Now that i have nearly completed construction on my trainer (Tower Hobbies MKII 60) should i buy another kit and begin construction on it or should i wait until i am cofortable with the trainer and feel i know what i am doing? Anyone have a good suggestion for my second plane?

I would wait until you get a little time on he trainer. You may change your mind on the next plane that you want.

I would suggest a SIG 4 * 40 or 60 for your next plane as they are a point and fly low wing but can be flown as slow or slower than most trainers for landing plus do good areobatics (not 3D) and are somewhat forgiving.

Also the World models Sky Raider II (Low wing ARF) is also a good plane for around 70 bucks (USD). Not very strong but flies well with an OS 46AX on it.

Fly it for awhile, and see how it goes. You may find you need a new trainer before too long (hope not). You may be a natural, and want to go directly to a "second plane" right away. Finish it, fly it, and let time take it's course, no rush here, you've got the rest of your life to build and fly!

If you know you are going to be in the hobby a while. Why not buy the second kit and really take your time on it. I learned a ton on my first kit (it came out ok) but on my second kit it looks a million times better. ITs fun to be able to work on a kit when you have something else in the air instead of rushing with a kit bc you want to fly.

ive pretty much decided on a 4* 60 with a .75 engine in it...oo by the way im trying to work up my skills to get a Great Planes Extra 300S 1.60 should be fun

Being as you chose a 4* 60 I would opinion, yes. Do get the kit. And build it. It will keep you interested and give you a goal. Learn the trainer and get to the 4*. It is an incentive for you. Good luck with both planes.

Mark Shuman

Fly when the weather is good. Build when the weather is bad. This is particularly true of areas that have strong seasons.

Always have to have another plane waiting in the wings.

Andy

now i have a new question....should i buy all new servos and a better radio (im thinking of buying a 9 channel PCM so ill be covered for whatever i take on in the future) or should i switch components between planes?

that depends on you. If you get a new radio you can buy one on the same frequency and use the servos and rx you have now in another plane while using the new radio. If your radio now doesnt have dual rates, expo, or mixes you will be fairly limited in your future planes. (at least getting the most out of them)

However, the radio gear goes in late in the build so just start working on the kit and learning on the trainer and then you will have a good idea of what radio, servos, and other setup stuff you want later on.

I'll be in the minority here, I have several radios, but none are any more than 4 channels. I used to have an Airtronics 5 channel, but when it crapped out (technical term) I bought a Hitec with mixing (non-computer) for deltas/wflying wings/v-tail.
I'm not into scale to the point where I need retracts, or even flaps, but I do build a lot of experimental delta stuff, hence the radio choice.
I'm happy with my four channels', but there are those that will tell you you aren't living if you don't have a bunch of channels/computer options/ect.
To each his own!

If a 9 channel radio is what you want then by all means do so. Gringo has a good point, buy the same channel as your current set-up. You then have a spare flight pack. I will however suggest that unless you are flying gas engine planes or are in an interference prone area I do not see the need for the added expense of a PCM radio. I feel it is a waste of money for most fliers. Good luck with your new radio. BTW I strongly advise against swapping radio gear from plane to plane. You are inviting unneeded trouble.

Mark Shuman

thanks alot for all the adivce guys, i just said the PCM because the plane im working up to suggest it or youll ahve to buy more parts, they arnt very expensive parts so i suppose ill stick with a reg. radio

OoOo this is what i have decided to get as my second set up:
Plane: Sig Four-Star 60 Kit .60-.75,71"
Engine: SuperTigre G-75 Ringed w/Muffler
Radio: Futaba 9CAF 9-Channel FM/5 S3004 Servos w/CAMPac 16K
Spinner: Great Planes Spinner 2-1/2" Aluminum
Prop: Top Flite 12x8 Power Point Propeller
and all the little nuts and bolts to go with it

I agree with all but the prop. I would start with a 13-6 on that one and work from there.

Mark Shuman

I agree, change the prop to a 13x6 and you will fall in love with that setup quickly.

awesome thanks! now a new delima....should i get the ARF or the kit? the ARF is over twice as much as the kit, i dunno if im talented enough to be able to make the kit

I personally like the SIG ARF's. They go together as well as their kits and the manuals for both the ARF's and kits are fantastic. Your available funds and the amount of time you want to wait to get into flying the plane (at least for me) dictated which I bought.

My theory is, get 2 planes flying (ARF's) and build the third from a kit if you want to try it.. That way you have a spare until you get the kit done. Some people like to build, others want to fly as soon as possible. I belong to the "as soon as possible" crowd, but after doing my first kit and having multiple planes, I found that kit building was relaxing for me.

Check out this link

http://www.hobbiesandgames.net/default.asp

They are very reasonable and shipping is free for orders over $100.

There is a joke about SIG kits that hold allot merit

The joke goes:

Open the box, drop in a bottle of CA, close the box and shake well for a few minutes

Open the box and out pops a plane

I did my something extra in about 3 weeks (not including covering which was another week working slowly) and worked about 3 hours a night, 7 nights a week which was the harder of the bunch.

Also

Check out this link for a good bit of info on the 4* kit building preocess

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_18..._1/key_/tm.htm

Hi having built the 4 star 60 kit and ARF, I say build the kit! If for no other reason you will learn valuable skills for repairing any crash damage you will have in the future. And you might find that building is as much fun as flying!

If you are getting an ARF what's the rush.. You might be getting a trainer ARF if you turf your plane you have anyways.. Find out if you even really like the sport before buying a whole new plane.