I am looking for a good second plane that I wont get bored with easily. I have a trainer 40 and have been soloing for awhile. Problem is I have a WM zero but dont think I ready for it just yet. I have been told that the model tech magic maybe a good transition plane. Any info or advice would be appriciated. I am getting bored with the trainer and find myself pushing the plane. I like aerobatics and fly in mostly winding conditions 5-15mph. I have the g-2 simulator and like flying the cap232 and land the sim pretty well.

I've said it before and i'll say it again, IMHO you cant go past a "stick" type plane as a step up from a trainer, wether its SPAD, balsa, foam or ARF there reasonable cheap and easy to build and they fly great and will do just about all the moves. they also make a nice easy introduction to building.

I agree with Woodsy, get a STIK for your second airplane. I got a .40 size from Tower Hobbies for under $100 on sale. Fly's great!

VR Mike

Just remember, fly at least 3 mistakes high. The STIK won't right itself like a trainer so you need the manuver room.

yes I'll have to put a 3rd vote for a stick plane into the hat. In our hangar, there are 2 1.20 Ultra Sticks, 1 .60 Ultra Stick, and one .60 Super Stick. The sticks are almost half of the amount of planes we own. I love the characteristicks of the Ultra Sticks. They can be almost as docile and a trainer or as wild as an aerobat, so you can grow into them. They are very easy to land with flaps and such. If an Ultra Stick is within your budget, go ahead and check them out.
Good luck,
Chix

Thanks for the info, I'll check out the sticks, anything on a cap 232 or 300extra? I like a challenge the thrill and looks of these planes is very intriguing.

The magic is a very easy flyer that will do almost anything in the book. I love this plane. The only reason I would not recommend it for a second plane is because of the Tail landing gear. It has a wire tail setup that does not steer the plane on the ground. I have seen it modified with a tail wheel though.

I would recommend a Stick also but, take a look at the Magic Extra. If it flies as nicely as the Magic it would be an excellent second plane. It looks geat also - alot like the 300extra!

The problem with the caps and 300s is they do not fly slowly. You can lose control of them very easily and if you slow down too much on landing they will tip stall or snap into the ground.

I would steer clear of a Cap or an Extra for a 2nd plane. It would save you time and money to not got one, they are advanced planes that need a little bit more experience to fly, it would be awful if they crashed. The smaller versions of those planes are known to be tip stallers and need to be landed a certain way, especially the small caps.
I also have recently purchased a magic, and they are exceptional planes. It was my 4th plane. They are a bit touchy for a 2nd plane with normal 100% throws, but you can mechanically or digitally remove a little bit of the throw to make it less wild. For the money a magic is an awsome chioce.

This may sound a bit dumb but the magic looks like it IS a stick with 3D sized control surfaces.

its on special hereh http://www.hobby-warehouse.com/modair.html for $89 bucks that sounds like a good buy

I have 3 planes, and just started last May/June. I made the 4*60 as my second plane and put an OS91 Surpass on it. It flies great and goes where you point it. I have 9 flights on it now.

However, with that said, just yesterday I had my maiden flight with my new Ultra Stick 60 with a OS61FX/12X8 prop on it. Got 2 flights in, but I sure could feel the difference between the US60 and the 4*. I set it up for flaps and crow, but am not anxious to try them yet. I want to break in the engine and get it leaned out a little before going wild and want some more flying experience before working with flaps and the other features.

Good luck in your search.

Well I went ahead and purchased the ultra stick 60 and will run a magnum .91 4stroker on it. Should be in the air this weekend. Thanks for all the info I appriciate it.

You're going to love the US 60! Let us know how everything goes. Do some searches for US 60 here on RCU. You will find tons of info.

yup, yup...ya picked a great plane! We put a saito twin 100 on ours...they are some sweet planes
Be sure ta tell us how it goes!

Just for kicks I thought I let you know this. I sold My trainer 40 to a friend of mine who is an actual pilot. Took the new us stick out for maiden flight with friend. The wind was terrible direct cross wind 15-20mph. Thank god the the stick would not run right ( story later) . Could not convience my friend that wind was to heavy for trainer after he explained to me the full scale problems with take offs and landings with a severe c ross wind. Well it went in hard during take off. good news is a very good learning experience and not enough damage to scrap. I fix it it and it will be back in the air tomorrow weather permitting.!!!. By the way the running problem with the stick was pressure tube from exaust and pick up tube to carb needed to be rotatated 90deg to be horizontal not latereral form each other. I am not sure why but it works and the old rule is if it aint broke dont fix it.

I Got the Great Planes Super sportster 40 Mk 2 after my trainer and ....boy, was I happy! It is the closest thing I've flown to a low wing trainer. The thick aerofoil doest not let it build up excessive speed and slows down nicely for landings. I'll give it the vote as my choice for anyone's second plane.
It has the posssibility to be set up with both - the tricycle and the tail dragger landing gear!
Cheers

Too bad you bought your plane already.

I was in the same boat as you last October. I knew my 2nd plane would be something that performed like the Cap, so I practiced in g2 for hours (same as you).

Everyone was telling me to get a stick type plane, and I almost got one (was able to fly my trainer's 40 size ultra stick before I bought). Then I saw an article on the Global Freestyle in Model Aviation. It is a good combo plane (3d/pattern) and I wanted something that could grow with me.

After reading several posts here on rcu, I took the plunge....glad I did. One thing that no one mentioned is that is flys and lands as slow as the ultra stick, and is capable of more aerobatics (it even outperforms a somethin extra). My trainer (the one who almost convinced me to buy a stick) was hovering and performing rolling loops while I had it on reduced rates (60% of normal).

Oh, did I mention....it is perfect for practicing pattern flying.

fyi-you would not have any problem flying this plane...

If you don't want to build anything I would go for some kind of stick like the ultra stick 40. It is a good flying plane and a 46 will pull it well. But if you want to build something I highly recommend a Sig Four Star 40. It is a great plane and will teach you a lot about flying.

wildnloose

"It is a good combo plane (3d/pattern) and I wanted something that could grow with me. "

What plane are you referring too?

Thanks

Global Freestyle

Look at the review on the main page (its pretty detailed).

Just dorked mine last Sat. (ran out of sky). Have to resort back to my Ultra Stick until I get it repaired.