I know the title say "second thoughts" But I could be up to 20 or so now Any ways.. I bought A U-CAN-DO .46 with a saito .91 in it, as my second plane. I was told I could probably handle it with a few instructor flights but every time I look At that thing it's like a beast. I recently soloed and am by no mean ready for it yet. But My thoughts are... I'm gonna crash that sucker quicker then my intructor can say BOO. So I was thumbing through the newest fly r/c last night and saw the awesome review about the Seagull models space walker 2! I've Heard alot about the spacewalker and how some use it as a second plane. However i've heard nuthing of the seagull brand one. So what do you guys think WHEN I'M READY do you think I should go for the U-CAN-DO or the spacewalker.

BTW I have a Futaba 6EXA radio, Super Tigre .51, And S3004 servo's to gp into my second one. So now all i need is to decide what plane I should go with and some more trainer Exp.

Cody

If I were you I'd get a World Models super sports 40 ARF Its a great second flying plane and last time I checked it was only $99.00
You realy can't beat the price and it looks pretty good also

put a differnent prop on it.
don't have it on full throttle.
your TX has dual rates...mild and wild
have your instructor help you fly it or go back on the buddy cord
until you get use to the plane. have him land it for ya... and fly it
2-3 mistake high. thick air foil are floaters, but it's still a go where
you piont airship.

I would put off the U-Can-Do until your 3rd (or 4th ) plane. The U-Can-Do is a nice plane.

There is one weak area on the plane I am aware of. The firewall is glued (not epoxied) to the fuselage sides AND there is no reenforcement. Especially since the plane is over powered, I STRONGLY suggest adding some triangle stock (basswood or spruce ) to the firewall, and epoxy it in place. Make sure you rebalance the plane afterwards. I would also suggest moving the CG forward and reducing the throws for the first few flights so you can get used to the plane.

For a second plane I can personally recommend any of the following:

SIG 4* 40

World Models Rambler 30 or the 45 if you want retracts. (The Ramblers are floaters )

Thunder Tiger II

These are all EXCELLENT 2nd planes that will be able to use your Super Tiger 51 and the 3004 servos. They will let you do all the basic aerobatics (and some beyond the basic ones ) while still retaining reasonably slow landing speeds.

As for the SpaceWalker 2, I am not personally familiar with the plane, however Seagull has a decent reputation - the reviews I have read on the plane have indicated the plane is well built and has no bad habits. Whether or not it would work as a second plane, I don't know. Perhaps someone who has first hand experience with that plane can tell you.

Remember, as with ANY plane, a lot depends on YOUR INDIVIDUAL flying skills.

I am not flying a U Can Do but do have a plane of the same type design. It was my second plane as well. The thick airfoil 3Ders like the U Can Do are very easy to land, they float for a while. If you have someone help you to trim it out and to set your rates pretty low you shouldnt have many problems with it. Buddy box it till you are comfortable with it. While probably not the ideal second plane, as long as the plane is good and trimmed out, rates are set pretty low and you fly at modest throttle you should be able to fly it if you have mastered your trainer.

A regular at the field has a UCD, and it slows right down for landing.

I have a Seagull Spacewalker II as my 2nd plane (I liked the design better than the standard 4*SportsterMachTigerII look) and it flies well. I had it out in some crosswinds last night and it is more stable than my trainer. It was definitely interesting learning the differences from my trainer but on about the 4th approach I got it down on the ground. It's been fun to fly.

-Jeff

It all depends on your present skills at consistent good landings and takeoffs. The easiest part is keeping a plane airborne. The short 3D type midwings can be inverted before you know it. Sounds like you're being honest with yourself that you might not be ready. Try the Seagull or a Goldberg Tiger. My choice would be the 4 Star 40 ARF.

The landings aren't the part that really worries me... I'm good at landing my trainer I have 1 bounce every like 4 landings and the others are pretty well greasers.. The thing I worry about is it flipping over on it's back.. While I'm confident I have alot of money in this plane and it's gonna have to last and I can't get bored with it (Not so worried with that part). I'm worried I'll pull up to rotate and that sucker will do a very tight loop into the ground(little exagerated but ya know) My inst. has a Tiger 60 with .91 fourstroke in it he let me fly around and let me tell ya it was fun for me as this was before i even soloed (trainer probs.) I think I'm so worried about collecting planes I'm not gonna concentrate on polishing off my skills with each plane and stage. For Ex. I was going to get an AT-6 texan for x-mas this year! I think I need to slow down and concentrate on getting hours of flying under my belt.. I think I'm gonna pull the gear from the U-CAN-DO and go with the space walker! I hope some other beginers read this and "Slow down a bit" so they don't waste to much money. Thanks guys for the advice!

BTW I looked at the 4* and thought the 51 may be to much power for it as was the case with the Tiger 2.. I could spring for a tiger 60 and pull the saito off the Ucando but I think I'll Use my trusty Little .51 and keep The price down on this one. Thanks again

These light weight 3D type planes tend to like a nice gentle landing as they are not normally built as strong as a conventional sport plane, because they are built for light weight. I would think that if you are confident with your landings the ucando would make a great second plane with low rates as they have such low stall speeds and as you progress you can just up the rates and bring the c of g further back, besides you could always stengthen the landing gear if you wish, just my views Cougar.

Keep flying your trainer.. If you're not sure you can handle another plane you probably can't.. Don't listen to anyone else. Do what you want to. A lot of people like to see newbs crash. Especially those that are good on the sticks.

