Heres the situation, i have an Xtra Easy 2 with the Evo. .455 engine, JR Digital TX and 4 JR servos ..... i've flown this thing as much as i can, i can do loops, rolls, split-s, fly inverted , etc .... so i think i've gotten to the point where i need a step up....... something that i can use my JR equipment with ...... also, my TX is a 5 channel transmitter if that helps, and i have no idea what kinds of things i can use with it, or if it can use two aielerons at all, etc.....basically i know nothing at this point, all i know is that i've grown out of this trainer and i need something that will work with my present equipment, hopefully using all 5 channels ..... if anyone has any suggestions, comments or advice, i would greatly, greatly appreciate it. thanks!

Great Planes Super Sportster. If you build it from a kit, add a second aileron servo. I'm guessing you can do some mixing and add flaperons. Or you could add retracts. (Not sure what your JR is capable of.)

Goldberg Tiger 2. Same thing.

Sig 4* (Four Star). Wouldn't recemmend retracts for it, but it could be done.

There are "Sport" warbirds that you might be able to handle okay. These would be nice with retracts, but ask around for one that has a sport wing, not true scale.

Good luck with whatever you choose.
Dennis-

Darn,

I started on the same plane then moved to a SIG LT-40 Kadet then a SIG 4 * 40 ARF (Lands better than the Kadet and Xtra Easy 2) and also bought a Twist

World Models makes a good low wing and high wing plane for around 70 bucks that all your equipement will work well with

The high wing is a semi symetrical airfoil and is a trainer. The long wing is a fully symetical and can do nice aerobatics

They are the Sky Raider I (High Wing) and the Sky Raider II (Low Wing)

The Hangar 9 Ultra Stik is also a good choice but you will need to by at least one more server and if you want the flaps optin the you will need a total of 3 more servos (JR 537 servos are fairly cheap

http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmar...FV3.html?E+Sig

http://www.theworldmodels.com/para/p...?airplaneid=68

http://www.theworldmodels.com/para/p...?airplaneid=69

http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...675&pc=HAN1675

If you can afford it I would suggest that you keep the trainer handy and intack and purchase a new engine from evo, the NT46 is around 80 bucks and a JR Airpack with the correct channel for the receiver crystal, usually 5 bucks for the crystal and 125 for the receiver and 4 servos

this one will work well with the radio you already have

http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/serv...=ALL&tag=qsrch


The four star and world model planes use 4 servos and the utlra stick can use 5 to 7 servos depending on your desired setup but will only need 5 channels

I got a Mach II around 4th of July. Its not the prettiest or sturdiest thing, but I love it! In my opinion it is more fun to fly than my four star was. I even bought another as a back up. For 70 bucks you can't beat it. I paid more than that for my four star kit!

Don't do retracts. They're too much of a pain. Don't get me wrong, I love them, but a newbie has got more than enought to do without that hassle.

Now FLAPS on the other hand is a different story!

Take a look at the Great Planes Rapture. It'll be right up your alley

hows that Sig 4 star 60 ...... the xtra easy 2 i have had the largest wingspan of any trainer available, at 69" it was great .... the 4* 60 has a 71" wingspan so i kind of would like that, even if it means getting a new engine, it would be worth it to have something a bit bigger and with more wing area .... i think ???!!!?? also, since i have the JR transmitter, what are my restrictions with regards to servos and receivers, brands, types, etc ... thanks... this stuff has been a bit of a mystery to me as of late ...... thanks again!!!

The 4 Star 60 is not that much different than the 40 except it uses 5 servos, I believe, but do not hold me to that

If you have the same radio that came with my Xtra Easy 2 then here is a link that explains that radio well

http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...Prod=JRP5212**

You should have 5 channels on the radio and 6 channels on the receiver so you can do 5 different things. Look at it this way if you have a plane that uses a single servo for EACH aileron then you have 2 options. Put a "Y" cable on the aileron channel on the receiver and connect the "Y" do both aileron servos OR get a second 6 or 12 inch extesion and a second server and connect 1 aileron to the aileron channel and the second aileron servo to the 1st AUX channel on the receiver. You can then do flaperons which is using the ailerons as flaps but it still leaves full function for the ailerons. Another use is for retractable gear on the 5th channel on the radio but I suggest you wait a while for the retract option.

