What would be a good second plane considering the following: I'm thinking of somehting with a low wing, and an ARF. My first plane was a kit, and I have another kit project lined up for next winter, but we have a baby due in a few weeks and I'd rather get something in the air while we still have flyable air here in Michigan.

Thanks for your opinions.
KK

Since you never mentioned what size I will assume 40/46 size. One of the best all around 2nd type planes I would suggest is the Goldberg Tiger 2. You can build it as trike gear or tail dragger. One thing to note that seems to be a common goof in the ARF vsersion from the factory is that the hole for the throttle cable is predrilled on the wrong side of the firewall. Not a big deal, just drill a new one on the correct side and seal the original hole with epoxy. The rest of the plane is nicely designed and the plane flys really well.

Yep, 40-46. Thanks

More suggestions are more than welcome.

My second plane was a Goldberg Tiger 60 with an OS 61 SF. Nice handling and very forgiving. I also have a Goldberg Tiger 2 kit at home in the build stages. My Tiger 60 is an arf and I love it.

Your search function will show many threads about this.....

I recommend the 4* series

I agree. The 4* family is a good choice. My second plane was a Sig 4*60 ARF. It was a great second plane and I'm glad I decided to tackle learning to take off and land a tail dragger.

Basically you're going to hear 2 responses out of the majority.

Goldberg Tiger 2
Sig 4*

Both are great second planes. The 4* starts out as a tail dragger. The Tiger 2 is a trike that can be converted to a tail dragger.
Both fly similar but I understand the 4* floats more.

I have a tiger 2 which I recently converted to a tail dragger. As far as I'm concerned it's a fantastic plane. I love every second of flying it!

My second plane was a Seagull Spacewalker II. Nice scale looks, great ground handling, and handles wind very well. I'm in Oklahoma so being able to fly when it's windy is VERY important. I have never flown the 4* or Tiger 2 but like the looks of scale planes better. the Spacewalker is easy enough to fly while still being a good step up from your trainer.

kvkent,

I have a World Models Super Sport 40. It was my second plane and still is a favorite. It flys great and World Model ARF's are really good. They also have a T-34 Mentor-40. That gets good comments also. All of the planes mentioned are good second planes IMHO.

Bill

The 4* may be the better choice if you need to stick with very slow landings. The 4* actually needs to be landed slower than a trainer. If the plane is moving forward any faster than a walk it won't lose altitude, it just keeps cruising along. This actually makes it more tricky to land if it gets windy out. Slow down too much when its windy and the plane will suddenly get flipped backwards. The Tiger 2 has a has a more positive glide rate with throttle off which makes it more predictable to land, windy or not!

I have the four star and even with a kit you can put it together in a month with no problems. Then again that is with my computer out and not being on this forum as much. I should have it done in a months time with no problem.

Have you looked at the Cermark Graduate? It's a trike and handles like a high wing on the ground, but in the air, it is very responsive and aerobatic. I got one to transition into from my trainer and was able to fly it a few times on the box with my Instructor, what a nice ship! The building directions aren't the greatest (IMO), but if you've built a kit, or repaired a crash a few times, you should have no problems with it.

I have a 40FX in mine. I had originally planned to put a 46 into it but after flying it with the 40 I think it's a perfect combination. Sorry if the pics are a little blurry, I didn't know the lens was dirty until later. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Don

yeah.. i vote for the Four Star... great plane... A LOT OF FAN for it... also it's from SIG, they have great kit and ARF