I am ready for next plane. I have good trainer. Then 4 star 60 and quite good with it.
I like bigger planes. About 66 - 72 inch wingspan.
Also I seem to prefer the sport / aerobatic plane rather than the scale or warbird style.
What would be your thoughts? Thanks.

The Funtana 90 is popular at my field. Start it tame, then you can increase the control throws and move the CG back if you want.

There are any number of acrobatic planes in that size range, things like Extra's and so on. If you go easy, and keep it conservitive on the CG and control throws, and watch for stalls, you should be ok.

A smaller step might be the ultra stick 120.

There are a bunch of pattern-type planes that might be good options as well. They are smooth flyers with very few (if any) bad habits, and are pretty easy to fly if you keep the speed down.

Funtana is not scale, why dont you try a scale route? If your into 3d or such then yeh but if not , there are plenty of warbirds around or some nice Extra or Edge. You can still do 3d with those two

Hi,

Do you want the thrill of building a kit and seeing your pride and joy take to the skies for the first time, knowing that all is well glued and covered?

Or do you want to assemble an ARF manufactured by some poor denizen of a third world country who probably earns less in a week than you spent on lunch?

Cheers,

Colin

Montague, thanks for the ideas. The Funtana 90 and Ultra Stick 120 both seem ok. You note that the US 120 is a lesser step?
Do you mean less aerobatic or the Funtana is too hard to fly for an intermediate pilot?
Thanks.

What kind of flying do you want to pursue? Warbird hotrodding around, Pattern, IMACC, or 3D. If you want to sharpen your flying skills, then go the IMACC precision flying route for a plane or two. Don't confuse that with 3d although they generally use the same planes.

I know I am going to get burned again on my comments but true 3d and warbird hotrodding around is about the same skill. If you want to get real good, go with the IMACC guys and yes you could use the Funtana for that and or both.

[quote]ORIGINAL: campbec

Hi,

Do you want the thrill of building a kit and seeing your pride and joy take to the skies for the first time, knowing that all is well glued and covered?

Or do you want to assemble an ARF manufactured by some poor denizen of a third world country who probably earns less in a week than you spent on lunch?

Cheers,

Colin

I guess the answer would be yes. I can understand the joy of seeing the plane I built take to the sky and doing well. I would also feel very bad if it was destroyed crashing into the ground or some plane hungry Texas tree after many days of building.
Considering all the required to build a kit you really don't save much money compared with an ARF.
My planes so far have been ARF.
I never was very good at building HO model trains and sets. I am concerned that the same lack of skill would follow me to planes.

You make a valid point concerning who does the building of the ARF's. I have corrected several items I found on my ARF's.
So, which kit would you suggest and why? Thanks,

might I suggest a SIG King Kobra? properly powered an excellent sport pattern type & easier to fly due to the fairly forgiving airfoil. foam wing , easy builder too.

Want something really nice to fly, aerobatic but looks good? Go for the WM Super Chipmunk, it is great out of the box c/w retracts and flaps. She will knife edge with little coupling and is best flown with a 90 sized 4C or 2C for good performance. This is one plane most people do not bother to try out. I did and really enjoyed how she flies.

Fastplane,
I woulnd't say the US is a lesser setup, just that it's different.

Between the US and the Funtana, they are both easy to fly when set up right. I said the US is a little easier mostly because it should be easier to set up, and I think it's a little more stable (don't worry, it's not trainer-like-stable though). The Funtana is designed to be at least passible in 3D, that means it has really big control surfaces. Larger control surfaces require better control linkages to avoid flutter and so on. But as long as you don't set up for the "3D rates", it will fly just like most sport planes, and the linkages will have enough mechanical advantage.

Also, many 3D planes don't take well to roaring around at high speed. They are designed for slower flight. Though there is a guy with a Funtana 90 at my field who flys it pretty fast, and pulls pretty hard in turns and loops (I'm surprised he hasn't pulled the structure apart yet). The US is, I think, built a bit stronger and will handle high speed flight a bit better. But the US isn't designed for 3D either, and it might not knife edge as well as something with a bigger fuse. (I haven't tried knife edge with the US, so I'm not sure)

Lots of options out there, and lots of trade offs. The good news is that there aren't that many "bad" options, just different options depending on how you want to fly.

Sticks are awesome as well! The ultra stick 120 was mentioned. I have a great planes big stick (60) sized, with a saito 100 on it, and it is lots of fun, and slows down nice for landings. Very predictable. I built a contender from a kit as a low wing, warbird type trainer, and it's serving it's purpose well. I know you stated you don't want a warbird, so I won't mention that route. I also think the chipmunk is a good looking plane, but have never seen it flown. Picking out the next plane is a lot of the fun! My next plane is the new and improved hobbico twinstar. It's a twin engine arf that is only 129 bucks. I've already ordered two os 40 la's for it, and all of the radio gear. The plane will be available early in Feb on tower hobbies, or your LHS. Sounds like lots of fun, and (at least on the sim) is fairly aerobatic. With the 40's, it will be a very fast plane! After that, the new hanger nine warhawk, I think. (can't decide on that or the miss America p-51).

