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Witterings, it rather depends on what you want from your aircraft. If you want aerobatic qualities, the take a look at this trim chart that relates to trimming for precision aerobatics as opposed to 3D aerobatics. From your description of your first flight, I'd say you had the CG on the neutral point. Moving it forwards (you don't say by how much) you have ended up with a stable aircraft. Generally speaking, when the aircraft feels nice to fly, it's not too stable and not unstable, you have got the CG in the optimum position for you. Others might like a CG in a different position.

Dx6 unless you can afford something from the NX range. If you buy used get it checked by a Spektrum service technician. I would recommend Al's Hobbies from personal experience.

I use several V8 series receivers, mostly the 7 and 8 channel versions. They have been very reliable and give good service. For models for which you don’t need / want telemetry there is no need to change them for anything more recent. Brian.

Not since I gave up long distance running!

I think what don is saying is that it depends on what he planes you are flying. if they are expensive you may want to buy more dependable radio gear if they are cheaper you can get away with cheaper. I have a dx6i and have found it mostly dependable. one of the toggles has broken off and one of the trim tabs doesn’t work on some models (who needs to trim elevators anyway 😉 ) but for the models I’m working with it’s been a decent work horse (perhaps more of a donkey) and for the small price has been alright. I would say go for a dx6i as a cheap entry and then think about something better once you have more skin in the game

Why Spektrum? if you're starting out on a budget there are other options...

Sorry Don, I don't understand your reply

Extra gyro effects are a possibility but the plastic rotary itself is quite light. In fact its lighter than the rather big prop. Most of the weight comes from the brushless motor buried in the crankcase unlike the full size whose cylinders, cylinder heads and even the pistons were machined from steel. We shall see!

The ladies speaking to you are nice, on complex models, essential. You aren’t there yet, so a silent trani, you can live with. No buddy box, if you are learning with low work input, low cost models, on your own, think ball point pens, fine. But it’s easier, fly a heavier, bigger model ( more expensive), instructor can save the day as you start to lose it. He also can say why you lost it. There are sellers, may all their batteries set fire to their underpants, who know it’s got a problem, and sell a duff set on.

The latest RCME has a beginners guide which says 'don't be afraid to buy secondhand gear' but I advise to be very wary of secondhand radio gear. Unless you know the owner and he has taken good care of it and it always flys reliably then avoid! It could have been allowed to get wet ( especially if used for boats ) or suffers range problems whilst flying ( difficult to detect ) or been dropped, been troublesome etc. Buying secondhand radio online from some unknown person is too risky for planes. 100 percent reliability is essential. I have a DX6i and am happy with it but I reckon a later DX6 with more memories and wireless buddy system is a better buy. DX6i came in at least 3 versions - DSM2 only ( avoid ) - DSMX plus DSM2 ( has an X on the case ) - DSMX only( also with an X on case but cannot be switched to DSM2 so won't work with DSM2 Rx )

The Highways Agency found over 200 dead crows on the M4 near Bridgend recently, and there was concern that they may have died from Avian Flu. A Pathologist examined the remains of all the crows, and, to everyone's relief, confirmed the problem was NOT Avian Flu. The cause of death appeared to be from vehicular impacts. However, during analysis it was noted that varying colours of paints appeared on the ...bird's beaks and claws. By analysing these paint residues it was found that 98% of the crows had been killed by impact with motorbikes, while only 2% were killed by cars. The Agency then hired an Ornithological Behaviourist to determine if there was a cause for the disproportionate percentages of motorbike kills versus car kills. The Ornithological Behaviourist quickly concluded that when crows eat road kill, they always have a look-out crow to warn of danger. They discovered that while all the lookout crows could shout "Cah", not a single one could shout "bike"

It's a lot earlier model, so the cheaper ones could be quite old, and possibly DSM2 only. The trim levers and programming roller have been known to fail on the older ones, they did on mine. Only 10 model memories is another plus less programming options than the more modern Dx6. I have a DX6i, but unless you know the owner I'd be a bit reluctant to buy one now, even though it would make a good beginner tx.

Are you sure you are not building a cat-amaran 🤪

Nice stuff there David, get well soon,,,

No white socks, David ?

I flew both the Mystic and the Calmato today. Both flew well but the Mystic needs a little fettling. I flew it with the cowling on for the first time.

If you like how it flies and it flies as you expect then that’s good enough.

Listed as "New" even though it's part built. The eBay description is a load of twaddle too.

I've just finished building a new plane and had it's maiden today, the plane needed no elevator adjustment for straight and level flight from the start. I did the inverted test for CoG and it was totally hands off and then did the dive test and it tucked under in a reasonably aggressive way inferring CoG was too far back. I moved the battery forward for the 2nd flight and needed some up elevator for upright level flight inferring CoG may be a tad too far forward, the dive test it stayed at the angle of decent without pulling out or tucking under and inverted flight now required some down. Just interested to see how others "finalise" they're CoG .... I'll keep flying mine for a while as time will tell me which I prefer, most likely somewhere in between the two, I'm guessing though the plane will still tuck under of the dive test but if I like how it actually flies I guess that doesn't matter?

Hiya, I'm just starting out and am buying my initial kit. I've been advised that I should get a Spektrum DX6 transmitter, but I can get an older used DX6i for half to a third of the price of a second hand DX6. So, apart from wireless buddybox and no voice alerts, what would I be missing out on with DX6i? I'd appreciate your thoughts.