Newbie question

Ty flyer

New member
Hi all,

My name is Ty and I've never flown a plane in my life, but watching a bunch of FliteTest vids has me wanting to test the waters.
I plan to get the FT Mighty Mini Tiny Trainer MKR2 Value Bundle and want to know what I need that doesn't come in the bundle.
Batteries? What kind?
A controller too, right? I'd like a set of sticks that will be useful as I grow in the hobby.
Is there anything else that doesn't come in the bundle?
I appreciate any help.

Cheers,
Ty
 

Foamforce

Elite member
You’ll need a power pack (motor, ESC, servos, and some wires), a battery, a few props (you will likely break a few), a transmitter (remote control), and receiver.

You’re in luck that FliteTest sells the mini trainer with the power pack for a discount.
https://store.flitetest.com/ft-mighty-mini-tiny-trainer-mkr2-value-bundle/

On that same page, select the optional battery. 2s would probably be better for an absolute beginner, but 3s will work fine, just go easy on it. Also select the extra props.

For the transmitter, if you‘re willing to start with a $200 radio, everybody recommends the RadioMaster TX16 that they sell on the store here. If you’re not $200 sure, then a FlySky FS-I6X is about $50 on Amazon, comes with the receiver, and has more features than you’ll use for at least your first few planes. I own three.

Good luck!
 

Merv

Site Moderator
Staff member
+1 on the FlySky, it’s a great system.
Just don’t confuse it with FrSky, a completely different and unrelated brand.
 

Inq

Elite member
Hi all,

My name is Ty and I've never flown a plane in my life, but watching a bunch of FliteTest vids has me wanting to test the waters.
I plan to get the FT Mighty Mini Tiny Trainer MKR2 Value Bundle and want to know what I need that doesn't come in the bundle.
Batteries? What kind?
A controller too, right? I'd like a set of sticks that will be useful as I grow in the hobby.
Is there anything else that doesn't come in the bundle?
I appreciate any help.

Cheers,
Ty

I just spec'd a minimal system for a local child with very limited means. You can actually go cheaper than this if you're willing to wait for China shipments like Banggood or AliExpress. I think he's been saving up all his birthday and Christmas gift moneys from parents, grand parents for a while.
  1. $51 Radio - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3R1K9KC/?tag=lstir-20
  2. $21 Motor, ESC, Propellers - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DXYLFQQ/?tag=lstir-20
  3. $18 Servos for your first three planes if you don't want to reuse - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089GPC9NK/?tag=lstir-20
  4. $18 2200 mAr LiPo - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TZS6PNV/?tag=lstir-20
  5. $26 LiPo charger - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NDK1CBJ/?tag=lstir-20
  6. We re-used a laptop AC adapter to power the LiPo charger.
  7. $2.50 Dollar Tree Foamboard
  8. Tiny Trainer free plans - https://ftforumx2.s3.amazonaws. com/2019/01/208751_b19241977ac 2bafa8ba96848e63eb59d.pdf
Total: $110.50 + tax

One day of fun building and ready to fly the next day weather permitting. (y)

Edit - If anyone has any better (read cheaper) suggestions, please pile on. I have many such want-to-be-pilots in my area.
 
Last edited:

Inq

Elite member
and has more features than you’ll use for at least your first few planes. I own three.

I've wondered... the FS-i6X (which I have also) Exactly what do people do with more than the 10 channels it offers? I haven't even rationalized a purpose for anything more than it can do. The most I can rationalize...
  1. Ailerons
  2. Elevator
  3. Throttle
  4. Rudder
  5. Flaps
  6. Retracts
  7. Drop cattle - @Brian B excellent flying castle - https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/what-did-you-fly-today.57878/page-537#post-738412
  8. Play French Taunts - ditto!
  9. ???
  10. ???
  11. + ???
No trash talking intended... I'm just really curious what are people doing with the $200 transmitter, that I can't with $50. I'm wondering what I'm missing out on. :eek:
 

Piotrsko

Master member
Looks like FT easy series does the whole bit for under $100 and appears to be more beginner proof and escalating complexity.

More than six channels: anything you need remotely operated: gun turrets, nav lights, strobes, bomb bay doors. Tow hook release, spoilers.............Don't think you're missing anything, I myself never use more than 3 channels
 

Foamforce

Elite member
I've wondered... the FS-i6X (which I have also) Exactly what do people do with more than the 10 channels it offers?

I use two channels for a gyro on one of my planes. 1 for the gyro mode and a second for the gyro gain.

Light controllers take a channel or more.

So that gets you up to 11 possibilities. But yeah, so far I haven’t even gone past six on any one plane.
 

Inq

Elite member
Looks like FT easy series does the whole bit for under $100 and appears to be more beginner proof and escalating complexity.

I think the OP (and certainly kids in my area) are starting from scratch... The Easy Series Bundle doesn't include radio, batteries, and charger... oh... about another $100.

Even my list above doesn't include things needed to build the plane like the following that'll set you back another $50.
  1. Hot glue gun
  2. Hot glue
  3. Razor blades
  4. Steel ruler
  5. Oil Based Polyurethane - Makes stronger and near water proof.
  6. Paint (Optional) - although I need to look into the Inkjet printed skins - they look real cool!
 

Foamforce

Elite member
If anyone has any better (read cheaper) suggestions, please pile on. I have many such want-to-be-pilots in my area.

For everything except the radio, if I wanted to go cheap I would go to ValueHobby.com. It comes out cheaper there and you can get all the little bits and pieces for cheap that would be very expensive on Amazon, like wheel collars for example.
 

Inq

Elite member
For everything except the radio, if I wanted to go cheap I would go to ValueHobby.com. It comes out cheaper there and you can get all the little bits and pieces for cheap that would be very expensive on Amazon, like wheel collars for example.

I just tried your suggestion - ValueHobby.com. I simply tried to search on "Servo". The first two pages have NOTHING to do with a servo. I wasn't about to look through the next 84 pages. What am I missing?
 

Foamforce

Elite member
I just tried your suggestion - ValueHobby.com. I simply tried to search on "Servo". The first two pages have NOTHING to do with a servo. I wasn't about to look through the next 84 pages. What am I missing?

Hah, I guess they search engine isn’t great. Go to the menu and select “Radios and Servos” then click on Servos. Sort by price. I would trust even the $2.50 servos over the Amazon ones, but I use the $3.50 TowerPro ones.
 

Inq

Elite member
Hah, I guess they search engine isn’t great. Go to the menu and select “Radios and Servos” then click on Servos. Sort by price. I would trust even the $2.50 servos over the Amazon ones, but I use the $3.50 TowerPro ones.

Ah! Much better. Thanks for the reference.