There are quite a few planes that you could use, although most folks recommend the Four Star, Pulse Xt, Escapade, and even the Twist or similar models for a second plane. Often it really depends on your skill level. One of the guys at our field has a 60 size four star and the thing comes in like a trainer just gentle and relaxes down on the runway with ease.

The Pulse XT 40 was my second plane (both Revolvers as my 3rd and 4th planes) and it is a gentle baby to fly or you can max it out and scream it and yet some even have trouble flying that type of plane as a second plane. I upgraded the engine to an OS 55 AX and I simply have the grandest time with this plane. I can take off in less than 25' and land it in such a small area since I have been flying it for some time now, but I am very used to it now and it is a tad overpowered.

If you have been flying two trainers for a year and are reasonably proficient you should be fine with most decent low wings or even some of the top wing acro-type planes could be a great second plane. There is a guy at our field that has a Twist and that thing flies like a trainer yet will go completely wild if he so chooses to fly it that way. The thing almost can land with no airspeed!

I don't think anyone at our field has a PT-17 so I just cannot comment on it. Again it really depends much on your skill level. If you are going to use a 46 and it is an AX engine then the Escapade might be a good choice because it is a bit smaller than the Pulse and the 46 will haul freight on it. [8D]