Getting back into the hobby

[MS_Mike]

After a 25 plus year break, I am thinking about returning to the hobby. I have always had a love for larger aircraft as in my opinion from previous models, they tend to me smoother flying (and after all, I can see them better!).

For a "large scale trainer" I am thinking about building a 1/4 scale Cub since it is such a friendly and forgiving aircraft. I have been browsing around here and found the ARF planes, but I come from the old school and am thinking about just building a kit. Are there any reasons to fly ARF versus kit other than time savings?

If I do build a kit, there seems to be two on the market, the Sig and Balsa USA. Heck, for that matter Balsa USA has a 1/3 scale. Does anyone have any advice on the above mentioned kits?

As far as power, does one use gas or 4 stroke type engine? I am on my own here as there is no club anywhere around that I know of, but I really haven't gotten that far yet. I do have a location to fly though.

Ok folks, help a former flyer move back into the arena with your advice.

Mike

[commoman]

I fly great planes ARF cub piper and have a 72 os 4 stroke engine on it. Flys real good.

[smokin]

you can't go wrong with either kit! if you are building the 1/4 scale go with the sig! that airplane is a must have in the stable. the BUSA 1/3 scale is a realy beauty as well.

tell you what... step up and go for the 40% Bill Hempel Clipped Wing J3! it takes a 100cc engine and it is as docile as anything that we have everflown!!! MUCH BETTER than any other cub we have had at our field! the bigger the better and now, you don't have to stop at 25-33%!!!!

welcome back, good luck and happy flying!

[MS_Mike]

Ok, I have about decided on the Sig, if so, what do you guys suggest for power? Glow 4-stroke or gas?

Sorry about the continued questions, but I don't have a club close nor do I have a shop, etc. anywhere around.

Your suggestions are appreciated.

[zoomer260]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MS_Mike
	Ok, I have about decided on the Sig, if so, what do you guys suggest for power? Glow 4-stroke or gas? Sorry about the continued questions, but I don't have a club close nor do I have a shop, etc. anywhere around. Your suggestions are appreciated.

That's a damn hard question for me. Now I'd have to with gas. Smaller I'd go with a nice four stroke twin.

Oops. The Sig. Big fat Saito 300. Unless you wanted un-Cub like flight.

[MS_Mike]

Thanks for everyone's help. I will probably ask more dumb questions as I proceed.

[carrid02]

You might think about a zenoah G-26, if you're thinking gas. Very reliable, easy to operate.

Glow... I would look at a big saito 4-stroke.

I've got a 1/4 PA-11 (scratch built cub)... I'm running a G-26 on it with great results... good power... highly recommended.

Hope this helps.

[apriliamille]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MS_Mike
	Ok, I have about decided on the Sig, if so, what do you guys suggest for power? Glow 4-stroke or gas? Sorry about the continued questions, but I don't have a club close nor do I have a shop, etc. anywhere around. Your suggestions are appreciated.

dont know if this will help.

when i plan to go fly i figure if someone else is out there or if im just going to be alone
if i know others are out there i take my gas. (i transitioned out of nitro so i cant answer that one)
not that electric is safer per say but i just dont get a warm fuzzy when i set up my tail hook in the dirt and start flipping the prop with no one around but me and my cellphone. id rather just drive up, get out of the vehicle carry my plane down to the runway turn everything on and hit the sticks and fly with my electric.
reason i mention this is due to you saying "i dont have a club close nor do i have a shop"

[luv2flyguy]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MS_Mike
	Ok, I have about decided on the Sig, if so, what do you guys suggest for power? Glow 4-stroke or gas? Sorry about the continued questions, but I don't have a club close nor do I have a shop, etc. anywhere around. Your suggestions are appreciated.

