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I picked up a new battery for my RC plane hoping to get some good video from the Hicksville meet. My video idea fail but I fell in love with the plane again. These things are incredibly fun to fly.
My starter plane was one of 3 that were recommended by the hobby shop. It's the E-Flight Apprentice S. All electric with about 10 minutes of flight time. That's more than enough to wear you out if you are learning and pushing yourself to do more and not crash.
This model, as well as the HobbyZone Delta Ray and Cub S come with SAFE. I don't know what the letters stand for but it means it has built in training modes. Mode 1 only allows about 30* of pitch and roll, the plane also levels itself anytime the controls are released. It works well enough that on a windy day you can turn the plane in to the wind, cut all power to the motor (no throttle) and the plane will glide level as long as it's facing the right direction. I had it up for a good 5 minutes the other day using only the rudder to keep it facing in to the wind. If it goes out of controler range, it is supposed to circle and descend until it reaches the ground or gets signal again. Haven't tested this.
On mode 2 it allows ~45* pitch and roll, and the plane doesn't auto level. Works very good for getting the hang of really flying it without getting yourself upside down and crashing.
Mode 3 allows full control for flips, barrel rolls, and crashed.
In all three modes there is a momentary switch you can hit that will level the plane if things get out of hand. If rights itself very quickly from any orientation.
I chose the Apprentice over the other two models because it has Ailerons, rudder, and elevators whereas the Delta only has Aileron and rudder. The Cub is cheaper, but much smaller and the controller looks to offer much less growth potential. The Delta was recommended as the best for a first plane, but I am stubborn and wanted the bigger one. All three can be seen on HorizonHobby.com with videos. Also, the flight test Youtube channel has a bunch of good real world vids testing planes.
I will post up some pics when I get a chance and hopefully get some video chowing how the SAFE system works when I get a chance.
Useful acronyms
RTF- Ready to fly. Everything you need will be in the box
BNF- Bind and Fly. Everything will be in the box except a transmitter
PNP- Plug and Play. Everything will be in the box except a transmitter, battery, and charger
ARF- Almost Ready to Fly. The plane body will be assembled, but you may need servos, motor, receiver, batteries, etc.
First plane should probably be a RTF with SAFE.
The Flight Test youtube channel has some good introductory vids.
My starter plane was one of 3 that were recommended by the hobby shop. It's the E-Flight Apprentice S. All electric with about 10 minutes of flight time. That's more than enough to wear you out if you are learning and pushing yourself to do more and not crash.
This model, as well as the HobbyZone Delta Ray and Cub S come with SAFE. I don't know what the letters stand for but it means it has built in training modes. Mode 1 only allows about 30* of pitch and roll, the plane also levels itself anytime the controls are released. It works well enough that on a windy day you can turn the plane in to the wind, cut all power to the motor (no throttle) and the plane will glide level as long as it's facing the right direction. I had it up for a good 5 minutes the other day using only the rudder to keep it facing in to the wind. If it goes out of controler range, it is supposed to circle and descend until it reaches the ground or gets signal again. Haven't tested this.
On mode 2 it allows ~45* pitch and roll, and the plane doesn't auto level. Works very good for getting the hang of really flying it without getting yourself upside down and crashing.
Mode 3 allows full control for flips, barrel rolls, and crashed.
In all three modes there is a momentary switch you can hit that will level the plane if things get out of hand. If rights itself very quickly from any orientation.
I chose the Apprentice over the other two models because it has Ailerons, rudder, and elevators whereas the Delta only has Aileron and rudder. The Cub is cheaper, but much smaller and the controller looks to offer much less growth potential. The Delta was recommended as the best for a first plane, but I am stubborn and wanted the bigger one. All three can be seen on HorizonHobby.com with videos. Also, the flight test Youtube channel has a bunch of good real world vids testing planes.
I will post up some pics when I get a chance and hopefully get some video chowing how the SAFE system works when I get a chance.
Useful acronyms
RTF- Ready to fly. Everything you need will be in the box
BNF- Bind and Fly. Everything will be in the box except a transmitter
PNP- Plug and Play. Everything will be in the box except a transmitter, battery, and charger
ARF- Almost Ready to Fly. The plane body will be assembled, but you may need servos, motor, receiver, batteries, etc.
First plane should probably be a RTF with SAFE.
The Flight Test youtube channel has some good introductory vids.
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