How to Build: J-Trainer

[@gregoryolson85]

Thanks Tom! That helped me tons with my J- trainer that I just purchased! It is so easy to fly, I could see myself really getting into RC planes.

[@j-wings]

RC planes are the best! Don't let them intimidate you. They're a blast 👍🏻

[@ross5307]

Just completed mine. I didn’t purchase the electronics package because I have more electronics: speed Controller’s, servos, motors, receivers, you name it, then most hobby shops. With that said, I wish I I purchased the motor you used at least become I had to fabricated a new wooden firewall to fit the motor I am using. All good, EXTREMELY easy build, and I LOVE the fact that you provide multiple foam cut-out motor mounts, well.... just in case lol. Built it with my 4 year old son in about 1.5 hours and would’ve had it done much quicker if my son had an attention span of anyone but a 4 year old, as well as my fabrication on the firewall. But all said and done, looking forward to flying it tomorrow. I used to fly nitro with my old man when I was a kid in the late 80’s and early 90’s. And after 6 years of military -99-2006 - college, graduate school, marriage, and kids, let’s just say that I took about a 30 year hiatus from the hobby. 4 years ago I decided to jump in with the ease that EFlite made it through foam planes and all their “safe” receivers. With that said, I got the itch to start build balsa again as my dad has been in the industry the last 50 years laser cutting short kits - predominantly scale warbirds. Let’s just say that after a few attempts to wean myself off spektrum safe modes, and crashing a lot of balsa builds, I’m going back to the basics. I didn’t realize how much those receivers hindered me and I’m definitely starting from scratch - no pun intended - again. Perfect 3 channel airplane you designed and looking forward to building your mini warbird next. The way I see it, if I crash a foam build it doesn’t hurt as bad as I balsa build that took me months to make. And I am DONE with any kind of safety rx’s. Don’t get me wrong, they served their purpose, but it’s time for me to man up and start flying without the crutches again, just like I did when I started. Anyway, great plane, great price, great instructions, and we are looking forward to you coming out with more models in the future Edit: if you ever have any ideas for planes you want cut, let me know. My dads can easily load all your designs into CAD and laser cut kits for you. With the price of balsa these days, I’m pleading with my old man to switch to foam board because it’s SO SO SO SO much cheaper. I think he is just gonna throw the towel in and leave me with the business, in which case I’m gonna do predominantly foam, but never leave out all the 1,000’s of files of balsa kits he has saved. I spoke with josh from Flight test a few years ago and he is the most humble, amazing dude in the hobby. He sent us a bunch of plans for some planes and the laser cuts them flawlessly

[@j-wings]

Thanks for sharing your story, Ross! I love hearing from people who have been in the hobby for much longer than I have. RC planes and materials sure have come a long way. I'm glad you're able to make similar memories for your 4 year old son. I know he'll always remember the days of building foam board planes with his dad. We're working on putting out some easy-to-build throw gliders made of foam board too, so kids your son's age can enjoy the experience of flying a plane they built as well. I can't wait to see where the hobby goes in future decades! Let me know how the flight goes, and remember to check your center of gravity! The J-Trainer likes to fly nose-heavy.

[@rockysbeats3064]

i built mine in an hour then crashed it full throttle into the ground! 😂 (luckily you included spare motor mounts). fun stuff and thanks for the tutorial!

[@jackjuhasz533]

excellent video, and smart design ! i learn something every video. thanks , carry on !

[@j-wings]

Thanks for the kind words and support!

[@greghaff229]

Time: 3:36 Ok to add packing tape to beef up the center wing section? Time: 14:16 Ok to beef up the foam hinge line with hot glue? doing the same for the rudder? Time: 15:12 What steps are needed to prep the plane for painting? What kind of paint can be used? Time: 23:22 On landing without wheels, will this not mess up the prop? As always Thank You.

[@j-wings]

Hi Greg, 1. Yep! That would be fine. 2. This would also be fine, just make sure your hinge still has full movement. 3. I recommend using steel wool to roughen the foam board's surface slightly. 4. That shouldn't be an issue. This type of landing is very common with 2-blade props. Just make sure you cut the throttle and put it down gently.

[@ffightus1410]

Where can I buy just the power parts - motor, esc and server - as we already got the plane kit of amazon? Thanks

[@j-wings]

Currently, the power kit is sold only as a bundle with the airplane kit. However, we're working on getting the power kit available for purchase on its own soon on Amazon as well.

[@InaMopar]

Gives me og flite test vibes, EVEN THE TABLE AND CAM ANGLE! 😂😂😂

[@greghaff229]

Man I thought I ordered the brown paper one. This white board has that oily feel. So do I need to sand this model before i can paint it?

[@andrecoyne]

Can I attach the other 2 servos and use them or no not on this type of plane ?

[@j-wings]

Yep! This plane flies great with or without ailerons. I prefer to fly mine with ailerons. You'll find instructions in the kit on how to install them.

[@albertobellidoramos4212]

Tienes planos para descargar gratuito

[@DazDaMan]

I keep forgetting I have the J-Trainer in my pile to build! Spitfire up next, though.

[@jayfromaz]

What is a hot glue squeegee? Where can you get them or is there something that will substitute. I've been using an old plastic outdated credit card. Would the squeegee be better?

[@j-wings]

Good question! On sheet 3 of your kit, you'll see a grid of about 18 square glue squeegees that you can pop out and use. An old credit card will work well too.

