I have been flying for about 6 years but only ARFs or a kit built plane that I bought used. Anyways I feel like I'm missing out on a big part of the hobby by at least not trying to build a plane. My question is what would be a good kit to start with I dont want a simple trainer as i wouldnt really fly it as I have been flying for some time now.

Thanks Ben

In many ways a simple trainer is the best choice for a first build. Several models that are recommended often are
SIG Four Star 40, 60, or 120
SIG Somethin Extra
SIG Mid Star 40
GP Goldberg Tiger 40 or 60
All have good instructions and relatively simple construction.

Yeah those all look nice. never dealt with sig but they look nice and have good reviews. thanks for the input

First thing you should do is go into the kit building forum and look around. This same question is brought up a lot there, just this week too. Most of us have a favorite kit, in my case I teach building using the 4* 60, easy plane to build and a good plane to fly. Depending on the students ability at flying I do a couple of mods, I remove two wing bays to make it a bit more responsive in rolls. Before someone turned me onto the 4* I used the GP Super Sportster 60. A little more involved in the building but a much better stunt plane compared to the 4*. For a real hoot I would build the GP Up-Roar 40. A bit smaller and uses a .40 to a .46, even the OS ,55 would be great in this plane. It cost under 50 bucks and has a 48 inch wing. Designed for Fun Fly events it will do everything and once you put the engine on idle it will float like a feather.
Go to the kit building forum and do a lurk, just check out different threads. Go back several pages, there are a ton of second plane threads to look at.

What a novel idea gray beard, the kit build forum. Stupid me should have gone there first. My brain has been absent for about a week or so. lots going on and didnt even think about it. Thanks for the info its been helpful. Now im off to the kit build section

G'day

I'd agree with the post above. I have recently built a Four Star 40, am currently building a Four Star 120 and am currently flying a Four Star 60 I built about 7 years ago.

The Sig kits are well presented, have good clear plans and detailed instructions books.

I have flown all the above planes (the 120 is an ARF) and they all fly well. I am currently flying my Four Star 60 a lot and really enjoy it. It does have one down side; the undercarriage is slightly too far ahead of the CofG which means that landing it smoothly requires a really good landing. If it is going too fast when the wheels touch, the fuse pivots nose up and she takes off again. Bruce Tharpe who designed the Four Stars sells his Venture 60 which has a more rearward placement of the wheels. Sadly, it is not available at the moment.

I have also built the Somethin' Extra - excellent flyer with some expo in the ailerons - and the Midstar - also a pleasant flier. If you want some excitement, the Somethin' Extra is the plane for you. There is also the slightly smaller profile Sig Fazer. I have recently built one of these but it is yet to fly. Of this three, the Somethin' Extra is my choice.

Balsa USA have some good kits though I did not find them to fly as well as the Sig ones I have built. They were scale models and although they flew reasonable well, they were a bit on the difficult side to fly.

The Goldberg Tiger is also a good kit though I have not personally built one.

Have fun.

Mike from Oz

I haven't seen the LG problem with the 4* but I do fly from hard packed and not grass so this is new to me. The LG block/plate can be changed so the LG can be moved forward and back If required. The SIG instruction book has photos of most everything involved in the build so it makes life easy. Great planes also has the great photos and step by step instructions. There really are a lot of good choices on the market for the second plane. A lot depends on what the builder likes the most.
I went to the Up_Roar for a couple reasons. I thought it looked like fun and an easy build but it could have been the cost of the kit too. Back then they were just under $40.00. It only used a small bottle of CA {I bought a 2 ounce bottle} and a little epoxy. The plane will fly beyond good with any .40 to .46 engine, I built 8 of them over time and they all used the .46 OS LA. even to compete with. I was told it was too much plane for me but for some reason I had no trouble flying it?? It will really get with the stunt flying but chop the power and it could glide and float in to land? I don't know why but it just fit my flying skill at the time? Not a clue why.