I maidened my NexStar recently and I must say I have the flying bug. It's all I can think about while at work. Probably shouldn't be posting to this discussion board right now

Now, all I can think of is what and when I should purchase my next plane. I don't want to do it too early since I'm still learning to land the NexStar, but I can't stop thinking about a Sig 4 Star / Pulse XT / Ultra Stick

Ahhh yes, we have another one!!!!!

Any of the planes you listed will make good second planes.

Ken

IT'S ALIVE![sm=wink_smile.gif]

I think that it is better to master your trainer before you think in your next model... I landed my avistar like the third time I flew it and it was a succesfully landing, but I found out that mastering the plane is more than that... several accidents and repairs taught me that! in my opinion, it is better to go slow with the lerning process

I completely agree. I just have the bug to buy a second model already. Using a buddy box, my instructor had me do the take off which was actually not a problem at all. Little bit of left rudder to straighten the take off and it picked up nice and easily. We then did some approaches and my biggest issue was getting the plane to lose altitude. I kept overshooting the runway even an idle. My only complaint is the NexStar doesn't want seem to want to come back to Earth.

RcKen - if you were choosing between those three models for your second airplane, which would you do?

My choice??? That's easy. A 4-star!!!! I think these are one of the best all around second planes out there. They are very easy to fly and very forgiving for the student just moving up from a trainer. But many underestimate the 4-star because it is a great second plane, and they wind up fooled. The 4-star is also a very capable aerobat that will do quite a bit of very nice aerobatics. Because of this it's a good plane for people as they start to learn more than just the basic aerobatics at their skills improve. And then the best hidden secret about a 4-star. Just when you think you've gotten all you can out of it, clip the wings by cutting one bay off each wing. Trust me here, you'll have a whole new plane!!!!

Ken

Thanks, RCKen. Will the Aviastar .46 combo from Sig power this model effectively? I'm assuming so since they offer it as a combo package. I also have an OS .46 FS Max on the NexStar. I'm open to swapping engines out, but I would like to keep the NexStar ready to fly.

I used a Aviastar 46 in the Sig Rascal I reviewed. It's a good running engine and you'll have no problems with it pulling a 4-Star. It's got plenty of power for that plane.

Ken

I'm quite honest in saying I don't know the other planes listed there apart from the Ultra Stick. So I'll only comment on that by saying you can't go wrong.

The plane flies nicely and you can do quite a bit of fun stuff with it. I started out on one - it was my "trainer" so too speak. Only flew once around for 5 min on my buddies Super Air on a buddy system, about a month or so before my first flight with the Stick. When we tried too connect the buddy system up for my first flight with the Stick it didn't want too work - so I was on my own.

The plane can fly very slow, has a good glide (for those deadstick landings) and can land very slow without fatally stalling. We took a video once where my buddy was at the end of the runway from the side I must come in for landing - he wanted too take a close up of the landing. I was a bit low on final as I'm not used too him sitting there and with a bit of up elevator and throttle I went about a metre over his head at quite a slow speed and landed it. Oh and the plane handles great at short approaches and I love those - it doesn't wing stall or anything.

In short - it's not a difficult plane too fly even if using it as a trainer (I would only recommend setting your rates lower too just get used too the plane then put it at full too enjoy the excitment of the plane.

I only had a 46 ASP in mine though and the Hangar 9 Ultra Stick is very durable - I've had some hectic take offs the first 3 or so times and nothing ever gave. Okay except the landing gear which was loose when we flew once - Only heard this rattling sound in the air when I gave throttle just too see upon landing it was the landing gear screws which started too loosen.

Dont rush moving on, fly your nexstar until you can do anything you want with it and do it automatically, I liked my nexstar and still had some to learn, unfortunately my stupidity and inexperience put me in the air on a day I should have not been flying and the star ended up the way it started..................a pile of sticks. I would like to have another and likely will someday for my boys to start on when they get a little older, I cannot comment on your second plane choice as I moved onto a j-3 cub after that fateful day. So from one newbee to another, take your time and get comfortable. I have purchased my third plane and started putting it together, but will not fly it until spring when the guys at the club start getting together again! Good luck!

The Nexstar does like to float. Do you have the wing droops and speed flaps on? The flaps create a lot of lift and make it hard to bring the plane down. Double check your idle speed - should be around 2000rpm. If it's high it will be hard to bring down. You can try lowering the trim on your throttle if the engine sounds fast when you're coming in to land.

If you get to the point of feeling very confident with the Nexstar, you will be in for a real treat when you fly a proper 'second plane' - the Nexstar does it's job well of being a trainer - to the point that everything else will seem like a piece of cake to fly and land!

I got the Phoenix Dolphin for my second plane. $99 from Tower Hobbies and it's a lot of fun to fly, very easy and can do some good basic aerobatics.

Welcome to the hobby and good luck!

gaRCfield - thanks for the welcome. I can't wait to get back out tomorrow. As for the wing tip extensions and speedbrake, my instructor had me remove them from the get go. Fortunately, he's had a lot of experience training others with a NexStar and he said it's nearly impossible to get the plane back down when you have those items on the wing. I can believe it now having seen how much the plane floats without them attached.

Jay, do this and you won't sleep for days. Buy a Sig 4 Star 60 and match it up with a Magnum .91RFS engine and swing an APC 14x6 prop. You'll thank me later, I promise you!!!

Keep your trainer ready to fly. It's always good to go back to it, plus, when you go fly you can take two planes.

I Solo'd today on the NexStar! Can't wait to take it out again next weekend.

Don't worry, that silly grin you have will go away in about 3 weeks now!!!! Good job on the solo!!!!!

A solo flight is a great accomplishment and that wins you one genuine RCU ATTABOY (Suitable for framing, wrapping fish, or lining trashcans).

Ken

I LOVE my 4* 60, what a great plane!

I just got off my trainer at the end of last season, which was my second season flying. I am now very comfortable on the 4*, and have a Corsair ready to go, as well as a Twin Star and a Cub. It should be a fun season, can't wait for it to warm up a bit so I can go flying!

Hey! I never had one of those! I remember the first time I landed my avistar... I felt like the world's best pilot! congratulations!

Thanks. I can't wait for day light savings. I'm hoping to get a couple flights in after work so I don't have to wait until the weekend. My instructor said I don't need him there. But I'll probably ask him to join me at least one more time before I take it for a 'true' solo flight.