Hi. After training, I asked the guys at our club, which plane would be a great second nitro for me. They recommended a Sig Four-Star Forty. I also like the Sig, but I would just like to hear some more opinions on the choice of a second nitro plane before I plunk down some coins. It should be easy to fly, ARF, and somewhat repairable. Much appreciated. Mike

The Sig 4-star is an outstanding second plane. It's easy to fly, but is very aerobatic when you start learning maneuvers. Another good choice is the Goldberg Tiger II.

Ken

I saw 4* today and it looked pretty ugly. would a H9 pulse xt be just as good, is it just a better looking copy?

I don't think the pulse is as good of a second plane as the 4-star.

Ken

A second airplane really depends on your skills. I've got one beginner who flew a borrowed Eagle 63 six or eight times, then flew my Fazer a dozen times. His first airplane is a Twist, but I think he is the exception. Others may take longer, or go though more accidents.

The Pulse looks like a very easy to fly model, but it may not be as tough as the 4-star 40. Certainly much better looking. The Hanger 9 Arrow 40 is also a very good second model. The Goldberg Skylark 56 would be also.

In general, any constant chord wing'ed model with a fairly low wing loading (16-22 oz/ft. sq.) and moderate power is a candidate for the second plane in a .40-.45 engine size.

As one matures in this hobby, an appreciation for a plane that flies great will supercede the appreciation for a plane that looks cool. Treat yourself to a Hangar 9 Ultra Stik and you'll not have to worry about being bedazzled by the Pulse XT. Planes that fly as well as the Four Star, the Goldberg Tiger, and the Ultra Stik don't have to look pretty.

4 star 60 was my second airplane flew her for over 2 years, she even survived a bad aileron servo. fog bank rolled back in. cant control what you cant see

Other good second plane recommendations include the Sig Something Extra (SSE), the GP Sportser, or even the H9 P-51 Mustang PTS. For the PTS, remove the training aids, get rid of the three bladed prop and replace it with an APC 11X5 two blade prop, and its an excellent flying second airplane.

Brad

My 4* is a great plane and tough. Many don`t like it because of it`s looks , but once they fly it , their surprised by the way it handles.
A couple of months ago, RCKen came up for a visit and he flew my 4 * several times. After watching him fly the 4* I realized I had`nt come close to tapping it`s potential and have been training like a mad man with it since.
I`ve started flying Bipes and Warbirds now , but the 4* gets more air time than my all my others planes put together. And it`s very low maintenance. With a Saito .56 ,it is very easy on fuel pulls it very nicely. Once you get use to it , move the CG back , crank up the throws and have a Blast!

Exactly right!! Never go by looks, unless it looks like it will be difficult to see in the air.

I would go with the Four Star 40 or (preferably) 60. It has low wing loading, is stable, and durable. Of course, it flies great and is quite capable of moderate aerobatics. It has simple construction, so repairs are a snap. My only other suggestion would be to go with a kit. It's an EASY first build, and best of all it will make repairing much less intimidating.

Have Fun!!
Nate

As others have said, the 4*s are great second airplanes and definitely RC classics. Everyone should have one somewhere along the way IMHO. As far as trikes go, the WM T-34 is very good. Also, the Avistar, while still considered a trainer, is quite capable. With a 46 up front, It`s my opinion that it can do more than a flat bottomed wing trainer.

The Avistar probably wouldn't be a good fit unless you are VERY cautious. While it is more capable than a flat-bottomed trainer it's really just more of the same - An easy high wing airplane with tricycle gear. I would go with an easy low wing tail dragger. That way you can get acquainted with the flight characteristics of a low wing while learning more precise rudder technique with a taildragger.

I have nothing against the Avistar, I trained on one and still own it to this day. It's a great airplane, but it wouldn't really be much more than buying another trainer.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will print, and look up all of these planes.

What I failed to mention in my 1st post, was that my trainer is an electric. I have never flown a nitro before. I should of said, "after my E-Trainer, what is a good nitro plane to buy??"
Should I get a nitro trainer, or move right up to the Sig, GP Sportster, Etc? I have absolutely no experience flying nitro planes. Thanks

mnikeflyzz,

I went from the Nexstar with all the gadgets still on it except I never used that do hicky on the bottom. Then I went right into a Hanger 9 Twist 60 ARF with a Super Tigre .75 2-stroke in it on very low rates. I did fly the Nexstar over 150 times so this might have helped. I also did everything I could get it to do over and over again. I love the Twist and it is very forgiving. I have quite a few planes but this is now my favorite fun one to fly.

