I posted here a few weeks ago that my son and I were getting into RC planes. We put together a Kadet 40 ARF with a OS.46AX and a 6201 JR radio. It flies beautifully!

Now the next step...
My son after four flights is doing everything but landing. In slight breeze he is flying the length of the runway with about 10 feet of altitude and keeping it perfectly level. He does basic aerobatics (loops, rolls, snap rolls, inverted flight) but with the Kadet they are odd looking at times because that flat wing doesn't like these maneuvers. His instructor is amazed at how quick he is on to this flying thing. I am too as I'm way behind all his skills.

We are already thinking of a second plane that is more aerobatic but not a giant leap to 3D. Something he can have a little more fun with.

We were told by a couple people at the field to think about moving into a "Stick" in a 60 size. We like the looks of the Hanger9 Ultra Stick and the GP Big Stick. Any thoughts on these planes and our thinking at this point?

Thank you for your replies!

Steve

Sticks are good second planes, as it the Sig 4-star or Goldberg Tiger 2 planes.
Sig 4-star 60 - [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCHY3&P=0]Sig 4-star 60[/link]
Goldberg Tiger 60 - [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXH756&P=0]the Tiger 60 [/link]

They should all suit your needs.

Ken

I always wanted a Tiger but never got around to building one. That plane looks like a good casual stroller that could also dance if you wanted to.

I prefer the Tiger 2 or Tiger 60 over the 4* planes. The 4* are way to floaty on landing for me. I prefer a more positive landing approach. For me the Tigers are also easier to land in windy conditions. [8D]

If you go with a stick, go with the GP big stik for several reasons, IMO. First, you do not need, nor should you mess with, the quad flaps that come on the US. If you buy the US, then you'll be tempted to use them. Wait until later for that. The GP BS has some dihedral in the wing. Not much, but just a smidgeon, making it a little more stable. The US has no dihedral. Both planes are very aerobatic, and great second planes. I've owned (and crashed) both. The GP stick I owned first, and it tought me a ton before I forgot when inverted, down is up, and up is expensive. Splattered all over the runway. I replaced it with an US, and I love it. Again, I'd flown many airplanes before messing with the whole quad flap thing with the US. The US was crashed due to a connector failure in the radio system. It was rebuilt, and I still fly it today.

If you want low wing, tail dragger experience, then go with the four star, or tiger. The four stars are hard to get right now, but I'm pretty sure CG is still supplying the tigerII!

Fun, fun!

Take a look at Top Flite 60 contender. Stable at low speed, almost stall proof ,can be built trike or tail dragger. Hi speed manueuvers are crisp and clean. This bird is just fun to fly! It can hone your flying skills when you want it to. Good luck with whatever you choose!

StevL, You may want to look at the Sig Somethin' Extra. If you son is that much of a natural, this plane would keep him happy for a long time. Many kit built and ARF's out there that support the fact that this is one of the best sport planes on the market. There are many build threads out there to look at also. Just one man's opinion!

This really went wild and very quick!

My son cut the cord on his 10th flight and now has about 25 flights under his belt solo. He lands so smooth (better than most veterans at the field) has pretty much maxed out the abilities of the LT40. Some of the best fliers at the field say he will be doing 3d within two months. Everyone including me is very impressed with his abilities. I'm still landing on the buddy box

With this said; we started putting together a UCD60 and will be powering it with a Saito 125. My son is already looking into a third plane! I have to slow him down, this is getting really crazy much too quick.

Thanks for everyones help!

Steve

Just because he can land the LT40 smooth every time doesn't mean he has maxed the plane out. With a 46AX on the front he can start learning how to hang on the prop and do knife edge among other things. [8D]

He certainly can't hover, but he does knife edge fairly well, does loops, rolls, spins, snap rolls, and flies all over the place inverted. I'm not sure what else he can do with this plane, but the very best fliers at the field think he is ready to move on to a more sophisticated airplane.

Now I'm another story...

Cheers,
Steve