I dont mean to sound like a jerk, but i dont see the problem moving to a Tiger 2. I am currently learning to fly on a Tiger 2(never flew a trainer). The people at my field dont think its "too much" plane for a trainer. I will admit that i did buy the kit and start assembling it before i even found a field but when i told them what plane i was building, no one hesitated as far as teaching me to fly. Yes its true that they would have suggested a trainer, but the Tiger 2 can be very docile. Dont get me wrong, i am not argueing to to a jerk, i just think that the 4* and Tiger 2 are suitable beginer planes adn they will keep you satisfied when you do start to learn because they are also quite nimble. In fact i would venture to say that the 4* and Tiger 2 are a couple of the finest planes out there
ORIGINAL: RCKen
Glad that you're doing good. Don't give up the trainer yet. Too often people try to move up too quickly and wind up in trouble. You would be surprised just how much the "trainer" can actually do. Burn about a gallon of fuel doing touch and gos. When you can fly around your flying field inverted with your trainer then it's time to move up. As an instructor I see students all the time want to move up too quickly, and then find that they get to their 2nd or 3rd plane and find out they don't have the skills needed to handle that much of a plane. I know that you're really excited and eager to move up, but trust me, you'll enjoy it all much more if you make sure your skills are up to moving up.
When you do move up, the 4*, tiger 2, Great Planes Rapture all make excellent 2nd planes. I would hold off of the warbirds until at least your 3rd plane.
Hope this helps.