I am in the midst of completing my first airplane - LT-40. I have lots of stuff to learn before I fly a second plane. But, none-the-less, my gears are turning and my mind is wandering of what my second plane should be. I DEFINATELY want a kit. They are just too much fun to build, despite the CA fumes tearing up my eyes and the hacking as I blow balsa dust back out of my lungs.

However, most the aerobatic planes that I have seen are ARFs. I have been looking at the Edge 540 .60 size. Hangar 9 has them for $170 or so. Is there aerobatic plane that it similar to the Edge 540 as far as performance, but in a kit format? Also, this will be my second kit, so I don't want to fall off a cliff on difficulty. The LT-40 is a relatively simple build. I don't mind upping the anti a bit, but I don't want it to be too difficult to build.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

I'm not to sure abot an edge for #2 However if you'd like to start aerobatics, then you can go with the Carl Goldberg Tiger 60 or TigerII(40 Sized)

And theres also the SIG 4* and Sig Somethin' Extra

Edge might a tad too much, eh?

Yup... Not that hard to build a 60 sized Edge but not good 2nd airplane for someone new---

I agree. The Edge can be more than a handfull if you are just coming off an LT40. For the route you want to follow I would suggest the Somethin Extra. Its not really a hard build either but its a very nice airplane that will do almost anything your sticks can dream up.

Thats a good looking plane. Cheap as a kit too....only $77.00. Perhaps I'll look into that one.

At [link=http://www.hobbypeople.net]Hobby People[/link] the SIG Something Extra is on sale for 49.99

Do you mean $69.99? I cant find it for $49.99

Chris

Definately the Sig SE or 4 *

I second the SSE. That's my 3 plane and 1st kit. I'm putting an Irvine .53 up front.

-tycho

Only $69.99 is showing at Hobby People. For $50 bucks, I'd buy it right now.

It was $49.99, but seems to have gone back up. Wonder if someone entered the wrong price in the database and they just caught it.

I was in the same boat a few months ago. My first gas plane was an Avistar. Prior to that I had some electrics.

Hands down - everyone I talked to recommended the Sig 4 Star 40 or the 60. I would get the 60. Even guys with Extra's and Edge's still like to fly their 4 Star.

That was my plan but, instead, I bought a SPAD (Dasplastic). A SPAD is made from plastic gutter pipe and coroplast - a plastic cardboard used for making signs. A guy at the club was mass producing them and I bought one for $30 without any equipment. It was just convenient more than anything else. It has surprisingly neutral flying characteristics and is a lot more acrobatic than my Avistar. It is a bit heavier and really blows energy in a tight turn but fun to fly. This is my second year at the flying club and I have noticed at the end of the year a lot of SPADS are flying, possibly because people have wrecked everything else.

My next plane is going to be a UCANDO 46.

Actually, one of the really fun parts about this hobby is drooling over the ads trying to decide the next plane to get.

Good Luck

I'm in that process now for a 3rd plane.

To Bryris

I'd recommend a 4* for a second plane. I have the 40 size and I love it! Everyone told me to buy a 4*. So many people suggested it I almost didn't get it!! Just because EVERYONE has one. But there's a reason for that. It's an awesome plane. I'm very pleased I took everyones advice and bought it. The 4* is a great plane. It'll be the perfect step up from your trainer. It's a very capable, yet forgiving plane. Tracks like it's on rails compared to a trainer!!! I believe I'll always have one on hand to fly.
After X-mas I'm going to buy a 3rd plane. I think it's going to be the Edge. Either that, or one of the caps. (To someone who might know... How do the cap 232 and Edge compare to each other) Anyways. Hold off on the Edge. Get yourself a 4*!! You won't be sorry.

4* planes float way too much for my liking. Anything above a crawl speed wise and the plane doesn't want to lose altitude. This may not bother some flyers if you don't want to try other planes. If you want to try warbirds for example after the 4*, it is a terrible warbird trainer! Slow a war bird to a crawl to try and land like you do with the 4* and your warbird will end up with a bunch of tiny splintered balsa pieces!!! []

That's why a lot of us cut one or two bays off each end of the wing of the 4 * so that it's not such a floater.

Sig 4* would be a good second choice, or the Great Planes Super Sportster Kit, or even a Clipped Wing Cub, a Decathalon, a Great Planes Pete-N-Poke Kit, or possibly even a Space Walker. The Edge would probally not be the best choice for a second Plane. Possibly a 3rd, but more than likely a 4th.

I recently began my second build as well. I decided on the SkyShark Fantasy. I like the way it looks, I like what I've read about it, I like the ultra fast responses I've received from Mike at SkyShark when I had a question, I like how this is a plane that can continue to grow as I do... I also liked that no one else at my club has one. I'm kind of a goof in that way. Seems everyone's got a Funtana, or 4*. I like to roll out something a bit unique (can't wait till I'm skilled enough to scratch build). Pop on over to their website and give it a look: www.skysharkrc.com The quality of the components it just outstanding.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on!

Is the super sportster or space walker too much plane for a 2nd newby aircraft? That's what the local hobby shop has been advising. I'm looking for a 2nd plane as well. I'd like an electric so that I can run down to the local field and fly without having to drive almost an hour to the club airfield. I'm looking at the Goldberg Tiger 400 park flyer.

What say you?

I had a Super Sportster as my second plane and did quite well with it. Just be sure to have "enough" experience with the trainer first.

The SS flys very well, and can be slowed sown pretty well for landing. Besides, it looks a lot nicer than the 4*.

I've been flying a 4* for over a year now, and enjoy it too, but the SS is better in my opinion.
Dennis-

Thanks Dennis. $119 at tower for everything except for the flight pac is a great deal!