Hobby King Tuff Trainer Review

The Hobby King Tuff Trainer is a beginner's R/C plane that comes in PNP (Plug-N-Fly) format, so just add your transmitter's receiver and a battery and you're off!  I personally used an 800 mAH Turnigy 3S 30C pack which gave me about 5-10 minutes, depending on how much throttle I used.  Here is the link to the Tuff Trainer:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=16808&aff=565088

I used this battery pack:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=18847&aff=565088

And this glue:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=8452&aff=565088

Assembling the plane was not a very easy process for a beginner in my opinion.  Everything had to be put together other than the electronics.  The elevator in the back, propeller, and wing all had to go together.  The manual wasn't really that helpful but did include pictures to guide you through the building process.  Be warned that the Tuff Trainer has a JST plug (the small red one) on the ESC, not XT60!

HOW IT FLIES

The Tuff Trainer flies pretty nice and can be slow and fast depending on how much throttle you give it.  The landing gear gets caught on grass easily, so make sure to be careful on grass or just land on a smooth surface.  As an almost complete noob, here's my maiden flight!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH2nB58316s

I used a DX6i and the receiver that comes with it (6ch).  The plane has throttle, elevator, ailerons, and rudder, for a total of 4 channels.  Be aware that on take off, the Tuff Trainer will go to the right a LOT, sometimes uncontrollably.  Make sure to use trim and don't fly over too many tall trees!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c7P3hCJT6Y

UPGRADES + ACCESSORIES

- Buy extra 8x4 props along with prop savers

- Better 5g-9g servos

- Use an elastic band to keep the battery in (stock holder is too small and breaks easily)

- You can also velcro up to a 2200 mAH 3S battery pack on the bottom of the Tuff Trainer for extended flight times!  But, be careful not to overheat the motor or ESC.  I personally never had a problem.