I have been flying about 5+ times and have almost got landings down (not the smoothest things, but better then most the old guys at my field ). I need a winter project, what would be a good second, and maybe a 3rd plane as well (to start) Im looking to go towards Jets, or large scale. (Most likely jets) I REALLY LIKE BUILDING!! I would rather have a kit to keep me busy. Im only 17, and i know about the roots of this hobbie! ARFS are no fun. Anyways, i have picked this hobby up fast, and would like to move on. Please recommend a good second plane. (and 3rd if some come to mind) Thanks a Bunch.

Take off and landings are the two most important aspects of any flight! So make darn sure you can do both at all times, from any side, and in all kind of winds.
Assuming that is done and if you have started with a conventional trainer, then it is time to change to something that has more pizzaz, but with the steering gear in the back, to make it more rewarding.
I believe something like a Chipmunk will be perfect (Goldberg maybe), or something along these lines, scale looking, but without so much work, great flying characteristics, will do most manuevers in the book with ease, and be able to land slow enough to make you look like a pro every time, and you could even add flaps to it and really learn how to land an airplane; don't build anything smaller than a .60 size airplane, bigger flies better.
I really loved to hear you say that you like building, this part of the hobby will teach you things that you will carry for the rest of your life, you'll see! Good luck!

What about a non tail dragger?? Most jets are tric gear. Thanks for the tips though.

A mid wing like the Sig mid star makes an excellent second plane. The 4 Star series is also good and gets highly recommended on this site. A third plane would be a low wing pattern type plane such as the Tracer from Great Planes since you want to build. After that an Extra, Cap or other aerobatic plane would be good. Before graduation to the jet a Diamond Dust which will fly almost as fast as the jet (200 mph) would be a good choice.

Now the thing to do is to add 2 zeros to the 5 flights you have on the trainer. Shoot for 500 so you can put it in exactly the place you want it to be. Slow / medium / fast upright and inverted (it's harder to do this with a trainer). Try to wear it out before the second one is ready to fly.

Good luck,
EXCAP232

I've seen too many hobbists just loose it when they start building and flying expensive jets and that they are not able to control with authority, this happens because they were not able to master the entire scope of flying, and their pockets were not as expandable as their egos. Most of the real flying will be learned on a tail dragger, things just happen differently then. There is a sequence to the art of flying model airplanes successfuly, and there are a lot of tricks that you must learn and master before tackling the powerful jets of today. You can still go from trainer to pattern style flying without much problem and then jump on to jets, if that is your wish. But following the learning curve will make you a better jock!

I'd say any of the Goldberg Tigers. The .60 are lots of fun. Good building, and easy to bash to get extra performance.

The reasons you mention about jumping too far ahead is why i have sold my CBM F16 kit. I want to become an excellent flyer first. Can you post sites where i can look into those kits you suggest??

For the Tigers
http://www.carlgoldbergproducts.com/...nt_trainer.htm
For the 4-Stars
http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmar...FV2.html?E+Sig
Great planes Super Sportsters are ok too
http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/gpma0190.html

Awesome. Im liking the Tigers.

Sig Midstar,Goldberg Tiger,ANY stick,Sig Something Extra,lots of choices,if a person jumps to far ahead in the learning curve the fun turns into problems and crashes,then the person usually drops out of the hobby,lots of stick time and steady progress will get you on top of your flying the fastest and the bestest.

i like the looks of the mid-star and have heard great things about it - just wish it came in a .60 size

Hi boneman_66, mine has OS 70 FS up front, one of my students has OS61 FX in his,so but the smile back on and get to building,you'll be very pleased with a 70 FS under the hood.

Goldberg is gone, tiger is hard to find. Build a 60 size Sportser. Not a better second plane out there. They fly great, teach you lots, and will do just about anything. You will not regret it. Don't go into jets too soon. I have also seen too many people get in too deep on their second project and then crash it right away and quit. The hobby is too much fun for that. Take the time to learn it well.

Don't overlook the Great Planes Easy Sport 40.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...1&I=LXJ564&P=0

Hmmm, so a Tiger or a Sportster. Anyone got kits of those laying around??

Visit our site for an article on second planes!
http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/second_plane.htm