If the radio is the XF421EX then you need to check the manual that came with the radio (you can also download it from the link above) earlier models of that radio had a problem with flaperons if you were using that radio for more than one model. The fix is free but it requires you send in the radio to JR.

I used this radio for 2 planes, one with and one without the flaperons set but ONLY after I sent the radio into JR

I still use this radio for my trainer turned taildragger (SIG LT-40 Kadet) and have since moved to the JR6102 for the Four Star and the Twist.

If you really want to wake up the Xtra Easy 2, find a hobby store that sells the thrust washer replacement for the EVO TPS engine you have and screw on a 12x4 prop or even better an APC 12.25X3.75 prop, just be smart with the throttle and you be amazed at the difference.

My second glow/gas airplane was a Four Star 60 ARF and I still have it and fly it. I have a Saito 100 installed. It does take 5 servos (two for the ailerons). I have a computer radio so use five channels, but you can fly it with four using a Y harness on the ailerons. With the Saito 100 it builds a bit tail heavy so put the receiver and battery as far forward as possible (my battery is under the gas tank).

Speaking of the gas tank you might want to replace the cap it comes with. The metal tubes are just a bit smaller in diamter than the standard Dubro or what have you brass and it caused a leak for me that was a mess to clean up.

I thinks it is a great airplane and a good step up from a trainer. You can build it just as Sig says and it will be great. If you want a couple of ideas for improvements I would add some contrasting stripes on the bottom of the wing to make orientation easier (I did this) and if I had it all to do over I would replace the tailwheel assembly, although the stock one works okay. I guess a lot of guys have said the landing gear is weak, but to be honest I've had no problems with mine.

Everyone might say Four Star this, and Four Star that, but I'm still going to stay with Sig Mfg. and I have to say go with a Somethin' Extra. I swear to you that this is so soft to land. It's really just incredible. Once, I was going out and my engine dies, well, I just swing her around and come in PARALLEL to the RUNWAY.....and then presto...Soft landing as could be...

Either the Somethin' Extra or a Four Star 40 or 60 would suit you just fine....

i'm just tryin to picture how the heck a dual aileron system works with a 5 channel radio, especially if you want to be able to use flaperons........, like i said, i dont have any experience with that since i've had to learn on my own. Since i have a 6 ch. receiver, will it have two inputs for the ailerons or is this where i would have to somehow connect the two seperate ailerons with this y harness deal ..... because then, how would i be able to use flaperons... i'm all confused, sorry guys..... i know i'm a pain in the a** but i just want to be sure that if i get the 4* 60 that i will be able to use ailerons along with flaps.....

also, could i use my Evo .455 engine on there with a regular 2 blade prop .... its seems to push my 69" x 57" trainer really well ......

If the radio is in flaperon mode then it appears to you as four channels

As I mentioned in a previous post, one aileron, I believe the elft, gets plugged into the AIL channel on the receiver, the right aileron gets plugged into the AUX channel on the receiver. The radio then gets setup for flaperon and the computer in the radio does the rest

I also mentioned in the previous post the EVO TPS you have (TPS Stands for Trainer Power SYstem IE EVO .455) will more than definitely work with any plane that everyone has suggested with the exception of the Four Star 60 as it requires a .60 size engine. You would be best to go to a local hobby store and purchase the standard propeller thrust plate for it (I think they are around 5 bucks) since the 2oz flywheel on the .455 limits top end rpm to a degree.

Yes, you can use a 2 blade prop on any of the recommended planes

Just a thought, the 4* 40 is really not all that much more difficult to see in the air than the XE2 you already have. It will not be as stable in the wind as the 4* 60 will be but I have flown both and there really is not that much of a difference in the way they handle wind and flying in general

You use a dual aileron plug. Both ailerons are controlled by the same channel. The plug/harness (I forget the technical term) plugs into the receiver and the other end has two sockets, one for each aileron servo and it makes them work opposite of each other.

In order to use "flaperons" you have to use two channels. On my radio its channel six. This way each servo can receive different signals so you will be able to lower both ailerons at the same time.

Goldberg Tiger uses 5 servos and is one of the all time best 2nd airplanes..flys great..low wing..and lands so easily...

