I am looking to purchase an intermediate plane/trainer. Someone has suggested pulse xt 40 or 60 but speaking with the guy from the hobby shop, he said this is a 3D type plane and is not suitable. He suggested great planes escapade or venus or even the world models rambler 45.

I do like the look of the pulse but it is about $150 more than the other models suggested.

what are your suggestions?

G'day Mate,
The Pulse XT's are not 3D type aircraft, they are good low wing sport planes.
But the best value for money, in my humble opinion, is the World Models, Skyraider Mk 2. It costs about $120.00 give or take, is a great low wing trainer, is easy to assemble & great to fly, & is exceptional value, with a 46AX.

I agree with alan0899, the Pulse XT is not a 3D plane. It can do all the basic aerobatics, but does not have the oversized control surfaces for true 3D.

Another great sport plane is the Hangar 9 Ultra Stick 40. Very stable but also capable of doing most any aerobatic with its fully semetrical wing and large control surfaces. Many engines from the .46 two-stroke and up and .72 four stroke and up work very well.

I agree with 150flyer, an Ugly stick type plane. I'm not so sure about the Ultra Stick, it's the best flying, but it's not the most robust. GP stick seems to hold up well and is a good flyer.

The World Models has a spin-off company called The Wings Maker. They have the Skyrader MKII, but they call it the Wingman II and it's only $79.99

http://www.thewingsmaker.com/airplan...php?code=GA029

If you want to spend a little more, H-9 just unveiled a mid-wing version of the Pulse called the Saratoga and it is fantastic.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN4820

While I have no experience with the Pulse or Saratoga, nor the other models mentioned (although a member of our club flies a Pulse and it appears to be a floater) I would bank on a Stick. Either the Hanger 9 or Great Planes will do fine. I have the Hanger 9 Elite Stick 60 with a 76 in it and can do anything I'm capable of doing and then some, yet on low rates it's a ***** cat and lands as good if not better than a trainer, and mine has taken a beating for 4 years now, and it just keeps on ticking. I will say that if you can go with the 60 version you won't be sorry - large airplanes just fly better. If not, then you won't go wrong with either of the 40 versions made by Great Planes and Hanger 9.

"Experience is a hard teacher. She always gives the test first, and the lesson some time later!"

Hey guys. Don't forget the old standby, the 4*s 40 or 60, although I prefer the 60. You just can't find an easier plane to fly! Period !!!!!!!

The Pulse XT 60 is not a 3D plane. I have one and it is a very nice flying 2nd airplane. The only fault I can find is that it does tend to float on landing. I also have the Escapade. For $99 you can not beat that plane. It flies as well as the Pulse without floating on landing. I bought on sale from Hobby People a Magnum 46 XLS for $47.99 this past spring and it is a perfect match for the Escapade. The Escapade plus Magnum at $150 is a much better deal than the Pulse plus OS 61 FX at $430 and looks/flys at least as great as the Pulse.

Bruce

I have to second the WM Skyraider Mach II.
I fly mine with an OS 40 LA and have an absolute blast. Great for training.
The 46 AX will turn it into a rocket - I'll try it someday.
Good Luck,
KW_Counter

The first suggestion is NOT to listen to the guy from the Hobby Shop as he doesn't know what he is talking about.

There is nothing wrong with getting a Pulse.

A Stik would also be a great option, I'd recommend the GP Big Stick.
These are trivially easy to repair, hold up very well, will fly in strong winds, and are a blast to fly and own.
Their gear tends to hold up better than the Pulse as well.

The guy at your hobby shop likely has the Pulse confused with something else. It isn't a 3D plane at all. The Rambler 45 that he mentioned is an outstanding airplane. You could use it to step up from a trainer but keep in mind it can be fairly fast and has retractable landing gear to deal with.

Looks like you have a ton of good suggestions here. I hate deciding on a new plane; there are just too many nice ones out there.

