Hey all,

I just bought my first plane, the Avistar 40. Maybe I'm getting to far ahead of myself, but I'm already looking for a second plane. What would be a good one? I would want something pretty cheap. And a low wing. Any suggestions?

Ben

First, congrats on getting into the hobby. I sure hope you enjoy it. There is nothing wrong with you already thinking about your second plane, just make sure you're ready for it. A good rule of thumb of when you're ready to move up is when you can fly a complete circuit of your field inverted with your trainer.

When you are ready to move up the Sig 4-Star 40 and the Carl Goldberg Tiger II are both excellent second planes. Both are available in ARF packages or as kits, whichever you prefer. IMHO you can't go wrong with either plane.

Hope this helps.

I will second both of RCKen's recommendations. both are great planes

Thanks guys,

May I also mention that I'm not very good at building things! Maybe I should look for these planes used...I bought the Avistar 40 used from a member of the club I joined.

Welcome to the insanity........Err, hobby

I will also second RCKEN's recommendations. You may also want to look at the World Models Rambler 30 and Rambler 45. Both are for 46 engines. The basic difference is the 45 has retracts. World Models has excellent quality ARFs - the build and covering is superb and the hardware is excellent. The only changes I would make in the hardware is replacing the phillips head engine mounting bolts and the phillips head wing hold down bolts for socket head bolts (the fastener section of most hardware stores ).

the Four Star can be had as an ARF and if the instructions are follwed exactly, then it is a no brainer. It was my second ARF, the SIG LT-40 was my first and I considered myself to have two left thumbs when it came to building things, I even cut a crooked line with a laser guide, and was easily able to do them both.

Good cheap 2nd plane ... Phoenix Scanner ... very forgiving and will be easy on a dead stick.

A list of good second planes:

First Hand Experience

Sig Four Star 40 or 60 (kit of Arf)
Goldberg Tiger 40 or 60 ( kit or arf )
Ace Cloud Dancer (60 size Arf only)
Sig Astro Hog (kit only)
Senior Falcons
GP Big Sticks (the old school kits )

Any of these planes will be in your hanger long after you have moved on to something else.

Look good but never had experience with them:

World Models Rambler (appears to be modeled after the Astro Hog )
GP Big Stick Arfs
Goldberg's new aft's Senior Falcon and Skylark.
GP Easy Sport
GP Rapture

If you don't want to build then check out the Tiger 2 ARF. Its set up to be built either as a trike gear or taildragger. It has a decent size plane with a decent size wing which makes it easy to see in the air and its easy to fly and land. [8D]

Read this article on your second plane.
http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/second_plane.htm

World Models SS 40 or the World Models T-34. Basically the same plane, very forgiving unintimidating first low wingers. Cheap, too...
4* is an excellent choice, although a little more pricey.
If you're looking for a taildragger, the Worle Models Skyraider MK II (?) is very inexpensive and a good flier, or a Sig Rascal .40 is a good choice, although a bit more expensive.

Andy

I went for the World Model Sky Raider II for my second model. Can't go wrong with an ARF costing $69. This way you won't feel bad if you get ahead of yourself and crash.

-tycho