TeleHobbies R/C Starter Kits

TeleHobbies R/C
Radio Controlled Airplane
Starter Kits

To begin flying radio controlled airplanes, we recommend you start by visiting (and supporting) your local hobby shop if you have one. They need you as much as you need them! If you do not have a hobby shop in your area, we invite you to make your purchases from us. We are not a multimillion dollar mail order company whose only purpose is to push products out the door; we are a real hobby shop! We have built and flown the models listed here and will help you in any way we can.

We also highly recommend that you find a local club and seek their help. Generally, they have a flying field and an instruction program. Qualified instruction is imperative to learning how to fly radio controlled aircraft!.

We recommend that you start with a "trainer" aircraft. Many people would like to start with a P-51 or a Corsair, but just like the full-size counterparts, it takes an expert pilot to fly advanced aircraft. A trainer has the wing mounted on top of the fuselage and usually (but not always) has a flat-bottomed wing. A pronounced dihedral angle (the "V" shape in the wing) helps the plane fly straight and level, which is important when learning how a plane responds to the controls and learning how to take off and land.

What Size Should I Start With???

First, you must decide on what size aircraft you want to begin flying and there are many sizes from which to choose! R/C aircraft size usually refers to the size engines (in cubic inches) that it take to fly the respective aircraft. The most popular sizes are 20, 40, and 60, referring to .20 - .36, .40 to 53, and .60 - .75 engines. Other sizes are also available and include .049 powered (usually referred to 1/2 A,) 90, 120, quarter scale, one-third scale, giant scale, etc. We usually recommend starting with a 40 size setup because they are fairly stable (and can fly in the wind, unlike .049 powered aircraft), they are more readily available than any other size, and we feel the price/performance is best with this size.

Should I Start With A Kit, ARF, Or "Durable" Trainer?

Next, you must decide on whether to buy a kit and completely build the aircraft, or buy an Almost Ready To Fly (ARF) kit. Both have their own distinct advantages. The ARF kits will get you in the air MUCH faster, but are more difficult to repair when (not if!) you crash. They usually come with the fuselage, wing halves, horizontal stabilizer, and verticle fin assembled and covered. You do not get full size plans (blue prints) and the covering is usually a special material which cannot be purchased separately. On the other hand, you can purchase replacement parts (wing, fuselage, etc.) which already matches the plane you have.

If you choose to construct an airplane from a kit, you should be aware that most kits include all the wood you will need and most of the hardware. Some kits are more complete than others. They do not include covering materials or the tools required to install the covering. When you build an aircraft from this type of kit, you have full-size plane from which you can make replacement parts and you probably have left-over covering material to make "patches." If you choose this type of kit, we suggest you keep it simple and concentrate on building it straight and strong rather than pretty with a lot of "extras." Save that for your next plane! You are going to crash this one a few times before you get the hang of flying, taking off, and particularly landing.

There is also a class of "durable" trainers that are able to withstand many crashes and keep on flying with little or no repairs. One such airplane, the DuraPlane, is made from a square, tubular plastic fuselage (similar to rain downspout), a piece of aluminum channel, flat pieces of balsa wood and a styrofoam wing. It may not look terrific and it doesn't fly quite like the other trainers, but it will withstand some pretty severe crashes! We recommend this airplane if you must teach yourself how to fly.

US AirCore also makes the Family Trainer, which looks and flies more like other aircraft. It is make from corrugated plastic (much like cardboard box material but plastic). Using "fold-and-fly" technology, these airplanes go together quickly and can withstand some pretty rough crashes.

We recommend you stay away from aircraft, engines, and radio systems that carry "mail order company" names. You can only get replacement parts from that mail-order company and most real hobby shops will laugh at you and send you back to the mail order company when you come to them for help

Engine Choices

You have three basic choices when it comes to engines. The least expensive is a simple 2-stroke engine with brass bushings supporting the crankshaft. This is adequate for most trainer aircraft.

