Many times here people post a thread asking about a second plane. With all the very sexy ARFs on the market and aspiring kit builders out there the options are endless... almost. The grim reality is that most people will utterly destroy their second plane. The reason behind this I believe is not that they were not ready for it but that they have been turned loose and they are trying new manouvers that their trainer was not capable of or not as capable of. RCKen has set up a list of good second planes at the top of this forum and first of all I would recomend that when you do get your second plane you go back to your instructor and have him check it out and even buddy box you for the first flight or two. What I feel is missing from RCKen's list of second planes is the venerable SPAD (Simple Plastic Airplane Design). These planes can and do fly well but many have all of the bad habbits of tip stall, high landing speed and over weight/under powered that will make you a superior pilot. Best of all a SPAD can be built easily for about $20 in materials plus engine and radio equipment so when you do have a mishap, you are not out $150 and repairs are cheep and easy. Also you don't go home having to explain to your significant other why you need a new plane... they just don't understand the requirement. I am speeking from my own experience. My second plane was a Seagull Models Decathlon... may it rest in peices. Though it's life was short and flights few, I am still out the 150 bucks. My third plane was a SPAD Deamon. I have crashed it 5 times and still have it in my hanger of 12 planes. That SPAD tought me more about stick control than any trainer ever did. Now I do not have any affiliation with the following website and it is free for anyone to use. Plans and instructions for the construction of SPAD aircraft can be found at www.spadtothebone.com

Good luck, have fun, don't quit.