I have about 10 flights on a buddy box with an Avistar and about 5 solo flights. In anticipation of a 2nd plane, I bought a SIG 4* arf after hearing what a great flying plane it is. Well, before I could complete it, my Avistar was shot down....through the heart, never to fly again. I was reluctant to purchase another trainer and decided to try the 4* and see if my skills had risen to that level. I set the low rates up with 20% exponential and had an instructor take me up. I found the plane to be very much within my skill level so yesterday I took it out and soloed it 3 times. With the low rates and exponential, I found the plane very easy to control. Take offs were very easy with little tendancy to veer left. Landings were pretty easy as the plane slowed down wayyyyy more than my Avistar. I powered the plane with an OS 52 four stroke and I found it to have just the right amount of power, although I may switch my 11X7 prop for an 11X8.

My point is that this plane makes a wonderful 2nd plane. I know there are many other planes out there probably just as good but I wanted to share my experience with any other newbies struggling with what plane to purchase as a follow up to a trainer.

Easy going low wing trainers (non 3D):

WM Super Sport 40 (5* rating)
WM Sky Raider Mach II (4* rating)
WM Rambler 40 (5* rating)
Phoenix Scanner (4* rating)
VMARs - JUST STAY AWAY!!! (2* rating for build quality but 3.5* for flying ... hehehe)

I love Sig's Four Star airplanes, I've built several.
I always flew the .60 with a Super Tigre .90 on it, and it was a lot of fun.

tiger 2 is a great 2nd plane I love it

I used the Sig Mid Star as my second plane many moons ago and loved it.

I did things a bit differently and went to 3d type planes from a trainer, then to sport war birds. Now I am going backward and wanted to see what the "great" 2nd type planes are like so I started a small collection of various 2nd type planes. I have the World Models Super Sports 40, Goldberg Tiger 2, and now I had an OS 40FX left over so I bought a Sig Midstar to go with that. One way or another I am going to have fun flying!

dsk,

I just soloed last week with a used and rebuilt Nexstar and just flew my rebuilt Avistar with a OS 46fx today as a second plane.

Personally, I don't think I could have started on the Avistar since it's SO much faster and So much more responsive to stick movement.

How did you crash the Avistar beyond repair? Do you think it was a result of the plane being as fast and responsive as it is??

root

My Avistar was "shot down", that is, another flyer with my frquency turned his radio on when I was in flight. I lost all control and it went straight down, rekiiting itself in milliseconds.

I'm new enough that I don't know a lot about other trainers, but the Avistar, with its semi symetrical wing, makes an excellent first trainer. I had an OS 46AX on mine and when I first went on the buddy box, I used low rates and only went around the field at 1/2 throttle. Flight by flight, I increased the throttle and it wasn't long before I was comfortable flying at full speed. By the time I soloed, I was using high rates and doing minor aerobatics. I do not possess any extra skills so I know that most people could safely fly the Avistar as a first plane. I bought two planes as my 2nd.....I bought a SIG 4* and a Thunder Tiger P-51 and am having a ball on them.

Another vote for the Tiger 2 here. If you want to get into bigger planes, the Tiger 60 would be great as well!

the rules have changed somewhat. all of these are gentle , lightly loaded easy fliers . the ugly stick still remains the all time champ for 2 nd plane . SIG Kavalier is also a excellent choice, if you dont mind building. at most fields that flier who turned on his radio would be responsible for a replacement.

Any of the stick planes seem to fly great. Be it an ugly sitck, ultra stick etc. I've several over the years and even considered getting one for my 7 year old daughter as her second plane since with flaperons they can be slowed waaaayy down.

Anyway for a second plane you might also look at the World Models Sky Raider Mach 1 or Mach 2. For $70-75 they are a great deal. I have not flown the Mach 1 yet, it'll be my daughters for her birthday, but the kit looks fantastic, all laser cut wood, and I have heard that they fly great. Semi-symmetrical wing and 65.5" span should fly slow and still be reasonably aerobatic if you want.

I have been in this hobby for about 10 years, and recently I built my 15 year old son a World Models Superstunts 40 for his second plane. What an awsome plane . $84.00 well spent

anybody no how well a tiger 2 does on knife-edge, it has a small rudder.

plane freek - is that an important feature for you? i highly doubt that the tiger would de a decent knife edge. you'd have to gain good speed and tend to a lot of coupling. if you want knife edge, get a nice 3D or pattern plane! had a couple of pattern planes that just looked great on knife edge.

hey mate sorry to hear about your crash!,i hope your gonna send the bill to the guy?.what an idiot!!.

Tiger 2 on a knife-edge? I don't know. But my avistar kinda does one. Well I try anyway.