I'll be making the transition from a NexStar to a Four Star in about two weeks time. What should I expect? What things should I keep in mind? Will I be able to solo the maiden flight or will I need someone to help me?

Well, just to be safe you might want to have a more experienced pilot do the maiden to trim her out and everything. But if you are confident that your skill level is good enough then atleast have it ground checked first. Better to be safe then sorry and someone else can notice something you didnt and that can save you quite a bit of money if you know what I mean .

The biggest difference will be going from tricycle gear to a tail dragger. The 4-Star especially can be a handful on the ground. Be ready to add GENTLE right rudder as you slowly advance the throttle for take off. In flight, the 4-star will be a little more responsive and aerobatic but still stable and fairly gentle. When it is time to land, the 4-star loves to float so you can easily overshoot your landing until you are used to it. You can also bounce a 4-star like a basketball on landing if you aren't careful. Be sure to release the elevator just before the main wheels touch or it may decide to bounce back up and fly a little more.

I would have an instructor or someone experienced around for at least the first 1-2 flights.

I made a similar trasnsition going from a AeroStar to a 4 Star 40. I would suggest having your instructor set your TX on low rates, take off for you as a tail dragger is quite a bit different. Once your in the air, it flies similar to a trainer, although the 4 Star is alot more responsive. Assuming your comfortable with your trainer, you will probably be able to adjust, and fly it without any problems. Other than quicker responses, the biggest difference I noticed was the 4 Star is it's tougher to land. You almost have to force it down, which results in "bouncy" landings.

Good luck and happy flying,
Jr

I would definitely have someone else maiden it and trim it out for you. Once it's been trimmed, you should have no problems with it. In many ways, the Four Star is easier to fly than a trainer, because it goes exactly where you want it to go. The biggest change will be that you have to level it out yourself after a bank or a roll, it won't level itself.

Just make sure you do a lot of practice approaches and touch-n-go's to get a feel for how it lands.

I started flying my Four Star about a month after I soloed my trainer. You are going to love it.

Good luck.

Just like everyone else noted, have someone else fly with you for the first few flights to trim it out and to show you how to take off and land. I went from a NexStar to a Cessna 182 then to a FourStar 40. The FourStar was easier to fly than the Cessna in my opinion.

Check out my build thread if you are going to build yours or if you just want to read the report of my FourStar 40 maiden flight here it is:
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5831107]SIG FourStar 40 Maiden Report[/link]

Good luck!