First RC Plane

[rufus]

Hello,
I'm looking at getting my first R/C plane. I am really interested in the exceed piper cub j3. Is this a good beginner plane? I watched all of nuttcazes videos and it seems good. Is there anyway to take it off from land without having to hand launch it? Please don't try to talk me into getting the Wild Hawk, in my opinion, its really ugly.  Shocked
Thanks,
rufus

[A-10 warthog]

Hello,
I'm looking at getting my first R/C plane. I am really interested in the exceed piper cub j3. Is this a good beginner plane? I watched all of nuttcazes videos and it seems good. Is there anyway to take it off from land without having to hand launch it? Please don't try to talk me into getting the Wild Hawk, in my opinion, its really ugly.  Shocked
Thanks,
rufus

don't get the exceed rc piper cub j3 it didn't even want to fly. I bought that because I wanted a cool rc plane and thought the wild hawk was ugly also. I bought the wild hawk after and it is wonderful,..... sorry I know you didn't want me to try to talk you into a wild hawk.

[rufus]

Hello,
I'm looking at getting my first R/C plane. I am really interested in the exceed piper cub j3. Is this a good beginner plane? I watched all of nuttcazes videos and it seems good. Is there anyway to take it off from land without having to hand launch it? Please don't try to talk me into getting the Wild Hawk, in my opinion, its really ugly.  Shocked
Thanks,
rufus

don't get the exceed rc piper cub j3 it didn't even want to fly. I bought that because I wanted a cool rc plane and thought the wild hawk was ugly also. I bought the wild hawk after and it is wonderful,..... sorry I know you didn't want me to try to talk you into a wild hawk.

I read your post about the problems you were having... I understand that it will NOT take off from the ground, it must be hand launched

[Grungier]

Dont Get the Guanli Mustang P51D, it came with a damaged battery and the motor isnt powerfull enough to fly 

[whatala]

Hello,
I'm looking at getting my first R/C plane. I am really interested in the exceed piper cub j3. Is this a good beginner plane? I watched all of nuttcazes videos and it seems good. Is there anyway to take it off from land without having to hand launch it? Please don't try to talk me into getting the Wild Hawk, in my opinion, its really ugly.  Shocked
Thanks,
rufus

Hi,
I would start with 2 channel plane first like J3 cub.
When you get a hang of it, start with 3 channels such as elevator, rudder and airleron. For 3 channel, get the E-starter. The perfect trainier for airleron.
Jason

[dannyr2009]

I'm no expert in airplanes, i'm actually a beginner but a 3 channels airplane does not control elevator, rudder and throttle ?  If you want to control aillerons, you don't need the 4 channels version ?

Thx

Danny

[Tony A.]

2 ch is usually rudder and throttle. 3 ch is usually rudder, elevator, and throttle. 4 channel is usually rudder, elevator, aileron, and throttle.

I say "usually" because some companies on certain planes will change the way they work. For example, most of the EDF jets that Nitroplanes sells are sold as 4ch planes, however, most do not have a functioning rudder. They have a steerable nose wheel instead so technically it is still 4ch.

[dannyr2009]

Gotcha !

It looks like to me harder to land a 2 channel airplane than a 3 channel, having in mind that the 3 channels have the elevator helping you out lifting your nose and decreasing speed on landing...comparing with only 2 channels...speed is the only option not to drop to fast.

I would assume that beginner will go with a 2 channel thinking that it would be easier to fly but..is it really the case ?

THanks again,

Dan

[Tony A.]

2ch planes are considered toys and not really hobby quality planes. I would not recommend a 2 ch to anyone who wants to learn to fly a real RC plane. You can have a little fun with them but they will not really teach you anything that would be useful later on. I would not start with anything less than a 3ch like the Wildhawk or J3 Piper cub. However, if you really put in some work on a simulator you could probably step right into a 4ch trainer type plane...I did.

I know reading the descriptions on these websites is a little confusing. They all seem to say the samethings..." Perfect for all levels: Beginners, Middle-level users, or Experienced Pilots". (I actually copied that from the description for a 4ch warbird.) Unless it is a high wing plane with lots of dihedral then it is not really a beginner plane.

[all thumbs]

Probably the most important thing for a beginner is stability. Small planes are rarely stable at slow speeds, especially in a breeze. That's why a glider is a great way to learn: slow, stable, and forgiving (that's where the dihedral comes in). But not having power when you need it provides it's own problems. The easiest thing I've flown was a 6 ft wingspan glider with a motor (at that time it was glow powered, but electric would be even better - less hassle). The hardest thing I've flown was a little (3 ft wingspan) "trainer" 2 channel (rudder & elevator, .049 glow engine that always ran at full throttle). That little thing would get tossed & turned by the wind to the point of flying backwards. Very challenging for a beginner, but lots of fun all the same.
Ailerons (4th channel) aren't essential, but are a lot more fun. High wing with dihedral is a must! Typically the longer the wing, the more stable the flight.

[LawnMower]

Hello,
I'm looking at getting my first R/C plane. I am really interested in the exceed piper cub j3. Is this a good beginner plane? I watched all of nuttcazes videos and it seems good. Is there anyway to take it off from land without having to hand launch it? Please don't try to talk me into getting the Wild Hawk, in my opinion, its really ugly.  Shocked
Thanks,
rufus

In my opinion, I'd start with a sailplane. Something simple with 3 ch. or 2ch w/ an on/off switch for the motor and equipped with rudder/ elevator. One, it'll have lots of dihedral (good for lift) and two, it'll fly slow enough to compensate for mistakes. And don't forget you trainer/ mentor.

[rufus]

i'm getting the hobbyzone super cub lp bnf.
Thanks for input

[Tony A.]

Excellent choice

[pinoydad]

gws slow stick is the best electric trainer ..and can be made 4 channel or add ailerons..just need 2 more servos..i have flown several gws they are good flying foamies..and good priced..but i got into nitro now ..got a nextar trainer and a ultro sport 40...both 46 engines

[rufus]

I was kinda looking for something with 4 channels, and I read that the super cub sometimes struggles to gain altitude? Anyone recommend this plane? is it really possible to put ailerons on it?