We are looking for a first airplane to buy and we could use some advice from all you experts out there.First of all, we need something inexpensive and sturdy because we will be learning to fly RC aircraft. Secondly, we are limiting ourselves to electric for the simplicity. We would also like something with ailerons so we can use roll steering once we start programming the autopilot.We have a few ideas, but we are open to other suggestions:
GWS Estarter Park Flyer EP ARF w/EPS300C
Multiplex Easy Star
Hobbico SuperStar EP ARF w/AileronsPlease let us know what you think!Tom
If your budget allows for an EasyStar, go for it instead of an imitation! It will last way longer and its overall concept and assemblage is unbeatable. Many companies tried to do an easystar copy, many failed in doing better than the original. Moreover, adding ailerons or a brushless to the EZ after some flying experience is a good way learning how to do some functional tuning on a foamy.
Chris is right
- get a firebird it's very resilient
- you will crash your first plane at best
Few tips from me
- get extra battery when buying firebird,
- watch youtube video's on how to make firebird stronger by putting scotch tape on wings and adding extra bit to the tail so it dont break too easy
- if you can paint propeler with bright paint it falls off when plane crashes and may be difficult to find
- dont fly in strong wind !!!!
I'm on my second firebird now :-) still learning how to fly but ultimate goal is UAV !!!
i had an E-Starter, self taught myself on it without a sim. Hitec micro 05s flight pack, bp-21 motor, and 3s or 2s 1500 mah gets you about an hour of flight time. put CF along the fuse, use packaging tape as a skin everywhere. hit houses, cars, the ground, trees, etc and its just bounced off.
the MiniMag is very similar in size but it has Elapor foam which is great stuff. i won a Parkzone Firebird Freedom at a club and it has thermopile's like ardupilot to stabilize it if your about to crash. don't go brushed you will hate it. there are a ton of cheap brushless motors and ESC's are really high quality.
(Tom's partner in crime here) - I can attest to the crashing! I built several models and crashed my first .40 trainer. Then again, I didn't have any real instructor - just some guy my dad knew who knew how to fly - he had me try landing my first time up, wasn't so good :D
Never got around to getting out to the field to fly it again.
The EasyStar doesn't have ailerons. Go with the SuperStar. But if you really don't know how to fly at all, you should start with something super simple like a HobbyZone Firebird. You can't mod it to be a UAV, but you will learn how to fly without destroying your main platform.
Comments
It appears to be an Easy Star knock-off.http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=...
- get a firebird it's very resilient
- you will crash your first plane at best
Few tips from me
- get extra battery when buying firebird,
- watch youtube video's on how to make firebird stronger by putting scotch tape on wings and adding extra bit to the tail so it dont break too easy
- if you can paint propeler with bright paint it falls off when plane crashes and may be difficult to find
- dont fly in strong wind !!!!
I'm on my second firebird now :-) still learning how to fly but ultimate goal is UAV !!!
the MiniMag is very similar in size but it has Elapor foam which is great stuff. i won a Parkzone Firebird Freedom at a club and it has thermopile's like ardupilot to stabilize it if your about to crash. don't go brushed you will hate it. there are a ton of cheap brushless motors and ESC's are really high quality.
Never got around to getting out to the field to fly it again.
I like the idea of the Firebird as a trainer. Thanks for the link!