View Poll Results: Second Plane
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll
Best Second Plane
12-15-2016, 01:23 PM
#1
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Best Second Plane
Hey, I am a self taught flier, and I have a tower trainer 40 and like it. But it is getting kinda boring and I would like a second plane. I was thinking of a Tower Hobbies 1/5 Piper J-3 40 Cub or a Avistar Elite. I was also considering the great planes cherokee arf. I have been practicing on real flight 7.5 and am getting pretty good along with flying my trainer. I am leaning towards the cub, but I was wondering if that is to ambitious. Thank you for any replies.
P.S. I say my Trainer is my first plane but I have had several smaller foamies like the hobbyzone super cub s.
P.S. I say my Trainer is my first plane but I have had several smaller foamies like the hobbyzone super cub s.
12-15-2016, 02:08 PM
#2
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Hi- I would opt for the Cub ARF, as it's a nice scale plane, easy to fly, and will give u some tail wheel experience, since ur trainer is tri-cycle gear. One thing about a Cub, is to NOT overcontrol on ur takeoffs. With the superb wing design of the Cub, applying power smoothly on ur takeoff run, it will fly itself off the ground with a little right rudder input. I suggest practice ground handling with the Cub by just giving enough power to initiate a takeoff roll, and see how it reacts when the tail lifts off the ground, see how much rudder input u need, and then cut power, and taxi it back to u. Do this several times until u get the feel for its ground habits. By the time u have done this several times, u can increase power, and it should lift off nicely, and use a little rudder to co-ordinate ur turns with the ailerons. Let us know what u decide- Good Luck-- Dean
12-15-2016, 02:20 PM
#3
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Thanks for the reply, I will let everyone know what I get but it probably won't be till next spring/summer sometime. I am am just trying to get a bit of research in before spring.
12-15-2016, 04:22 PM
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Hmm. Everyone at my club seems to recommend a lowing like the cherokee, goldberg tiger or sig 4 star as a next plane. The avistar elite is going to fly similar to you trainer in low rates, but much better aerobatics in high rates. A lowing airplane will probably be even more aerobatic capable. A cub will teach you taildragger takoffs, and probably rudder on turns.
Hard choice, but mine would be a sig 4 star. It's a low wing, and a tail dragger, teaching 2 new things, but at the same time probably not to hard to fly if setup correctly.
Hubert
Hard choice, but mine would be a sig 4 star. It's a low wing, and a tail dragger, teaching 2 new things, but at the same time probably not to hard to fly if setup correctly.
Hubert
12-15-2016, 05:24 PM
#6
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Hi- I would opt for the Cub ARF, as it's a nice scale plane, easy to fly, and will give u some tail wheel experience, since ur trainer is tri-cycle gear. One thing about a Cub, is to NOT overcontrol on ur takeoffs. With the superb wing design of the Cub, applying power smoothly on ur takeoff run, it will fly itself off the ground with a little right rudder input. I suggest practice ground handling with the Cub by just giving enough power to initiate a takeoff roll, and see how it reacts when the tail lifts off the ground, see how much rudder input u need, and then cut power, and taxi it back to u. Do this several times until u get the feel for its ground habits. By the time u have done this several times, u can increase power, and it should lift off nicely, and use a little rudder to co-ordinate ur turns with the ailerons. Let us know what u decide- Good Luck-- Dean
12-15-2016, 05:24 PM
#7
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Like a lot of folks I like the "Stik" type models especially for a second plane. A Great Planes big stick 40 would work for a second plane and can be set up for easy trainer type flying or with the throws increased will do all the basic aerobatics. Another good choice if you don't want the Stik look is great Planes Easy Sport 40 ARF. I just put one of those together and its a fine model. Easy on low rates and a real stunter on high rates. I changed mine to a tail dragger set up. An easy mod to do. Here is a couple of pics.
