Best Beginner RC aircraft (list provided)

[RcAlex]

Hey, guys now that i have started the this hobby my friend has become interested in learning to fly an rc airplane. He has found couple trainers that he likes but recently asked me which one would be best. Since, I just started the hobby couple months ago i figured I would turn to you guys for some more advise!
The planes that he is really interested in are:

Dynam Hawk Sky
Mini Apprentice s
Freewing Pandora
HobbyZone champ s+
HobbyZone sport cub s
FMS Easy Trainer

I know these are a lot of planes to look at, but he would really like to know which ones are worth looking at and which ones are worth the extra money over the others. He is also curious how much space is required to fly the larger aircraft in this list. Lastly, keep in mind that his end goal is to be able to fly a war bird as cost effectively as possible and is curious which plane will best prepare him at the lowest cost!! Thanks for your help! :)

[doctormike]

These are all great trainers. I trained on a HZ Champ. Small, but good. I've actually flown it backwards in high wind. Had a dog fight with 2 young Ospreys. Doc

[WintrSol]

While the Pandora is a good, gently flying airplane, if you plan to begin training in tricycle gear configuration, I can't recommend it. Because of the arrangement of the front wheel, it is vulnerable to damage from a less than graceful landing, which could break the steering servo gears. If, however, training is OK in tail dragger mode, it will do just fine; just apply some flexible glue to the plastic main gear covers, so the screws don't rip out. Maybe get a spare set of main gear.

[RcAlex]

Thanks for all the suggestion!! However, ever can anyone compare all these plane pros and cons? I'm really unsure on where to spend my/his money

[racerx600rr]

Thanks for all the suggestion!! However, ever can anyone compare all these plane pros and cons? I'm really unsure on where to spend my/his money

Hey Alex, I can't speak for every plane but I've owned the Sport cub s and the original Champ (3ch version) and instructed students with the Pandora. I think of those three the Sport cub s is the least favorable only because for the price it doesn't offer as much learning potential. Between the Champ and Pandora I would say for the money the Pandora gives you the most all around training/learning possibility. Pros for the Pandora are low/high wing capable, tricycle and tail dragger capable and overall size and battery type to move on to bigger and better planes. Cons are it is more expensive initially and its larger size means it takes up more space for storage and for transporting. Also its park sized but in the hands of a new flyer it would be better flying at a flying field or a larger private type facility. Champs pros are it is smaller in size for transport, storage and for flying. You can fly this very easily at any fair sized field. Plus the s+ version has lots of "safe" features for teaching yourself to fly. Cons while a great addition to learning, "Safe" tech can give you bad habits when trying to learn to fly with out its aid. Its small battery size will increase what you will have to buy next if your next purchase is to be a larger airplane. I know that can't cover all the ideas but its a start in what you can think over.

[Steelydanfan]

I am only going to say that the Dynam Hawk Sky V2 is highly rated by Andrew Newton and the RC Sailors on You Tube, it is a 4 channel "pusher prop" powered glider that will survive crashes due to the prop/motor placement, it is also capable of loops, rolls, etc, as the experience level rises. I just began my RC journey with a Dromida Sky Cruiser 2, which is a smaller version of this Dynam Sky Hawk V2 . I will attest to the crash survivability of this pusher prop type trainer. The nose takes the hit, and there is nothing in the foam nose of either of these planes. I am crashing, learning, and still flying ! If only the weather were better in the deep South these days ! The price is good as well, I think the Dynam Hawk Sky V2 goes for $119 in a version that only needs the receiver/transmitter, everything else is included, including the aileron servo setup, you don't even need that feature to start flying, it will go with throttle/rudder/elevator to begin with.

[Jflyboy]

I also just started flying in January. There were 5 guys at the club Parumph Valley Aviators had Eflit Apprentic S. I bought one and started flying. Take offs and landing were almost immediate in beginner mode and flying in Intermediate didn't take long. It took about a month to go to expert and do some rolls and loops. The plane will handle 10 t0 12 mph winds even for a beginner. Do not let people tell you about bad habits to me the important thing was not to wreck a plane for no reason. I hope this helps I'm 67 years old and this plane was the best buy. Good luck.

[F22trainer]

The Hobby Zone Carbon Cub is an excellent candidate as well. And in fact if you get the BNF version and purchase the DXe separate, you can add the flaps. (The flap switches are not installed on the RTF model DXe) It also binds easily to other Spektrum supported aircraft to provide the SAFE and AS3X functions. This also allows you to use the radio to transition into more advanced BNF aircraft.

