I've learned to fly using a hobbistar 60. What would be a great second plane? and why?

VIETNAMESE PLANES ARE THE BEST!

Crash it, and it's like "BAAAAH it cost only a hundred".

I strongly recommend that you visit [link=http://www.spadtothebone.com]SPAD website[/link]. Have a look at the models there. I built a DPS from this site soon after my trainer. Easy to build, very cheap and lots of fun - just like most other SPADs. Also have a look [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/S%25P%25A%25D%25_Aircraft_%2D_Coroplast_design/forumid_178/tt.htm]here[/link]. Ask questions, use "Search" function, browse through the posts - it's a bl00dy encyclopedia.

Building a plane out of coro and yardsticks may not seem very attractive at first. But give it a try. I am sure you'll love it.

Cheers

Advancing your flying skills would be the goal... and one of the best choises for that is the Sig Four-Star 40.

Its not a huge leap up from the trainer you are used to. The change to low wing symetrical airfoil and taildragger will present some minor challenges right off. But the 4*40 is known to be one of the tamer taildragers.

Its aerobatic ability with a .40 to .46 is outstanding... so you don't need a new engine. (read my post regarding prop choices... use the 12X4 it makes a WORLD of difference.) Its still stable enough to not destroy itself when you make a slight error too.

A definite step up in capability that can be flown by anyone that has soloed with the traditinal trainer.

****

Very similar, but heavier... the Golberg Tiger II. Another good choice... but not as good at consecutive inside-outside vertical 8's unless you get a Irvine .53 or equivilent power.

Whispers,
Build a SIG Kavalier, you will love it forever !!!

Yep... The Kavalier is a nice one. Somewhat faster then the 4*40... but maybe thats the direction you want to go...

Look at the Great Planes Super Sportster. It's similar in flight characteristics to the 4*, but sure looks a lot nicer!
It does land just a bit faster than the 4*, but it's not a problem.
Dennis-

I'm building a clipped wing Piper cub 48 as second plane and I'm almost done[&:].
No need to say that moving from a trainner to a scale plane is definetely cool because you will try to make your best to make the scale plane looks like real, pay attention to details, so on. Besides, you will be able to answer the question you friends make to you "oh, you fly models, which plane you have?" with real answers other than "hummm, it's not a real plane, just a trainner"[&o].
It's fom Airborne models and was $140 shipped to my door.

Nilo

Take a look at the Venture 60 at www.btemodels.com. The "bte" in btemodels stands for Bruce Tharpe Engineering. Bruce was the engineer at Sig who penned the original design for the Sig Four Star 40 and 120. After leaving Sig Bruce started his own company and the Venture 60 was his first plane to go into production. It is very similar to the Four Star (which is a great choice) but it looks a lot more sleek and the quality of the wood is excellent since Bruce hand picks all the pieces himself. The whole story is on his web site.

I am in the process of completing my Venture 60 right now and have found it to be a very good build so far.

Of course, in answer to your question, this is just my opinion. You will get a countless number of answers since there are so many perfectly acceptible second planes around. You are better off sticking to some basic design characteristics when making your decision than trying to do what everyone tells you you should do. Here are some things to look for.

1. constant chord wing - this will result in a plane that is less likely to snap on you when you slow down too much.
2. semi-symetrical air foil - this will allow the plane to do more aerobatic maneuvers well than your trainer will allow but it won't be as radical as a fully aerobatic plane.
3. Low wing - you will not progress as far with your second plane if you go with another high wing plane. I realize a Cub has already been mentioned but technically this is more of an aerobatic trainer. No doubt they are beautiful planes - I just picked one up second-hand not too long ago and I love to just sit and look at it. Not that it would be a bad choice if that is what you really want - you will just be delaying the low-wing advancement till your third plane.
4. Tail dragger - you have to make the jump at some point. The way I look at it the earlier the better. Once you have done it you will find it isn't as hard as many make it out to be.

HMMMM.... I know I'm probably missing some items here but others will surely chime in and add to the list.

These basics apply to most of the planes already mentioned (except the Cub to some extent and the Kavalier which I believe has tricycle gear) so take them all into consideration and choose the one that looks good to you. Like I said, there are many good choices.

I went from a large 64 inch span trainer to the S.P.A.D. DPS. I love the airplane. It can be as gentle or radical as you fly it.

If you want to go with an ARF, here's one I highly recommend.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=164

Yes, Piper cub is not a sport plane and I prefered to let the acrobatics for my third plane with a Tucano T27. That's gonna be all fun!

Nilo