12-15-2016, 06:21 PM
#11
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skyflier, Lots of good suggestions have been offered for a second plane. My suggestion is for you to convert your Tower Trainer 40 (a great trainer BTY) into a taildragger. This will give you taildragger experience on a plane that you are already comfortable with. This will also put some interest back into flying this plane that you already have. Flying a taildragger is only different for landings and takeoffs. Once in the air, it is the same as the tricycle gear you have learned on. Just different techniques needed on the ground. This will make the transition to a Cub or any other taildragger smooth and easy for you. So your "second' plane should be your "first" plane, "phase 2". As far as what to buy next, the Tower Cub is a good flying semi scale J-3 and would be fine after flying your Tower Trainer as a taildragger for a bit. I you want a low wing, the Sig 4-star is hard to beat plus it is also a taildragger. It is available as an ARF or a kit, both 40 and 60 size. The Goldberg Tiger is also a nice low wing but only sold now as a kit, both 40 and 60 size. If you only want an ARF, the Great Planes Easy Sport 40 suggested by ratshooter is low cost and a very capable flyer. Take each step as you advance "one step at a time" and you will do well. Enjoy !
12-15-2016, 06:27 PM
#12
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Of course get what makes you happiest but you did ask for suggestions and not validation of your choice. And cubs are my favorite airplane of all time. I would love to go for a ride in one. I have owned 3 40 sized cub models and a quarter scale cub from balsa usa. I have also owned 2 little stiks, 2 sweet stiks and a GP stik 40. So I sort of know what I am talking about when I suggested a Stick 40 to you.
Read through this thread and you will find nothing but praise for the basic stik design.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/gold...gly-stick.html
Last edited by ratshooter; 12-15-2016 at 06:29 PM.
12-15-2016, 07:00 PM
#13
Work your way up to a 60 stik with an OS 75AX -- taildrager
The larger airframe do fly better and easier to see in the air
i have 25 planes - flying 23 years a lot - build al my stuff
You will always go back to the stik from time to time
My 40 size Midwest Ugly Stick ( a classic ) is one of the best flying most forgiving 40 size plane in its size class
Both the 40 and 60 size Stiks will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling after a day at the field
Build your wing on both with some slight diheadral for them to fly there very best
You can view my planes on my Gallery on the left of this post
Enjoy
The larger airframe do fly better and easier to see in the air
i have 25 planes - flying 23 years a lot - build al my stuff
You will always go back to the stik from time to time
My 40 size Midwest Ugly Stick ( a classic ) is one of the best flying most forgiving 40 size plane in its size class
Both the 40 and 60 size Stiks will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling after a day at the field
Build your wing on both with some slight diheadral for them to fly there very best
You can view my planes on my Gallery on the left of this post
Enjoy
12-15-2016, 07:06 PM
#14
My Feedback: (10)
How skilled are you at flying your current plane?? Many people never truly master fying their trainer--they are just disturbing its flight path enough to make it back to the start point... keep flying it and push the envelope with it.. can you put it where you want it 100% of the time? do you know how to use the rudder?? can you fly in a 10mph cross wind? can you fly when its 15mph down the runway?? challenge yourself to push the trainer to its limits.. not yours.. Your trainer will probably do a rolling circle-- can you make it do one?? any of the planes suggested are fine for a second plane... i would get the super sport or maybe a kaos arf.. cheap and good flyers... of course the cub would give you something scale to fly and could stick around a long time in your hangar..
12-16-2016, 05:23 AM
#15
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2walla, those are excellent questions. Another I would ask is are you looking for another ARF or do you want to build a plane instead of buying just another cookie cutter plane that looks like the next guy's?
Can you do figure 8s? Can you do 10 touch and go without ground looping or nosing over? Do you know how to stay ahead of the plane and how to get out of trouble without crashing?
What I have been witnessing in my club is the preponderance of foamy ARFs with what is called the SAFE system which allows the lazy pilot to flick a switch every time he feels the least bit uncomfortable flying. A pilot learns nothing from this. He is only steering it around in circles and
never learns what it takes to remain out of trouble or for that matter learning to really fly a plane. They will never progress beyond that. They have limited themselves to flying only one kind of plane....one that will take over for them should they stumble the least little bit.
