Re: to Build or not

Well.....since you keep talking about the Corsair you could join the club, find an instructor, build a GWS Corsair, fly that inplace of the trainer, have a ball flying the GWS Corsair, build .60 Corsair during the summer, hook back up with the instructor when you ready for .60, solo and have a ball.

Mike

Ted shuffled out of his cave and grunted these great (and sometimes not so great) words of knowledge:

Since you would "rather work on the learning to fly than the CA, cutting and covering the trainer", I suggest an ARF.

There are many very good ARFs out there. In a few evenings the plane will be ready to go.

There are a couple of advantages to an ARF over building a trainer.

There is less "emotional" attachment to the plane when, not if, but when you damage it.

Many people are not experienced in building and, as you probably know, it is easy to inadvertently build something wrong or build in a warp.

When you consider the cost, you can not build, cover and put the hardware in a plane for the cost of an ARF.

Remember, a trainer is just that. It is to train you how to fly. Expect it to get dents, scratches, tears in the covering, etc. while in the process of learning how to fly. If you learn from the mistakes you make on the trainer, you will not damage "your pride an joy".

I got started in this lunacy with a Balsa USA Stick 40, a simple, rugged, kit. Some words from its instruction manual still stick with me. They were "When you crash your Stick 40 (notice we said when, not if) don't worry. You built it, you can fix it!" I also know the agony of seeing a plane I spent months building destroyed in seconds. You don't get a lot of building experience with ARFs, but as Ted said, you don't have the emotional attachment. Since you've built a couple of stick and tissue kits, you should be able to repair an ARF trainer fairly easily. When you crash, I'm sure the group will give you all the fixing advice you need. The Corsair isn't a really user-friendly plane to fly. (The real thing wasn't, either.) You might want to try a sport model after the trainer to get used to something that flies fast with a relatively high wing loading.

Morris

Build. If you are going to build a fairly difficult model like a Corsair then I suggest you build a Sig Kadet, either the LT versions or the Senior if you want something more difficult to build.

Sorry Mike, if it seams I talk to much about the Corsair. See not only does it represent my weak but new freedom and a dream come true but as a disabled guy in a power chair it's "big" goal that sometimes may get in the way of seeing clearly. I also want to provide as much info as possible to those who might want to offer advice. I want this to work and know the best way to that is to ask for advice from those that know. Granting the info contradicts at times. I didn't think of the Guillows Corsair, thanks for that idea. D.

What you have to do is weigh both options and make a decision based on those options and your needs and desires. There is no best way to do this. There is a best way for YOU to do this and that is up to you.

As has been pointed out, building brings a certain satisfaction that cannot be matched with an ARF. Watching something that you created from a box of sticks fly is one of the most exhilarating and nerve wracking experiences on the world. I feel it is well worth the effort.

However,if you are on a tight schedule and you really want to learn to fly, the ARF route is not bad. You get to get in the air fast and when you prang that new plane, the emotional pain is not so bad. The downside is that you don't know how it was put together so you will have to do some reverse engineering to fix it. Not everyone can do this. That is the downside to an ARF.

I would also recommend that you get a low wing sport model as a second plane before you attempt the Corsair. It was a great fighter in its day but it is a handful to fly. A good third or fourth plane unless you show uncharacteristic coordination and ability. (Some of the younger folks among us fall into that category.)

Again though, the decision is ultimately yours.

Just my .02

Jim W

Good luck in the prusuit of your dreams. I would build a trainer...teaches you more. Keep the GWS Corsair in mind for some inbetween fun.....about $60.00 foamy ARF...very good flyer.

Mike