I debated getting a pulse as my second model but decided on a GP Big Stik 60. It flies great and is ultra easy to land, even easier than my Nexstar. Plus, I wanted something that is easy to work and I like the fact that the STIK doesn't have a cowling. I used a 90 size engine as I wanted something that would climb with authority. Also, it's $179 at Towerhobbies vs $239 for the Pulse XT 60. I think it's the most affordable 60 sized ARF you can buy.

Your LHS guy might have been thinking abouth the Hangar 9 "Twist" instead of the Pulse.

The World Models Sky Raider Mach II is very popular at our club. About a dozen guys bought them for informal club pylon racing with bushing engines (mostly OS 46 LA) and they love them. A few swapped engines and the planes have pretty much unlimited performance with a ball bearing 46. Several "racers" have crashed, and we have a few new members this year. One of our club members can get about a $10 discount on them if he orders at least 10, and he's planning an order this week.

World Models also has a "stick" type model that looks pretty good. The 40 size has the same wing span as the Big Stick 60 but is much lighter and only recommends a "40 class" engine. My brother has one but has not assembled it yet.
http://www.theworldmodels.com/para/p...?airplaneid=53
They also have a 60 size.

I've flown my second plane which is an Ultra Stick 40 3 times and I love it. And the flaps are really fun. I tried them out yesterday.

Price: Sky Raider MachII
Best looks & flyability: Pulse XT (this would be my choice. Absolutely loved my Pulse XT 40 w/ OS 55ax and 11x7/10x8 @100mph )
Easiest flying: 4*

IMHO

Hi All,
I must agree with the comments above. The World models skyraider II is a great intermetiate airplane. It will do almost anything you want it to do. It flys as good upside down as right side up. And you can buy 2 for what you pay for the pulse. The pulse is a better looking airplane but they both look very similar after they hit the ground at a high rate of speed.
Jim

As many above have already said .. Sticks .. i have a couple of .40 size sticks with HB .61's on them .. even though i have "better" aircraft , i still fly at least one of the sticks every time i go .

if you can pony up the extra cash do go with the 60 size stick as it seems to be even easier to fly .

the kits are fun and easy to build as well.

Good Luck !

Thanks for all the suggestions, the tough part is deciding which plane to get and I have decided to pass on the H9 Pulse due to the price.

if anyone else has other suggestions, please send them my way.

Thanks
Mike

I have been flying just over a year so I am just a beginer. However I have both the Skyrader MK II and the Four Star 40. Both are good planes but IMHO the 4*40 handles a little bit better and is easier to land, and is better looking, it is however about $30 - $40 more. So you pays your money and takes your choice.
Good luck.

I just graduated from a LT-40 to a 4* 60 and think the world of that plane. It not only fly's awsome, I built it! I took a box of sticks and a Saito 100 and ended up with a plane Ill never forget and will allways keep as my Sunday flyer.

However, I read about the Ugly Stiks. Mine should show up on Thursday.

Just remember when looking at a second model Thank of a shoulder wing type plane with a little bit of Dihedral.
The shoulder wing keeps the plane center of mass below the wings. This will make them more stable as you learn to fly more aerobatic maneuver.

I like love any of the Stick type planes

Also one that I enjoy as everyday flyer is the Mustang PTS from Hanger 9. Throw way the droops and landing gear spats. Then change that 3 blade prop in for a 2 blade 10-7 and have a good time.

Regarding World Models aircraft, I still enjoy the T-34 Mentor ($135.00). Not a bad looking plane, does quite a few stunts, is very stable and flys great with an O.S .46FX.

Steve

[8D]

Most of the suggestions are good. Would like to add another suggestion. The Calmato Sport is a fine sport plane, easy to assemble, and flied great. It is also inexpensive (Kyosho model).
The surprise to me was that it performs a knife edge better than any plane I have owned (and I owned a bunch, sine I have been at it for many years). It would knife edge from horizon
to horizon. It is advertised as a low wing aerobatic trainer, and that is just what it is. The Pulse is a fine plane, as is the 4 star and ahd Tiger II. The least cost is the Calmato Sport.

Pulse is not a 3d plane at all. Give the escapade a shot as its inexpensive.