E-flite Apprentice STS 1.5m RTF Basic Smart Trainer Electric Airplane (1500mm) w/SAFE Technology
About this part
Features:
- Perfect for first-time pilots, experienced pilots that teach others to fly and club training programs
- Official Trainer of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and many clubs worldwide
- The ideal choice for new pilots when learning to fly with an instructor at an RC flying field
- Exclusive SAFE® technology makes it easy to learn to fly
- Easily upgrade to SAFE Plus GPS-enabled technology to add Auto-Land, Virtual Fence and Holding Pattern features
- Optional and easy to install Landing Assist Sensor (LAS) available for smoother landings
- Wide-stance tricycle landing gear with steerable nose wheel
- Quick and easy assembly—no glue or special tools required
- Durable EPO construction that's tough yet lightweight
- Optional floats available for flying from water
Wingspan: 59" (1499 mm)
Length: 42.5" (1080 mm)
CG (Center of Gravity): 3.125" (79mm) from leading edge of wing measured at the fuselage
Power Type: Electric
- (1) E-flite Apprentice STS 1.5m with:
- (1) Brushless Outrunner Motor (installed)
- (1) Smart 30A Brushless ESC (installed)
- (2) 13-gram Digital and (4) 37-gram Servos (installed)
- (1) Spektrum 3230 Flight Controller (installed)
- (1) Spektrum 4650 Serial Receiver (installed)
- (1) Spektrum DXS DSMX® 2.4GHz Transmitter
- (1) Product Manual
- (1) 3S 11.1V 3200–4000mAh LiPo battery with EC3 or IC3 connector
- (1) Compatible LiPo Charger
Reviews4.8 · 5 reviews
I have had the plane a couple of weeks now and I love it! I bought the RTF version because I wanted to try Spectrum and $29 more got me the low end transmitter. Why not huh? It's been a while since I've flown and when I broke out my old sporty planes it didn't end well. So I figured I'd get a trainer and kinda start over. It went together super easy. Couple of hours max and I was heading to the flying field. First flight went very well with the SAFE "beginner" mode. Just crusin around at about half throttle I got 20 minutes on the 4000mha spectrum battery. Wow! Tried intermediate mode and had no problem. Really comfortable after a couple of flights. By the thrid trip to the filed I am in "expert" mode all the time now and this plane is much more sporty than I ever thought it would be. I figured I would out grow it in a short time but I think I'm gonna keep taking it to the field. It's a blast to fly. The Apprentice is a great first plane I believe becasue of the SAFE stuff. It really tames it down for a beginner. I like the larger 1500mm size because these tired old eyes don't see as well as they use to. I would recommend it to first timers. I can see why it is so popular among the teachers at the field.
Order shipped quickly and arrived in perfect condition. Assembled and checked functions with the manual. Haven’t flown RC planes in many years but the Apprentice is very gentle and predictable. Was able to do several touch and goes plus several full stop landings. A couple clicks of trim and the airplane behaved quite predictably. Great trainer.
Great service from the people and the airplane above as great and did far more than I could have imagined!! Thanks for you!?
Haven’t flown the plane yet but it goes together very nicely. If it flies anything like the Apprentice STOL 700mm it’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m still not used to the battery operated planes and the prices of batteries are crazy but I’d imagine it’s going to work out fine.
This is the perfect first RC airplane. It is affordable and very forgiving. I was out of the hobby for many years so I thought I would start over with something simple. Although I admit I did practice again with RealFlight simulator, the first time out I was able to manipulate this plane with ease and make near perfect landings. I found the plane to be a bit tail heavy so I recommend checking the center of gravity carefully before taking to the field. A couple of lead weights took care of that. Otherwise, I have no complaints. Its easy, its fun to fly, and a good buy for the money.
Reviewers, all verified owners of the 1500mm RTF Basic version, generally rate the Apprentice STS as an easy, forgiving trainer that assembles quickly and flies predictably, including for pilots returning after years away. One reviewer reports about 20 minutes of flight time on the included 4000mAh battery at half throttle and praises the SAFE beginner and intermediate modes. Reviewers mention the Spectrum transmitter included with the RTF version. One reviewer found the plane tail heavy and added nose weight to correct the centre of gravity. One reviewer had not yet flown the plane and commented on battery costs. Feedback is limited to five reviews, and the only recurring issue is the centre of gravity.
- + Easy, quick assembly
- + Forgiving and predictable flight
- + SAFE beginner and intermediate modes
- + Long flight time on included battery
- − Tail heavy out of the box
- − Battery costs are high