First RC airplane?

by Blaze99960
(MN)

I don't know what type of rc airplane to get, there is a club that meets about 2 minutes away from me and they have a mowed grass landing strip and a giant field to fly over.
I know I don't want a gas powered one and I don't want one that is too big to store. I also have a budget of around $300 (for the plane and the remote - I would prefer to keep it closer to $200 or $250).
If you have any ideas please post the name and brand plus the avgerage price - if you can put the website it is on that would be great too
thanx!

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First RC airplane?

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Oct 13, 2008

First RC airplane
by: Pete

You're lucky to have an rc flying club so close, that's perfect!
Going with electric is a good choice, and there are several options available within your budget...

About the most popular plane for beginners is the HobbyZone Super Cub which is 3 channel. This is an excellent value RTF plane at around $150, and a great choice.
If you want to spend a bit more, the E-flite Apprentice is even better, being 4 channel with the latest 2.4GHz rc system. It's twice the price of the Cub though, at $299...

Or, for something cheaper and completely different, any of the 3 'Firebird' planes (Commander / Freedom / Phantom) are a simple introduction to rc flying - but the other two are better choices, in my opinion ;-)

All of the above are available from Red Rocket Hobbies, in OR. Matt, the owner, is a good friend of mine and provides a great service, and prices are about as low as you'll find.

The thing to remember is that your first rc airplane needs to be a 'trainer', with a high wing design and nice stable flying characteristics. Don't be tempted by something like a warbird (P-51 Mustang for example) for your first plane - start easy and work up to the faster stuff.

If you haven't done so already, pop along to the club and have a chat with them, let them know you're interested - they might even let you have a go ;-)

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Oct 13, 2008
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Submitted by: Pete

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You're lucky to have an rc flying club so close, that's perfect! Going with electric is a good choice, and there are several options available within your budget... About the most popular plane for beginners is the <a href="http://www.redrockethobbies.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HBZ7100&Click=6136" target="_blank">HobbyZone Super Cub</a> which is 3 channel. This is an excellent value RTF plane at around $150, and a great choice. If you want to spend a bit more, the <a href="http://www.redrockethobbies.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=EFL2725&Click=6136" target="_blank">E-flite Apprentice</a> is even better, being 4 channel with the latest 2.4GHz rc system. It's twice the price of the Cub though, at $299... Or, for something cheaper and completely different, any of the 3 <a href="http://www.redrockethobbies.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=78&Click=6136" target="_blank">'Firebird' planes (Commander / Freedom / Phantom)</a> are a simple introduction to rc flying - but the other two are better choices, in my opinion ;-) All of the above are available from <a href="http://www.redrockethobbies.com/?Click=6136" target="_blank">Red Rocket Hobbies</a>, in OR. Matt, the owner, is a good friend of mine and provides a great service, and prices are about as low as you'll find. The thing to remember is that your first rc airplane needs to be a 'trainer', with a high wing design and nice stable flying characteristics. Don't be tempted by something like a warbird (P-51 Mustang for example) for your first plane - start easy and work up to the faster stuff. If you haven't done so already, pop along to the club and have a chat with them, let them know you're interested - they might even let you have a go ;-)

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