Well, my first trainer was officially retired last weekend. I thought it would be kind of cool to fly under some power lines...I guess that's all I really have to say!
Not that I wanted to destroy my Superstar 40, but I had been thinking of stepping up to my second plane. I spent a good amount of time with an instructor, and have successfully run about a gallon of gas through the plane on my own.
I am considering using my old engine (OS .40 LA) or buying a new one so I can open up more options with planes. I have a four channel Futaba and want to stick with an ARF .40-.60 size plane that is going to allow me to have a little more fun.
I would love to hear some suggestions (as long as they are $250 or under).

If you can take off and land a Superstar, then you can expect to fly a Tower Hobbies Voyager with no problem. Its relative inexpensive and if your 40la is healthy it might be ok for power. I had a lot of fun with mine until the firewall broke out on a hard landing by my son who was just learning to fly at the time.

I had a tower voyager also and it was a great plane for the price. I had a 46 xls magnum which was very good power for the plane, but a 40 la would be very limited on power. The tower voyager is not a trainer and need some power. Well I crashed mine because I ran low on batteries and I regret that I didn't charge them 5 hours more.
By the way, the tower voyager was my next step from an Aerobird and I could handle it very well without help. It flies like an Avistar.
Chris

My second plane was sig 4* 40, now the arfs are out and should fly ok with 40la. Mine did for quite awhile, and same 4 chnl radio.

Yeah Chris, the Voyager basically has an Avistar wing in a sportier package. And even though it will handle more power, I thought that the 40 would be enough for some fun while keeping the overall cost low.

Thanks Matt G....I have done a little research and I like the Sig 4* series. Now I just have to decide if I want the 40 or the 60. From what I have read, even the 40 will be a little underpowered by my .40 LA. Where are the ARF's available? I have only found the kits which I might do anyways...custom!

sig four star arf's are available at towerhobbies.com i believe. good luck

So Scott, what happend whne you flew under them there power wires

Well, I tried to go under the power lines as I was banking right...and I missed by about 4 inches!![:@] The power line actually made a nice clean cut through the wing, the real damage occured when it hit the ground nose first at full throttle from about 40 feet! It was pretty ugly, my fiancee had our new video camera on (x-mas pres.) but she missed the crash.[&o] The prop ended up about 6" in the ground, I thought my fiancee was going to cry. Thanks to her, I actually laughed at the whole thing!
I had a $40 credit and a $20 coupon for tower, plus free shipping...so $140 later for the Sig 4* 60 ARF and I'll be up and running again. I have $120 gift certificate to my LHS, so the engine will be almost free.
OS .91 or Magnum??
If this thing flies like everyone says, the Venture 60 kit will be next (no garage yet so the fiancee didn't want to lose her kitchen table for two weeks)!

I have three words: Sig Somethin' Extra ARF ($179.99 ($193.28 w/ Master Airscrew 11x7)) I would have to tell you to get a bigger engine though........you WILL NOT HAVE FUN WITH A 40 ON THIS PLANE. I haven't tried the 40 but don't even wanna try it............would be wasting my time...............