Experience has taught me that a mid-wing with a thin airfoil like the Extra is not going to be a very good choice as a second plane. When he finishes with the Rapture 40 build and gets his first flight in, he will understand why this is so. I have flown Pawnees, Cubs, Citabrias, Twists, Space Walkers, Seagull Harriers, Slow Pokes, and of course my "mean-tempered" Tango (yes, I still got it; yes, I still fly it) among other stuff. Cubs and Citabrias are slower, less aerobatic, more forgiving, fly with the rudder, and have a longer glide ratio than the Rapture 40. They also deadstick better, allowing more time to find a suitable landing spot.

The Rapture 40 is smooth, fairly fast, responsive but not twitchy, and goes where it's pointed. It will not auto-level and will yaw the opposite direction if the rudder is used without the ailerons in turns; unlike a flat-bottom high-wing trainer. Wind pockets can bounce it around pretty good, and cross wind landings can be a challenge. Almost like a pattern plane, a Rapture will knife edge without too much difficulty. Snaps are dramatic, while excessive elevator throw can cause it to go into a spin. The shorter glide ratio will reduce the time you have to land, should the engine go out. Engines can and DO quit, and the Rapture does not deadstick like a trainer. But it will not fall out of the sky like an Edge or Extra, either. Still, the Rapture will pretty much have the same aerobatic capability.

The point I am making here, is that the Rapture will be demanding enough as a second plane. And this is without the added worry of the more limited flight latitude inherent in the wing design of that Extra 330. These sport-scales can, will, and DO bite without much provocation.

NorfolkSouthern