It was me

[Dave Lajb]

Holy user error.  Sorry guys this is in reply to Mike Griffins question about a trainer kit.

Hello Gentleman

I was the person that asked Mike about the trainer on another site.  I do agree that there may be better and easier options to building and flying.  I am 43, and I just started the learning process of flying last season.  I remembered as a kid going flying with my dad.  Never tried but I liked going.  A local club was kind enought to let me fly a Guillows trainer and I knocked the living snot out of it.  It hit the ground, rolled, bounced and just kept going till I got it.  Since then, I have built 7 planes and I just love it.  My son is 7 and he loves to help me in the shop and we do family outings to fly.  Its time for me to show him what it is like to build your own plane, paint it and fly it.  I would like for him to see what it is like to be creative and take pride in his work.  Then to experiece what its like to see your hard work hit the air for the first time.  Its the Wow, I did that factor.  The Trainer may not be the best selling kit but this got a lot of you started and I am sure impacted your life or you wouldnt be on this site.  I know I would buy at least three.

Thats my thoughts and intention.

Best wishes to all

Dave

[wwwarbird]

 Do you have a kit in mind for the young one?

 I'll suggest either the Sig Shoestring or the Sig Buster powered with an OS .15 LA-S. Both are very quick and easy models to build, super friendly in operation with the LA .15, and with the solid wing they are as durable as you can get for the imminent "crack-ups" of the absolute beginner. Another thing is they are no more expensive to get going than a 1/2A model and being a little larger, they are more stable and easier to fly.

[Garf]

I think someone on the Brotherhood of the Ring site sells a solid wood ringmaster trainer. I think Brodak sells a Streak trainer. I'll have to check.

http://www.brotherhoodofthering.info/mbbs22/category-view.asp

http://www.mastercontrollinelinksite.info/clhomepage.html

[wwwarbird]

I think someone on the Brotherhood of the Ring site sells a solid wood ringmaster trainer. I think Brodak sells a Streak trainer.

 Yeah, the solid wing 'Streak would be a good one too.

[Garf]

I found the Brodak Streak trainer, but I hesitate to recommend that expensive a trainer. The streak 45 kit wasn't much more expensive than that.

[wwwarbird]

 Ouch, good airplane but $65.99 is quite a chunk of change for that one. The Sig kits can definitely be had for less $.

 

[Dave Lajb]

I was mentioning to Mike about doing a fair priced trainer kit for kids.  I would love to see something like the Freshman 29 or Guillows Trainee.  After seeing the abuse it took, I thought it would be great for kids and hold up to misfortunes of learning to fly.  I also know a few adults that would go this route.  When you look at the Brodak price, include the building supplies and a motor you are talking $150 or more just to get started.  Thank you all for your replys

[Paul Taylor]

My 2cents

What I did with my two boys.  Sig Buster and Shoestring. Take bottle of CA to the field and beat the crap out of the ground.
I am still using the Buster as a trainer to teach others not just kids.

[Terrence Durrill]

I bought a Brodak Flite Steak Trainer kit, unopened on Ebay last year for $20.00.  They show up on Ebay from time to time.   Keep an eye out.        

[Dave Lajb]

Well, I do thank you all for your idea's.  I found a copy of the plans for a Freshman 29 and I think we are going to give it a shot from scratch. 

[Bill Heher]

A slab wing profile trainer is a great way to start scratch building. Your son can learn basic hand tool use and safety, get hands on with sandpaper, see how to measure / align / level parts during assembly.

Plus you can make visual, sold progress each session so they get to feel that great sense of accomplishment.

You can make a nice stiff wing by laminating 2 sheets of 1/8" balsa with a layer of light weight glass cloth ii between, weight it down good on a flat surface and let it cure. You get a stiff light 1/4" plank to make the wing, and some left over.