Companies like Horizon and Tower have done a great disservice to the hobby community with this kind of nonsense. We have people in our club who fly only these types of planes and my attitude towards these people is not worth mentioning.
Can you do figure 8s? Can you do 10 touch and go without ground looping or nosing over? Do you know how to stay ahead of the plane and how to get out of trouble without crashing?
What I have been witnessing in my club is the preponderance of foamy ARFs with what is called the SAFE system which allows the lazy pilot to flick a switch every time he feels the least bit uncomfortable flying. A pilot learns nothing from this. He is only steering it around in circles and
never learns what it takes to remain out of trouble or for that matter learning to really fly a plane. They will never progress beyond that. They have limited themselves to flying only one kind of plane....one that will take over for them should they stumble the least little bit.
Companies like Horizon and Tower have done a great disservice to the hobby community with this kind of nonsense. We have people in our club who fly only these types of planes and my attitude towards these people is not worth mentioning.
12-16-2016, 05:41 AM
#16
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How skilled are you at flying your current plane?? Many people never truly master fying their trainer--they are just disturbing its flight path enough to make it back to the start point... keep flying it and push the envelope with it.. can you put it where you want it 100% of the time? do you know how to use the rudder?? can you fly in a 10mph cross wind? can you fly when its 15mph down the runway?? challenge yourself to push the trainer to its limits.. not yours.. Your trainer will probably do a rolling circle-- can you make it do one?? any of the planes suggested are fine for a second plane... i would get the super sport or maybe a kaos arf.. cheap and good flyers... of course the cub would give you something scale to fly and could stick around a long time in your hangar..
12-16-2016, 06:36 AM
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Hmm. Everyone at my club seems to recommend a lowing like the cherokee, goldberg tiger or sig 4 star as a next plane.
Hard choice, but mine would be a sig 4 star. It's a low wing, and a tail dragger, teaching 2 new things, but at the same time probably not to hard to fly if setup correctly.
Hubert
Hard choice, but mine would be a sig 4 star. It's a low wing, and a tail dragger, teaching 2 new things, but at the same time probably not to hard to fly if setup correctly.
Hubert
The first time I flew it was in Marana, Az at a dusty dirt airfield. Had an OS .91 4stroke in it. Taxied to take off with full-up on the elevator. Gave it half throttle, went from full-up elevator to neutral elevator, and the thing simply lifted into the air. It was so easy to fly. But it tends to float when trying to land. A few years ago I shortened the wing ... removed a couple of bays from both left and right so now the wingspan is 64" ... makes for improved aerobatic performance.
Check out this video. The 4Star is the orange plane with the Normandy invasion stripes on the fuselage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL5t1w98ET0&t=65s
Last edited by oliveDrab; 12-16-2016 at 06:46 AM.
12-16-2016, 09:22 AM
#21
How skilled are you at flying your current plane?? Many people never truly master fying their trainer--they are just disturbing its flight path enough to make it back to the start point... keep flying it and push the envelope with it.. can you put it where you want it 100% of the time? do you know how to use the rudder?? can you fly in a 10mph cross wind? can you fly when its 15mph down the runway?? challenge yourself to push the trainer to its limits.. not yours.. Your trainer will probably do a rolling circle-- can you make it do one?? any of the planes suggested are fine for a second plane... i would get the super sport or maybe a kaos arf.. cheap and good flyers... of course the cub would give you something scale to fly and could stick around a long time in your hangar..
Bob
12-16-2016, 10:59 AM
#23
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Yet another vote for a Stick. The bigger the better.
An alternative which is a little easier on the eye is any of the Black Horse Air series. http://www.blackhorsemodel.com.vn/?p...sport-low-wing
An alternative which is a little easier on the eye is any of the Black Horse Air series. http://www.blackhorsemodel.com.vn/?p...sport-low-wing
12-16-2016, 11:21 AM
#24
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I might get the hanger 9 cub if I was loaded lol. But my problem with it is that if I crash I ruined a much more expensive plane then say a big stick.