Equipment for a beginner?

[Jim Holloman]

If this question has been asked previously, please point me to the thread(s) and then ignore this post. Otherwise...I am thinking about getting a large (or giant scale) aircraft next year.

I am capable of flying aerobatic aircraft such as the Mini-Funtana, the Cermark Banshee, and the RC Nobler. I also have a couple of Quickie 500 aircraft. I just ordered the Realflight simulator to help me improve my flying abilities during the Winter.

Can anyone provide suggestions for an ARF IMAC type aircraft, capable of flying the IMAC maneuvers with precision, but not intended to be used in competition -- along with approximate costs. There is too much money involved to spend it foolishly by making poor choices.

I have already concluded that a 2.4 GHz radio is essential because of the added security. Is it better to start with a 50 cc aircraft/engine, 75 cc aircraft/engine, or an 100cc aircraft/engine? I would not want to start with a 50cc and then, within a year, want a larger aircraft. The first aircraft should be fully satisfying for 5 years.

From what I have read, a system with two receivers, two batteries, and the servos split between the receivers would provide welcomed security. But, would a dual receiver setup be too much (weight or volume) for a 50 cc aircraft? There are so many options to consider -- and I have found no one in the local area (within 25 miles) that has any experience with IMAC.

Should I consider a glow powered 1.2-1.5 size aircraft instead of a 50 cc gas powered aircraft? In general, is the Extra design, or the Edge design, better for an IMAC beginner?


1) For a budget of $4,000.00.

Aircraft:
Engine:
Muffler:
Prop:
Battery for ignition:
Transmitter (2.4 GHz):

Receiver:
Servos:
Battery for radio: Should there be one or two?
Other accessories; such as hardware package, voltage regulators, etc. that add to the cost.

1) For a budget of $5,000.00.

Aircraft:
Engine:
Muffler:
Prop:
Battery for ignition:
Transmitter (2.4 GHz):

Receiver:
Servos:
Battery for radio: Should there be one or two?
Other accessories; such as hardware package, voltage regulators, etc. that add to the cost.

[pepatrick]

If you are really looking for an aircraft to satisfy for the next 5 years...go 100cc. If you buy a 50cc plane..you will crave the next largest thing...actually even a 100cc plane will only satisfy you a short while. With the prices the way they are and DA-150 as cheap as they are now...You can get into 150cc plane for about the same amount as a 100cc plane. Transportation obviously would be a problem as the 150cc plane typically will not fit in a vechicle...(maybe a large suburban). I have been in this hobby for just under 3 years...and I made the mistake of buying too many 50cc planes...then a couple of 100cc planes...I got bored with them quickly...No I have had my 3.0 meter Comp-Arf Yak for almost a year and I love it. I am also working a 150cc Krill Yak and this winter a 40% Carden...The madness never ends...so step up and go as big as you can afford and transport...

[smokin]

pepa's right. go straight to the 100cc airframe and you'll "buy yourself a little more time"!!

for imac purposes i would stay with an extra 260 or a yak54/55. there are a bevy of these arfs out there and all of them have their goods and bads. this could turn into a brand war if we are not careful.... i am a comp-arf guy when it comes to arfs and a dalton guy when it comes to kit builts.... i'll try to keep my personal pref's out of my recommendations here! ok here goes.......

airframe: H9 35% 260 extra @ $1000, QQ 102" yak 54 @ $1000

engine: 3w/da 100 @ $1300 w/muffs

servos: hitec 7955's all around @ $95/ea.

batteries: 2500 plus mah lithium ions (2) for rx set up, (1) 1650 plus mah lithium ion for ign. (i like fromeco relions)

power system: Smart Fly (Quest Engineering) EQ6 @ $299 (this has ign kill and servo matching and regulators)

Prop: Vess 27b/28b @ $55 or so

use either a jr 9303 2.4 system or a new futaba 10c 2.4 system. you could go cheaper but you'll just want one of these sooner than later!

*you could go with the da/3w 85cc engine and a pipe (greeves or KS) with either of these planes. if the 85cc engine is the one you want to use consider the QQ 101" yak. that is probably the best bang for your imac buck!

good luck and continue to ask questions as you ARE talking about a lot of $$$$$ here. we hope to help get you set up right!

matt mikesh

[Jim Holloman]

Thanks, fellows. I have a van, so suitable transportation is available; as long as I don't have to drive too far to find a suitable flying field. Currently, the closest field I know of is about about 40 miles one-way.

[Jim Holloman]

pepatrick, where do you fly around Cumming? I know that is a congested area.

[Flatlandman]

1) For a budget of $4,000.00.