Goldberg Extra... it will make your flying skills jump. don´t try 3D planes yet unless they are
indestructible. (foamie/spad types).


Enrique

If this is going to be your third plane, then pick it on what you want to do with it. What is it you want to do with it? The funtana is not going to be any more difficult to fly that whatever your flying right now. Its a very good all around plane. If you go with an Ultra stick, you have not progress from 2nd to 3rd but just another 2nd plane.

Here is what I own or have owned but my current favorites are the Sukhoi the Ultimate and the Funtana. All of them were 2nd and 3rd planes

Great Planes Gene Soucy Extra with an OS160FX, (Not flown yet toooo cold)
Funtana 90 with an OS120 Surpass or a Saito 100, currently flying with the OS120
Any of the VectorFlight planes with a Saito 100, I have the Edge but all their planes are unbelievebly rock solid (not flown yet tooo cold)
Seagull models Extra with an OS91 Surpass, (Tree reached out and grabbed it)
Carl Goldberg Ultimate biplane with a YS110, (The best Biplane I have ever flown)
Carl Goldberg Sukhoi with a YS140FZ or a Zenoah G-26 Gas engine from Ralph Cunningham (Not flown yet tooo cold)
SIG 4 * 40 with an OS46AX (Best second plane out there as far as I am concerned)
SIG Somethin' Extra with an OS46AX (not 66 inch or large but a blast to fly and will land slower than any trainer out there, (Sold for something bigger)
Hangar 9 Twist (Same setup as the SIG Somethin Extra) (Sold for something bigger)

I think, from your original post, that the Vector Flight 66" Extra ARF would be a great selection for you. Made in Canada, excellent assembly and flight characteristics, wonderful company to deal with, and quite complete. All for the price of a good kit.

The engine from your 4 Star 60 would probably fly it, or put an ST G90 (or larger engine) on it for more vertical.

Good luck,
Dave Olson

Personally I think VectorFlight is a well kept secret that is slowly getting out. Great airplanes that are built like a tank and still light and the customer service is second to none. These folks really do care about you and your plane and it is not uncommon that they will ask several times about how the build process is going and how it is flying and is there anything that you would recommend or did not like about it or them. I know this to be fact as I had a problem with my Edge's fuselage, they decided to give something a try that I had suggested. Another RCU member also suggested something that was different but had to do with the same issue. They took the best of both suggestions and built a protoype fuselage. They have taken it through their testing and I now have it in my grubby little hands to see how it works for me.

If I like it then it sounds very much like they are going to make the change permanent. Cool stuff, never thought I would be part of making a change to a product. This is just my story, there are others out there with similar experiences with them.

Now that is customer service. [X(]

Check them out on RCU and the website http://www.vectorflight.com

Bill, I have only been RC planes for just over 1 year. Am interested in pattern flying. Looking for next plane.
I have trainer and Four star 60.

Why do you say the Victor Flight are better? They seem to be just Edge, Extra and Sukhoi.
Several companies make the same plane at about the same cost.
Thanks.

Try the U-Can-Do-3D or Sig Mayhem. These are really nice third planes and will definately improve your flying skills. WM also make the Zen 50 which is a good pattern plane...but they are fast. What engine do you intend to use?

The best way to describe this is you have to see the construction to be believed, just do a search on VectorFlight here on RCU and start reading. I do understand that they only do 3 planes but they are a startup that really do care.

The choice is always ultimately yours It was just a suggestion and seemed to fit your size requirements

I have a spare .91S Saito 4 stroke.

I would get a plane that a more experienced flyer at your field already has much experience with. Things get much more complicated and critical set up adjustments must be right the first time in the more advanced planes. Are you familiar with the difference in change position of pushrod in control arms vs use of electronic end points, expo, dual rates, minimal servo size, flight test and trim procedures, aileron differential. Tip stall in another airplane killer that must be dealt with properly. I have a Cap with a crunched nose that I thought I was ready to move up to. Whatever you get, look at it as a trainer where you have much to learn.

I think it's clear that, by focusing on a small lineup, that Vector Flight has achieved a level of quality and customer service that is unequalled in the industry. It is a small company, they answer their phone and their Email, and they stand behind what they sell. The very few planes they offer fly very well and are quite sturdy.

You can find those sentiments echoed in several threads, here on RCU.

Back to the point, if you are interested in an aerobatic or precision aerobatic type ARF with easy building and good flying characteristics, and modeled after a full-scale aerobatic plane, you will find it at Vector Flight. Plus, the price is competitive (and they sometimes have sales & knock a few bucks off the price.)

Good luck,
Dave Olson

Dave, several threads echo your comment on VF quality. However, some note that it takes up to 6 weeks to get delivery on an order.
I could never wait that long. I also like to see a plane in a box before buying. That usually is pretty easy in Houston. Lots of inventory.
But, VF may still be an excellent choice to consider.
Thanks,

I am second on WM Super Chipmunk. DO her with your Saito 91 and you will never regret! Dump retracts if you are on grass.
She is a plane that fits perfect for you level and you will not overgrow her even in a year.
VF is not for you yet.