Hobbyzone Mini Super Cub RTF

Reader Reviews
I learned on the Mini Super Cub. It is a great little plane which is easy for a first-timer to handle. Hand-launches are easier than takeoff rolls. But the plane is so light, and the wing is a somewhat flexible, so wind needs a few mph or less, preferable calm to fly it. Otherwise, it really gets bounced around and is easily crashed or lost. The included radio teaches you to throttle-back by being spring-loaded to the throttle off position (which is oddly halfway up). This is a great lesson since many beginners leave the throttle too high on their first flight causing too much speed, altitude or a crash. But it is a non-standard feature on a trainer, and it gets tiresome to have to push the plane along at all times. As a 3-channel plane there are no ailerons, only rudder, elevator, and throttle. The rudder is controlled by the right stick, which is also non-standard and arguably, a bad way to learn. The battery is weak, but glides are easy. If you get a second battery, and you'll want one, get the full sized Cub battery. It fits nicely in the Mini's battery compartment if you pop off the door. The battery door sometimes opens in flight, anyway, so it is ok to remove it. Either battery is held firmly by the Velcro strap. Weight is no issue and you can use the Mini's included charger for either battery: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D1000%2C1&field-keywords=7.4V+800+Lipo+parkzone&x=0&y=0 The anti-crash feature is of marginal value. It cuts the power if you get into a vertical climb or dive. I think it adds some leveling controls, but it's hard to say since after the power goes away, the you tend to want to level it and the plane is somewhat self-leveling. Overall, if I had to do it again, I would buy the larger Super Cub or the Parkzone T-28. I have heard the larger Cub is a little better flyer and can handle 5-10 mph wind. I got a T-28 after the wind picked up during a flight and carried my Mini Cub into another State. The T-28 only goes slightly faster, if you use a 9x6 or 9x5 prop, it would go the same speed as the Cubs. The T-28 is almost as easy to fly, plus it teaches you with ailerons, which I think are easier. And it uses a standard throttle and rudder configuration. You can use the T-28 RTF's standard radio in your next model, or, if you are like me and have a radio from helicopters, you can bind the T-28 BNF or PNP version to a transmitter you already own. If you can fly a $30 computer simulator, I wouldn't hesitate to start with the T-28. Still, if you wait for calm winds, the Mini Cub easily does the job of teaching a person with no experience and no instructor. You can't beat that for less than a C note.