Could this be the a beginner Bi-Plane? The E-Flite PT-17

[magergamer]

Honestly and to be transparent, I love my experince with E-Flite and Spektrum. When I get a Bind and Fly, it just works. I just connect my raido, and a light following of the model and just fly. Does this plane from E-Flite stack up with that? Overall, what has been your experience with Horizon Hobbies brands?

[F22trainer]

No doubt. Check out the AMA review, get a little assistance for the maiden to dial in surface neutrals and have a SAFE switch.
Go Fly. CG is real critical but reviews address everything.

[Wanderlust]

No doubt. Check out the AMA review, get a little assistance for the maiden to dial in surface neutrals and have a SAFE switch.
Go Fly. CG is real critical but reviews address everything.

That is great advice! i am looking it up now. i cant wait to maiden her.

[doctormike]

I love mine! I first put 3oz. of lead in the eng. cylinders. Seems to be very tail heavy without this. Be sure your elevator trim is neutral or even a little down. After flying some, I think I could take a little of the lead out. Be sure your battery is full forward. Use the largest recommended battery. Good luck! Doc

[Whizzer]

I bought one of these at a swap meet on Friday. It has been flown below the three mistakes high a few times and glued back together but it looks okay otherwise. Figured for the price it would be a good trainer until I am comfortable and if I like it as much as I hope to, it won't hurt so much had the new one been purchased and training taken a toll.
The plane has a Spectrum AR 6100 receiver. I have an E-flite SAFE EFLR 310013 from an Apprentice 15S. Will the E-flite SAFE receiver work with the PT17 in lieu of the AR 6100? Thinking of it could be used it might save some three mistakes high crashes. Anyone have info or experience on this. I thought I saw some posts regarding this but can't locate them now that I want them. Any assistance will be appreciated.

[PilotAndy1994]

Love the HH brands personally - very high quality from what I've purchased - UMX planes, Mustang, P-47...and even the stearman you mention. Love the BNF system...Couldn't be easier or more efficient.

Very well designed and built model this pt-17....... The paint is THICK. Some of the parts come loose after a few rough landings - so start jiggling the gear after a dozen or so - Mine came loose and had to be re-glued.

I was doing touch and goes at the local elementary school when the battery gave out, and she tumbled into a swing set landing on the horizontal stab...

A little piece of the stab broke off, and a stripped aileron servo was all the damage. That plane is TOUGH!

You'll get around 5 safe minutes of flight from a 2200mah 3 cell....Full throttle gives vertical performance...Can be very aerobatic...

Looks great against the Fall leaves contrasting against a crystal clear blue Carolina sky....

[fhhuber]

The PT-17 (Steerman) had a reputation of showing students their mistakes by killing them.

The DH-82 Tiger Moth had a reputation of showing students their mistakes without killing them.

There is only one WWII biplane "trainer" that can be recommended as a first RC model and that is a Tiger Moth.
Still not an ideal first RC airplane. At least they are a lot more stable than any other biplane I know of.

With decent experience flying other tail-draggers, the PT-17 shouldn't be too hard of a transition. Its OK as a first biplane, not a first airplane.

[Tate]

I totally agree with not using this as a first model, it has proven to be difficult to get the CG right.

Here we have Jared doing the maiden flight and he handles her like a champ.

[magergamer]

You make a great point fhhuber because safe will not save a plane when it is not balance properly and or can mask that issue. So when someone transitions from a good top wing to this, it can be hard to identify those issues. But getting the CG closer, it can make a great second plane!

[fhhuber]

Any autopilot in a tail-heavy plane will be unable to get it out of a spin, without pilot intervention... and they can easily drive the plane into a spin when it stalls.

[Tate]

It's so true. So often I see new pilots panic because they didn't realize how much work their stabilization system was doing. They seem to take it for granted that if the plane is flying level and they turn off the stabilization that it will still be level. I almost lost a plane when teaching my nephew to fly over that very thing.

[PilotAndy1994]

It's so true. So often I see new pilots panic because they didn't realize how much work their stabilization system was doing. They seem to take it for granted that if the plane is flying level and they turn off the stabilization that it will still be level. I almost lost a plane when teaching my nephew to fly over that very thing.

On the e-Flite Stearman it has to be working overtime - She is pretty heavy for her size - and has a pretty short pitching moment. Without AS3X I'm sure she would be pretty unstable at high speeds. I am very pleased with the aerobatic ability of the Stearman - I love doing snap rolls the most...I have also been able to do the falling leaf with it a few times - but that takes just the right touch! Stalls are very gentle - almost absent of any indication other than a huge loss of altitude. She doesn't like forward slips - if anybody else uses those around here....She takes a dive pretty quick in one I discovered.

The shock absorbing gear are such a nice feature - rough strips are a breeze....

Andy

[Tate]

It's an alright list. A bit out dated as some of the models listed are no longer available in their listed form, some are essentially duplicates, and I don't necessarily agree with all of the planes you have chosen. But, it does provide some great insight on where to start.