Gibbs

Sorry,

I don't know what is up with this large picture thing today. At least you will know what your getting if you decide on one.

Gibbs

If you haven`t flown a glow trainer, then I`d recommend one. This would be especially so if you plan to fly more glow and/or gas later on. I think most folks, including myself, assumed that you had been flying a " traditional " glow trainer.

A good first nitro plane for someone that can already fly electrics is the Hanger 9 Arrow. Its built like a high wing trainer, but with less dihedral and a semi-symmetrical wing, so it has better aerobatic handling. Still very tame.

Brad

The fact that your first trainer was electric does not mean much. What DOES have some bearing is WHAT plane was it?

If it was a 4-channel, "Nitro-Style" trainer, then you have no problem. But if it was one of those "Rudder & Throttle" only planes, then you might want to consider going with a trainer

My Electric-Plane is a Hobbico Superstar W/ailerons (four channel). Trouble is, it is a bothersome tail dragger that wants to torque spin on the ground. It would be very hard to install a steerable tail wheel. I just added an idler wheel, but it did not help much. My instructor always has to do the take-off, and this is embaressing for me. I really would like to get a nitro except I have no experience w/nitro. Whatever I get, the instructors will still buddy box me (I am lucky to be in a great club). I thank you all for the planes that you suggested. I will look at them all, and also show the instructors before I buy. Any more ideas will be appreciated. Mike

I own a couple of taildraggers - a small electric Brio 10 with a skid, a Joker, and a 1/5 scale Piper Cub. The last two have steerable tailwheels. The small electrics without tailwheels are difficult to taxi in any wind. Sometimes I simply cannot taxi because I have 50 degrees of left rudder and the wind is still pushing the plane in the other direction. The key to taking off when flying light electrics with skids is to get the throttle up fairly quickly to make rudder input more effective. It is also necessary to anticipate what the airplane is going to do. If you wait until it's starting to veer off course it's already too late. The Four Star is a very easy taildragger to taxi and take off. I guarantee it would be easier than your electric.

I'm a new flyer too, I have recently soloed with my Alpha 40 and I just bought a Pulse XT from a club member. I would suggest the Hangar 9 Pulse XT. The Pulse XT can be set up for either electric or nitro and seems to be a recommended 2nd plane on these boards. I like the construction and how easy it is to work on so far. I haven't flown it yet, but the Pulse XT was recommended by several of the instructors at my club. The nice thing about the Hangar 9 planes is they are well made and replacement parts are readily available. In my experience, most LHS carry, or can order spare parts as needed.
Indy Park Flyer
Hangar 9 Alpha 40
Hangar 9 Pulse XT

I also have a PULSE XT. I have Hobbico Electristar, Hobbico Avistar, H9 Pulse XT and had- yet crashed a Great Planes Super Sportster.........I Love the H9 the most. On Low rates it is a very easy plane to fly. On high rates things get crazy. I fly smooth as silk with expo set at -40. Im not sure what my low rates are set at...i believe its 30%..but if you want to know...PM me and I will take a look. The only thing I would recommend is that you have your landings down before flying the H9.... It is an open airframe design, so im thinking it might be a little more delicate....but has held up really well so far. Fi you have any questions pertaining to the Pulse...just ask. Quality of the kit was great.

I also have a PULSE XT. I have Hobbico Electristar, Hobbico Avistar, H9 Pulse XT and had- yet crashed a Great Planes Super Sportster.........I Love the H9 the most. On Low rates it is a very easy plane to fly. On high rates things get crazy. I fly smooth as silk with expo set at -40. Im not sure what my low rates are set at...i believe its 30%..but if you want to know...PM me and I will take a look. The only thing I would recommend is that you have your landings down before flying the H9.... It is an open airframe design, so im thinking it might be a little more delicate....but has held up really well so far. Fi you have any questions pertaining to the Pulse...just ask. Quality of the kit was great.