I just wanted to thank the members of the group for the past posts on the Sig 4Star 60. It was my first plane after my trainer (a Hobbico 60). While the Hobbico's non flat bottomed wing let me start into aerobatic maneuvers, it still want to be rightside up and straight and level. In practicing on my simulator (Icarus) I found that when I put 30% differential intothe simulator trainer it flew exactly like my trainer, Loops, rools, stalls, everything. Even landings. But I had also been flying one of the aerobatic planes in the program (extra 300) and it was soooo much easier to fly. For one thing it flew level easier, and unless you did something with the controls, it just kept going the way it was pointed. I thought I would have to wait one more plane to experience that (a VectorFlight 300s is in the box waiting for me to be ready for it.) But the 4Star 60 gave it to me in my second plane.

I powered it with a Super Tigre .75. It is a real nice match for my abilities at this point. The plane is easier to handle on the ground than the trainer, it lands slower and in more control. Rolls are not as exciting as the trainer cause it just rolls, and it stops when I stop. It tracks so much better than a trainer. On my first flight I did outside loops, slow rolls, slow flight, half cuban eight, and a little inverted flight. Balance required 2 oz nose weight with the 1100ma battery fully forward under the fuel tank. No elevator or aileron trim was required and just a small tad of rudder trim to lift a heavy right wing. I have to balance that out and it should be gone.

I did do the rudder mod many have discussed adding oneinch of rudder width and a one inch counterbalanced area above the vertical stab. I also found the verticle stab to horizontal stab fit not absolutely perfect so I reinforced this with 1/2 inch triangle stock. Very solid now. Also I scrapped the kit tailwheel for a sullivan and put real wheel axles on in place of the small bolts and put on real balloon tires.

Anyway, I could not be more pleased. These forums have been a wealth in info for me as I get into RC. I've been flying now for about 2 months. Of course the help of the local club has been huge too, from building and fitting out guidance to trim flights and training. BTW, I did not buddy box as my Hitec didn't seem to match up with anyones Futabas on the buddy cord so I had an instructor next to me. He only wound up doing the first takeoff and first landing. Never got the box again. I know that is not everyones experience, but I have tried self teaching RC to myself 3 times with fragmements for results and just hte feeling I could never do it. Three cheers for local clubs. If you are new to the hobby, don't try to do it yourself. You will be dissapointed and take alot longer at best.

Some folks poo poo simulators. But mine really helped me. In one evening I learned landings from all directions and never had difficulty with what to do after that. I practice every manoever in the sim first and on several planes. Usually first on the extra, then the trainer, then to a Cap which seems to be way touchy in my simulator.... much like many say the ral ones are. Also the sim has given me experinece with dual rates and expo. I am not affraid of the things a computer radio can do because I have done it in the simulator first.

Anyway, good luck to everyone. I hope to get into the extra by August. I have a Super Tigre .91 and a Saito .91 and am trying to decide which to use. I think the flush cowl will win out with the ST for now. Excuse my predudice. I loved ST .60's when I flew compettive CL aerobatics, still like em.

bob branch