A step up is the same size engine with ball bearings supporting the crankshaft. These engines last longer than the non bearing type and usually have a little more power. Unfortunately, they cost about twice as much. If you know you are going to stay with the engine you purchase for your trainer and want it to last a long time, or want just a little more power, we suggest considering this upgrade.

The third choice is a 4-stroke engine. These usually have slightly less power than the other two types of the same size, but they have a lot more torque, swing a larger prop, have better fuel economy, and sound so much better than a 2-stroke. We usually do not recommend these for trainer airplanes only because of the cost. If cost is not a problem, we love them!

Gasoline and diesel engines are also available for radio controlled models, but we do not recommend them for beginners!

Radio Systems

The last major component is a radio system. We believe most of the radio systems today are pretty equal in quality and functionality when it comes to basic systems. The top of the line, computer-controlled radios may differ in capabilities. We usually recommend Futaba radios, not because we believe them to be much better, but they are kind of "the industry standard" and parts, accessories, and service is available just about everywhere. They are sold just about everywhere and you will probably see more of them at the flying field than any other brand. Be aware of certain brands which are imported only by one company in the US and are only available from hobby shops that buy from these distributors.

Most trainers require a four-channel radio (throttle, elevator, rudder, and ailerons). Many four-channel radio systems come with only three servos! The manufacturers say this is because you may use it for an electric airplane which may use an electronic speed control or automatic shup off, or your first plane may not have ailerons. It makes the price of the radio system look lower until you find out that you have to purchase an additional servo. When shopping around, be sure to count the servos!

We recommend the Futaba Skysport 4VF. It uses the latest technology, is FM rather than AM (for less interference) and has a "buddy cord" capability. The buddy cord allows two Futaba radios to be connected together so both a trainee and an instructor can control the airplane (much like a dual control car). The radio system should include the transmitter, receiver, servos, Ni-CAD batteries, and a charger.

If you know you are going to stay with this hobby and you are going to want to advance to more controls (smoke systems, flaps, retractable landing gear, etc.), you might want to invest

Required Accessories

In addition to the actual airplane, engine, and radio system, you will need several accessories to get fuel into the plane and to get the engine started.

Most engines do not come with a glow plug (for unknown reasons). You must purchase at least one...we recommend two or three. If you are having a problem getting the engine started or running properly, the glow plug is the most common problem. If you have a spare, you can quickly change it and resolve the problem or determine that the glow plug is not the problem! Without a spare, you can spend hours trying to get the engine running without success.
You will also need a propeller. Again, we recommend a spare or two. Each "less than perfect" landing can break a prop. Without a spare, you can't fly!
You need a method to get fuel from the container into the fuel tank. The least expensive is a "fuel bulb." It is a rubber bulb with a fuel line used to suck fuel out of the container by squeezing the bulb and then inserting the line into the fuel. They, connect the fuel line to your tank and squeeze again. Pretty basic!
Also available are mechanical and electric fuel pumps.
In order to start the engine, you much supply power to the glow plug. A one and one-half volt battery with a connector that fits the glow plus is required. We recommend a self-contained Ni-CAD battery with charger (DUBRO 666).
To start the engine, you must have a method to 'spin' it. You can do this by hand using a "chicken stick" which you can purchase, or a small wooden dowell or piece of rubber hose. By all means, do not use your fingers!
Electric starters are also available and make starting the engine much easier - particularly a new engine that has not been broken in. If you use a starter, you also will need a 12 volt battery. You can use a 12 volt hobby battery, a car battery, or a motorcycle battery.
The fuel used for a glow engine is a combination of alcohol, nitro methane, and lubricants. The per cent rating refers to the nitro methane content. We recommend ten or fifteen per cent for trainer aircraft. There are many combinations of lubricants available, castor, synthetic, "space age," etc. For a two-stroke engine in a trainer aircraft, we recommend a good quality fuel with a "blend" of castor and synthetic lubricants. Be leery of "cheap" fuels - some contain inferior nitro methane wich attracts more moisture than other brands and causes bearings and other components to rust quickly. With these fuels, you much be sure to run out all the unburned fuel in the engine and treat it with an after-run oil.
Fuel is very expensive to ship because it is listed as a 'hazardous material." It must be packaged in special containers and shippers can carge up to $10.00 extra as a hazardous materials fee. Usually, it is available only in four-gallon quantities because the manufacturers pack them that way in the special containers. To save costs, we recommend you purchase fuel from your local hobby shop.