Bubbagates....... i wasnt really worried about seeing the plane,however i do think that any plane with a large wingspan will be much easier to fly and control .... thats why i like the XE2 .... but as long as i remove the flywheel and put a different prop on there, the EVO TPS should be adequate to power a Sig 60 ?!?! Thanks

Sorry if I came off as rude in my last post...

I have had a OS46AX and now a Saito 56 and both haul that plane around well.

I think you will find that either of the 4 stars mentioned will be just fine to see, but I agree the 4* 60 will be somewhat easier. I personally found that going from the XE2 to the LT-40 then down to the 4* 40 was not much of a problem. For me by the end of the first flight I had become pretty good at spotting the 4* 40 and keeping orientation and that is will Sunglasses that are perscription and Bi-Focals to boot. I have found Yellow works well for me. On mine I added checkerboard to the bottom of the wing.

I completely understand the desire to stay with a bigger plane. But I would not do the EVO .45 on the 60 myself SIG states a minimum of .60 2 stroke and the EVO .45 although powerful would be way under power

Do you want to learn 3D or learn how to improve your circle skills?

I just want to improve period... there is only so much you can do with a high-wing, high dihedral, low-throw trainer ya know ..... the sig four star 60 was beginning to look good but i may be able to get a J-3 Piper Cub, 80 in wingspan, for 250, with servos and receiver so i think i'm going to go with that .... plus , it will work with the engine i already have .... any other suggestions

If you get the CUB just remember 2 things. On takeoff keep the tail planted on the ground until you have good flying speed (especially if you are flying from grass) then let it come up slowly and always coordinate your turns with both rudder and aileron. On some Cubs the ground handling is sometimes poor and on takeoff it can nose over pretty quickly if you are not careful. I usually find that the H9 80" Cub has the main gear directly under the leading edge of the main wing. It makes it diffcult to taxi and takeoff, but allot of people move the main gear so the center of the axles are about an inch in front of the leading edge and it helped a lot.

If you have never flown coordinating rudder/aileron. I suggest you practice it on the trainer first. Even the trainer will turn better but with the Cub it's a must. If the new radio you are getting with the Cub has mixing capabilities may I suggest that you do not use them with the Cub until you get coordinated turns down pretty good, then setup the mix but remember to turn it off coming in for a landing.

In my opinion the Cub it a great plane and once in the air will do most areobatics but it does them at a very leisurely pace, so do not be in a hurry,

I learned to fly full scale in one, but you need to be mindful of it's quirks. This also applies to most of the R/C models I have seen

I've been flying with both aileron and rudder ..... it makes for much cleaner and crisper turns .... as long as you do it correctly...... but yes, i felt it neccessary to get used to that anyways once i learned basic flight, i've been flying like that for a good month now and it seems to have become second nature ...... as for the cub, i am just still very undecided on what to get ...... i want something different, but now i'm thinking a low wing would be better..... i just have to weigh my options some more and just make a choice .... thanks for all the help everyone, i appreciate it !!!1

We wish you good luck in whatever one you do get

I think the Goldberg Tiger is the perfect second plane. Or if you want something a bit more acrobatic you should look at a Hangar 9 Aresti or Ultrastick like he said.

Victor

i have a few good sugestions if you would like more aerobatic planes you could try the tower Kaos,the sig fourstar,the ultrastik,the bigstik, The tower Uproar, the seagull extra 300s,or the seagull extra 540s. (last two are .60 size)
ive been flying for a month now and got of the buddy box on my 6th flight and practiced all the aerobatics i could possibly do on a trainer before i stepped up to a different plane. i would suggest you learn basic aerobatics before you move up. BUT YOU HAVE TO WATCH THOSE RUBBERBANDS I bout snapped all mine 5 at most is all i broke but thats alot when you only use 12 bands. i can do waterfalls, blenders, spiral dives, inverted like a dream, flips, rolls, and immelmen turns. Thats with a trainer and you have to learn to use your throttle.

p.s. im 14 srry dnt mean to brag

Goldberg Tiger 2. Definitely.

Yeah, i can do all that stuff too, i've been flying my trainer about 10' off the ground inverted, which is why i've consulted with this forum , to get some good ideas about a second plane ... i like the Sig Four Star 60, but i hate its looks. Which brings up the idea of a low wing or high wing second plane, its just so hard to figure out which to go with when you have limited funds at your disposal.