RE: If there was no ARF's, would you still be in the hobby?
I've built since I was a 6 year old kid. It was one of those things my Dad and I did. So naturally I voted I would continue to build. The current poll results are not believable IMHO. The first thing an ARF assembler does when he crashes is to throw evervthing In the trsh and announce it must have been badaly assembled by Chinse SLAVE LABOR. The sceond most common thing I hear is cheap or lack of glue. The ones who decide to rebiild spend hours looking for the cheapest eaisest way to fix the plane or troll for someone to fix it for them.
Posted on: 5/29/2011 1:48 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10546824

RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF
Bladebuster, The 70 gives you an engine similar to your friends 46AX but the 52 will fly it fine. My wife has one with a 46FX and I put one together for an older fellow with an OS 25FX, it flew just fine and at a speed he prefers. Someone on here has one with an Irvine 36, which would be similar to the 52 and he says the 36 is plenty of engine. Like I said the 70 will be more like the 46 of your friends.
Posted on: 12/1/2010 4:06 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10170167

RE: Great Planes
If you need to bring the CG forward the easiest way to do it on an Escapade is to move the RX battery next to the fuel tank. There is plenty of room there for it.
Posted on: 11/28/2010 9:09 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10165628

RE: Please recommend me a plane.
An easy and inexpensive plane would be the Great Planes Escapade. Sells for $100-$110 dollars and the engine is a great match. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVXN8&P=ML
Posted on: 11/27/2010 10:50 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10163780

RE: Winter build
The predecessor to the LA was the FP which I always thought was a little better engine. Anyway I had a 40FP in a Goldberg trainer for over 15 years. I could not begin to tell you the number of hours or people who flew that plane. It was used day in day out as a trainer, intro flight plane and all around 'can my kid try that plane'. It had been beat so much that a 5 1/4 plane grew to 6 1/2 pounds over its life. The engine always started. It had a dead stick maybe every 2or 3 years. 3 years ago I gave it to an 11 year old who wanted to fly. Once he learned he put floats on it, made it even heaver, and flew it this summer off of water. Figuring that someday it may need a new liner and piston I also gave him those parts just in case. He has not needed them. And I still have at least 3 FP's in planes I still have that are equally old and have never been rebuilt. So there is not a thing wrong with going the less expensive route, just as going the more expensive route is fine. But for anyone to try to claim the LA is not a good choice well that's just silly. It will do exactly what you are looking for. I like OS engines, I also have Saito's, Evolutions and Magnum. Heck I still have my fathers Baby Cyclone from the 1930 that still runs. I advise all prospective pilots to not worry about buying their trainers engine with a view to the future. Get what you need and save your money for fuel. Learn how to fly well and let the future unfold as it does.
Posted on: 11/27/2010 10:39 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10163755

RE: Winter build
I also have several Evolution 46's and they are not even close in power to an OS 65LA. They won't swing as big a prop as the 65 nor can they swing that bigger prop as fast as the LA. The OP appears to be looking for an economical Engine to fly a trainer. So unless he is building something other than a 40 size trainer all he needs is a OS 46LA. It is inexpensive, simple to use, will outlast his trainer unless it is destroyed in a crash and if it is he is not out as much money and can start again since he saved money on this first engine.
Posted on: 11/27/2010 6:55 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10163349

RE: Hangar 9 p-51d mkII pts rtf....trainer?
[quote]ORIGINAL: turboknob I have spent some time on the simulator at my local hobby shop. The owner said I was a "natural", but that was with a simulated nexxstar trainer. I think the only real concern is will this plane glide? If I throttle all the way down, will it glide down similar to the trainers. If it will do that then I feel that I could definitely learn on it. The guy who is planning on teaching me how to fly is really good and he actually wanted to teach me on the big stick 40, but I am an off-road buggy racer and literally have zero flight equipment. That is why this rtf is so attractive to me, I want a good radio system. It would cost me more to buy and finish a big stick arf. Maybe I just need to swallow my pride and buy the alpha trainer lol. [/quote] Every Hobby Shop owner will tell you that you are a NATURAL, it's good for sales. The PTS is a fine trainer and will deadstick just fine. The problem is not with the plane or it's design. The problem is the attitude in the Hobby that only High Wing planes can be trainers because thats what "I" learned with. If you like the PTS buy it, have someone who can fly and who understands the design of the plane buddy box you and you will solo just fine. Many, many instructers do not undersand this approach to learning to fly and have not changed their own habits to be able to properly teach with it. After all it's what you want to fly so that is why the system was developed. Enjoy it.
Posted on: 11/27/2010 6:36 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10163315

