I am currently flying my second plane, a GWS E-Starter. My first plane was a GWS SlowStik, they are both electric and both high-wing trainers. I am looking for my third plane and have decided to go with a nitro model and leave the electric side of the hobby. I have been looking around and really like the SIG 4 star 40 and the Nitro Models trainers. What would you guys recommend as my first nitro plane? and what engine should I get? Last thing, do you think I should get a low wing plane since my first two were high-wings? Thanks.

As long as you are planning to learn to fly glow planes with a flight instructor, there's no reason you can't move up to a good low-wing trainer airframe like the Sig Four Star, the Goldberg Tiger, the Phoenix Models Dolphin, or the World Models Super Sports. If you've gotten a decent amount of stick time with your two GWS electrics, your biggest hurdles will involve simply learning how to tune, maintain, and operate glow plane systems.

If you won't be flying at a club with a flying instructor, then you're going to have your hands full just learning how to safely fuel, start, tune, and maintain your first glow aircraft. Adding a more challenging flying dimension should come later if this is the case.

Instructor = low wing trainer
no instructor = stick with a high wing trainer aircraft for a while

Good luck and good shopping!

Thanks for the info! I have experience tuning rc car engines, you think that'll help me with the plane engines? I will be flying at my local club's flying field with other pilots but i'm not sure if i'll be flying with an instructor...

Your familiarity with car engines will help quite a bit. You will avoid the frustration that a lot of new glow pilots feel when they struggle with engine tuning and break-in. I remember having to ask for help two or three times just to fuel up my Nexstar before I felt comfortable doing it myself.

Just remember, there's no shame in getting some help. Work with an instructor for your first few flights. Have them ground check your assembly when you take it out to the field, then let the instructor take it up for a trim-out flight at the very least. If you don't want to be on the buddy box for the first flight or two, that's up to you.

An extra hand experienced with glow planes can help you make sure everything is tip top before you go up. The veteran pilots at your club will appreciate your extra care.

The glow plane, whichever you choose, will be significantly larger and faster than the two you've already flown. Adding to that is the complexity of the engine itself. Enlisting the help of an instructor to check out the plane before you start it, to show you safe engine handling, help you tune it, and then help you fly it until you are comfortable, would be a really good idea.

Looks like I will be flying with an instructor then! There are quite a few at my field willing to help. Any info on the two planes I suggested? What motor should I get with each of them?

Your glow plane will be larger and faster like Chuck said and there's a high probability this will be your first aileron experience too. Ailerons are easier IMO but different too. Swallow the ego and get with an instructor for at least the first few flights. You'll also find the landings a LOT different.

I am not familiar with the Nitro models plane but for the 4* I would recommend a good .46 like OS or Thunder Tiger Pro.

Thanks, and bruce, my e-starter has ailerons

I have a kit built 4* 40 with a Saito 56 and a 12x6 APC prop. It lands easier than my LT40 and is more than capable of performing aerobatics than it looks. Your Instructor well love teaching you on this plane and you love flying it.

Sounds great! I am really leaning towards a 4*40 the nitro side of rcu is way more active then the electric area

I have a 4* 40 build thread and on page 3 I have a report on my maiden here: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5831107

Great plane - I recommend it and agree with Insanemoondoggie in that you will love flying it.

My third plane was a Four Star 40 with an OS 50 on board. My maiden flight was done by one of the club pros. He took it up, adjusted trim for straight and level flight, then "put the pedal to the metal" and took it vertical. On the way up, he did about 10 aileron rolls, then got to altitude and did the same thing coming down. Then, he leveled it out, and headed right to left across the field doing very fast aileron rolls, then did some fast loops. He then took it around and landed it like a trainer right in front of me and said, "This thing flys great, however, you might wish to remove some of that roll rate". Ha.. so I did, I actually set it up for dual rates and flew it on low rates for a while until I got used to it.

Very fine flyer, and the landings were so smooth, it was scary!!!

You will enjoy the Four Star.

DS.

Have you checked out wattflyer.com?

thanks for all the info everyone, and yes i am registered over at wattflyer too

How would an O.S. .46 LA be in a 4*40?

It would work but you wouldn't like it, weak for that plane.

.46 AX is better [sm=thumbup.gif]

What site should I look at for engines? TowerHobbies doesn't seem to have many []

What???????

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/listings/cat-g.html

under the R/C Engines - Glow Fuel Aircraft 2-Stroke - .40-.51 catagory doesnt seem to have much in stock...

OS .46 AX
TT .46 Pro
OS .46 LA
ST GS-45
XLS-46

All in stock. How many more choices does one need?

Guess I didn't take my time and look at em all

I kinda like the TT .46 engine. Would it be better than the os 46 ax?

Cheaper? Yes. Better? NO. It's hard to beat that 46AX in that size class IMO.

So would a OS .46 AX be worth getting? Would I be able to use it in other planes later on?

It's a great engine and will work in any "40" size plane in the future. Plan on a prop in the 11x6 or 11x7 area. I suggest a MAS Master Air Screw for beginners because they don't damage as easily as wood or APC's.