[Whizzer]

Taking note of the difficulties in finding the CG on this airplane, I am now throughly confused. The manual says to invert the plane and placing mark 86 mm from leading edge of the top wing, then approx. 5 or 6 inches out from fuselage to check CG. To even get a semblance of balance, the battery is as far forward as possible plus addtional 2 1/2 ounces of weight to the dummy cylinders and it still shows tail heavy.
After discussions with other people and reading posts on the subject ranging from checking CG from the underside of the top wing and one chap said from the lower wing.

A discussion with Horizon Hobby chat line and they tell me the correct way is to check CG inverted, top wing as with all top wing and bi-planes.

I really want to fly this plane but am getting the jitters about repairing it and crashing, again.

Suggestions? Comments? I'm a beginner of sorts and perhaps lack of experience is my problem .....no, make that definitely my problem but one that might be somewhat removed if I could get a straight answer on finding the CG. Anyone?? Thank you in advance from a frustrated PT-17 owner who wants to fly this bird.

[F22trainer]

The manual is correct about the location, but you will probably have to add some down elevator - mine about 5 turns from level. And yes, about 2 oz. in the dummy cylinders should do. You don’t say what battery you are using, but I use 3S 2200 & 2600 al the way forward. You also should use a stand - not your fingers to balance.

Probably over a hundred flights easily on this bird.

https://youtu.be/1cwMOndmNvk

[Whizzer]

Thank you for the reply!
To add, the batteries used are 3 cell, 2200 amp battery pushed as far forward as possible. I am still rebuilding this bird and will see how it flies once it is reassembled. It took quite a beating with a face plant so severe it broke the battery and threw the 3 ounce, factory installed nose weight, out and split the lower wing. Hopefully the repairs are good enough the plane will fly again and stay in the air. That is, unless the operator has another momentary brain fade. I'm not much for taking pictures but wish there were some of the plane, post-crash, pre-rebuild. Describing it loses something in the translation.

[F22trainer]

Thank you for the reply!
To add, the batteries used are 3 cell, 2200 amp battery pushed as far forward as possible. I am still rebuilding this bird and will see how it flies once it is reassembled. It took quite a beating with a face plant so severe it broke the battery and threw the 3 ounce, factory installed nose weight, out and split the lower wing. Hopefully the repairs are good enough the plane will fly again and stay in the air. That is, unless the operator has another momentary brain fade. I'm not much for taking pictures but wish there were some of the plane, post-crash, pre-rebuild. Describing it loses something in the translation.

This video helped me a ton.

https://youtu.be/3Lyb8fMHxU4

Good luck with the maiden - you got this!

[MrVoyagerx]

E-flite is not the cheapest which means they do the extra mile for above average components; ESC, servos, AND much better instructions than other companies (cuff, cuff).... I got a Sukhoi, and that poor airplane has died and come back from the dead after a nice warm bath, lol, all scarred patched up w hot glue and flies wonderful, all digital servos and superb esc work well. Only thing swapped was the motor and it was due to a brownout that bent the shaft and broke the magnets.

Like any ARF or PNP, be it rc car, airplane, ALL RTF etc need some tweaking... mine has some w bamboo sticks and foam-tac.

;)

[Gilatrout]

Taking note of the difficulties in finding the CG on this airplane, I am now throughly confused. The manual says to invert the plane and placing mark 86 mm from leading edge of the top wing, then approx. 5 or 6 inches out from fuselage to check CG. To even get a semblance of balance, the battery is as far forward as possible plus addtional 2 1/2 ounces of weight to the dummy cylinders and it still shows tail heavy.
After discussions with other people and reading posts on the subject ranging from checking CG from the underside of the top wing and one chap said from the lower wing.

A discussion with Horizon Hobby chat line and they tell me the correct way is to check CG inverted, top wing as with all top wing and bi-planes.

I really want to fly this plane but am getting the jitters about repairing it and crashing, again.

Suggestions? Comments? I'm a beginner of sorts and perhaps lack of experience is my problem .....no, make that definitely my problem but one that might be somewhat removed if I could get a straight answer on finding the CG. Anyone?? Thank you in advance from a frustrated PT-17 owner who wants to fly this bird.

I literally flew the wings off this plane. Many many enjoyable flights before that.

The gear is too stiff and doesn't provide shock absorbtion like it should. A little surgery to put in a less stiff spring or fuel tube does wonders. Great fun doing rolling touch and goes after fixing the gear, otherwise it's a bit bouncey. Super nice in the air and great visibility

[F22trainer]

I literally flew the wings off this plane. Many many enjoyable flights before that.

The gear is too stiff and doesn't provide shock absorbtion like it should. A little surgery to put in a less stiff spring or fuel tube does wonders. Great fun doing rolling touch and goes after fixing the gear, otherwise it's a bit bouncey. Super nice in the air and great visibility

I have been perfecting the landings with the OEM spring, but I like the idea of changing to something softer.:Cool: