I need your guys opinion.

[Flyjunkie]

Hi all first off what a cool new site. My real question is that in spring i want to get into bigger planes, at the moment the biggest plane i have is a Funtana 40 with a saito 82 but now the time has come to move on . The planes i have my eye on are the 29% Katana from aeroworks or the Aeroworks YAK 54 (the 50cc one). So now you know what i am thinking about getting i need your opinions am i moving to fast, should i get 120 e.t.c size plane first? or do you think i will be ok going straight from a 82 to a 50cc. By the way i am a fully confident pilot (not a beginner) ..........Cheers Flyjunkie

[Vtailman777]

Move up to the 50 Class gasser....always fun to fly even if you move on to yet a larger scale...., V.

[madmax]

FJ - Welcome dude. VT is 100% correct. You're going to want to go bigger, and IMO, satisfaction starts to hit when you get into the 80cc-100cc range. Yes, cost is higher, but your gonna get hooked and want go bigger anyway. Gas stuff is waaaay different than glow, and the learning curve is pretty steep. I would recommend finding something in the 50cc range to start. It's a whole new world, you're gonna love it... And we're always here to walk you through any questions. Move fast, do it.

MD

[Kiwi]

FLYJUNKIE.

Without trying to sound too bombastic about this I doubt you will have any problems going directly to the 50cc bird. My general rule of thumb is the bigger they are the better and the easier they are to fly.

Just follow some really basic rules when you build this thing however, and this goes for any model, brand or make.

Rule 1 is keep it light. Dont go putting 50 lbs of super duper extra large battery packs and all the add on junk that you can fill your first gasser up with. Heres a simple way to start off.

Use the best battery packs you can afford, FROMECO if available but there are others. On a 50cc kite I would use twin battery packs of around 2400 MaH each. You will fly all day with that.

An absolute must is an ignition kill system on any gas engine. For safetys sake and nothing else I beg you to put a simple sytem such as the Smart-Fly ignition cut off system in place. Again there are other brands so take your pick.

Use a good 2000 Mah NiMh battery pack on the ignition or follow the recommedations of the manufacturer. Some of the new engines can take a LiPo directly without regulators etc so go that way if you can afford it. That saves weigh as well.

Use decent servos that easily exceed the recommeded minimum torque from the manufacturer. I like metal gear digitals and wont start a brand war here by recommending anything. But the best you can afford is the goal as they can always be used on the next model if anything untoward happens to this one.

If you are still looking for an engine then go with a known brand. I see you are in England so there are plenty of makes that dont get to see much light in other lands but one thing is for sure. Dont get a magneto type boat anchor motor. Yes it will fly and you will be thrilled with it for a while. But you will soon wear thin with it as it wont do what the new 50cc motors will. If noise is not an issue go with stock mufflers. Pipes are great but they weight in so again depends on your location and the local rules.

Two bladed props generally perform better than three but again if noise is an issue go with the flow.

Keep the C of G to the manufacturers specs initially but leave the heavy stuff like batts etc with enough space to move them back as you get more proficient. Most manufacturers are very conservative with the C of G and rightfully so but dont hem yourself in with battery packs etc that cannot be relocated further back if needed. Adding weight to balance your plane is counter productive so put it together with the thought in mind that you are going to move things around inside it later on.

Hope this helps a little.
Go for it.

Kiwi

[Flyjunkie]

Cheers guys i am glad what you said I totally agree with you Max and VT, and thanks for the tips Kiwi all i gotta do now is pursuade my Dad, the price of the the Aeroworks planes are ALOT cheaper over here in England but then again i gotta P&P

[apache3799]

just go with the 40%s .. lol Ivan .G

[Biff]

My .02,, Having flown gassers for years from the rediculously large to smaller planes I have some thoughts. 40% are probably the easiest to fly,but the OH MY GOD factor is always there with your investment. The 50cc market is AWESOME!! They float, power to weight is stupid and servo number is low. Plus the ARF market is getting more 50cc stuff every week. 50cc planes can be loaded into the truck by one guy and they're just handy. My honest opinion is get a 50cc plane and motor. Buy 5 of the best servos available,DON'T SCRIMP HERE!! Want to move up? Sell the motor and airframe, keep the servos as they'll pop right in to a 40% (you'll need more!)
Best thing to do is head to the field and ask for a touch of stick time,, if you respect their equipment (fly high, fly moderately slow, don't G-the plane up) it's not a problem. Look at what turns your screw,what you can afford and what you want to do with the plane.
Best piece of advice I can give is if you can't afford the very best sevos on the market, wait and save your money. Many people scrimp,, this wil always bite you in the rear! Enjoy the journey, Biff

[wizard]

FLYJUNKIE,

by all means if you can afford it, go for it. Just be ready, you are going to be suprised when you start looking at cost. I am working on my first gasser. For a 50cc gasser you can figure at least $2000 us. A short list (all prices US) Air frame $400, Engine $600, Muffler $75, Servos $550, Servo arms $50, Batteries regulators etc. $300. If you don't already have at least a 6 channel radio then you are looking at least another $350.

Again If you can afford it, go for it. Remember once you make the move to a 50cc bird. Even if something happens to the plane. Chances are that everything can be put in a new airframe and be back in the air for the cost of an ARF kit.

Wizard

[STR8HUCKIN]

I think he should just get the AM 33% yak ......for a FEW hundred more youll get WAY more plane and that sweeet asss new 80 xi.......... its 1 half of a 157!!!!!!! My first gasser is a 35% yak and all I can think about is 40 with a 157..........on cans............I NEED A FIX!!!!!!

[Kitman]

Hey Junkie,
As much as I hate to agree with Biff he has a point! The cost, performance and fun factor are way overboard in the 50cc catagory! There are 20 different planes that with tear up the sky and 10 great motors in that class! Check out the forums we have and the top notch group to help, when you do your research and come up with a plane and motor idea, shoot it up hear and I promise someone on here has that combo and can share thoughts and ideas.

WELCOME!!!! to the Giants!


Kitman

[analog_boy]

Its a steep learning curve for sure. Im just starting to move into gas with my patty. The whole building experience is way different(cant through it together in a day) my advice is just take your time and learn as much as you can. Chances are your next gasser after that will be more expensive and you will want to do a good job and know wat your doing rather than just handling it like a glow plane.