RE: Winter build
OS no longer makes a 40LA which is why I mentioned the OS 46LA. You will not have much difference in flight times with BB or Bushed, at least not in my experience. There is more difference in fuel consumption between different brands of engines then there is between Bushed or BB. As to power differences well again that will very between brands. All the major brands have their own websites and here on RCU you can compare engines. Go to User Reviews and click on compare engines. That will provide a wealth of information.
Posted on: 11/27/2010 6:22 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10163289

RE: SHEAR STRENGTH of NYLON WING BOLT on NEXSTAr
Page 5 of the Nexstar manual explains the PivotFlex Wing Mounting System that is used on the plane. It is not a normal bolt attachment. Once the limits of the system are reached the wing releases in a number of fashions. I have seen them strip the female portion of the mount. I have seen the PivotFlex mount pull out and I've seen the mount and rear former pull out. All are speed dependent.The faster you hit something the greater the damage for the most part.
Posted on: 11/27/2010 3:04 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Crash & Rebuild"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10162937

RE: Hangar 9 p-51d mkII pts rtf....trainer?
I've taught a good number of people to fly with that plane. If your friends can buddy box you there is no trouble and it will be a good trainer,
Posted on: 11/27/2010 2:47 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10162908

RE: Great Planes
There is a 55 page discussion here; http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8067138/tm.htm Just skip what the nay savers and must Modify people say and it got a lot of info. If you assemble the plane per the instructions and Tech sheet you will have a great second plane.
Posted on: 11/27/2010 2:45 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10162903

RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF
The 52 will fly it just fine. Four strokes are not any harder to operate. Just read and follow the instructions that come with the engine and you will be fine.
Posted on: 11/26/2010 9:51 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10161746

RE: Winter build
[quote]ORIGINAL: Augie11 Keep in mind your engine will probably outlive your trainer by a LOT. The $$$ spent on a .46AX will go a long way and you could be still using it 15 years down the road. [/quote] This is a good way to look at it. You also might consider that many an engine on a trainer ended as a smoking hole in the ground so sometimes less is more.
Posted on: 11/25/2010 10:30 AM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10158788

RE: Winter build
Have you considered an O.S. 46LA ? It will fly the plane quite nicely.
Posted on: 11/24/2010 3:37 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10157138

RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF
prelude92 You won't regret it !
Posted on: 11/23/2010 1:27 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10154430

RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF
The Escapade has NO Issues. If assembled per the directions and Tech notice it is a great plane. As best as I am able to surmise the people who think the plane needs modifications either do not understand the value of a light aircraft, or overpower or exceed the airframes design, or are just hard on the plane due to a lack of experience. Assemble it as designed and you will not have any Issues.
Posted on: 11/21/2010 10:12 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10150780

RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF
[quote]ORIGINAL: Irish_Santa Here is the scoop on the mods They are not nessessarily nessessary but keep some things in mind. 1. The tail wheel does not need to be modded but some pilots on hard landing surfaces have noted the collapse of the wire 2. The tail section does not need to be epoxied UNLESS you plan on putting the plane through the ringer of manuvers or you did what I did and tighten the nut to much and broke through the tiny little piece of balsa that makes up the nut shelf.....personally.....beware. 3. The landing section does not need to be double reinforced but the people that are telling everyone that it is NOT needed are experienced pilots and know how to land the plane. I too came from a (veryl light weight) trainer and saw too many people at my own club bouncing thier plane hard one more than one occasion and saw one guy hit not so hard on landing and the landing gear shelf ripped out.....personally...add the epoxy if you are new to low-wing...it will save you some potential headaches down the road there has not been any mention of a mkII or mkIII with this plane but the manufacturer has noted that there are some issues with the orriginal design and have added some steps in the manufacturing of the plane at the plant like epoxying the elevator wire in the elevators NOTE... check your control surfaces during build and add ca if needed and keep checking them during each and every flight And a final NOTE to all of the experienced pilots out there....Please keep in mind that you are experienced and some of the other people on this board are NOT and are asking for help for that reason AND this plane is technically a Low-Wing trainer/Second Plane. [/quote] The best advice that can be given to the OP or any other inexperienced pilot is to Assemble it per the instructions and Tech Notes. DO NOT DO all these modifications that the inexperienced seem to believe they must do. All they do is add weight which increases the wing load so the stall speed is higher and the plane must have more speed to take off and land. My wife flys hers without all these so called needed "Mods" and has had Zero problems.
Posted on: 11/21/2010 5:03 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10149959

RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF
Assemble the Escapade per the instructions and Tech Notes. There are NO modifications necessary., All they will do is add extra weight which is detrimental to the plane. It is a great second plane.
Posted on: 11/20/2010 8:14 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10148316

