New Guy needs help choosing a plane

[Dood]

Hi guys

Im a heli guy looking seriously to get into airplanes. I've got my heart set on a 25% to 33% Edge 540 or possibly an Extra.

The only brand I really know is Wild Hare, as thats what most of the locals fly. I hear Carden is up at the top of the list as far as quality goes.

I don't want anything so expensive I'd be scared to fly it, but I don't want junk.

Can someone give me a quick run down of planes ranked from best to worst?
What do I look for when deciding on an ARF kit? What to stay away from?

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.

[Oilsands]

Have a look at PAU http://www.performancercaircraft.com/index.html, they have good quality planes, good prices and great service. I can't rank it for you, but I do have the 36% Edge and 37% Ultimate and both fly better than the 33% Hangar 9 Extra 330L that I have. There are threads on the smaller (the 50 cc sized) planes on FG that you can check out. There are a lot of good quality planes out there and most will have a thread on it on FG.

[Wild Thang]

Hey Dood,

When picking out an airframe, look for somthing midwing, a decent tail moment and somthing that weighs in fairly light. Why I say midwing is because I find midwing airplanes less snappy and they roll more axial than a low wing would. PAU has a nice 33% edge, that would be ballistic combination with a DA-85 and canister. As far as Extras, there are so many to chose from. 3DHobbyShop has a new extra 330SC that looks like a killer plane. If you are ok shelling out the cash for a plane in the 85cc range (33%) thats probably the way to go, they fly much better than the 50cc class (25-30%).

If you have any questions about setup or anything, just send me a message.

Matt Thomas

[danielph]

I just got the Extreme Flight 88" Extra 300, and that's definately my plane of choice! I can't recommend it enough!




Also, if you don't mind waiting a month or so, here's a picture of EF's new Edge 540


And of course there Yak-54


You won't be dissappointed with any of there planes!

[CAPtain232]

I am assuming that you are a member of a club..... and you have a buddy or two that will let you fly a trainer, cub or something of that sort and get familiar to an aircraft who's lift doesn't come from that spinny thing on top...

Do you want to build a kit or do you want to assemble an ARF and go fly. For many people, it's isn't the amount of money that may make you choose not to fly the aircraft, but rather the time and effort building from a kit. Carden and Dalton are the two best kit makers in the states right now. When you get into ARFs, which I am not the best judge of, there are sooo many good companies out there now. several years ago that wasn't the case, but today you have a lot of choices. Extreme Flight, Hangar 9, Aeroworks and MANY more...

I would suggest assembling an ARF for your first plane (after your flight lessons of course) just so that you do not put 300+ hours into building a frame, which really takes talent and experience, just to experience a major loss. I get just as much enjoyment from building and I would like to see more people build, but with the ARFs that are available, it doesn't make the most sense for a first timer to build from a kit.

[CAPtain232]

Additionally,

It might even be your best bet to buy something used RTF in good condition......

[Doppelganger]

Pilot RC Extra 260 or 300. Good prices, and lots of carbon fiber. Oh, and they fly very well.

Steve

[mark nichols]

Not going to be popular here, but fly a cheaper plane or used one first till you can fly, why fly a model you may not be happy to fly alone, you need stick time on a plane and a big buck plane shouldnt be youre first choice.

Im probably wrong though and hope you have a good amount of fixed wing stick time then go EF extra or Yak or Pilot rc. Or a QQ 101 chief has them cheap, just an idea.

Your pocket and your choice.

Mark

[wildhare]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Dood
	The only brand I really know is Wild Hare, as thats what most of the locals fly.

There's a reason that Wild Hare planes are popular, they are good planes and a great value. Nice looking planes too, if I do say so myself.


Give me a call at 817-430-0107. I'll be happy to spend some time discussing what we have available and to try to help you pick something that's appropriate.

Tom Fawcett
Wild Hare Hobbies, Inc.

[Dood]

...

[Dood]

...

[wildhare]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Dood
	I know better than to buy the very first thing I see.

Once in a while the best thing comes along first.

TF

[T. Bob]

In my first hand experience with both companies (WildHare and Extreme Flight) you could not go wrong with a Extreme Flight product.

I have found that their company exceeds in any ARF out on the market today.

I can not say the same for WildHare.

I have personally owned both and am speaking from my first hand experience.

Thank you.


Whada ya goin to do now fic

[nate428]

dietrich has a new edge 540 coming out soon, and it looks amazing! 91" wingspan, 1456 wing area, 15.5 lbs on a da50! and the color scheme is really sharp too. doesn't appear to have full counter balance (3d) elevators, that may be a deal breaker...
http://www.dietrichaircraft.com/index.php

[Dood]

...