Aircraft: QQ 102" yak or H9 35% Extra 260
Engine: DA100cc
Muffler: stock mufflers
Prop: Mezlick 27x10
Battery for ignition: No battery for ignition run through the RX
Transmitter (2.4 GHz): JR X9303

Receiver: Spektrum AR9100 add deans connectors
Servos: 7 JR8711 choose what thottle servo you want.
Battery for radio: Should there be one or two? 2 Fromeco 5200 mah li-on packs
Other accessories; such as hardware package, voltage regulators, etc. that add to the cost.
No regs 1 kills switch for ignition replace axles and wheels 1 fromeco wolverine switch. CF spinner from Azzure hobbies
With left over cash get CF upgrades

1) For a budget of $5,000.00.
Same as above
Aircraft:
Engine:
Muffler:
Prop:
Battery for ignition:
Transmitter (2.4 GHz): add 12x

Receiver: Upgrade to 12 channel vrs of ar9100
Servos: upgrade to high volt servo by JR
Battery for radio: Should there be one or two?
Other accessories; such as hardware package, voltage regulators, etc. that add to the cost.

[exeter_acres]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Jim Holloman
	pepatrick, where do you fly around Cumming? I know that is a congested area.

Pe, as well as myself fly over at Georgia Model Aviators... where the Huckfest was just held....

Not sure if he goes out to the sandpit though...

If you are in the area.. come on out!

[Jim Holloman]

	Quote: Originally Posted by exeter_acres
	Pe, as well as myself fly over at Georgia Model Aviators... where the Huckfest was just held....

If it is in Ball Ground, then it would be about a 400 mile roundtrip.

[Jim Holloman]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Flatlandman
	Battery for ignition: No battery for ignition run through the RX

Do you connect the ignition module to the receiver -- or to the receiver battery; perhaps with a Y cable? If to the receiver, then what connector on the receiver? Your statement seems to imply that the ignition module does not create any electrical noise on the supply line that could interfere with the receiver.

[Flatlandman]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Jim Holloman
	Do you connect the ignition module to the receiver -- or to the receiver battery; perhaps with a Y cable? If to the receiver, then what connector on the receiver? Your statement seems to imply that the ignition module does not create any electrical noise on the supply line that could interfere with the receiver.

I have a kill switch that has 3 leads one is the lead the goes to the rx for the signal to turn on or off and one that supplies power to ign and one that goes to the power source. Most will use this in a traditional battery to kill switch to ign. I plug the power source lead into an open slot in my ar9100 rx anf feed the power to the ign this way. Other have done this before me and i have used it for the last season no issues have ever come from this setup. This eliminated the need for a ign battery or an ign switch. Thats 2 or more points of failure that i have eliminated from the system. It draws and extra 100 or so mah per flight from the rx batteries. Some will say failsafe switch this and that but i have had 3 switch failures (2 of which were fail safe type switches) to normal wear and tear so losing the need for a switch off the ign is a big plus in my book. No mater how fail safe they are things can go wrong and the switch can fail. In short safes money safes failure points and reduces weight of plane for me there are way more pluses and no true negs to this setup.

Edit: I have switched back to li-on batteries so i bout an inline reg for between the kill switch and the ign since my da100 ign cant handle the 8.4 volt.

[nesikachad]

Stalk the for sale section. Lots of deal to be had for pennies on the dollar of new.

[Jim Holloman]

	Quote: Originally Posted by nesikachad
	Stalk the for sale section.

Where is the "For Sale" section (or Forum)? I went to the Main Index and did a search for "sale" and got no match. Thanks.

[Jim Holloman]

I found the "For Sale" section. It is the "SwapShop" in the Main Menu bar at the top of the main index page.

[deathbunny]

I personaly would buy a barely used 50cc fly it for a season to get your giant scale feet wet and see what you wanna do and most importantly learn giant scale issues on. I have no idea what your budget is (beyond this model) but the last thing you wanna do is spend everything on 1 model and then not be able to replace it if something happens. If you buy a good barely used model you wont loose a ton if you want to sell it and go bigger or more then likely you will want to keep it for a back up when you do want something bigger. Its great to have a back up for those days when you get to the field and something minor goes wrong and puts your model out of commision for the day, esp if you live far from the field.

Stay away from the 1.2 size stuff. Its to small for good results with gas and big enough that glo fuel starts to cost alot. 50cc is a great first giant scale size and there is some very nice flying 50cc models. I was flying 1.2 sized stuff and just got a 50cc hanger9/cardern yak and love it. I am also one of those always want the next best thing people but I dont think I will be going any bigger then 50/60cc, this size is already hard enough for me to handle (not flying but moving it around and what not).

Have a look at RCUniverse they have a big for sale section.

[Jim Holloman]

Thanks, fellows, for all the good input and opinions. It has been very helpful.

For anyone that has been to Joe Nall at Triple Tree. I was wondering if one can normally expect to find a fair number of used IMAC type aircraft for sale at the event; either 50cc or 100cc -- and what day (of the week) would be best. I would imagine that the economy could reduce the attendance substantially -- but it might also cause a higher percentage of people interested in selling used equipment.

Is anyone in the USA selling a 50cc size IMAC aircraft designed for electric power? Considering the cost of a DA-50, an electric powered aircraft shouldn't cost much more than a gas powered one. But, converting a gas powered design to electric could be problematic because of cooling, space for batteries, balance, and unnecessary weight.