The Dark Side

[Mike Griffin]

OK I am going to buy some sort of Electric Park Flyer just to have some fun with when I go to the field and maybe get tired of standing and spinning.  I have been looking on Horizon, E Flite, Hobby Zone and Park Zone and really have no idea what to order.  I can get a TX Ready or a BNF (Bind and Fly) since I already have a Spektrum DX6si......anybody dabbling in the dark side out there give me any recommendations...I have flown RC before years ag but not interested in 3D or Pattern Ships or anything like that.  Just something fun and simple to fly around in circles....

Thanks for you help

Mike

[Tim Wescott]

If you don't want to get flung around in the wind go with something over 30 inch wingspan.  The GWS Stick is a nice relaxed flyer -- until it gets boring.

Do you want to go like a bat out of hell and bore holes in the sky, or do you want a relaxed flyer that won't have moms putting their kids in their cars and calling 9-1-1?

My favorite for just flyin' around is a Comet Gull with three channels (elevator, rudder and throttle) added.  I get frustrated with it because it's got this honkin' big prop in front that doesn't let it glide at all, but for just tooling around it's nice.

[Andrew Saunders]

Mike, i fly the parkzone t-28. Its the plane i also learned on and is a bind n fly. Its a great plane for the price and flies great and easily. I would highly recommend that plane.

[david beazley]

For some relaxed flying try a Radian or Radian Pro (has ailerons). Takes more space than a park flyer but flys real well.

[Matt Colan]

I recommend the park zone T-28. Very easy to fly, very forgiving. Makes for a great trainer and you can do some basic aerobatics with it. If you are feeling up to it, rolling circles is a breeze with that airplane. It's my favorite maneuver to do with the airplane.

[Andrew Saunders]

I love my T-28. If it crashes, just use some foam safe CA and its ready to go. Repairs are easy.

[Mike Griffin]

Thanks guys for the recomendations.  Ty and Tim....ya both gave me a good laugh which I needed....."Hide the kids, here comes Crazy Mike and his F86 Ducted fan"  YIKES....

[Jim Kraft]

I have trimmed out T-28's for others and they do fly great. Fairly easy to fly yet mildly aerobatic. A nice all round flyer. I have never owned one myself, but if I was in the market for such a thing that would probably be the one.

[dave siegler]

multiplex fun cub.  Love mine

[Joseph Patterson]

     Mike, if you are able to get around make a trip to Hobby Towne in Baton Rouge. Andy has what you need and he will be able to help you decide on the best set-up and price.
          Doug

[Dennis Leonhardi]

I have to put in my vote for ParkZone, literally anything ParkZone.  Just do some window shopping and see how readily available - and inexpensive - replacement parts are.  I have a pretty sizeable collection of RC foamies, and can readily find manuals, replacement parts, support for anything ParkZone, while most anything I've purchased from vendors like Banana Hobby, Hobby King, NitroPlanes and the like have arrived incomplete - and sometimes completely misrepresented.

Dennis
 

[Larry Renger]

I fly the Parkzone J3 Cub and P-51. I just bought the Spitfire and will wring it out this morning.  For take-offs from a grass field, astrip made from a half dozen old political signs works great. The signs are hinged together accordion style with Duct tape (no WD-40 needed here). 

[Mike Griffin]

Larry that idea for a runway is a good one....thanks for the tip.  and thanks to everyone for their input .... looks like I am not the only one that dabbles in the dark side with toy planes.... 

Mike

[Doug Moon]

No one has really touched on it but your DX6i will do way more than you are wanting at this point so you are more than covered there.  Dont need to upgrade or get an RTF.  Just look for a good BNF and have some fun!

[Mike Griffin]

Thanks Doug... that is what I have intentions of doing...just having some fun with a foamie... A couple of the guys in our club that fly CL also play with these things and sometimes they just take a break from stunt and play with these things... I think it will be fun...

Mike

[john e. holliday]

Mike, if you really want to got to the really dark side, assemble an ARF Bi-Slob or throw one together from the kit.   From take off to when the engine/motor quits, all maneuvers right in front of you with the wind at your back side.   I mean almost half lap loops, inverted and squares.  Don't forget there is the hanging on the prop also.   I do that when I get tired of doing patterns.  Pull out the Bi-Slob and have fun.  Have even thought of taking my chair to the center when I fly the Slob.

[Mike Griffin]

Not a bad idea Doc.  Just might do that... thanks for the idea

Mike

[Fred Underwood]

I make the association of electricity with light/light bulb.  Perhaps the Dark Side is really the Light Side