Checking in from Florida

[injector]

I am so glad I found FPV, I have this addiction to flying but working in IT means i'm usually in a cold bunker underground so I gave up to just flying in my dreams (literally) but now I can actually experience it.

So in the past I've built RC cars but never a plane, my late father and his best friend were heavily into it but i never go into it until i discovered FPV (the apple doesn't fall far from the three I guess)

That being said after moving to the states I need to purchase all my gear from scratch again and after reading countless pages, watching hours of instructional and product review youtube videos, I've compiled a list of what I want to fly..... let me know your thoughts guys:

CK's RiteWing ZII

Components:
ZII Battery Bay
O.S. Motor OMA-3820-1200
70A Graupner ESC
Aeronaut Propadapter
10x6 Aeronaut CAM folding prop
TBS69 camera
Graupner 9kg servos
TBS Power Supply


Flying with:
EzUHF Rx
Lawmate 2.4GHz Video Tx
EzOSD + current sensor
Fatshark Dominator Video Glasses
Patch Antenna

Powered by:
Turnigy nano-tech 3300mah 3S 35~70C x4 (2 spares)
Cellpro 10s 260W 10A Balancer/Charger

I'm still undecided on the radio but considering I'm flying pretty much the TBS setup I'm thinking about going with the Graupner MX16 HoTT and the EzUHF Tx that they recommend.

As I previously mentioned I'm starting from scratch again after not having touched anything RC for 6+ years so I'm always open to suggestions, opinions, tips or plain old "If you (Blank) You're gonna have a bad time" quotes.

[SENTRY]

Welcome to the Lab.

If you are starting from scratch, then I think you should choose another plane to start with - start simple and get some hours under your belt as you build your pride and joy over time on the bench.

[airbagit13]

Agree 1000000% nothing worse then destroying a $1000 plane on your first flight. Start easy.

Welcome to the party. Where in FL are you? Miami here.

[injector]

From everything I've read i have seen that the ZII is more of an intermediate plane, and from the hours of video I've seen it looks like it responds very quickly to changes on the sticks which is what I'm looking for. I also looked at the EPP FPV but it just didn't grab my heart like the ZII. I was thinking about buying a cheap RTF plane from our local hobby store just to get started but I don't foresee that holding my attention for long.

I'm in Orlando.

[SENTRY]

Trust me - LOL. You don't have to look at the EPP FPV (i hate that plane). Skywalker is good... even a MS Composite Swift 2. You definitely will hurt your own feelings if you start with an advanced system - and you're gonna kill some expensive gear in the process. The easiest part about FPV is watching videos from guys who know how to do it. Don't fall into that trap, but it's your decision to make.

Skywalker on 72mHz... it doesn't take a lot of gear to have fun in FPV.


View this video on Vimeo

[airbagit13]

From everything I've read i have seen that the ZII is more of an intermediate plane, and from the hours of video I've seen it looks like it responds very quickly to changes on the sticks which is what I'm looking for. I also looked at the EPP FPV but it just didn't grab my heart like the ZII. I was thinking about buying a cheap RTF plane from our local hobby store just to get started but I don't foresee that holding my attention for long.

I'm in Orlando.

Ok, get a Z2. Have fun.

[injector]

Ok, get a Z2. Have fun.

Lol I'm not as arrogant as to ignore advice from hardened vets, I just need to find out if i want to go for broke or start out easy and then move on, this of course means a bigger investment, decisions decisions, and I thought doing the research was the hard part.

[injector]

so after having spent the last 4 hours researching beginner planes, can you guys tell me what makes the ZII an intermediate plane?

I was already familiar with the fact that flying wings have to rudder ergo no yaw, it would be all roll and pitch but paper never translates to real world piloting.

[SENTRY]

It will not self-right. You have to pilot the plane at all times. A traditional plane can/will self-right if you have to adjust something on the ground. Also - if trimmed properly a traditional plane can glide to the ground and almost land itself if there is a control loss. A wing, not so much. If you lose video/control due to orientation issues you could very likely not regain either. Also, wings are harder to launch, dont' break down, and more of a hassle to transport for starters.

[airbagit13]

Jason summed it up pretty well, there not much more I can add to that. The fact that the wing has no rudder is the least of the problem with a big wing like this as a starter plane. You get used to flying like that real quick. If you want something chunky and cool you may want to look at the TwinStar2. Its dual prop on the wings so the camera is out of view, its very quiet and flys like a pro, once trimmed well you can take your goggles off and make any adjustments without worrying about it spinning towards the earth in a death roll. Theres plenty of cool planes out there. If you are dead set on starting with a wing then grab something small that's easy to launch like a MS Swift 2. I dont know anyone that has flown one of those without falling head over heals in love.