Beginners Kit Recommendations

[FUNKY04]

Hello Friends,

I've been watching Flite Test since 2015 which feels like about 4 months ago! Time flies.

I have owned a few RTF planes and a handful of cheap quad copters over the years. I have also built foamboard planes and ripped out the electronics of those RTF planes and used the included transmitter to fly them and am ready to dive in all the way.

I need help building my order! I've decided to get a radiomaster TX16S with the 4 in 1. What else would you buy?

Receivers
ESCs
FT Power pack?
Servos
Motors
Props
Etc...

The reason I've come to the forum for help is im not sure about batteries and a charger. I think this is my biggest question - what batteries, charger (not too crazy expensive,) extras?

if you were going to buy a "this is everything you need to build and fly foamboard RC airplanes" kit - what would be in your shopping cart?

Thanks friends!

 

[Flyingshark]

Welcome to the forums!

For a starter charger, I would probably get a IMAX B6 clone. They're definitely not crazy expensive, are reasonably capable, and usually come with adapters for the common plug types. I got mine when I started in the hobby and it has served me well, but I'm planning to replace it because I want to charge more than one battery at a time.

For battery recommendations, as well as the other electronic parts you listed, it would be great if you could tell us if you had a plane in mind to build. You probably wouldn't want to put a 3 cell 2200 milliamp-hour battery in something from the FliteTest Mighty Mini series, but it would work well for a larger plane, like an FT Tutor or a Spitfire. FliteTest has lots of options for foam board planes, from trainers to Master Series warbirds, but is there one or a few that jump out to you?

 

[Merv]

... kit - what would be in your shopping cart?...

The Tiny Trainer. It's easy to build, fly & repair.

Here is some more information you might find useful.
https://beginner.flitetest.com/

 

[FUNKY04]

Awesome, Thank You!

 

[FUNKY04]

Welcome to the forums!

For a starter charger, I would probably get a IMAX B6 clone. They're definitely not crazy expensive, are reasonably capable, and usually come with adapters for the common plug types. I got mine when I started in the hobby and it has served me well, but I'm planning to replace it because I want to charge more than one battery at a time.

For battery recommendations, as well as the other electronic parts you listed, it would be great if you could tell us if you had a plane in mind to build. You probably wouldn't want to put a 3 cell 2200 milliamp-hour battery in something from the FliteTest Mighty Mini series, but it would work well for a larger plane, like an FT Tutor or a Spitfire. FliteTest has lots of options for foam board planes, from trainers to Master Series warbirds, but is there one or a few that jump out to you?

I plan to start with some from the simple series. Simple cub, storch, Etc. But what I truly enjoy is building planes from my own mind! I do plan to get a simple cub build kit no matter what so maybe that's a good starting place?

I'm blessed to have a very large field right out my back door even though 8 months of the year it has a crop growing in it!

I checked out the charger you recommended and it's on my list now!

Thank you!

 

[Shurik-1960]

There will be 50 models in my hangar soon. Based on my many years of experience, my advice is this: don't buy a lot of things, it's better to buy components for the model that you like and that you make yourself. Over time, you will have accumulated a lot of models, and you will be able to disassemble the broken models for the next projects. Servomechanisms of 9 grams are the only product that I buy for 5-10 pieces

 

[Flyingshark]

I plan to start with some from the simple series. Simple cub, storch, Etc. But what I truly enjoy is building planes from my own mind! I do plan to get a simple cub build kit no matter what so maybe that's a good starting place?

I'm blessed to have a very large field right out my back door even though 8 months of the year it has a crop growing in it!

I checked out the charger you recommended and it's on my list now!

Thank you!

Awesome! If you’re going to build plenty of planes from the simple series, I would look for 3 cell batteries with a capacity of around 1300-1800 mah, since that’s the range FliteTest recommends for the Simple Cub. A 1300mah battery is going to be smaller/lighter, but it won’t be able to fly quite as long as an 1800. Personally, I like larger batteries for more time in the air, but lighter planes are fun to fly too!

 

[Shurik-1960]

I've been wanting to create a theme for a long time: a model and its drawings-a video of the models flight - my recommendations for manufacturing. But all the models are in the village (in the country), and all the videos are on the disk of an old computer that I can't get my hands on to fix. I have made more than 20 models from this site: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1333878-**-Pics-with-links-to-600-plans-**

 

[Mr Man]

I plan to start with some from the simple series. Simple cub, storch, Etc. But what I truly enjoy is building planes from my own mind! I do plan to get a simple cub build kit no matter what so maybe that's a good starting place?

I'm blessed to have a very large field right out my back door even though 8 months of the year it has a crop growing in it!

I checked out the charger you recommended and it's on my list now!

Thank you!

Try Tattu or Ovonic batteries, they are cheap, reliable, and high quality.

 

[M.Peanut]

Value Hobby and Windcatcher RC are two of my go to sites for inexpensive but quality building material. Good people too!