I agree with spoman 110% he got it right on don't feel you need to rush on to a second plane fly your trainer till you can't fly it no more get all the flying you can out of it then you will feel a lot better with your second plane i think it is a waste of time flying your trainer for a short time then getting a second trainer after a short time, when your first trainer still has lots of life left in it, i think you'll be amazed just what your "Trainer" can do especially if it has an engine in the top end of the recommended bracket. Take your time practice with your trainer till you can fly it with your eyes closed and i'm sure you will have no trouble at all with your ucando Cougar.

I'll second WM SS 40. It's one of the real jems out there, and you can't beat it for the price. If you really want a taildragger, I would say avoid the Seagull spacewalker. They do fly very nicely, and they're a great first "real" plane (one that actually stalls and won't just mush) but the ones I've seen (and flown personally) have had very tricky to takeoff. Just real squirlly on the ground, not the best first taildragger. IMHO.


Andy

ICE_MAN



I did something similar. I soloed, flew another 30+ flights then started asking advice for a second plane. Everyone that knew me and had seen me fly said to go with the Twist or UCD. I went and bought the Twist and all the goodies for it. Once I got it all together and the engine run in, I packed it and my trainer into the truck and off to the field I went.

Once I got there, I broke out the trainer and did around 5 flights. Fuel up the Twist, taxi tested it and became extremely nervous so I parked it. For 2 weeks I would take it out and taxi the beast around, get scared/nervous and park it.

Finally after asking here on RCU everyone suggested a 4* so I went and bought one. Put it all together, took it and taxi tested it then did the maiden (my first). The only trim I needed was elevator.

Once I landed I noticed I was shaking pretty good [sm=spinnyeyes.gif] but I felt really good about doing my first maiden and a low wing to boot . I flew the 4* for several more flights and got brave and did the maiden on the twist. I had the low rates set to exactly the amount of throws my trainer (LT-40) had and this thing flew like a champ and was very easy to land. I now have the low rates on book and the high rates on book 3D since I am learning 3D (after I flew quite a few flights on the book high rates)

All I am saying is you are heading down the correct path, You jumped into a plane that made you feel uncomfortable so you are backing up and going with something a lttle less intimiidating for you. Once you get a few flights on the second plane, pull out the UCD, get the low rates to match the throws for either your trainer or whatever you end up with your second plane. You will be nervous but this will pass.

Good luck and way to recognize your need for a little more stick time, well done.

My instructor said the best money to spend in the first year of flying should be on fuel. Nothing gets you ready for other planes like real world stick time. Fly on days that have more wind than normal , try to perfect your landings and pattern work, make drills for yourself and fly with a purpose then try other planes.

Now here is some advice that will get you somewhere. PRACTICE...PRACTICE...PRACTICE! That's the key to being able to fly ANYTHING!

Jim

Something you may want to look into is some of the brushless electric 3D planes. You'll learn fast on one and have a plane that you can fly many places other than the flying field. They are a little pricy to start with, but the airframe can be replaced for $35 - $50. Look at the Ikarus Shock Flyers and the Hell Raiser which is available from Hobby Lobby.
Dave

As a Seagull Spacewalker II owner, I say hold off. Great looking plane but not the easiest taildragger to takeoff. Needs lots of throttle and right rudder. Also, not the most exciting plane in the air. A better second plane would be an Ultra Stick of any size. Easy to takeoff, fly and land. Very aerobatic. Flaps keep it entertaining for years. Lots of people hate the looks of the Ultra Stick, but you can't get a better second plane IMHO.

OK well then what about the Tiger 60 or 4* 60? I also have a saito .91. Didn't want to take it off the Ucando but I can..

A 4* or the tiger 60 would make excellent second airplanes.

IMO, the UCD would not be so bad for a second airplane, provided the throws are small and the CG is in the correct location. But it all depends on the pilot's skill. If you have a LOT of time on your trainer, I think it's very possible that you'd be able to fly the UCD successfully.

I got a Seagul Spacewalker II earlier this summer. I loved it at first, and still do. But I did get pretty bored with it really quick. As skorman says, its not the most exiting plane in the air.

ICE,
I don't think the 51 is too much for any 40 size plane.
As an example, look up the threads on the 40 Twist ... pilots are squeezing in 63 to 72 4c's. Not saying that's a good practice on a lite frame, but the 4 Star is beefier and would be great with 46 to 51.

I'm not new to this hobby but from what I have experienced this past weekend with a similar planes as your U-Can-Do. I say go for it. Set up your plane on low and high rates per the instruction manual. Fly it on low rates at a distance you can see in three dimensions. If the bottom of the wing as the same grahics as the top, this must be changed. If you don't, you will be unable to different right side up from up side down. This is extremely important. These little planes are a blast. Enjoy.

My 2nd plane: Ultra Stick 40, with a OS 46FX on it.
My 3rd plane: Seagull Spacewalker II. Still have not flown it. The manual that comes with it leaves a lot of things out that a beginner would not know how to do. I ended up referring to a Great Planes Spacewalker manual for some parts of the assembly. I am going to fly this thing one of these days, but I am having too much fun with the Ultra Stick. Especially after the guys kept giving me a hard time for flying at 1/3 throttle, like it was a trainer

Keep the U can do...it is a good 2nd plane...slow and easy to fly...deadstics stink slow, and is easy to fly...if it were up to me, it would have been your first plane..

Well guys I was offered a heck of a deal by one of my friends who had a tiger 60 and was about dont with it.. So I traded him The UCD(airframe only) for the tiger 60.. SO now I got a good second plane and don't have to worry about how hard it will be tgo fly as I've flown it on the buddy box before. Had another flight yest. on my trainer and the the day went down the drain (Check my post in the crash forum.. Don't worry no crash just check it out) Now I gotta decide whether to get a UCD 46 for x-mas or the new hobbico sukhoi but we'll save that for a later date.. Thanks again guys!