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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on February 22, 2008 at 8:30am

GeoCrawlers 1-4 are all converted trainers, especially the Electristar in Geocrawler 1. If you want to go for an even more docile trainer, which is a smidge bigger than that and has lots of room for electronics: http://towerhobbies.com/products/hobbico/hcaa09.html

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Permalink Reply by Fanta on February 22, 2008 at 8:43am

Ah thank you Chris!

I don't want to bog down the forums with newbie flying stuff, hopefully it won't take me long to get up to speed. No doubt I'll keep my homepage updated of my progress. Plus on windy days I can sit indoors playing with a Gumstix mobo :)

Thanks again, I can't wait to get started

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on February 22, 2008 at 10:08pm

The main downside to these large trainers is that you need a proper airfield to fly them in, both because of size and noise. And because most of those airfields are AMA fields, UAVs are not allowed.

The smaller electric ones can be flown in a good-sized park or hand-launched from any remote area. Nobody is going to complain about your autopilot trials.

Personally, I think the Gas/Glow era is ending, for all but those aircraft that need the longest range and power. Battery technology is going to keep improving, but gas/glow will not.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Crossfire on February 22, 2008 at 7:19pm

The Multiplex EasyGlider now looks like a good deal if U want to focus on the autopilot part & not on building the airframe.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Crossfire on February 23, 2008 at 4:07am

This guy is getting 90 minute flights out of an EasyStar with EasyGlider wings. The Multiplex foamy's definitely look like superstars in the fixed wing department.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=810365&page=5

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Permalink Reply by Fanta on February 25, 2008 at 3:51am

The EasyGlider looks great, and low cost to begin with too. That means I can save some money for a Predator later on :D It looks pretty limited on space/weight, but I like a challenge, and I think it will be ideal to get started with.

Chris was right about the size problem - although I have an excellent airfield near me they seem nervous of UAVs and such.

Thanks everyone for your advice, I'll keep my page updated with progress!

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