What plane should I get?

[Sky_king82]

I'm reinserting myself into the RC Airplane hobby after 22 years off. Times have changed since balsa, monokote and nitro engines were the only real options. Now I've got a little money and want to try the foam board models.

What would be the best setup for someone that has a little rusty experience, wants a 4-channel setup, needs just a little aerobatic performance capabiliy as well as a stable enough airplane to maybe teach a 12 year old.

If I have to get a second airplane as a trainer for a kid because it limits options, thats what I'll do.

Also, how many batteries should I get so I won't be frustrated and what controller (is a buddy box still a thing)?

I currently have nothing and am starting from scratch.

 

[Mr NCT]

I'm reinserting myself into the RC Airplane hobby after 22 years off. Times have changed since balsa, monokote and nitro engines were the only real options. Now I've got a little money and want to try the foam board models.

What would be the best setup for someone that has a little rusty experience, wants a 4-channel setup, needs just a little aerobatic performance capabiliy as well as a stable enough airplane to maybe teach a 12 year old.

If I have to get a second airplane as a trainer for a kid because it limits options, thats what I'll do.

Also, how many batteries should I get so I won't be frustrated and what controller (is a buddy box still a thing)?

I currently have nothing and am starting from scratch.

If you want to start with a foam board plane you can't go wrong with the FT Tiny Trainer. It looks like the speed build kit is out of stock but here is a link to the plans.
https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?resources/ft-tiny-trainer.126/
It uses the Flite Test power pack A - https://store.flitetest.com/ft-power-pack-a-radial-v2/
It's a straight forward build so you can learn the basics of building with foam board. There's a very complete build video. It's easy to repair. It has two wings - a polyhedral for 3 channel flying while you or your 12 year old are learning and a 'sport' wing with ailerons for acrobatics.
I'll let others weigh in on TXs since I've only used a Spektrum DX6e, which I like btw.

 

[bisco]

welcome!
buddy box is still a thing. spectrum makes a good set up, and there are less expensive alternatives.

if you don't want to spend on a buddy system, a newer alternative is a gyro. you can buy ready to fly planes with built in gyro or add something like an aura 5 to a flite test kit.

here's a video of josh installing one in his ready to fly:

if you are going to buy a transmitter for each of you eventually, buddy box is a good alternative.

 

[bisco]

here's a buddy box thread with some interesting info on the flysky tx, one of the better ones for the price:

https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/how-to-setup-trainer-student-mode-buddy-box.35605/

 

[bisco]

and flite tests trainer rec's:

https://www.flitetest.com/articles/top-5-beginner-ft-planes

 

[MaxTheFliteFreak]

I would suggest possibly a simple scout for it's great trainer tendencies and aerobatic capabilities. I have never had one but I have heard a lot of great things about them.

 

[HVB79]

I'm reinserting myself into the RC Airplane hobby after 22 years off. Times have changed since balsa, monokote and nitro engines were the only real options. Now I've got a little money and want to try the foam board models.

What would be the best setup for someone that has a little rusty experience, wants a 4-channel setup, needs just a little aerobatic performance capabiliy as well as a stable enough airplane to maybe teach a 12 year old.

Also, how many batteries should I get so I won't be frustrated and what controller (is a buddy box still a thing)?

I currently have nothing and am starting from scratch.

Spektrum DXs Basic Radio (simple radio / buddy box)
Spektrum Dx6e Radio (more capable radio to use as master radio)
Receiver
Tiny Trainer Airplane
Power Pack A
Battery get 2 minimum, 4 is better
Battery Charger

Gyro / Flight Stabilization System (optional)

 

[bisco]

I'm reinserting myself into the RC Airplane hobby after 22 years off. Times have changed since balsa, monokote and nitro engines were the only real options. Now I've got a little money and want to try the foam board models.

What would be the best setup for someone that has a little rusty experience, wants a 4-channel setup, needs just a little aerobatic performance capabiliy as well as a stable enough airplane to maybe teach a 12 year old.

If I have to get a second airplane as a trainer for a kid because it limits options, thats what I'll do.

Also, how many batteries should I get so I won't be frustrated and what controller (is a buddy box still a thing)?

I currently have nothing and am starting from scratch.

come in, sky king, over

 

[Aslansmonkey]

I would suggest possibly a simple scout for it's great trainer tendencies and aerobatic capabilities. I have never had one but I have heard a lot of great things about them.

I would HIGHLY recommend the SImple Scout. It's not the best first ever plane, but it's an excellent second plane and great on 4 channels.

I beat the crap out of my first one and kept repairing it and putting it back in the air. When I "retired" it finally, it was to build a new one. I've also built and flew the Mini Scout and made a 75% version of the mini and flew that as well. I currently have my second scout and an XL Scout with plans to modify another build into a biplane.

Theres a good bet that if you build and fly the scout, it'll always have a place in your hanger.

 

[Matthewdupreez]

I would suggest possibly a simple scout for it's great trainer tendencies and aerobatic capabilities. I have never had one but I have heard a lot of great things about them.

ditto on the simple scout

 

[Sky_king82]

Spektrum DXs Basic Radio (simple radio / buddy box)
Spektrum Dx6e Radio (more capable radio to use as master radio)
Receiver
Tiny Trainer Airplane
Power Pack A
Battery get 2 minimum, 4 is better
Battery Charger

Gyro / Flight Stabilization System (optional)

Thank you! That's what I got. The tiny trainer flies great and crashes really well, haha.

 

[JetCrafts]

I'm reinserting myself into the RC Airplane hobby after 22 years off. Times have changed since balsa, monokote and nitro engines were the only real options. Now I've got a little money and want to try the foam board models.

What would be the best setup for someone that has a little rusty experience, wants a 4-channel setup, needs just a little aerobatic performance capabiliy as well as a stable enough airplane to maybe teach a 12 year old.

If I have to get a second airplane as a trainer for a kid because it limits options, thats what I'll do.

Also, how many batteries should I get so I won't be frustrated and what controller (is a buddy box still a thing)?

I currently have nothing and am starting from scratch.

best plane in my opinion for beginner is ft explorer or a modified version of the ft simple soarer with a motor .i would suggest 2-4 batteries so while you're using one you can charge the other , and buddy box is still a thing don't worry , matter o` fact its better now

 

[mastermalpass]

I learned with an RC Powers Su-34 V4, but I gotta back the mini scout. I've built two. First one was a bit over powered and overweight, but a great flyer - snapped the wing and it glued/taped back on no problem. The second one, I was trying to build the lightest mini scout possible. I gave it an underpowered, elevator and rudder configuration with miniscule throws and the airframe was forgiving enough for that mess to actually fly! 😂

It's a very stable plane, yet you can pull loops and barrel rolls out of it with the basic set up. Easy to build and easy to repair.