[@robertstolz2272]

Can landing gear be installed? If so do you have video of it?

[@j-wings]

Definitely! Landing gear can be installed on any of our airplane kits. Just as long as it's not too heavy and you make sure your center of gravity is in the right place before takeoff. I don't have a video showing it yet, but I've had a few people ask, so I think I'll make a video for it soon.

[@JosueRamirezBarraza]

Are you in Arizona

[@j-wings]

We sure are!

[@JosueRamirezBarraza]

@@j-wings in mesa by any chance?

[@j-wings]

@@JosueRamirezBarraza Our kits are produced in Chandler, AZ, but we fly occasionally in Mesa

[@andrecoyne]

What’s up with the ailerons on the wings

[@j-wings]

Hi andrecoyne, The J-Trainer was originally designed to fly 3-channel without ailerons. However, the Power Kit A comes with everything you need to install working ailerons, and the plane comes with separate instructions on how to install them.

[@andrecoyne]

There’s no instructions and the link with the QR code goes directly to the KZbin build video is there any other way to see how to install them ? Thanks again

[@andrecoyne]

I also ordered the spitfire and there wasn’t any kits with the electronics available at the time so I bought just the plane and now the ones with electronics are back in stock but was wondering if you sold just the power pack by itself for the spitfire or is it anywhere on Amazon ? Thanks again

[@Do.It.Yourself-HowTo]

you forgot to put the link for the plans

[@scottrc85]

Very cool! Is this available for purchase yet? Thanks 😊

[@j-wings]

Hey Scott, The kits are up for sale, and they're selling out quickly. Here's a link! White: www.amazon.com/Foam-Board-Flite-Test-Materials-J-Trainer-Beginners/dp/B09SVRVM1R/ref=sr_1_21?crid=2MQW6DH59D1LJ&keywords=foam+board+rc+plane&qid=1651008528&sprefix=foam+board+rc+plane%2Caps%2C116&sr=8-21 Kraft: www.amazon.com/Foam-Board-Flite-Test-Materials-J-Trainer-Beginners/dp/B09SVQ67K7/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2MQW6DH59D1LJ&keywords=foam+board+rc+plane&qid=1651008528&sprefix=foam+board+rc+plane%2Caps%2C116&sr=8-3

[@bartoszwarzecha116]

Love it - just ordered the kit. I see that power kits are out of stock. What kind of engine/ESC should I buy? I'm entirely new to RC planes - this will be my first one.

[@j-wings]

Hi Bartosz! Welcome to the hobby! It's difficult to keep those Power Kits in stock with the current worldwide supply shortages. Some of our other kits have power kits and are in stock right now. It's the exact same Power Kit A, so it can be used between multiple plane models. Or if you'd like to buy the parts yourself, look for these parts online or at your local rc store: Brushless Motor: 1806 2280kv Brushless ESC: 20A 4 Servos: 9g Servo Y-Harness Propeller: 6x3 Best of luck!

[@bartoszwarzecha116]

@@j-wings thank you very much! This is super helpful. I only found Spitfire in stock with the power kit but with delivery time of 30 days. Which one you have in stock that I could get a bit sooner?

[@jonahstchur2294]

@@j-wings would it work if I used a 30A esc for this plane?

[@j-wings]

​@@jonahstchur2294 Yep! 30A should work fine. You probably won't even notice a difference. The higher the current rating of an ESC, the more powerful motor you can connect to it without roasting the ESC.

[@jonahstchur2294]

@@j-wings ok thank you!

[@jonahstchur2294]

@J-Wings how do I buy your power kit with this plane?

[@j-wings]

Hi Jonah! You can buy the J-Trainer here: a.co/d/iGWlzp5 Make sure to select "Airplane Kit and Power Kit" when adding it to your cart. If the option is unavailable, the power kits may be temporarily out of stock, but the power kit from any of our other current kits will work for the J-Trainer as well.

[@jonahstchur2294]

@@j-wings okay that makes sense because there's no option to buy the power kit with the plane right now thanks!

[@j-wings]

@@jonahstchur2294 I'll have a whole shipment of power packs with every kit sent in to Amazon in the next couple weeks. Just waiting on my suppliers!

[@jonahstchur2294]

@@j-wings Thank you!

[@jonahstchur2294]

how long does it take to restock the power kits because there is still no option to buy the power kit?

[@zashkha]

Unavailable in my country: Amazon India

[@Jaysa11]

flitetest forum has free plans for other planes so you can cut out

[@j-wings]

Sorry about that Zishan! Amazon does ship from the USA to other countries, but I guess India is an exception. We're working on making our kits available in more countries around the world soon through our website www.j-wings.co, so stay tuned.

[@gerrymorris1698]

So...... Where are you today?? Thanks

[@Cartoon_Central_496]

Plans

[@mejasiu]

Do you have a recommendation regarding hot glue gun?

[@j-wings]

Here is the hot glue gun and sticks that I use: a.co/d/806mRnv a.co/d/00NJe0R You want to pay attention to the Watts. For small projects, a 10W will do the job, but for a full airplane build, I recommend 30-40W. This range of glue guns will maintain their heat well enough to apply all the glue you need for each fold. If you use a glue gun with too much power, it may just melt the foam.

[@mejasiu]

@@j-wings This is very helpful! Thank you!