The underscored items below are links to manufacturers' information. Since there is no return link, use RETURN or BACK on your browser to get back here.

"Typical" Trainers
Model Type Retail Price Our Price

Great Planes
PT-40 Kit 109.99 $63.95

Goldberg
Eagle 2 Kit 109.99 $55.95

Hobbico
SuperStar 40 ARF 149.95 $108.95

Thunder Tiger
Tiger Trainer 40T ARF $145.99 $108.95

DuraPlane
Trainer 40 Durable $99.99 $58.95

US Aircore
40 Trainer Durable $119.95 $58.95

40 Size Engines
Model Retail Price Our Price

OS 40 FP
Bushing $99.99 $53.95

OS 40 FX
Bearing $189.99 $108.95

OS 46 FX
Bearing $199.95 $98.95

OS 52 Surpass
4-Stroke $329.99 $189.95

Super Tigre GS-40
Bearing $209.99 $89.95

Thunder Tiger GP-40
Bearing $103.99 $54.95

"Typical" Trainers
Model	Type	Retail Price	Our Price
Great Planes PT-40	Kit	109.99	$63.95
Goldberg Eagle 2	Kit	109.99	$55.95
Hobbico SuperStar 40	ARF	149.95	$108.95
Thunder Tiger Tiger Trainer 40T	ARF	$145.99	$108.95
DuraPlane Trainer 40	Durable	$99.99	$58.95
US Aircore 40 Trainer	Durable	$119.95	$58.95

40 Size Engines
Model	Retail Price	Our Price
OS 40 FP Bushing	$99.99	$53.95
OS 40 FX Bearing	$189.99	$108.95
OS 46 FX Bearing	$199.95	$98.95
OS 52 Surpass 4-Stroke	$329.99	$189.95
Super Tigre GS-40 Bearing	$209.99	$89.95
Thunder Tiger GP-40 Bearing	$103.99	$54.95

Radio Systems
Model Retail Price Our Price

Futaba 4VF
4 Servos $289.95 $153.00

Futaba 6VA
4 Servos $359.95 $190.00

Futaba 6XA
4 Servos $399.95 $215.00

Accessories
Item Retail Price Our Price

Dubro 666
Glow Plug Ignitor $19.95 $14.95

Aerotrend 1005
6-Oz Fuel Bulb $8.99 $7.95

Fox 40602
Glow Plug $3.10 $2.59

Master Airscrew
10x6 Propeller $1.99 $1.89

Hobbico TorqMaster 90
Electric Starter $49.95 $29.95

Radio Systems
Model	Retail Price	Our Price
Futaba 4VF 4 Servos	$289.95	$153.00
Futaba 6VA 4 Servos	$359.95	$190.00
Futaba 6XA 4 Servos	$399.95	$215.00

Accessories
Item	Retail Price	Our Price
Dubro 666 Glow Plug Ignitor	$19.95	$14.95
Aerotrend 1005 6-Oz Fuel Bulb	$8.99	$7.95
Fox 40602 Glow Plug	$3.10	$2.59
Master Airscrew 10x6 Propeller	$1.99	$1.89
Hobbico TorqMaster 90 Electric Starter	$49.95	$29.95

More information is being added. Feel free to ask questions about anything stated above in the meantime.

You can order the above items by E-Mail or by using our order form . Texas state sales tax will be added to orders shipped to locations in Texas and $5.50 shipping and packaging will be added to all orders.