Chuck,
I'm sorry that I didn't answer this right away. I've had a pretty hectic week and I really haven' t had much time to be here in the forums. I really disagree with your assesment here on this plane. Let me address some of your concerns with this plane.
ORIGINAL: ChuckW
After spending a little time with it, I'm personally not so sure. I don't like the idea of the dual aileron servos since that means you can't just yank all the gear directly from most trainers; you are forced to buy an additional servo and a Y-harness.
While it's true that you can't just "yank" out your gear from your trainer, it's not really any big deal. Servos have become very cheap these days, and it's not outrageous to contemplate buying another servo so that the pilot has enough to run dual aileron servos. In addition, a Y-harness really isn't that expensive. But to condemn this plane for these reasons is a bit unfair. This plane is just like any other that a pilot is going to buy. They will need to buy the materials needed to complete the plane and get it flying. In this case that means buying a servo or two and y-harnesses.
Then there are the flaps. They are fun but I think they might be a little too tempting for a new pilot and just create unnecessary complexity and a need for two more servos, another Y-harness and possibly a more advanced radio.
If the flaps are too much then they don't need to be installed and used. Plain and simple. The instructions are included for locking the flaps in the up position. Doing this means the pilot doesn't need servos or y-harness. I really didn't see any need for the flaps on this plane anyway. The plane slows down very well on it's own, so the pilot could easily get by without them. But..... if they do want to put flaps on this plane don't let the servos and y-harnesses needed get in the way, see my comments above about what's needed to complete this plane. And an "advanced" radio isn't needed. Even a "bare bones" non-computer 6 channel radio has the ability to control flaps.
The cowl looks good and is needed to have a sport-scale plane but for someone still dealing with learning engine tuning, it could just be a hassle.
And this is a bad thing?? Too often these days pilots will mess with the low end settings on their engine when they don't need to, causing many problems and headaches. So not having easy access to the low end may not be a bad thing. But tuning the high speed needle on a cowled engine is no big deal. Just put an extension wire on the needle valve and extend it out through the cowl. And if tuning is an issue, simply leave the cowl off until the tuning is dialed in and the engine is running correctly. In fact, on my maidan flights I had to take the cowl off. I was having problems getting the engine to run right, which later on turned out to be debris in the carburetor (a back flush of the carb fixed this right up). But while I was diagnosing the problems I kept the cowl off until I had the problems solved. once the engine was running well it's only a couple of minutes to reinstall the cowl.
Same goes for the wheel pants, a newer pilot could tear them up pretty easily. In fact, I've even managed to scuff one of mine pretty good on the edge of the runway.
Then take the wheel pants off until the pilot gets better at landing the plane.
Then when it comes to flight, the plane is pretty fast and relatively maneuverable. I was surprised by how quickly it rolls on high rates.
This gets said over and over in the forums here, throttle control. Just pull the stick back to slow down. If it is rolling too quickly then put it on low rates.
Don't get e wrong, I love the airplane but I just don't know if it the best choice for a #2. I suppose there could be worse choices though. I really wish GP would make a Rapture ARF. The kit version is a great #2 and makes a great little simple sport flyer as well.
There are many planes out there today that are very quick and nimble that make fantastic "2nd planes". Just to mention a couple would be the Sig 2-star and the Tiger II, the very essence of what is considered a 2nd plane!! These two planes will do jaw dropping acrobatics. But what sets aside a 2nd plane like these and a plane like an Extra 300 or Edge 540 is that when you get in trouble you can level the plane and take a breather to calm down. With aerobatic planes like the Extra or Edge you have to constantly fly the plane and it's hard for a less skilled pilot to get that bit of easy flying where he can relax. The 4-Star, Tiger II, and the Cherokee all will calm down in an instant and let the pilot catch his breath.
I think that Great Planes has done and outstanding job with this plane and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as a second plane to a pilot that is moving up from his trainer.
Ken