tim(tcarp) this tim, I would check and see if the second plane you bought is an a channel. The A channel is notorious for cutting out or fading out. I.E. your flying along telling the plane to run at full throttle and bank and suddenly, just for a moment, it cuts power, or stops turning. In the fade you are at whatever speed and and the controls go away for a second or less. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it usually happens at the worst possible moment. My theory is that it is happening often, but you don't realize it until the worst possible moment. If the plane is still new you could return it if that is feasible. IF it is an a channel you could also change the channel with a little bit of solder work. I think I posted where to look in the last 10 pages.

As to the next step up, I'm searching for a depron(ebb foam) airplane with a wingspan in the 10-12 inch range. None are available in the US, That I can find. If you want to go bigger, there are many options. You have to decide about the number of channels, the AA is a 2 channel with proportional steering. I had a firebird scout, apparently the only one that did not fly, that was a 2 channel. I replaced it with a flyzone redhawk 3 channel. It has throttle, up, down, left, right, in 360 degree options. And it is cheap, and the replacement parts are cheap. Both plane are in the $50-$70 range. Enjoy your plane(s), Tim