RC Airplane World Forum

Hello everyone...
My name is Matt and I am new to this forum. I had a RC airplane many years ago and I'm looking to try flying again. I am on a really tight budget. I have seen some really cheap RTF kits, and thought that would be a great way to try it again.

I found a RTF Catalina kit. I like the ability to fly off water, snow, and grass (hand launch, too).
Here are some quick specs: twin 370 brushed motors, NiMh battery, regular FM transmitter.

Is this adequate?
Is this a good starter or will I out grow it too quickly?
Is it worth upgrading this later on or should I go for a 2.4GHz Tx and brushless right away.

Thanks

Matt

Hello Matt, welcome to the forum

Can you give us a link to the Cat you've found, so we can have a better look?

It's not an ideal first plane, but maybe your previous experience means that you don't particularly need to start from scratch.
I don't think such a plane is one that out grow too quickly, if at all - a float plane is always a nice alternative to have at any time!

Upgrading shouldn't be too much of a problem, depending on the construction, but investing in a 2.4GHz set with multi-model memory is the way to go, as far as I'm concerned, if you see yourself building up a collection of planes over time.

Hello again...

Thanks for your thoughts Pete. Here is the link to the Catalina I found:
http://www.nitroplanes.com/new204chkara.html
I am open to other suggestions for RTF kits. I do want it to be 4 channel.

From your post (and others), it is my understanding a good radio is the most important thing.
Is a cheap radio sufficient for a park flyer? Or will it only bring me troubles and grief? What is the biggest advantage of the 2.4 GHz radios, lack of interference?

Thanks - Matt

Well for under $80 it looks worth getting, I must admit! I have heard about 'after sales support issues' with that company but have never bought from them so wouldn't like to say any more than that...

The transmitter does look a bit cheapy, and I wouldn't really like to recommend using it with anything else - it's far better to spend a bit more money and get a good radio set if you're even half-serious about the hobby. A 2.4GHz set is the way to go in my opinion, I've got the Spektrum DX6i and have been very pleased with it. The DX5e is more basic and cheaper, but doesn't have the multi model memory that's so useful.
Yes, the safeguard against unwanted and potentially dangerous interference is the main benefit of 2.4 gig systems, and that gives a lot of peace of mind when flying something!

The good ol' HobbyZone Super Cub LP is a nice beginner's plane but is only 3 channel, and I understand why you want 4. The Cub LP can be fitted with floats though. From December it's being released as a Bind n' Fly option, so you'd only need to buy a DSM2 compatible transmitter like the DX5e or DX6i. Then you could do a conversion to 4 channel

Another popular alternative is the 4 channel Flyzone Cub: http://www.redrockethobbies.com/Hobbico ... erisk-.htm
They also do a 4 channel Cessna but I see Matt's not selling that one any more, not sure why.

Thanks again for your thoughts

For that price I'm not expecting fantastic equipment. I do really like the plane though. A 2.4 GHz radio will be the first upgrade. Are receivers all a standard size?

I found another company with the same product (I think) for the same price but with a better return policy. 30 days vs. 7 days. (at least a little better) I know with mailorder you are always taking a chance.
Anyways...

Matt

For the price that looks like a huge bundle of fun.
2.4ghz is th way to go. You could always upgrade the TX,RX later.
Like Pete said the HZ Super Cub is a great plane and is available in a few different flavors now.
But it is only a 3 channel. (throttle, rudder, elevator)

I have heard of one guy near me trying to convert his HZ SC to have ailerons. I heard it did not fly very well though.
Maybe he just needed more time planning and less time cutting into the wing....
I've yet to buy another wing and try it with mine.

I have read many positive comments about the Super Cub. I must admit, I have become smitten with the Catalina. Some of its equipment might prove limiting, but for the price I will give it a try.

Tell me your thoughts on this:
To make a 4 channel plane more beginner friendly, what do you think about fixing the ailerons to neutral and hooking up the remaining controls as a 3 channel? Then when one feels more comfortable, hooking it up all 4 channels.
I figure it would be easier to not use ailerons at first, as opposed to trying to add ailerons to a plane later.

Matt

mcflyer and all,

If you have a four channel model and never use the aileron control stick (keep it neutral) you are then flying a three channel airplane.

A three channel model usually has a fair amount of dihedral for lateral stability.

Ailerons could be added to it, ready to be used, but do not have to be used initially. In this condition the dihedral should be kept at its original angle to maintain the original stability.

KILOP

I don't know if I would "lock up" the ailerons. You may find that it's a plane that really needs them for control.

As KILOP said, 3 ch planes tend to be designed to fly properly with only rudder to turn (a bit of elevator to tighten it).
Like on my Super Cub the rudder is quite large so it has alot of authority on the plane. The wing design helps it to return to level flight (and to bank into the turns) once you let go of the rudder.
On a plane not designed for only rudder for steering, you may have to turn the other way and fight it to get it back to straight and level. (or maybe not, but it's possible)

The big thing will be to be gentle on the stick when using them. Get a feel for just how sensitive it is.
Barrel rolls are great fun. But not when you first fly it, yank the stick, and it reacts faster than you thought it would.
This is not meant to scare ya on your first flight, just to make you aware that some planes are lazy in reacting to aileron input. My Cessna was that way. Others will whip right around by breathing on the stick too hard. My F4U was THAT way (I paniced, big mistake, and it didn't last long, I'll build another though). Alot of R/C's will tend to fly a bit like thier fullsized counterparts. But some may not. The description says that the Cat you are looking at is capable of acrobatics. That would lead me to believe that it may be a bit more responsive than a fullsized one.

You may be able to change the responsiveness of the controls once you see how it flies to suit your style.
On my Super Cub I've moved the control linkages position at the elevator and rudder to get more throw and get it more twitchy. But only after I learned to fly it as it came.

An explanation _ _ _

When I wrote my previous posting I had in mind the fellows talking about adding ailerons to a model designed for three channels (rudder, elevator and throttle) which I then considered the topic of this thread..

I was not thinking about a model designed to need aileron control.

If the model is designed for three channels only and one adds ailerons to it. It can be flown without using the added ailerons as per original purpose and then a fellow can start experimenting with the added ailerons.

Hope this clarifies my ambiguous writing.

KILOP