Anyone had any experience with this plane, I was thinking about one for my first low-wing, but cant seem to find out much about them.

Its a nice plane to fly, the covering is very well done for an ARF, it holds up. The plane flies well and is easy to handle. I found that the plane is easy to fly and land. It does seem to like a higner pitch prop more, something like a 7" would be great for this plane. If you are flying very well on your trainer then go for it but don't expect her to land like the trainer, its not much harder but she will not float in.

The speed difference between and quick response time between a plane like the Tucano and a trainer may take you by surprize. If you can, see if an experienced flyer will buddy it with you for the first few flights. It won't take long to get used to but you don't want to panic and lose in before you get used to it. [8D]

Possible, but personally I wouldn't recommend it as your first low wing.

Read the lengthy Seagull PC-9 thread. From what I can glean, the Phoenix Tucano is virtually identical save a faster more highly tapered wing. The Seagull PC-9 is fast and responsive (read sensitive) around the longitudinal axis at speed making it a handful unless your brain and skillset is right up there ahead of it.

Given essentially that the Tucano is the PC-9 with a cosmetically different cowl and that new wing design, the Tucano will be a slightly faster and less stable version of the PC-9 in all flight configs. It will be a handful for a low time transitioning from his trainer. Unless you've flown the pants off your trainer and are the person the Futaba Team talent spotter has just discovered as the next <insert name of fav R/C team hero here>, I'd avoid it as a "first low wing" regardless of how appealing its good looks are.

As someone here just warned, I think you'll be surprised and uncomfortable at the speed and stability differential between the Tucano (in particular) and your trainer. Attempting too big a learning leap usually results in disasterous consequences and a loss of confidence than the occasional boastful "look how clever I am" exaggerated success story you might read doesn't illustrate honestly. Structured learning in steps or graduated phases allowing time for assimilation and development of skills plus confidence is how most of us learn fastest, most successfully aka best.

The PC-9 and no doubt the Tucano are great models and the PC-9 ranks among my favourite few as top sport flyers, but leave the Tucano for number 3 ...or 4 would be my sage advice. Disclaimer: I have flown the PC-9, lots. I haven actually flown the Tucano.

What Sigrun says its true, the Tucano has a more tapered wing than the PC9. As he says maybe another low wing plane would be betetr (like the WM T34, WM Sky Raider Mach II, Sig 4*, Phoenix Scanner etc). Like I said, unless you are really good on your trainer, meaning, you tell the plane what to do and not otherwise ... then perhaps you can handle the Tucano.

Thanks for the advice guys.
I dont intend to rush things, I have plenty of learning to do with my trainer before I'm tempted by anything else, but I'm at that "budgeting" stage and am planning ahead (read..convincing the wife).
Oh, the phones ringing...Oh hi Futaba, you want me to do what?

Hi there

I have the tucano with a thunder tiger pro 46 and it is perfect. it was my first low wing and in the the begining it seemed to to be heavier in the air than my trainer. Now I fly it like you have never seen a plane fly before. i say go for it!!!!!!!!!!


P.S. I am flying it in the South African Nationals next year.