Choose the right trainer and it’s plane sailing
So, you have decided you want to fly, but first you must earn your wings as a novice pilot. Yet with so many trainer/beginner planes available, choosing one is difficult and opinions vary greatly on where to start.
For example, while I prefer the Sport Cub and the Carbon Cub, two very experienced RC flyers/instructors, Robert McC. and Paul S., recommend the Apprentice, the AeroScout and the Slow Ultra Stick.
So here is a summary of the pros and cons of each plane: First, my two:
Sport Cub S2
Like so many others, the Sport Cub S2 was my first real venture into foam RC planes. It was life-changing! Oh, how beautiful it looked in the sky! I was so pleased with myself when it landed, without incident, and I was able to bring it back to my feet. How hard can this be? So, I brought it out the next day and, of course, a tree came out and hugged it! But I still love that wee plane!
The RTF (Ready-To-Fly)Ready to Fly (RTF): Instant gratification is the name of the game here. RTF planes come out of the box practically begging to soar. No assembly required, just charge the battery, bind the receiver (if needed), and get ready for takeoff. It’s the fastest way to experience the thrill of flight, perfect for impatient pilots or those short on time. But be warned, the convenience comes at a slightly higher price tag. version includes a transmitter (Tx), AA batteries for the transmitter, plus a rechargeable LiPo flight battery and USB charger. It’s ready to fly right out of the box – no assembly required. Once you’ve charged the battery, you can head straight to the flying field! The box even makes a great carrying case.
Equipped with SAFE A SAFE receiver on the plane will have three flight modes which are accessible through a three-position switch on the transmitter (Tx). These three modes are defined as Beginner Mode, Intermediate Mode and Advanced Mode. Beginner and Intermediate Mode limit the amount of movement the pilot can have over the aircraft. In Beginner mode the bank angle is limited to 15 degrees – so, say, if the plane is getting out of control it will be detected by the gyros and will be automatically returned to a horizontal flying attitude. In Intermediate Mode the bank angle is limited to 30 degrees. And in Advanced Mode you’re on your own! technology that really makes learning to fly easy. A Panic Recovery mode activated by a button auto-levels the plane and helps prevent crashes.
It can be flown at your local park, football field or even indoors in a gymnasium. Since it is ultra-micro size, no FAA registration is required (under the FAA 8.8oz – 250g limit).
A BNF (Bind-N-Fly)Bind-N-Fly (BNF): This is like RTF with a twist. You get the plane all set up, minus the transmitter. Think of it as a plane with its own radio waiting to be paired with your existing controller. It’s a great option if you already own compatible radio gear and want to save some cash. version is also available. This is basically just the plane with all the electronics installed for use with your own compatible transmitter.
A warning: It can take quite a beating and keep on ticking, but DO NOT FLY the Sport Cub S2 if the wind is blowing as the plane is too small and too light – 24inch – 615mm, 1.3oz – 38g – or you may never see it again!
Also, buy several LiPo batteries. They don’t fly for long, but they are ultra-lightweight
So, if you want to see if the RC hobby is for you, or you simply want to experience the joy of flying, then look no further than the relatively inexpensive Sport Cub S2. You’ll be hooked!
Carbon Cub S2 1.3M (52 inch)
I flew the Carbon Cub S2 over a lake just before sunset. Boy, was it a thing of beauty with the yellow and silver glinting in the light. A casual observer might even think it was a real aircraft in the sky!
The Ready to Fly (RTF)Ready to Fly (RTF): Instant gratification is the name of the game here. RTF planes come out of the box practically begging to soar. No assembly required, just charge the battery, bind the receiver (if needed), and get ready for takeoff. It’s the fastest way to experience the thrill of flight, perfect for impatient pilots or those short on time. But be warned, the convenience comes at a slightly higher price tag. Basic version includes everything needed in one box, except for a compatible LiPo battery and charger. The simple assembly takes about an hour.
Equipped with SAFE A SAFE receiver on the plane will have three flight modes which are accessible through a three-position switch on the transmitter (Tx). These three modes are defined as Beginner Mode, Intermediate Mode and Advanced Mode. Beginner and Intermediate Mode limit the amount of movement the pilot can have over the aircraft. In Beginner mode the bank angle is limited to 15 degrees – so, say, if the plane is getting out of control it will be detected by the gyros and will be automatically returned to a horizontal flying attitude. In Intermediate Mode the bank angle is limited to 30 degrees. And in Advanced Mode you’re on your own! and AS3X AS3X is a gyro stabilization system that does nothing more than smooth out the turbulence and sudden movements encountered when flying on windy days making the plane easier to control. On calm days you won’t even know it’s there. technology, there’s also a Panic/Recovery mode: a button on the transmitter (Tx) will level out the plane, preventing inexperienced pilots losing control.
You can easily upgrade to SAFE Plus – GPS-enabled technology – to add AutoLand that returns the plane remotely to the launch point; or create a Virtual Fence, an invisible boundary that won’t allow the plane to stray beyond your control.
