Beginner Indoor Planes - REVIEW

by FliteTest | February 24, 2014 | (24) Posted in Reviews

 

So you are just leaning to fly but Mother Nature has other plans. Cold, wind, and cold wind.

You might be thinking, "I'd love to learn how to fly, but I guess I'll have to wait until spring". WRONG! 

Never fear! Josh and Josh return to Pinnacle Sports to review 3 great planes that can help beginners learn to fly indoors!

First up is the ParkZone Night Vapor. This plane is extremely light weight and slow. This would be a perfect first plane for anyone. Don't expect to do any crazy aerobatics but if you have never flown the gentle characteristics on the Night Vapor will ease you in no problem. 

Next we have our very own FT Flyer. This guy has an impressive flight envelope and will handle well indoors or out. It's also great for beginners who want to get into scratch building. A simple design makes for a simple build and simple repairs! 

Last, we took a look at the Hobby Zone Duet. This thing is on rails! The Duet features what Hobby Zone calls Virtual Instructor™. There are gyros that help to stabilize the plane while you fly, and if you want to go outside, the gyros will help to counter wind as well. 

If you are flying for the first time, instead of just going in an infinite circle above your head, try to challenge yourself! We set up some pool noodles on sticks to make a cheap obstacle course to fly around. These are super easy to make and you can set them up however you like. This way you have a goal you are attempting to meet instead of aimlessly floating around in the air. It will help you become a better pilot faster by giving you something to work towards. 

Here is another fun game you can do for almost no money. Tape up a folding table and try to do some touch-and-go's. This will ultimately teach you to land on the best part of a runway (the first third gives you the best rollout).

Once you can do simple turns and touch-and-go's, let your imagination soar! We got bored and stacked two of our tables together to make an entirely different kind of obstacle. 

This one was actually the most fun! Remember any way that you can give a goal to your flying you are only helping yourself to be a better pilot. 

 

LINKS

- ParkZone Night Vapor

- Hobby Zone Duet

- FT Flyer

 

If you have any cool ideas for games to help you learn, let us know! Chat it up in the forums!


COMMENTS

travdudemt on February 24, 2014
Where did you get the limiting discs?
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travdudemt on February 24, 2014
you guys should make and sell the limiting discs, great idea and i bet they'd sell, i know i would buy a set or two.
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Kurt0326 on February 24, 2014
I second that
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gremlin88 on February 24, 2014
me too
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CIRRUS on February 27, 2014
Probably me too!
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MkeMorgan on January 16, 2015
Me too. Wish i would have had those when i first started indoor. Heck i still like to have them now
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NoUsername on February 24, 2014
I can't say enough good things about the Night Vapor. No matter where I go, it always turns heads.
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Dynascrew on February 26, 2014
Vapors taught me to fly. 1/2 oz. Vapors don't break easily and parts are cheap. I could actually walk behind as I learned reaction, balance, control, etc. I now do figure 8s in my LR (14X20) with my Mini Vapors and the Night Vapor is great for calm nights outside my door. I started out with 800-1200mm planes, epo and epp. Easy to break, not always fixable. Also required a trip to the park so very little flight time. Thumb wasn't learning much.
I bought the FT 3 pack (almost done building) and FT Cruiser. I expect the FT Flyer to be my favorite. I'd love to see FT sell nutball-flyer-delta planes individually, or 3 packs of each?
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Thorondil on February 25, 2014
The Duet is amazing, even in up to 10mph wind I can fly it and have it back in one piece! On a calm day you can do loops dives and even a kind of hammerhead stall!! I just can't describe the fun I've had with it and now I'll be flying the FT Delta, Nutball and Flyer pretty soon. :D
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brettp2004 on February 25, 2014
I second that. I have the duet and I love it. In just a little bit of wind it is quite fun if your a somewhat experienced pilot. A little bit of wind and it will pretty much do a vertical take off and almost fly backwards! I've had hours of fun with it and even my 4 year old can fly it if I control the throttle. I definitely recommend this plane to just about anyone.
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samrcplane11 on March 17, 2014
The vapor could be aerobatic

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G.D.X RC on February 26, 2014
i love FT Flyer!!!
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rickdavidson on February 24, 2014
Josh had the coolest Plane !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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gremlin88 on February 24, 2014
Maybe you guys could make a video about how to teach people about RC.
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Patnaude_av8r on February 24, 2014
Question on the ft flyer for Josh B. this flyer looks like it was dialed in perfectly. High A was great with no wing waggle or tail waggle. You slammed the prop on the table countless times and didn't break the prop. What was the all up weight, the batt motor esc combo, prop size and any extras you can dish out so we can dial in our FT Flyers. Also I noticed the batt was quite a bit aft and behind the landing gear almost directly under the CG. Why? I use 1000 mah batt and I need farthest forward to balance at the CG on the plans. Elaborate on this perfect flying FT Flyer.
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Ia Barnstormer on February 24, 2014
Pro Tip on the Night Vapor. I've had one for awhile now and I've found that a drop of super glue on the prop shaft where the prop threads on really helps keep the prop from snapping off. Now it doesn't do much for keeping a 90lb. Lab from breaking things off, ha ha!
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G.D.X RC on February 25, 2014
great fly guys keep up and do some article about how to make another swappable series for indoor beginer.....(Y)
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tramsgar on February 24, 2014
Hey, I'm indoors too! Cool guys!
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RickPeck on February 24, 2014
I think Josh B. missed out on some combined scoring. Landing on the table as well as passing under them? I can hardly wait to start Indoor flying. R/C folks in my area just submitted a charter request to the AMA for a new club. C.I.A., Camillus Indoor Aviators!
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Beginner Indoor Planes - REVIEW