OK, here is a really stupid question. I have been flying my sig 4* now for about 2 months. It is my second plane and I was just wondering, what is a good 3rd plane. I know I am planing in advance, but I thought it would be a good idea to at least start thinking about it. I would prefer a kit, but I will also take an ARF. Any suggestions.

The first question to ask is where are you heading?
Do you want to fly 3D, sport, warbirds, pattern, biplanes, ect..?
Where you want to go will reflect what steps to take.

It really does depend on what you want to do later on. My third plane is a Sky Raider Mach II because it's very inexpensive and a very fun (and fast) aerobatic racer. I got it simply because I wanted something inexpensive that I could throw around the sky and try new things with.

If you wanted to move on to precision pattern flying, you'd want a different third plane than you would if you wanted to try hovering and harrier rolls (3D).

I'm just in it for fun, so I'm going with planes that look like fun. That's why my fourth will most likely be a Sig Hog-Bipe. I've always liked biplanes and that one looks like fun!

I decided that I wanted to move toward pattern flying, however, I still wanted to 'sow my wild seed' and wanted to do some crazy things as well as move toward pattern flying.

I bought a Ripmax Rapier flying wing and had a ball with it. Very fast but also very flyable. By the way, my second plane was a Tiger 60, which I still have, and as a matter of fact, I flew it today. Anyway, if you wanted to do something crazy, now is the time, yet consider where you to go with your flying. If you just want to fly sport, which is perfectly logical, then move toward something more in the sport line that may be on the order of sport scale models. You can also move slowly into 3D or Pattern (for example) by getting planes that tend to be more on your choice of disciplines but not 100%. For instance, if you chose Pattern, the Great Planes Venus 40 is a great plane to move into. It does pattern easily, yet flys like a sports plane, and is easy to assemble. 3D.. well, you could get a Goldberg Wildstick 40 and tame it down at first then continually increase throw as well as power to make it do it's thing.

Don't worry, no matter what you decide, there is no 'wrong answer'.. it's totally up to you. And, don't be surprised if you change your mind once or twice..ha. Build em right, take care of them, and if you decide to move out of that discipline, you can always sell it.

DS.

dido what do ya what to eventually do. My third plane was a Morris Hobbys Balsa nova kit. I found from this model it translates to many other models. From scale to 3-d since it can be flow anyway you want

A good third plane is the Global 25 size Me-109. I had my brother solo on it before he moved onto others.

The reasons:

1. The plane is cheap.
2. It looks good and is semi-scale.
3. If you get to where you can fly it well without any problems, you will be able to fly just about anything out there.
4. No matter which direction you go, it is a good step and may save you money down the road.
5. It is a fun little plane that is very aerobatic.
6. Fits in the car with the wing on it.

I am pretty much looking for an all around good plane. One that can do pretty good aerobatics. The 4* can do the sportman 401 stuff, but it gets boring after a while. I need something that will challenge me but not but not anything too crazy. I was looking at some of the great planes kits but wasn't really sure which one would be best. To tell everybody the truth I am down right nervous about making a bad desision. If there are other kits out there that would be great too!

go for a GP dazzler then with any good 46 motor. I've flow the piss out of mine for 2 yrs now. Flying conditions don't matter. If I'm not sure about the condition I'll throw it up and find out. I'll fly it in anything. It will do anything. Well it doesn't knife edge very well but everything else is off the charts. It's a piece of cake to fly, just make sure you have duel rates

A good cheap pattern plane is the Phoenix Sea Bee. It is light weight and performs well with a 52 four stroke. Fun to fly and you can do pattern or anything else you had in mind. It is not however a 3d aircraft like the U Can Do. For the low cost of $100, the Sea Bee comes with pinned nylon prehinged tail, elevators and aeirlons. Saving you time and messing with ca hinges. Good buy for the money.

I think you may need the same plane I had for my #3. The Sig Kougar.
Its fast. Does outstanding aerobatics. Has no bad habits. Looks sharp.
Flies great.

With a good strong 46 it will do nearly 100mph and yet slow down
nicely for a nose high landing.

Its not a hard kit to build but its not a laser cut jigsaw puzzle either.
They wont be available much longer since availability is subject
to stock on hand.

Mike Hammer

If you want a good knockaround aerobatic plane that also flies real clean I would go with something made for a .91-1.40 4 stroke..
2 strokes are fine but going 4 stroke and a little larger takes you into a somewhat improved class of equipment and quality of your flights. Dont listen to anyone who disagrees with the fact that bigger is better. It just is.... Small planes are fun and they are a ball to fly, but if you want performance get the biggest you can afford, but only as big as you can afford QUALITY. Quality means well built and LIGHT for its size. Heavy planes dont fly as well as lighter planes.


Some suggestions if you want a great aerobatic plane that can do it all. Pick the size you want and ask around about what engine to put in it in the 3D or IMAC forums where you will get the best advice.
An Edge 540 or 540T, Extra 260 or 330 or Yak 54.
A Pitts or Ultimate Biplane.

If you want a kick butt profile plane,, go to www.ohiomodelplanes.com. They make some really REALLY nice flying profile planes.


If you want a more patternesque plane put an OS .91 FS in an Ultrasport. Similar and maybe a slight improvement to the Sig Cougar mentioned above which is also a fun, but smaller plane. Both will be fast and graceful and very aerobatic, but it wont do 3D. If you want real pattern, got to the pattern forum and look around and find the biggest plane that suits your budget.

If you want less elegant but more aerobatic and VERY EASY TO FLY.... Try a Flip 3D with an OS. 70, a U Can Do with an OS .91FS. These are an absolute blast, fly well, but they are not going to win a contest in elegance.