Also available is a Landing Assist Sensor (LAS) to make landings smoother. It kicks in at 2ft to 3ft off the ground and assesses whether you’re on dark-colored blacktop, long grass, short grass, gravel, water etc.
A BNF (Bind-N-Fly)Bind-N-Fly (BNF): This is like RTF with a twist. You get the plane all set up, minus the transmitter. Think of it as a plane with its own radio waiting to be paired with your existing controller. It’s a great option if you already own compatible radio gear and want to save some cash. Basic version is also available for experienced pilots who want to use their favourite Spektrum transmitter with their own batteries and chargers.
SUGGESTION – The ‘strut covers’ on this plane – those little grey plastic pieces that snap onto the wire wheel struts – are poorly designed. They can fall off in and affect flight or come loose and tear into the fuselage covering. You can leave them off, which I think spoils the look of the plane, or they can be secured with zip ties.
Also, check the CG (Centre of Gravity) as it may differ from the manual recommendation.
Dependable, tough, easily repairable, the Carbon Cub S2 can virtually fly itself and really grows with your skill level.
In my opinion, it makes for the perfect trainer plane!
Now for Robert’s choices:
Apprentice STS (Smart Trainer with SAFE) 1.5m (59.0 inch) Basic
The RTF (Ready-To-Fly)Ready to Fly (RTF): Instant gratification is the name of the game here. RTF planes come out of the box practically begging to soar. No assembly required, just charge the battery, bind the receiver (if needed), and get ready for takeoff. It’s the fastest way to experience the thrill of flight, perfect for impatient pilots or those short on time. But be warned, the convenience comes at a slightly higher price tag. Basic version includes everything in one box except for a battery and charger.
The BNF (Bind-N-Fly)Bind-N-Fly (BNF): This is like RTF with a twist. You get the plane all set up, minus the transmitter. Think of it as a plane with its own radio waiting to be paired with your existing controller. It’s a great option if you already own compatible radio gear and want to save some cash. version is aimed at the more experienced flier, and it also comes without a transmitter.
With its 1.5 metre (59 inch) wingspan, ability to fly in stronger winds, tougher landing gear, and 10-20-plus minutes flight time, the high-wing Apprentice is perfect for beginners. No wonder it’s the official trainer of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). Yet, I’ve found it’s also very capable of aerobatics.
Choose from three SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) A SAFE receiver on the plane will have three flight modes which are accessible through a three-position switch on the transmitter (Tx). These three modes are defined as Beginner Mode, Intermediate Mode and Advanced Mode. Beginner and Intermediate Mode limit the amount of movement the pilot can have over the aircraft. In Beginner mode the bank angle is limited to 15 degrees – so, say, if the plane is getting out of control it will be detected by the gyros and will be automatically returned to a horizontal flying attitude. In Intermediate Mode the bank angle is limited to 30 degrees. And in Advanced Mode you’re on your own! modes to best match your experience: Beginner and Intermediate modes, where you can level out at the flick of a switch; or Experienced mode, where you can ‘knife-edge’ and ‘barrel-roll’ to your heart’s content!
It has the option to upgrade to SAFE Plus, GPS-enabled technology offering extra features such as ‘AutoLand’, where the plane will return to the spot where you initialized the GPS. Another extra feature – “Virtual Fence” – won’t allow the plane to stray beyond a “geo-fence” (created by you on your transmitter [Tx]) and disappear into the distance. Plus, there is the option to install a Landing Assist Sensor (LAS) that assesses the terrain underneath and prevents bouncing when landing!
The wings are held on with eight rubber bands instead of the usual screws. That makes it so much easier to disassemble and transport the plane, and it causes less damage should you be involved in a crash! The “tricycle” landing gear, with steerable nose wheel, is ideal for beginners. Optional floats are available for flying from water (sold separately)
The big, durable, stable, highly visible, high-wing trainer looks great in the air and it performs beautifully, maybe even better than it looks! Although considered a beginner plane, it’s also very capable of aerobatics.
AeroScout S 2 1.1m (44 inch) RTF (Ready-to-Fly) Basic with SAFE
The RTF (Ready-To-Fly)Ready to Fly (RTF): Instant gratification is the name of the game here. RTF planes come out of the box practically begging to soar. No assembly required, just charge the battery, bind the receiver (if needed), and get ready for takeoff. It’s the fastest way to experience the thrill of flight, perfect for impatient pilots or those short on time. But be warned, the convenience comes at a slightly higher price tag. version comes with everything you need to get in the air pre-installed, except for LiPo battery and compatible charger. Equipped with SAFE A SAFE receiver on the plane will have three flight modes which are accessible through a three-position switch on the transmitter (Tx). These three modes are defined as Beginner Mode, Intermediate Mode and Advanced Mode. Beginner and Intermediate Mode limit the amount of movement the pilot can have over the aircraft. In Beginner mode the bank angle is limited to 15 degrees – so, say, if the plane is getting out of control it will be detected by the gyros and will be automatically returned to a horizontal flying attitude. In Intermediate Mode the bank angle is limited to 30 degrees. And in Advanced Mode you’re on your own! technology that helps prevent overcontrol, loss of orientation and crashes, you can instantly get yourself out of trouble with the flip of a switch.