G-26 all the way with electronic ignition. Glow fuel is outrageous in price! You won't be sorry if you go gas, I was out of the hobby for twelve years and got back in it four years ago and my first plane had a Brison 3.2 on it, I was new to gas but it wasn't hard to learn, and there are so many great people on this site that can answer your questions. I think the Sig is a good choice. BTW welcome back to the hobby. The are a lot of good hobby stores that have websites that are into giant scale, a couple that I deal with are Troybuiltmodels.com and Don's Hobby shop, I have had great customer service with both of these.

[MS_Mike]

	Quote: Originally Posted by apriliamille
	dont know if this will help. when i plan to go fly i figure if someone else is out there or if im just going to be alone if i know others are out there i take my gas. (i transitioned out of nitro so i cant answer that one) not that electric is safer per say but i just dont get a warm fuzzy when i set up my tail hook in the dirt and start flipping the prop with no one around but me and my cellphone. id rather just drive up, get out of the vehicle carry my plane down to the runway turn everything on and hit the sticks and fly with my electric. reason i mention this is due to you saying "i dont have a club close nor do i have a shop"

So, when I left the hobby 25+ years ago, to fly electric one would need a car battery onboard. So has technology developed whereby one can fly electric on a 1/4 scale plane?

[Greyhoundman]

LOL Electric's have come a very long way recently. LiPo's and brushless motors are the way to go. Guys are flying up to 30% 17lb 3D planes with ease there are some larger electrics out there but the batteries get pretty spendy pretty quick.

[SleepyC]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MS_Mike
	So, when I left the hobby 25+ years ago, to fly electric one would need a car battery onboard. So has technology developed whereby one can fly electric on a 1/4 scale plane?

Yes electrics have blossomed.
With the introduction of lipo batteries the weight of batteries dropped and the performance increased.

Everything from 4 oz foamies to 35 lb giants scale planes can be electric now and come in at the same weight as the glow or gas counterparts. (And usually have more power!)

But the one down fall to electrics is the charging. if you do not have enough batteries, your flying day could be cut short.

I would say with a 1/4 scale cub, a G26i (Electronic ignition) would be your best bet.

With a 32oz tank, you could easily get 30+ min flight times. Easy maintenance, and nice power.

What ever you choose, if you have a question,do not be afraid to ask.
And welcome to the Giants!

[Bunky F. Knuckle]

I had a 110" BUSA Cubby, with a OS 120 TWIN in it. It was scale everything!!! It was a great flying airplane!!! Can't go wrong with the Cub!!!!

If I had to do a Cub again, I would it with floats, and a little bigger gas engine. Not sure what size Cub it would be, but a little bigger.

[MS_Mike]

Hey guys, thanks a whole lot!

I guess that I don't know what I have been missing in all this time. For one thing, there was nobody 30 years ago to talk about my plans except a couple of friends who flew. I left the hobby because one of the guys who flew with me got a new job out of town and left. We lost our little field and it became very hard to continue.

For those of us off in a rural location, the lack of support is now overcome with the great help that you guys provide on here. This is wonderful because you will probably help me overcome some mistakes that I could surely fall into without the help.

I know that the Cub is not the tremendous aerobatic wonder, but I think it will allow me to get back into flying without the help of a club, etc. I have always found that larger aircraft are much "easier" to fly as they react more slowly and are more forgiving than small planes are. This will be important to me as I fly alone.

All of this to express my thanks to this group for helping me re-educate myself in the hobby and make the proper decisions.

THANK YOU!

[SleepyC]

Man glad we could help.
The Giants is a wealth of info, and also one heck of a group of friends.
Spend some time on the site, and I'm afraid you will never be without a flying buddy again!

There are MANY shows and fly-in's all over the US. We host big shows called "Huckfests" where a lot of pilots come and show off and just have a great time. Check the calendar on the site i know we have several Giants that fly out of Mississippi, so I bet once you get that cub together, with a small drive I'm sure we could find some guys to make sure it gets in the air properly!

Also, wanted to say... you can not go wrong with a cub. Everyone loves a cub. Especially big ones!