{"id":219,"date":"2014-02-06T05:11:39","date_gmt":"2014-02-06T05:11:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.balsaworkbench.com\/?page_id=219"},"modified":"2020-12-13T06:51:10","modified_gmt":"2020-12-13T12:51:10","slug":"tips-for-new-rc-pilots-trainer-selection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.balsaworkbench.com\/?page_id=219","title":{"rendered":"Part 1: trainer selection"},"content":{"rendered":"

You want to learn to fly RC, but there are so many planes to choose from. \u00a0How do you know which one to start with? \u00a0The reason we’re interested in RC flying\u00a0is because we like airplanes, and who doesn’t like a P-51 Mustang, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"P51_Mustang\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

If this is your first plane, make sure you stuff a trash bag under the fuel tank when you set it up, so you’ll have somewhere to put all the tiny pieces after the first flight. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A far better choice would be a slow, stable plane that gives you plenty of time to react so you can learn how to fly before it crashes. \u00a0There are many airplanes\u00a0designed with the beginner in mind. Sig Kadet Senior is an excellent example. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"sigkadetsenior\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

This type of plane gives you a lot of time to think, so you don’t get into a panic. \u00a0However, I’m not telling you to build a Kadet first, because the question is a little bit too complex for a single answer.<\/p>\n

You can compile\u00a0huge lists of trainers. \u00a0If you ask for recommendations most guys will tend to suggest whatever trainers they used. \u00a0You may also get some suggestions based on people’s impressions of history. \u00a0There was a time that I call the Golden Age of the 40 Size Balsa Trainer, from the mid 1970s to around 2000. \u00a0During this time, most newcomers to RC were advised to get a wood kit to build a 40 size trainer, from one of the many companies who sold such kits at the time. \u00a0There were lots of RC clubs, kit manufacturers, organized flight instruction one evening a week at the club field, etc. \u00a0These were good times, but the kit manufacturers have mostly gone out of business, you can hardly find any 40 size trainers any more, and you\u00a0have other options nowadays.<\/p>\n

Your best choice for a trainer depends on your individual circumstances. \u00a0In today’s market you can buy just about anything you want pre-built, and fly it without doing any construction work. \u00a0I like to think that you are reading my website because you are interested in building. \u00a0But for now that doesn’t matter one way or the other because we’re just talking about the characteristics of the best aircraft for you to learn to fly. \u00a0This advice applies\u00a0whether you want to build or buy.<\/span><\/p>\n