Model Airplane -- Where to Purchase?

[BoDEAN]

I need to purchase a plastic model cessna 172 airplane for teaching purposes. I've been on Sporty's website all morning, and can't find one. Any tips on where I can purchase one today? Kind of in a bind without it.


Thanks

 

[Simon Says]

First of all you shouldnt be shopping at sporty pilot shop unless you want to get gouged on the price.

To find a model that suits your needs try any hobby shop. You might not find a C-172, but you will find all kinds of airplanes that can be used as a teaching tool.

 

[BoDEAN]

I need to buy some books (Airplane Flying Hnadbook being one) and thought I would try to find someplace that sold everything that I needed. Not a fan of Sporty's? Not an AOPA member that can benefit with discounts?


Thanks for the tip. I wonder if avweb sells the model planes. Ill keep looking, if I can't find anything, i'll try a hobby store (but it is a ways away).

 

[MYFpilot]

Lots of model aircraft...

http://www.justplanefun.net/

 

[bobbysamd]

FAA pubs

Try amazon.com. I did just now and found the Airplane Flying Handbook (is that a successor to the Flight Training Handbook?). Also found the Instrument Flying Handbook, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, and the FOI (Aviation Instructor's Handbook). Probably cheaper than Sporty's.

 

[BoDEAN]

Thanks. Ill check out amazon.com
Also, thanks for that URL with the model planes. I am looking for a plastic one, not a diecast one, but thanks. I may just end up having to go to the hobby shop the next town over, but I'll keep looking today while at work.

 

[Andy Neill]

Try this site:

http://search.cartserver.com/search...ry=all&maxhits=10&keywords=cessna+172+skyhawk

They list both the land and seaplane version of the Skyhawk for $6.98 each. (1:72 scale plastic model).

 

[BoDEAN]

Thanks. Quick question. 1:72 Scale. What does this mean? What can this size be compared to? I called them, and that is all the information they could give me, they couldnt give me a size of the plane (i.e inches, etc).

 

[F70pilot]

FAA pubs

Another place to check for publications is ASA's Flight Library Series. I bought the CD ROM version and it contains (among others) The FAR/AIM, FAR for Flight Crews (121 regs), FAR for Maintenance Technicians, Aviation Weather, Instrument Flying handbook, Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, just about all of the advisory circulars, tons of illustrations and lots more. All for $39.95 at the local pilot's mart.

NA-YY

 

[NoPlaneNoGain]

Go to a hobby shop that sells model cars, airplanes, etc. I was looking for the same thing back when I was instructing and I found a C-150 plastic model perfect for teaching purposes at a local hobby shop. It is the same kind you used to put together with glue & paint when you were about 12. I think it only costs like $10.

 

[F/O]

gizbug

Basically 1:72 means the model 172 is 1/72 the size of a real 172. So just take the wingspan of a 172 and divide it by 72 (or multiply by 1/72), and you will have the model 172 wingspan.

Thats a lot of 172s

 

[Andy Neill]

So that makes it about 6" wide, 1 1/2" high, and 4 1/2" long I guess.

 

[dav8or]

I used a toy foam airplane as a visual aid to teach. It just has to have the general appearence of an airplane to be effective. Otherwise you would also need a Piper model and later a multi. Go to the toy section of Walmart and you can find something for less than $5.

BTW the foam airplane will last a lot longer being crammed into your flight bag. Plastic models don't take well to rough handling.

 

[BoDEAN]

Thanks for all the help!

 

[ScottFMLS]

Here's what Sporty's has... At 130 bucks a pop!

http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=99&Product_ID=59&CATID=21

Probably worth the money for a gift for someone to sit on their desk... But not as a teaching tool.