Opinions

[nunyabizniss34]

It was inevitable I guess....you all know I have helis but no planes, I want to change that ;D I have been looking around for my first plane and pretty sure the J3 Cub is the way to go. Any opinions on which one? Horizon Hobby has a couple of models and I was thinking of the Ultra-micro J3 as a starter plane.

www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ3980

It's tiny though, but cheap and looks durable. What do you think? I would prefer a BNF model because I already have a DX6i, plus I have 20 batteries from my mSR that would work with the above-mentioned plane.

Colin

[Gabe]

My opinion is that the Ultra Micros don't really hold together well in crashes (neither does any plank for that matter). The J-3 Cub is a great starter plane, but I would look into the Super Cub. It will be much more steady in low winds and you will get a better feel for how to fly a plank.

www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HBZ7380

It has the Anti-Crash technology too. The only downfall is that there are no ailerons, and I'm a fan of ailerons.

For a little more money you can pick up the E-Flite Apprentice:

www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Reviews.aspx?ProdID=EFL2900#reviewsTab

This one has ailerons and is a blast to fly. Its a great trainer plane. Also, its made of Z-Foam so it can handle some bumps.

You'll need to find a park with at least 100 yards for a start and have fun.

[19000rpm]

Major things to keep in mind, besides initial cost and aircraft type, is the size of area and conditions you'll be flying in. Bigger areas allow of bigger aircraft which are more stable and can handle windier conditions.

IMHO, the Hobbyzone Super cub is the best first airplane on the market, if you have a soccer field, or equivalent size area, to fly it in. I suggest you buy the BNF since it has a 2.4 Rx that will work with your Tx. The Rx also has a slot for ailerons so that you can add them on at any time. You can also easily upgrade it to brushless power as well by switching the motor and adding a brushless ESC. The "Z" foam construction is very durable and easy to repair. Parts are plentifull, inexpensive and there are even floats available. The anticrash technology doesn't work in all conditions and I wouldn't rely on it. In fact, I suggest you unplug it.

My second suggestion, less expensive and more suitable if you have a smaller flying area, would be the new Hobbyzone Champ secure.hobbyzone.com/HBZ4900.html . It is a little bigger than the J3 and is OK in very light winds and also a good choice for indoor flying at a gym. You can ditch the cheapie Tx included in the RTF and use your DX6i with it. This is also a relatively durable plane.

One other suggestion, if you have some sim time with ailerons, would be the BNF Parkzone Ultra Micro P-51. Even though it's small it's got good power and can handle a light breeze. secure.hobbyzone.com/PKZ3680.html
Durability, parts availablity and cost are also very good.

The J3 is a great little plane but it really is a "near calm" conditions flyer, or indoor flyer, due to it's size and power.

Good luck with your choice and welcome to the world of planks

[scarface26]

Yeah... what 19K said.
+1

[nunyabizniss34]

Good feedback gentlemen, thanks.

I have it in my head that if I can fly a heli (which I can), a plane shouldn't be a problem. However, I am not naive and am aware that things are never as easy as they seem in the world of r/c aircraft ;D

I was looking at the Champ, and may go with that one. I just want to see if I really want to get into planks, and that one is relatively inexpensive and should give me an idea whether I want to stick with them. Thanks again!

Colin

[19000rpm]

Sounds like you're close to making a decision. The palnks offer there own challenges and rewards which you'll soon find out. Have fun

[nunyabizniss34]

Champ is on it's way ;D Looks like a great little starter plane. Thanks guys!

Colin

[Gabe]

Welcome to the World of Planks Nunya!

Good choice in started planks. 19K knows his stuff.

As far as your ability to fly a plank based on your heli experience goes - so long as you are comfortable flying circuits and nose-in, you will be ay-ok. I found it remarkably easier to fly planks (and a little more fun). Just grease those landings - take her waaaay out and glide in slow.

Best of luck!

[nunyabizniss34]

Thanks Gabe

Yeah I can do circuits with a heli and can do nose-in for a short time. I have Phoenix also, so I am getting some practice in before the little plane arrives. I'm looking forward to it ;D
I bought 2 extra props and an extra prop shaft, just in case.

Colin

[19000rpm]

It's way easier to fly nose in with a plane than a heli since you really only have one control, rudder, to think about most of the time instead of managing 3 other axis plus throttle with a heli.

Although the plane should be set up when you get it; the main things that you need to do is make sure the elevator is flat with the horizontal stab and the rudder is flat with the vertical stab. Make mechanical adjustments first and minor trim will be required at the Tx.

Some flying thoughts: 1) Launch it with the wings level at 3/4 to WOT into the wind. A very gentle toss will get it going.
2) Like a heli, plank altitude is a throttle function first and secondarily an elevator function. 3) Unlike a heli, planes require airspeed, forward motion, to stay in the air. Keep this in mind and you will avoid stalls. If it's not moving forward...well you know. 4) If you have too high an angle of attack and/or insufficient throttle it will stall. 5) Just like a heli, crash damage can be GREATLY minimized by chopping the throttle before impact. 6) Altitude is your friend. ;D

Prop and shaft extras were a very good choice. I'll be betting you'll want an extra battery or two also.

Have fun!

[nunyabizniss34]

No worries on the batteries 19k, I have 20 (yes, twenty lol) 160mah 3.7v batteries for my mSR. The stock Champ battery is a 150mah 3.7v, so I think I'm good

[akent]

That sounds like an awesome first plank!

I believe that you will be blown away by how easy it will be to fly. Like 19k said, you just have to worry about stalling it in forward flight.

I have actually been flying my homemade Yak and F-22 in 3d lately! The F-22 only has elevons/ailerons so it is more of a challenge, but the EPP Yak hovers well! It is far harder than it looks to fly a plank in 3d. If I had never flown helis, I am not so sure I would be able to do this at all! It is not that hard, but still easier than a heli to do! Plus, with EPP, you can crash all you want. Virtually zero damage ever. What damage you might get will hot melt or gorrilla glue back together in a minute or two.

Once you learn to fly a little and don't mind the looks of a profile plank, I would highly recommend looking into building one! They are too much fun and are virtually indestructible!
Kent

[19000rpm]

20 batteries? That should hold you for a while ;D

I agree with kent, 3D is a lot of fun and it gives you a completely different kind of flying experience. Profiles a definitely the way to go with the first 3D's since they are cheap to build and easy to repair and fly great. Definitely something to look forward to in the future.

Speaking of 3D I had a look at this new foamy Extra 300 yesterday. secure.hobbyzone.com/PKZ5175.html

[nunyabizniss34]

Got the Champ on Friday, haven't had a chance to fly it yet because of wind. One question, the prop seems to be pointing slighlty downwards, i.e. not parallel to the fuselage. Is this a normal thing? The prop shaft isn't bent at all.

Colin

[akent]

Yes, the propshaft is usually aimed down 2 degrees and right 2 degrees (sometimes a little more or less) to allow the plane to fly better as it helps to counteract the motor torque.

The only time you don't want that is with a hotrod, as it will cost you a little speed. All of my planes have that, except for my Funjet hotrod.
Kent