Most kits will come with step by step instructions.
If you want to build, I would suggest a plane from Mountain Models as your first kit. their planes are easy to build and they fly very nicely.
If you want to build foam, I would suggest the Magpie; if you want to build wood, get the SmoothE with the slow-fly wing – wood fuselage with a foam wing. I just finished one of these. Mountain models can provide the servos, ESC and the motor as well as the battery. They make it very easy for you.
For the Magpie, this would be your lowest cost radio option. Tell them you have this package and they will know what to add.
For a "free" Hitec Radio, go HERE.
For the SmoothE, you will want a little more flexible radio – Hitec Laser – tell them if you get this package and they will know what to add. If you have more budget, then read "Don't Buy a Standard Radio".
Hitec Laser 4 4-Channel FM Micro/2 HS55 Servos
However, if you want to get in to flying in the quickest, least expensive way, I would recommend one of these as your first plane:
I have flown the Easy Star – Great plane for new flyers! It's made of super tough foam, a good parkflyer and a good glider.
In the US the RTF package comes with a 72 MHz radio system that can be used to fly other planes
This is the only semi-scale plane on my list. I have not
flown this one but the flood of excellent reports leads me
to recommend it to new flyers. If you REALLY need a plane that looks
like something people would be in, this is the one I will
recommend. It takes the same Xport accessories as other
HobbyZone and ParkZone planes so you can drop bombs, parachutes and attach
other accessories to extend your fun. It has a steerable tail
wheel so you can effectively taxi the plane. Great for ROG launches.
This company is really putting together some outstanding
packages. I have flown the T-Hawk – an excellent first plane.
Get the Extreme value package – it comes with an extra wing,
tail and battery. This plane stands up to hard landings and
can be flown on 27 MHz or 72 MHz.
I started on an Aerobird RTF and have hundreds of flights on my Aerobirds. I also thermal and slope soar this plane -
flies well and stands up to hard landings. Their add-on fun accessories for
night flying, air to air combat and drop module add to the fun! The combat module makes a
great lost plane locator, even if you don't plan to fly combat. Great keep-in-the-car
plane – take off the wing and it goes back
in the box fully assembled. Most can't do that!
Clear Skies and Safe Flying
Ed Anderson (5/26/07)
This thread can be seen HERE.
Kits and RTFs For The Beginner
Most kits will come with step by step instructions.
If you want to build, I would suggest a plane from Mountain Models as your first kit. their planes are easy to build and they fly very nicely.
If you want to build foam, I would suggest the Magpie; if you want to build wood, get the SmoothE with the slow-fly wing – wood fuselage with a foam wing. I just finished one of these. Mountain models can provide the servos, ESC and the motor as well as the battery. They make it very easy for you.
For the Magpie, this would be your lowest cost radio option. Tell them you have this package and they will know what to add.
For a "free" Hitec Radio, go HERE.
For the SmoothE, you will want a little more flexible radio – Hitec Laser – tell them if you get this package and they will know what to add. If you have more budget, then read "Don't Buy a Standard Radio".
Hitec Laser 4 4-Channel FM Micro/2 HS55 Servos
However, if you want to get in to flying in the quickest, least expensive way, I would recommend one of these as your first plane:
I have flown the Easy Star – Great plane for new flyers! It's made of super tough foam, a good parkflyer and a good glider.
In the US the RTF package comes with a 72 MHz radio system that can be used to fly other planes
HERE and
HERE.
HERE and
HERE.
HERE.
HERE.
HERE.
This is the only semi-scale plane on my list. I have not
flown this one but the flood of excellent reports leads me
to recommend it to new flyers. If you REALLY need a plane that looks
like something people would be in, this is the one I will
recommend. It takes the same Xport accessories as other
HobbyZone and ParkZone planes so you can drop bombs, parachutes and attach
other accessories to extend your fun. It has a steerable tail
wheel so you can effectively taxi the plane. Great for ROG launches.
HERE and
HERE.
HERE.
HERE,
HERE, and
HERE.
This company is really putting together some outstanding
packages. I have flown the T-Hawk – an excellent first plane.
Get the Extreme value package – it comes with an extra wing,
tail and battery. This plane stands up to hard landings and
can be flown on 27 MHz or 72 MHz.
T-Hawk RTF 72MHz Partner Training Package – $279 -This is really unique!
I started on an Aerobird RTF and have hundreds of flights on my Aerobirds. I also thermal and slope soar this plane -
flies well and stands up to hard landings. Their add-on fun accessories for
night flying, air to air combat and drop module add to the fun! The combat module makes a
great lost plane locator, even if you don't plan to fly combat. Great keep-in-the-car
plane – take off the wing and it goes back
in the box fully assembled. Most can't do that!
Clear Skies and Safe Flying
Ed Anderson (5/26/07)
This thread can be seen HERE.