Gas powered model airplanes

So does anyone on the forum know anything about gas powered model planes? I am looking to purchase a fighter plane or commercial plane as a gift for my brother in law. It will be his first plane and neither of us know much about themat this point. Any product recommendations or advice to start? The is in advance!

 

Www.rcgroups.com will probably be your best bet...

 

I've been flying R/C planes for years. My advice is to stay away from anything that looks like a fighter plane to start with. They're great planes once you learn to fly, but not forgiving enough to learn on. Start with a high wing trainer...something that looks like a Piper Cub or Cessna. Unless you're getting a really big plane, say in the 7-8 ft. wingspan range, you'll most likely be looking at what's called a "glow" engine, but with today's batteries and motors, electrics are a viable option. As mentioned above, check out rcgroups. You might also check out towerhobbies.com or hobbyking.com.

 

Agreed start small. Ive been flying for about 6 years now and you gotta start smaller and more forgiving than that. Like Bkill says you want a high wing trainer which there are tons of trainers. If you look in Horizon Hobbies' website anything by eflite or parkzone are gonna be a good start. If you start on foam, the planes handle a little easier and the crashes can be more forgiving as can repairs. Once you go gas youre talking wooden and fiberglass frames... not easy to fix trust me not to mention those planes are wicked expensive to purchase, build and operate.

Look for starter kits and trainers as theyll really help you get the hang of flying. You want something that helps you get comfortable in the air and you arent nervous to fly. You dont want a high performance war bird or something that youre white knuckling as it screems through the air haha.

This page here is all trainers and the first option is just like what I learned on but a little better. You want something RTF (ready to fly) as that comes with everything you need to get in the air.

Best of luck to ya and hope this helps

Quick edit: This plane right here is like a perfect start to get into larger aircraft. http://www.horizonhobby.com/product...e-s-15e-rtf-with-safe-reg;-technology-efl3100

 

Thanks to all. That planE from Horizon Hobby looks great, but I wasn't sure I wanted to spend three bones on a starter plane. I guess that'll be the way to go if that's the going rate.

 

There is quite a few of us here that fly these.

As his first plane, it will be destroyed the first day out... guaranteed. I've been flying these longer than I've been a full scale pilot.

I'd strongly suggest he go to a local club and ask to be buddy-boxed to get a taste of it.

TowerHobbies.com has what you're looking for. PM me if you have to.

 

Oh I didnt even think of getting buddy boxed, I never had that luxury so forgot its a thing lol

I picked that one out for him though because its about as close as you can get to that with the SAFE system... although Idk how well it actually works. If you have a local club I would definitely talk to them then and see if you can be buddy boxed.

 

I would suggest a .40 or .60 sized nitro trainer ARF. In a few years, he'll be flying these.... One of my jets is in this vid.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtsDMZ5VTJw

 

Please tell me yours is that tomcat lol favorite plane of all time right there.

Nitro trainer? I havent really looked into nitro over the years as I was fairly content flying electric. I didnt know those even exist...

 

I used to race nitro 1/8 offroad. Always wanted to get into flying but couldn't. I had prob 7k in my 1/4 scale. Not to mention parts. Little less in eighth scale.
Good luck

 

No. Mine is in the intro, the only one with a smoke system. I had 2 others there, but they never made the vid.

The Tomcat was the only nitro ducted fan there, everything else was turbine powered.

Go with nitro. You can fly for a half hour on a 4 stroke. Electrics are limited to 10 minutes each time.

 

Id go nitro but Ive been out of the sport a little while. I just got my Bf 109 flying again after like a year of it being in pieces cause I didnt have time to put it together. If I got nitro ever itll be some time.