[Gringotuerto]

Also the Eflite Delta Ray looks pretty good and easy. I haven't been in this market for a while, but a friend who is new to RC is using this one with success.

[BluesDragon]

Got the Mini Apprentice, myself. I'll give it two thumbs up... fantastic bird to learn on. Also got the F4U Corsair... which will stay in the hanger until I'm very comfortable getting the trainer down smoothly with full confidence! ;)

[F22trainer]

Got the Mini Apprentice, myself. I'll give it two thumbs up... fantastic bird to learn on. Also got the F4U Corsair... which will stay in the hanger until I'm very comfortable getting the trainer down smoothly with full confidence! ;)

Just curious where you fly as we are both in Az...
I hang out at AMPS field

[hotrod23t]

i just gotta say... got to have a hawksky 2 great learner but can be upgraded to haul ass tried new motor prop combo last weekend 98 mph:Scared:

[BluesDragon]

Just curious where you fly as we are both in Az...
I hang out at AMPS field

East Valley Aviators is my club field. Although where I live, San Tan Valley, borders some agricultural fields (mainly cotton)...only two blocks behind my house.
I caught up with the workers when they was plowing out there and asked if it would be ok to fly back there. They were cool about
and I respect the crops. So I tend to practice back there quite a bit too. :Cool:

[F22trainer]

East Valley Aviators is my club field. Although where I live, San Tan Valley, borders some agricultural fields (mainly cotton)...only two blocks behind my house.
I caught up with the workers when they was plowing out there and asked if it would be ok to fly back there. They were cool about
and I respect the crops. So I tend to practice back there quite a bit too. :Cool:

That's fantastic - is that near Johnson Ranch? Very cool to have an open field nearby - used to do that when I lived in Oregon and it was always so nice and peaceful.
if you ever want, come up our way, I'll be happy to let ya fly as my guest. 43rd Ave and Pinnacle Peak Rd.

[BluesDragon]

Just up the road from there.. bordering Florence. Although we are in process of closing on a house closer to A.J... closer to the club field too. I'm
gonna miss having these fields out back in another month. Appreciate the invite! May take you up on it once my confidence builds... ;)

[F22trainer]

Just up the road from there.. bordering Florence. Although we are in process of closing on a house closer to A.J... closer to the club field too. I'm
gonna miss having these fields out back in another month. Appreciate the invite! May take you up on it once my confidence builds... ;)

I flew over it last week and wondered, as I did not know of any RC fields out that way. Nice looking field!

Keep practicin', but most important - have fun with it. Sounds like you're doing it right.

[BluesDragon]

We keep an eye on you guys flyin' over that way. I'm an avid quad flyer (DJI Mavic) too. These winds have been a bit too much for me and my lil' mini, so I took the quad out there the other day.
Soon as I fired it up, I got a warning that I was in a Class B zone. Then remembered Luke has some training grounds around the area. Just seemed odd to me that the club field would be sitting
in a Class B zone. Even the cotton fields I fly are not in any classified zone.

[F22trainer]

Actually you are technically under it, but are within a 30 NM mode c area. The shelf in that area is at 7000', but decreases to 5000' in the vicinity of Of Mesa Gateway airport.
And yes, Luke kinda just swallowed all he airspace SW to NW from Goodyear to Lake Pleasant.

[mcriley2]

My beginner plane is actually the FMS EZ Trainer, which is what I put in the air first. I'm glad I did. She's been up and down more times then I'd like, but, I've been told, that's to be expected. Being a pusher, I've repaired her nose soo many times, I'm glad I don't have to buy new props or motor because of her nose dives. I have the Pandora on stand by when it's her turn ...

[goosekiller1]

My beginner plane is actually the FMS EZ Trainer, which is what I put in the air first. I'm glad I did. She's been up and down more times then I'd like, but, I've been told, that's to be expected. Being a pusher, I've repaired her nose soo many times, I'm glad I don't have to buy new props or motor because of her nose dives. I have the Pandora on stand by when it's her turn ...

The Pandora was my first trainer when I came back into RC flying after a 9 or 10 year break What was I thinking :Loser:. As far as the Pandora what a piece of junk don't do it your still a young manLOL I went with the FMS Sky trainer 182 what an awesome bird to train with will get you use to using Flaps etc etc.... good luck and happy flying Goose.