Another new guy

[moto_john]

Hey every one at FG. Need some help. I've been flying foamies for about 6 months, and logged about 2500-3000 hours on realflight. So heres my question, I'm looking for a larger 3d/imac type plane. The sim says a CAP 580, but the size would freak me out. I've been practicing slow rolls, 4 and 8 point rolls, hover, blenders, flat spins, knife edge, and parracutes. I'm sure I've done more on the sim but I'm brain dead right now. So what do you guys think? I've been looking at profiles, 1.20 size and a 1/3 CAP 580. If I do go the 1/3 scale route, it wont be flown for awhile. During that time money will be saved, planes will be bought and flying will improve.


http://www.lanierrc.com/airplanes/lana8235.html
I've also been looking at that plane, just to get me into nitro. Then step up the size later on.
And a Laser 200. I've heard those fly wired?

[statbeast]

If I were you, I would get a relatively cheap glow plane like a Funtana 100x and learn the ins and outs of engines before you step up to something bigger. Something that size is big enough to feel like a step up, but not expensive enough to break the bank if you make a mistake. I am sure you have the flying skills for a larger plane, but there is still a lot to learn about engine tuning and you may want to move up slowly.

[moto_john]

ive had nitro ensgins in my cars. real nice ones to but never a plane motor.

[moto_john]

If I can get my pit bike sold I might end up with a comp arf 2.3 extra. It'll sit in my room till I get more comferable with flying.

So any one want to buy this?

[Saucerguy]

I'd take statbeast's advice, and not move up too quickly, there is a radical difference at the field with a 3d compared to a sport plane compared to a noob friendly plane. When I first got into it, I pushed myself very hard to learn to fly quickly, heavy winds were a constant so I had to wean myself away from dihedral initially. Once I got into warbirds and flying wings, I had a great deal of fun, but I'm also a die hard builder, so crashing didn't bother me all that much.

The sim's are great to learn from, they sure helped me get good quickly, but there is nothing like the experience you gain at the field, for there is simply no comparison. My first true 3d style plane was a cheap great planes flat out zero, I got a great deal at the LHS for it, so figured, I could have some fun with it until it fell apart, and use the gear and carbon fiber to make something more substantial, all the while, getting used to the oversized control surfaces and odd COG. When I first took it up, I had everything set up per the manufacturers direction, that first flight, it felt totally uncontrollable, for I was still in sport plane mode. I tamed it down by placing the battery forward to get the COG tamed down, and I only barely touched the controls. This helped me ease into 3d, for I can adjust where the pack goes little by little, moving it further aft.

It's also much better on your nerves learning to fly something cheap, especially since you are on a tight budget, you don't want to be a nervous wreck having to worry about destroying your plane as you are learning from it. I delegate my expensive ones to be geared well within my abilities. I hope this helps.