I crashed my Goldberg Eagle 2 that I had built, but I'm not quite ready to transition to my 4 * 40 yet. I'm considering buying the Tower Trainer 40 ARF since it is pretty inexpensive and would get me back flying quickly? I have built several kits, to putting it together it's an issue, but what is the quality of the plane? What problems have people run across with this particular plane? I hate buying another trainer when I've got a 4 * 40 that I'm about about finished with, but I need some more practice on landings.

I have a Tower Trainer 40. It is a snap to build and flys nicely (so my instructor says). I haven't had any real problems. The only problem I had was a wheel falling off because a fellow flier tried to adjust the camber, knocking a wheel collar off. Another pilot came out to land it, and its been fine ever since.

How about the Avistar? It would be a lot more fun to fly, and it sounds like with some flying time in you are ready for a little more plane. It handles the wind well, and will teach you your basic aerobatics when you are ready. I've helped several people learn to fly on this plane and they usually wind up keeping it around for a fun "Sunday" flyer.

The lt-40 is a great plane. You can get it in arf form or a kit. It does aerobatics nicely and is a great lander. I would have an experienced pilot fly your 4* until you get used to it. It is a very sensitive on the recomended throws so I would tone them down for a while. just my 2 cents.

The 4*40 is really a low wing trainer, with plenty of dihedral, light wing loading . . . etc. Sometimes they don't want to land, if they are moving, they are flying. They excel at slow flight. I built 3 - 4*60's as well. The last one I kit bashed, taking out one degree dihedral and extending and couter-balancing the tail feathers. I also used a 120 4 Stroke on it and it 3-D quite well. Don't be afraid of flying the 4*40. It's a tail dragger and is different than your trainer was, but with smooth take-off and landing characteristics. Just make sure you don't get any warp in your wing during the covering process. It warps (and straightens) much better than D-tube wings, but can warp again later if you "tighten" the covering later. I needed to set up "spoilers" (up flaperons) on mine at about one degree down, using airbrake switch on computer radio, and it came down well and 3-point landings were easy with spoilers set. Otherwise it floated and bounced allot. Also reinforce your landing gear platform much more than the plans call for if you fly off a rough grass field very much.
When you get better at flying it, you will need to program some rudder and aileron coupling for smooth rolls and aileron, rudder and elevator coupling for knife edge flight. They fly well inverted, but are a little tipsy upside down due to the dihedral.
Our club is looking at building chopped wing versions for club pylon racing. They are very stable, fairly neutral, and easy to fly basic aerobatics.
Hope you have fun, it is a great second airplane, and a steady, stable everyday sport flyer for many.

Happy Landings
Mike B.

Have a look at the KMP F1 Trainer.

I have flown many trainers, but have yet to fly one that can fly as SLOW as this particular bird can.

But it is also capable of very good aerobatics. No need to have a screaming .46 ABC up the front either. An OS LA .46 will fly it just fine.

I have a Tower Trainer .40 MKII ARF. About as good as they come as far as Trainers go. My Brother and I have a Sig LT-40, a Hangar 9 Alpha. and a Hobbico Nexstar in the hangar also. The Tower Trainer fly's as well as the others, but not better. Most good Quality Trainers with Flat Bottom wings all fly pretty much the same. Notice I said good quality which does not include all Trainers. The real big plus about the Tower Trainer is the price. You get a good quality Trainer at a descent price. If you are looking for a RTF Trainer the Alpha is also a good bargain for what you get. The LT-40 is a splendid Plane, but the price is consideabley higher also.