Hobbico Nexstar R C Trainer Airplane w Flight Simulator

Reader Reviews
The NextStar is a good, basic trainer. As with any other trainer, you must have a seasoned pilot helping with the first few flights at least. My instructor immediately rejected the speed flaps and the Automatic Flight Stabilization system. I figured he would, so I didn't even install the flaps or connect the AFS. He's instructed many students using this trainer and finds those two features to be a hindrance rather than a help.The airplane does need some tweaking by an experienced modeler. For example, the right rudder/right nose gear binds as the nyrod comes through a too-tight hole in the firewall. We had to disconnect it and enlarge the hole with a Dremel tool. No big deal but, since the instructor says they all come that way, it's a mystery why Great Planes continues to manufacture them this way.Main landing gear system is mickey mouse--snap in system that only works part of the time and is very easy to come loose. Coming loose and falling out in flight is a real possibility.The other BIG problem: the aircraft always yaws and rolls right on takeoff. Something that they all do, according to the others in the radio control club who've flown them. You have to feed in left rudder and left aileron on V2 or you're likely going to be in trouble.Overall, a solid trainer and one that my R/C club sees a lot. One evening on Beginner's Night there were five NextStars in the air at one time. However, if I were doing this over, I'd probably go with the HobbiStar .60 because it's a bigger airplane (easier to see), has less dihedral, and has a semi-symmetrical airfoil which gives it many more possibilities.