RE: Ultra micro durability experiences?
Our club has been flying indoors for a couple months and I have to say it is my observation that very few of the micro or ultra micro planes are durable. Manufacture seems to make no difference. Most seem it have fatal issues in a very short period of time. Again my observation is that the It Can Fly modular airplanes seem to be the most durable.
Posted on: 11/20/2010 12:02 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Electric Indoor & Micro RC Flight"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10147543

RE: ERC MICRO RAF SPITFIRE
If you need some small diameter steel wire go to your local Gunsmith. Any good one will have a very large assortment of the stuff.
Posted on: 11/20/2010 11:55 AM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Electric Indoor & Micro RC Flight"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10147531

RE: Avistar or Escapade for 2nd plane?
Get an Escapade, assemble it per the instructions and Tech Notes and you will have a fine second plane. Refrain from trying to modify it into a stronger, read too heavy, sport plane. It is fine as designed. It will land with ease, it has no odd characteristics, it is capable of flying normal aerobatics and is quite in-expensive. Get one and see.
Posted on: 11/15/2010 10:16 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10137990

RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF
My wife's Escapades AUW without fuel is 5 lbs 4 oz. . 24.5 oz per SQ.FT. wing-load. There are many people who think they need to do modifications to planes that they don't need and they drive the weight of the plane, not just this one, above the design weight. Then all bets are off as to what it will fly like. If assembled as designed and powered with the recommended engine this is a docile handling plane that also has very good aerobatic capabilities. Maybe you should get one yourself and see first hand how good a plane it is before trying to write about what it is not, " If desired performance is overall good flight manners... then look for lower wing loading numbers and a lower aspect ratio wing than the Escapade has ". Clearly this is an assessment that is incorrect. The Escapade is a well designed plane and has very good flight manners, assuming one has at least basic flight skills.
Posted on: 11/10/2010 1:22 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10126816

RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF
I also dont know where the 27oz wing load comes from. My wife has one and it's wing load is 24.5oz per sq foot, it required No additional weight to balance. It will land very slowly. The design is a very good one for a second plane. My wife has flown hers for over a year and she has never had any difficulty landing it. I have flown it myself and it is difficult to stall and will give ample warning of an impending stall. I suspect nostalgia sometimes over takes us older pilots but I try to keep an eye out for any new plane that is a good plane. At a little over $100.00 the Escapade is a great flying plane and a great valve.
Posted on: 11/10/2010 12:05 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10126649

RE: What do ya think?
If your just starting out this combo will be fine. Just take your time building, build it straight and light, it has very good directions, and get an instructor to teach you to fly. Have a good Christmas
Posted on: 11/10/2010 11:45 AM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10126610

RE: What is the gratest warbird of all time (non jets)
"Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower: “Four things won the Second World War—the bazooka, the Jeep, the atom bomb, and the C–47 Gooney Bird.”
Posted on: 11/8/2010 10:18 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10123637

RE: First Flight
hugger-4641 I like your Avatar. Wish I could do an Air America PC-6 flying through ground fire <script></script>
Posted on: 11/7/2010 10:45 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10121763

RE: First Flight
[quote]ORIGINAL: hugger-4641 [quote]ORIGINAL: oldvet70 Right turns for most people who fly mode 2 are more difficult, this I know from buddy boxing tons of folks. I think it comes from the fact that people 'push' the stick more precisely then they can 'pull' it. We have a club member who is an Olympic gymnastics coach and he says everyone has a direction that there body
Posted on: 11/7/2010 10:41 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10121759

RE: Wheels only sold in sets of 2?
Your kidding right? You don't want to spend the extra cost, a few dollars. I have to say that your probably not going to be in this hobby very long if 3 dollars hurts . Heck if you were here I'd give you one. Ask around at your club , I'm sure someone will give you a freebee. The cost of an extra tire which you may or may not ever use is a rather minor thing in this hobby, even for a beginner.
Posted on: 11/7/2010 10:37 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10121750

RE: First Flight
Right turns for most people who fly mode 2 are more difficult, this I know from buddy boxing tons of folks. I think it comes from the fact that people 'push' the stick more precisely then they can 'pull' it. We have a club member who is an Olympic gymnastics coach and he says everyone has a direction that there body naturally rotates and that for most right handed people it is to the left and for left handed people it is to the right. Practice will solve the issue for you.
Posted on: 11/6/2010 10:56 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10119664

RE: Plane in tree
Same recommendation as richg99 but omit the hooks and use a heavy sinker so the line will come down, then pull on both. We have big trees in Oregon and this is the standard system used at my field.
Posted on: 11/3/2010 7:32 PM by Author "oldvet70" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10113752