It comes in three modes:
- Beginner Mode limits the bank angle to 45 degrees before the plane self-levels;
- Intermediate Mode rises to 90 degrees before it auto-corrects;
- Experienced Mode allows you to do rolls and loops without correction.
Also, there’s a Panic/Recovery mode –simply pressing a button on the transmitter (Tx) levels out the plane for inexperienced pilots losing control.
The BNF (Bind-N-Fly)Bind-N-Fly (BNF): This is like RTF with a twist. You get the plane all set up, minus the transmitter. Think of it as a plane with its own radio waiting to be paired with your existing controller. It’s a great option if you already own compatible radio gear and want to save some cash. Basic version is the perfect choice for pilots who already have a transmitter with batteries and chargers. Described by some as an “ugly bird,” I feel that description is very unfair.
I got the AeroScout out of the box, assembled and into the air in 20 minutes for a confidence-inspiring flight that showed just how good a first plane it really is.
What makes the AeroScout different from the other high-wing trainers is that it is a “pusher” – the motor and propellor are mounted on the wings and face rearwards rather than on the nose of the plane. That protects both motor and propellor – the two most common breakages in the event of a bad landing. (Nothing worse than having to sit and twiddle thumbs waiting for new propellors in the mail)!
The “pusher configuration” also allows for greater control, a real bonus when learning to fly.
Oversized “tundra” tyres and steerable “tricycle” nose gear make for easy take-offs and landings on a wide variety of field conditions.
The AeroScout is made of a thick, durable foam that can take abuse and is very stable in windy conditions.
My only recommendation would be to fly in a larger space at the start, as the Aeroscout needs a lot of runway to land.
Although I’ve since moved on to more advanced planes, I must admit that I regularly take the AeroScout to the field for some low-stress fun flying!
Now for Paul’s choice:
Slow Ultra Stick (SUS) 1.2m (48 inch) BNF Basic with SAFE Select
When you take this plane out the box, you might wonder where is the rest of it. It’s a throwback to the classic slow-sticks of the 1970s, but it is capable of a wide range of performance from slow cruising and smooth sport flying to aggressive aerobatics – all in the same flight.
Available only in a BNF (Bind-N-Fly)Bind-N-Fly (BNF): This is like RTF with a twist. You get the plane all set up, minus the transmitter. Think of it as a plane with its own radio waiting to be paired with your existing controller. It’s a great option if you already own compatible radio gear and want to save some cash. Basic version, it has oversized tires, STOL STOL makes it possible to take-off or land often, needing only two feet or less. Helpful where you’re flying in a confined space or when you have an obstacle, like a building or a tree in your path. capability and comes equipped with SAFE A SAFE receiver on the plane will have three flight modes which are accessible through a three-position switch on the transmitter (Tx). These three modes are defined as Beginner Mode, Intermediate Mode and Advanced Mode. Beginner and Intermediate Mode limit the amount of movement the pilot can have over the aircraft. In Beginner mode the bank angle is limited to 15 degrees – so, say, if the plane is getting out of control it will be detected by the gyros and will be automatically returned to a horizontal flying attitude. In Intermediate Mode the bank angle is limited to 30 degrees. And in Advanced Mode you’re on your own! and AS3X AS3X is a gyro stabilization system that does nothing more than smooth out the turbulence and sudden movements encountered when flying on windy days making the plane easier to control. On calm days you won’t even know it’s there. technology.
The motor is 2S and 3S LiPo battery compatible, without the need for any modification. It offers a wide range of performance – from slow cruising to maximize flight time with 2S batteries, to performing even more aggressive aerobatics with 3S batteries!
The wings and rudder/stabiliser are strong EPO foam, and the body is one piece of aluminium. So if you’re in a hurry to go flying, assembly should take you all of 10-15 minutes – no glue, tape or rubber bands required. The two-piece wing is held on with just two thumbscrews and the horizontal stabiliser is held with one thumbscrew. It’s quick and easy to install/remove for easy storage and transportation.
While the plane is extremely durable, if any of the airframe parts or components are damaged beyond repair, a full line of replacement/spare parts is available. Even the left and the right sides of the wing are sold separately!
What Horizon Hobbies likes to call “mild to wild,” this plane can start as a “slow-flyer beginner” in smaller spaces like gymnasiums and progress to full-blown aerobatics, without ever having to upgrade!
While it’s not the best-looking plane, where budget is a consideration, it is worth taking a serious look at the Slow Ultra Stick!
Choosing the right starter plane could well mean the difference between a one-time flop or a lifetime of RC flying pleasure. There are many options and even more opinions on which choice will ease you way into the bright blue yonder. Remember, this is not a grab‘n’go pastime. Skill comes with time and knowledge. Starting out with expert advice means you can take off with confidence on a slow-flying, high-wing trainer and, with a little patience, that will save you time, money and frustration in the long run!