My Hangar9 Easy 2 40 sized R/C trainer plane was the plane that started it all. With a lot of help from John Lambert, I was "on the sticks" by the second flight. Also, thanks to the R/C AeroChopper Flight Simulator, I had a very successful first flight. I would strongly recommend a simulator to anyone contemplating R/C flying as a hobby.

Click here for updated information on the trials and tribulations of the Easy2 R/C trainer experience.

I then took delivery of a new Kombat Airmadillo 40 Trainer from The Airplane Factory.Click here to read about it. Scroll down to October 7th to read about the Kruizer Combo wing and tail feather conversion done to the Trainer 40.

APRIL 1999

After I had been flying R/C aircraft for approximately 10 months, I lost elevator control on the Kruizer in October 1998 and drilled it straight in at about 40-50 mph. Fortunately the cost was not too high. The wing and tail feathers were serviceable (I elected to replace) but the Royal .45 was damaged badly (later repaired with JB Weld) and the aluminium fuselage was ruined. The fuselage costs $24.95. I purchased the whole base kit on the Kruizer for $55.00 and had it back together in about 4-5 hours. I installed a new OS 46 FX with a 11 X 6 Master Airscrew prop. All in all, the cost to restore the plane to flying status was not too bad,proving that R/C flying is not necessarily outrageously priced.

JUNE 1999
The restored Kombat Kruizer has been flown several times and it is a pleasure to fly with the OS 46 FX. Unfortunately my flying buddy put a novice on the sticks and it went in again! The good news is, the only damage incurred, was a scratched aluminium prop nut, broken prop, two nylon screws and very slight cosmetic damage to the wing.
The plane is definitely durable. It was a $10.00 afternoon. I would recommend the Trainer 40 version of this plane to new fliers and then they can upgrade to the Kruizer Kombo after some stick time the trainer.