I was wondering if a Biplane would be a good second plane (Sig Hog Bipe)
and if they are how hard are they to build??

also I was at my local hobby shop, and i saw a prop. with 3 blades... whats the difference between 3 blades and the normal 2?

I've only built a hand full of kits, so you'll have to take my opinions with a grain of salt. The Hog Bipe is not difficult to build. I don't think I'd recomend it as a first kit though. With two wings and getting the wings aligned, there's a fair bit that can be messed up. The directions are also not quite as explicit as say, the directions for a trainer... with the Hog Bipe, it seems they expect you to know which glue to use where and so on.

As to how it flies...well, I've had a few flights on mine(currently waiting for a wing kit[:@] ) and it is defintely a step or two up from a trainer. Quick roll rate, doesn't glide as well as a trainer does, turns better with some rudder, lands nice and slow.

If this your first kit build or you're just moving up from a trainer, I'd say maybe try something else first. I know I would not have been comfortable flying it as my second airplane or it as a first kit to build.... however as they say, individual results may vary!

I've seen a few novice pilots flying biplanes hit the ground like this: SMACK
Three bladed props look cool, but don't work as good as two bladed props.

yeah... a bipe is not the best second plane. but then again, my first bipe was an ultimate. it must have been my fifth plane after trainer, cap232, cub, Zen50 and maybe even another pattern plane. loved it though... looks great in the air.

problems? loses speed quickly so you must be careful on landing. CG is a pain the butt to get right. orientation in the air is difficult (trust me, i didn't think this would be a problem but it was!) and lastly, tail draggers aren't easy as it is...

i'm sure i left out a ton of things... but really, it's not the best second plane.

HWile the hog Bipe is supposed to be one of the nicest (easiest) to fly, I agree with the others who've said, maybe as a 3rd, but as a second you'd be pushing it.
Dennis-

Being a current owner and flyer of the Sig Hog Bipe, I can tell you it is a very fun plane to fly. However, it is not forgiving without power. It does not glide well in a deadstick situation. I would not reccommend it for a second plane, it was my 3rd in line. Good luck in whatever you decide nitrobasher.

If you are thinking of a Hog Bipe for a second plane, then ask yourself these things:

Can I do most anything I want with my trainer without getting disoriented [sm=spinnyeyes.gif]and be completely comfortable in doing it?
Can I stall my trainer and get it flying again at a moderately low altitude without to much concern?
Can I land my trainer with more speed than usual and still grease it on?

The first question is to see if you are over the disorientation thing most of us go through when we start flying plus are completely comfortable with all of your maneuvers. Most Bipes are easy to get disoriented with. Now, you would think that it isn't so with 2 wings up front and all, but I have seen and experienced it myself with my 2 Bipes (Ultimate and plans built Starduster Too).

The second question is based on that most Bipes will drop fairly quickly when stalled. The Hog usually just drops the nose, but it does drop it quicker than a trainer would.

The third question is based on your ability to handle landings at a higher speed. Bipes have quite a bit more drag so airspeed must be kept up. I found the best way for me to land a bipe is to keep one or two clicks of power on until about a foot off the runway, then cut throttle and let it settle in.

The instructions do assume that you are familiar with certain building techniques so for that reason I would not do it as a first kit.

I would also suggest a low wing for some practice. World Models Mach II is a good choice as it is inexpensive ($70) and has a fully symetrical wing. Makes a great transition plane while you are building the Hog. The SIG Four Star series is a great second plane and will serve you well long after you start flying Bipes.

3 blade props look cool on most any plane. They offer great braking in the air.

Do a search in the building forum. You will probably find all you want about building the Hog. As is usually the case with SIG planes, they fly great.

bubbagates has it right-on. While bipes are fun, they aren't the easiest things to live with, or to fly. There are lots of 2nd planes out there that will probably survive your learning curve -- unlike a bipe.

I have a Hog Bipe in the box and it will be my winter project this year. It is my second kit, and I have been flying for 3 years now. I have 6 planes flying and 5 that ...well let's just say provided great parts for other planes.... I can think of a lot of better planes for you as a second plane. And if you really want to build, the SIG 4 Star line is a good group of kit planes as indicated here on this site. My second plane was a 4*60, but it is the ARF. I built the Something Extra as my first kit, but it wasn't my second plane either. By the time I had it finished, it was more like my 5th or 6th one.

However, if you still want to consider the Hog Bipe, you can do what I did. I looked at several instruction manuals online for several bipes before I made my decision. Since I couldn't find the Hog Bipe online, I called them and they sent me the plans for $5.00. That way I could look through them and decide if I still wanted to build it.

Bubbagates has pretty much hit the nail on the head. There are Bipes out there that have fairly forgiving flight characteristics, but it's a lot harder to stay oriented. With a wing on the top and the bottom it is harder to tell if you are right side up or upside down. I am an experienced pilot and I started flying my first bipe this year. I nearly lost it a couple of weeks ago because I got disoriented. The only thing that saved it was a last ditch application of FULL up and power. I would suggest you polish your flying skills further with a good low wing plane like a 4-star or similar design before you go for the bipe.

Plusses: looks cool if you like the 2 wing look. Minuses: you must pay very close attention to the orientation of the plane. The 2 wings don't make it easy to figure out if the plane is inverted or not. Most biplanes also have smaller wings which makes the situation worse. The set up time is at double at the field because you have 2 wings to install instead of 1. You also need more time at the end of the flying day. You have 2 wings to remove and then 2 wings to clean the fuel gunk off instead of 1. for the trouble I would rather just fly 2 different planes. [8D]

Hey Nitro,

Look at my avatar and image not having the yellow stripe on the top wing, now picture it as being overcast. (yep, wanted to fly it so bad my common sense went right out the window in regards to the color).

If it gave you shudders [&:] thinking about it, image what it did for me. It took all of a fast couple of seconds to completely lose the orientation of the plane. [sm=spinnyeyes.gif] Thankfully I was high enough and remembered what my instructor once told me.

After I landed it, I chain smoked for about an hour and went home and added the stripe on the top of the top wing and lettering on the bottom of the bottom wing. Now it's see words near/at vertical equals bottom facing me, see stripes and plane is near/at vertical top equals facing me.

Moral of story...Bipes are very easy to get disoriented with. It can take a little while to get used to it.

I still have times with the orientation (but not near as much) and have since removed to stripe and replaced it with diagonal strips on both top and bottom wings and the horizontal stabilizer all pointing towards the engine. And this is after 12 flights on this one and 20+ on the Starduster.

I say yay...bipes are fun and if you've a large auto there's no need to take the wings apart. My second plane was an EAA Bipe-- a good build and a great plane to fly. It helps to cover the wings different contrasting colors to help with orientation. In many ways it is easier to fly than my telemaster trainer because it actually goes where you point it...only catch is it goes there much faster. But hey, that's the point of a second plane, right?

welll this is what you get if you want a bipe as a second plane!!!!! your choice

LOL good question.
Stay away from the aerobatic bipes get a good scale flyer I did a bipe as my third plane wished it had been my second it was much easer to fly than my second plane a sky tiger.They say the Eaa bipe is a nice tame flyer. Don't know yet its not quite done. if your a good builder and can fallow directions you might try it but its an old fashion kit no slap together inter locking parts.

Just a note: Hey guys, check how long ago a question was asked before you answer it

Good to see past threads make a return now and then. Kind of like an old song on the radio. And who likes it when someone starts a brand new thread on an old subject?

LOL i use thees form as a reference guide figure the more info on them the better know mater how old they are.

Lol, Mike you know that's just wrong!!