify it.
Some people have suggested the Bridi Trainers (Krafty 60, loadstar 40).
I know there are also good kits from great planes and sig.

I want a trainer that is good for a beginner but also has some power and maneuverability. I plan to use it to get back into the hobby and have friends fly it and my kids in a year or 2.

Could I please have suggestions on trainer kits that convert well to electric?

Happy new year to all!

Hi Droiddr and Welcome to Wattflyers, for a E Power system and a plane, look at Heads up Rc, Jeff has a lot of great deals on motors,esc, etc and
can come up with a power system for any plane, just give Jeff a Email, Heads up Rc is used by a lot of people here, Start out with a foam plane to get the rust off of your wings, then build a nice balsa kit, these foam planes are a nice Rust Buster Take care and have fun, Chellie

http://www.headsuprc.com/servlet/StoreFront

here are a few Planes that you might like Tell Jeff That Chellie sent you

http://www.headsuprc.com/servlet/the...FUN-CUB/Detail


http://www.headsuprc.com/servlet/the...ASY-CUB/Detail


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

[CHELLIE]

A Few more planes

http://www.headsuprc.com/servlet/the...hite%2C/Detail


http://www.headsuprc.com/servlet/the...OSA--II/Detail



http://www.headsuprc.com/servlet/the...er-X-II/Detail

[CHELLIE]

Nice Balsa ARF trainer. its cheaper to buy a ARF than to build one from a kit, and quicker to get into the air with too

http://www.sigmfg.com/IndexText/SIGRC60ARF.html

[CHELLIE]

a few kits

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXYXF7&P=0



http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXYXF6&P=0



http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=AAB

LXJ555Great Planes PT-20 MkII Trainer Kit .15-.25,52.75"
Accessories NeededCombo AvailableAdd to Wish List69.98In StockLXJ557Great Planes PT-40 MkII Trainer Kit .35-.46,60"
Accessories NeededCombo AvailableParts Listing89.98In StockLXYXF4Great Planes Goldberg Eagle 2 Trainer Kit .29-.45,63"
Accessories NeededCombo AvailableAdd to Wish List89.98In Stock
Limited Quantities

[BBCorvette18]

Id have to say the Multiplex FunCub they fly great.

[hayofstacks]

I actually loved my alpha 450 sport.

Its just a generic trainer scaled down to a 450 sized motor. If you wanted to, you could easily fly it in a park and really open up some flying sites. But its only available in a arf from eflight.

[Droiddr]

Wow, so many suggestions, my head hurts
Where to begin?

I want to choose a kit or ARF that is around 55-65 inches of wingspan 40-60 equivalent glow. For these types of planes how big of a hole does the electric part of the plane make in your wallet?-- ballpark? (Motor, ESC, batteries of decent quality)

Well these are the type of problems I enjoy solving

Thanks Chellie for taking the time to suggest models!

[BBCorvette18]

fun cub. $ 119
6 servos $ 20
Motor $ 27
ESC $ 20
battery $ 15

[Yakfishingfool]

Im 2/3's along a great planes PT 40 mkII converted to tail dragger and electric. The motor and esc and battery(s) is under 100 all up. I'm really enjoying it and I think it is looking very good!

[rcers]

Originally Posted by Droiddr

Wow, so many suggestions, my head hurts
Where to begin?

I want to choose a kit or ARF that is around 55-65 inches of wingspan 40-60 equivalent glow. For these types of planes how big of a hole does the electric part of the plane make in your wallet?-- ballpark? (Motor, ESC, batteries of decent quality)

Well these are the type of problems I enjoy solving

Thanks Chellie for taking the time to suggest models!

If ARF is an option the Multiplex Mentor is almost 40-60 size and would be awesome. Very large and slows to almost a crawl.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXVEP7&P=ML

For building - it is really tough to beat the Sig Lt 25. Smaller than you want but very nice and maneuverable.

http://sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmart.ex...FV5.html?E+Sig

The Mentor and LT-25 will be about the same costs for setup. Likely around another $150-250 or so for Motor/ESC and battery. The range is big as the quality changes dramatically.

The 60 size will need 6s and likely more like $250 to 300 or so for Motor/ESC/Battery.

Servos and RX will run another $50-100 depending on type and quality.

If you want larger the PT-60 is still available. I flew one many years ago.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJ558&P=7

Mike

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by Droiddr

Hi all!

I am getting back into the R/C hobby after a 10 year pause. I flew a stick plane as my first one, then moved to an extra 300 .46 size ( I plan to electrify that one).

I am looking for a trainer kit to electrify it.
Some people have suggested the Bridi Trainers (Krafty 60, loadstar 40).
I know there are also good kits from great planes and sig.

I want a trainer that is good for a beginner but also has some power and maneuverability. I plan to use it to get back into the hobby and have friends fly it and my kids in a year or 2.

Could I please have suggestions on trainer kits that convert well to electric?

Happy new year to all!

There are a lot of glow type models that convert easily to electric power. It is no longer an issue to have a very light model for electric stuff. In fact, a properly set up electric power system using quality components can easily perform as good, or better than the same model with glow power.

There are a lot of good motors out there, and most of them perform well. I happen to like those $$$$ Hacker motors. These motors are slightly more expensive than a lower quality motor, but I've got 8 of them, and all of them will perform to their specs.

And, again, building a model from scratch will likely cost more when done than buying one of those "ARF's" (Almost Ready to Fly)

Something on the order of a 50 - 60 inch wingspan will work out well, if you've got room to fly it. A number of my club members have those foamies but IMHO, these hot rods are not trainer types. On New Years day, our club members were flying a dozen 100 MPH foamies and having a ball. Two guys were flying glow engines, and could not get them started. One finally got his glow engine started, and it quit off field. (It was 16 degrees F)

If you have a smaller field, there are a whole lot of "Bind and Fly" models by Horizon Hobbies, check out the Tower Hobbies web site. These use the Spektrum 2.4 Ghz radio systems.

One thing that will help in your model selection is one of those computer programs such as www.motocalc.com, free for 30 days, then $39, and IMHO worth every penny. Just about any model with perhaps 120 watts or more per pound power input will fly well. And for a trainer, a Piper Cub style of a high wing model will do the job very nicely.

Take a look:
Thread on 70 size glow engine conversion to electric
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45222

Hacker 6S2P A123 powered Models
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44686

AEAJR's Site on Electric Power
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18521

[Stevephoon]

There are also some good designed for electric kits that are very light that can use the smaller and cheaper electronics. An example that someone at my club has is a Mountain Models Tyro 150. It flys very well.

http://www.mountainmodels.com/produc...roducts_id=479

Take a look at everything at his site. All of those kits are really good flying planes, but all are light weight. Smaller and lighter than the models that others are proposing.

Also check out Stevens Aeromodel. A little more expensive, but very high quality kits. http://www.stevensaero.com/

Steve