Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / September 2004

A bit more than $150 but check into the Hitec (Funtec) Sky Scooter Pro II.
Comes complete with tx/rx, servos, battery, charger, the works.
Or, if you already have the tx check into a GWS Slow Stick. You can usually
get the plane and a GWS flight pack incl battery and ESC for about $100. Add
a second battery for about $20 or so.

Second sentence should read:

I just had my first son (yay!) so there is no $$$ in the budget (boo!).

For $150 you're either going to have to do a cheap glider, or a used
plane -- you won't have much luck finding a new powered plane at that
price that's not a `toy'.

For $180, the Aerobird Xtreme seems pretty good.  Yes, it's shaped
like the toys, but it's bigger and flies really well.  (I was quite
impressed when I first saw one -- and posted here, if you want to
google for it.)

Check out the T-Hawk from www.readytoflyfun.com.  For $159.00 it comes with
two sets of wings and tails and two NiMH battery packs.  I've had one for
about four weeks now and it flys very well and is tough as nails in the
crashes.

I also have a GWS Tiger Moth and it is an easy slow flier but is extremely
fragile and does not handle any wind at all.

Mark

Its not clear whether this costs includes EVERYTHING or whether you have
enough bits left over from the crashed glo plane - servos avionics etc.

If you have, something speed 600 - I know its a bit big for a parkflyer
- is teh cheapest way to go =- second hand buggy motors and crace packs
from the car racers - standard sized servos and radio equipment, cheapo
car chargers - you can build a nice vintage style plane with about a 6ft
wingspan, stick a geared 600 in it, and have a lot of fun, for plane,
pack and motor and ESC cost of about $150.

Hobby Warehouse sells the Aerobird Challenger with an extra battery pack for
$150.00.  It's a really fun plane, and comes with *everything* you'll need
to fly.

But do you already have a 4-ch or better transmitter and some spare servos
lying around?  Just by an ARF kit and put that together.

Hi Jerry -

First of all, congratulations on the new boy!  I wish the two of you many,
happy buddy-box hours :^)

Since you sound like an experienced flier, I doubt you'll be much impressed
with the Aerobird/Firebird planes (although the Xtreme sounds like it may be
more capable than its peers).

If you can be happy with an ARF, you might want to spend some time at
www.hobby-lobby.com.  Not only do they have a really nice selection of
ARF's, but they list all of the equipment needed to finish it, and they give
you a bottom-line price (you'll have some of the equipment already, but its
a good point of reference).

After you've browsed around there, look over at www.hobbypeople.net.  They
have some more.  Right now I have a Wattage Reno Racer on the bench that
looks very promising.  You can check back every so often for sales.

I'm not sure how they measure up to your price limit (I haven't done a
"Total Cost of Ownership" yet) but I think you can get close.  I picked up
the Racer (motor and prop included) for around $40.

Good luck.
Dan.

Congratulations on the new munchkin. My twins are 3years old, but i can still
sympathize....
anyway, i started flying around thanksgiving with a GWS slowstick - one of the best
beginner planes available with few people to argue - and it didnt cost much. ...at least
in the beginning....

I love my SS dearly because it allowed me to learn on my own. Its durable as any plane
could ever hope to be, though not indestructable. Parts are way-cheap though.
i recommend this guy:
http://www.4mht.com/
hes one of those ebay guys distributing out of his basement, but his prices are
rock-bottom, and more importantly, hes really flexible.
If you still have your transmitter, receiver, and two working servos, your Golden.
you need the plane ($35), Receiver ($25), Electronic Speed Controller ($25) charger ($50)
and batteries (every dollar you'll ever make)
Another good source is www.allerc.com (all E rc dot com)
for batteries, you want KAN 1050, 7 cells. No more, no less. Lithium polymer batteries are
great, but too much for your budget or newbieness.
You also want extra propellers. GWS 1180's . They dont survive even the slightest crash -
but at least they are cheap +- $2 ea.
The charger you select is of moderately high importance though. I use an MRC superbrain
959, and its ok at best. Many others are better.
You NEED nicad and Nimh capability. PEAK DETECTING only, not timed or peak predicting -
they suck.
Ac or DC is your choice. If you have a junk computer, you can make a DC power supply for
about $5. Just search here for instructions. Otherwise use a car battery.
Lipo compatible is a plus, but usually costly. If you upgrade to lipo later, you can
always sell your old charger.
I recently ordered a hobbico MKII field charger, which charges nicad, nimh, and lipo - dc
only, for $50. Reviews are mixed, but i'll try it.
Best of luck, email me if any more questions.
Mike

Not sure if you have gotten any thing yet but my suggestion would be a
Gws Pico-Stick. If you already have a transmitter you can have it ready
to fly for about $130-$140. It was the first plane I had and it flys
very well. If you are willing to spend a little more I would suggest a
dual conversion reciever and a larger battery pack. If you use a 7-cell
730 mah Nimh gws pack you get about 20 minutes of flight time and it
can handle more wind. Otherwise use a 7-cell 370 mah Nimh. I hope this
is some help.