I have a lot of experience building and flying RC airplanes . Have done in this hobby for almost 45 years and have flown all kinds of r/c airplanes . I would like to try something new like UAV. I would like to ultimately install the system on my 1/4 scale T'craft
So I need a training platform to learn from. I would like a balsa type plane .40 to .60 size which I may convert to electric . Some questions:
a) .Is electric any better than glow from less vibrations ?
b) Does plane size matter as long as its a trainer type plane with ailerons like the Tower Hobbies Nextstar of the larger Hobbistar ?
c) Would a stable low wing models be a suitable training platform?
Thanks
Replies
Based on your comment that by training you mean "learing the ropes on UAV...." I'll give you my opinions.
I have actually found that tuning gains is easier on a bit faster airplane, but certainly don't take it to the extreme, or beyond your comfort for manual flying. So I would say a stable low wing model is fine
Yes, Electric is better. Well, it is just better anyway ;), but you can run in to vibration issues more easily with nitro or gas (obviously)
Plane size matters, in several ways. Larger planes tend to have lower roll/pitch rates, which is nice. However, I find that for learning (UAV's) sometimes it is nice to have a park flyer that you can fly more often (at a closer location) if this is a consideration in your case.
For a balsa 40 size plane a lot of us used SuperStar EP Selects, but they are out of production and difficult to find. Myself and others are now using the NexStar Mini EP or Alpha 40. They are a bit smaller. The NexStar EP looks like it would be good, but they only sell it as a RTF, which makes it too expensive. There are lots of 40 size nitro trainers most of which would probably be good with an electric conversion. An alternative if you want something large-ish and 4 channels but foam is the Skywalker (check BEVRC.com). I have one of those and like it as well.
Electric is always better ;-)