I would have to agree with the Tiger 2. It's a favorite with one of the instructors at my club. He trusts that airframe to the point where he would actually train a first-time pilot with it, yet it will do almost every stunt maneuver you can toss at it. You can overpower it and make it into a speed demon that will almost do 3D hovers. Or, you can install a stock engine and still fly with authority. Tigers can be slow trainer-like floaters, but won't float excessively like the Sig Four-Star. They have just the right amount of wing lift to where you don't have to work so hard to get it to stop flying. A good pilot can almost make it look like a vintage Dallaire Sportster in flight.

Many people swear by the Sig Four-Star, but I haven't seen many flying in my area. I know of at least one club member who has one. Many of us in the hobby consider Sig to be the top producer of kits and ARFs, and this by the quality of construction and parts, not by volume. With that information to go on, the 4* would be another good choice.

If you are good with the rudder, you may consider a Cub. But you will need to keep in mind that it's a high-wing taildragger with a tail that's fairly close coupled to the wing. Some of us have successfully trained on a Cub, yet others have had some bad luck, and again this is due to the rudder issue. Consider it only if you can easily keep the wing level in turns.

There are some other kits to consider, one of which is the Great Planes Rapture 40. It's a full build, and you do have to buy a minimal amount of hardware. There is some sanding and shaping involved, with a stick-built fin and stabilizer, with the elevator and rudder cut from stock. I would be a little more hesitant to recommend the Rapture as a second plane because it can be very responsive and aerobatic with a very sensitive elevator, and it's not as tolerant of slow flight as the Tiger or Four-Star. None the less, it would be a good choice if you have time to build and you have mastered your trainer. By this, I'm referring to the ability to keep the wings level during inverted flight. Landings should be smooth and consistent, with no bounce on the trainer, even in a cross wind. You should also know how to easily recover from stalls, and do deadsticks comfortably and again, with smooth and consistent landings. If you haven't quite reached this level with the trainer, then you would be best off with the Tiger 2, or the Sig Four-Star as a second choice. Good luck.

NorfolkSouthern