Would a H-9 Twist 40 ARF be a good step up from a trainer? I have been flying 2 years, and have a .48 2-stroke engine that needs a home.</p>

One of the Ugly Stick type planes is a good next step. The Twist would be OK because of the very light wing-loading, but it's a low mid-wing plane so it will be quicker in aileron. When you move away from a trainer the fact that the airplane is going to go where you point it is going to take some getting use to, you'll think it always out of trim.

Unless you use extremely low rates the twist would not be a good second airplane, it has such huge conrtrol surfaces.....You are better off with a LA Racer http://ecsvr.com/abm/shopexd.asp?id=2137 read the description its really an low wing traine, or a Stick

I always say the sticks (mostly I like the Ultra Sticks) are the best 2nd plane. The Twist wouldn't be too bad but it is fragile and won't take too much in the way of rough landings. The sticks are what I call "the Jeep" of airplanes. They will do it all. They land super easy and are usually pretty tuff. Yet set the contols up to maximum throws and they'll do a lot of aerobatics. Very fun planes to fly. I always enjoy flying mine. The 60 size is better, in my opinion, than the 46, but if you only have a 46 engine that size will work as good as anything else.

The sticks will take you a long ways into RC. And will be a pleasure always.

Thanks
Barry

My suggestion for a good second plane is the Sig 4Star40. Great smooth flying and will be easy for starting on low wing tail dragers. Set control throws at max (high rates) and it will give you some fun.

The Hangar 9 Pulse http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN4100 is recommended pretty often as a second plane.

Pulse is great!!!!!

Another vote for the Four Stat 40 or 60 size.

Is there an Ultra Stick forum and if there is, where is it? I've looked for one but couldn't find any. Thanks for the help.</p>

Another vote for the 4*s. I personally prefer the "60." But either will do great.

I would suggest a bi-plane. A good step up, and you can do it!

Charles

Anyone have an old Twist 40 that's damaged? I need a tail section,,elevators in peticular.....willing to pay shiping + ? Trying to put a second plane in the air at minimal cost...Thanks

The twist 40 was my 2nd plane and worked well.  As mentioned, you have to use low rates on the controls as it reacts alot quicker than a trainer.  On a windy day you can land one almost like a heli.   Easiest landing plane in my hangar.  I found it easier to fly than my trainer.   Get one, you will enjoy it.  

I have a used Twist,,looking for a used tail section to put something together cheap,,,any help would be greatly appreciated...

I would say that a good old 4* 40 or a tiger II, if you want a little more cheap but fun, go for one of the stick type planes. Another good "next " plane is a sukhoi by seagull of blackhorse, on low rates it's a *****cat.

Just curious; I have heard that Seagull and Phoenix are the same, so is that sukhoi the same as the Phoenix one?
I'll probbly get a stick anyway.

Phoenix and seagull are different compainies, but I believe they are all made in the same factory, I had the sukhoi by BH, which is the same thing, I had a MDS 48 in mine too. On low rates it floated around and was pretty tame, but nothing really beats a tigerII or a 4*40, they bolth have a little better quality in the build and fly true and straight.

How would you compare them to an Ultra Stick? (better, not as good, the same,)

RC

It seems you're leaning toward the Ultra Stick if you go stick. It is probably the best flying of the sticks, but it is not one of the most robust of them. I haven't had a stick in thirty years so I'm not up on the comparisons. I know one ofthe new guys at the fieldhas a GP stick with a 90 4c on it for his second plane, if you counthis first four LT-40s as one, and he's very happy with it.

I used the Escapade as my first low-wing plane after a trainer.<div>
</div><div>It was easy to transition to and helped me learn how to handle a tail dragger.</div><div>
</div><div>I started flying my Nexstar trainer at the beggining of the year, moved to the Escapade in 2 months, and started flying a Kyosho warbird ARF this last weekend.</div>

In reality, the stick type are hard to beat, they're cheap, fly great and do everything from basic second trainer to more advanced aerobatics too.

My brother had a GP Big Stik 40 as his second plane. It flew great, and it was a tough bird. He probably moved to a 'second plane' too early and the GP Stik handled the abuse very well. He flew it for several years and lost it when the elevator clevis broke. He replaced it with an Ultra Stick 40 because he thought he had to have "crow" capability. He got bored with "crow" and never liked the H9 plane as well as the GP. He also felt that the Ultra Stick was pretty fragile compared to the Big Stik (landing gear mount and something else broke).