First Floatplane

[John234]

Hello all,
I have been flying a hobbyzone duet alongside my helis and quads and would like to get another plane. I have an interesting situation because my flying field is big enough for my duet, but the duet looks like the max size for the field. But, I have a large body of water behind my house that could serve as a field for a float/sea plane. I am considering the Hobbyzone super cub with floats, the flyzone beaver, a-flite apprentice and flyzone tidewater. Do any of you think I would be able to go for a 4 channel floatplane that I would have to maiden on the water or do a 3 channel because I can already fly the duet?

Thanks in advance

[Easy-Ed]

I have an Apprentice with floats, and it is a blast. Good plane to have at the lake, because other people can fly it too in the beginner mode, and you have the Safe bailout option if things get a little hairy. If you have the room, you should look at the Carbon Z--it is much bigger, and way more powerful. The only issue with the Apprentice is that you outgrow it pretty quick if you want to try some 3D moves.

[John234]

@Malibu LXI I was thinking that the beginner mode on the apprentice s would help with the first take off and landing so I could get a feel for it.

[gajomac]

I maidened mine from the water, with pretty good results. The safe mode on the Appentice S does help but only after a little work on the steering system because without it the plane has problems with keeping the centering of both the planes rudder and the floats rudder in sinc, the floats system and the plane both have there problems they both need a little help, Without some Mods it can be very hazardous taking off and landing, But It's a fairly easy fix though I'll try to take pics and post them. Look on You tube for a vid, I think the post was ( gaining tail authority on a Appentice) I did mine a little different from the post but it still works a much, better than stock

[John234]

Thanks, gajomac.

Does anyone else have an opinion on the others?
I love the way the eflite carbon cub ss looks, but I think it would be a too small...

[Easy-Ed]

You do need a plane that has a rudder in the water. If not, it is very difficult to steer on the water. A slight crosswind breeze makes it pretty tough to navigate because plane keeps turning into the wind and is liable to get blown over with no rudder authority.

[EPBDDSB]

I highly recommend the Hobbyzone Super Cub.
Very easy to repair.
It's not a windy weather float flyer, but it will teach you how to use rudder.
I have a few different float flyers.Icon A5, Alpha 40 (nitro),and this HZ Super Cub,
and it's still one of my favorite. It'll take a tremendous beating and bounce right back-parts are cheap. AND the airplane is cheap to buy. It's relaxing to fly.
Learn to walk before you try to run.

[John234]

Originally Posted by EPBDDSB

I highly recommend the Hobbyzone Super Cub.
Very easy to repair.
It's not a windy weather float flyer, but it will teach you how to use rudder.
I have a few different float flyers.Icon A5, Alpha 40 (nitro),and this HZ Super Cub,
and it's still one of my favorite. It'll take a tremendous beating and bounce right back-parts are cheap. AND the airplane is cheap to buy. It's relaxing to fly.
Learn to walk before you try to run.

Thanks, EPBDDSB.
I'm leaning towards the suber cub- it seams like it's a good size and it is just like a duet, but bigger and has floats (and I have to get something with the 15 % off coupon) I'm thinking the regular one, maybe it will be on blowout with the SAFE version coming out.
Any opinions on the tidewater?

[jaxxx]

Im looking to get a superclub LP also.... I currently fly a MCPX BL heli, how hard would it for me to fly??? This will be my first RC plane.

[hoverfun]

Consider the Flyzone DHC-2 Beaver. It flies wonderful, quick off water, nice lander and decent water rudder system. Started with Apprentice on floats now have Carbon-Z Cub also for a float plane. Beaver also is a great price.

[rcnorth]

I have the flyzone beaver, it's decent for the price, fly's nice, lights are cool, rudder system needs mods IMO, I took it off, it steers with the planes runner good enough for me. Works great in the snow, & it comes with wheels also.

[John234]

Originally Posted by hoverfun

Consider the Flyzone DHC-2 Beaver. It flies wonderful, quick off water, nice lander and decent water rudder system. Started with Apprentice on floats now have Carbon-Z Cub also for a float plane. Beaver also is a great price.

Originally Posted by rcnorth

I have the flyzone beaver, it's decent for the price, fly's nice, lights are cool, rudder system needs mods IMO, I took it off, it steers with the planes runner good enough for me. Works great in the snow, & it comes with wheels also.

Well, I got the super cub. If I like it, I am planning to get the Beaver. I am just making sure that I want the super cub before I open the box...

[John234]

Sorry to revive my thread, but I am thinking about getting a um icon a5 first to build confidence and learn water landings before the super cub on floats. This is extremely important- one dip in the brackish water behind my house and the electronics would probably be shot.

The question is: would it be too hard to take 2 steps (4 channel and floatplane) at once or would I be fine starting with the um icon a5.

Thanks,
John
This thread is... it's alive!!!