I haven't even built my first plane yet, but I suspect I might look into a SPAD for my second... Since the radio/engine/accessories are going to cost way more than the plane anyhow (I'm looking at an LT-25 kit, $67 online) I figure I'll drop the extra bucks on a balsa kit rather than build something like a BUHOR to learn on, but once I've already got the radio and engine... hrm... a $20 investment to move up to a sportier plane sounds like a good deal to me! (Although I must admit, I'll be drooling on a SIG astrohog until some day I break down and build one)

Fastfly, my 2nd plane was a Goldberg Tiger 2 ARF. It is also available in a kit version. A very stable and aerobatic funfly plane. Also has trike gear to make landings easier. It can also be a very fast plane, depending on the prop diameter and pitch. I would highly recommend it.

My second plane is an Electrajet ARF, that I haven't built yet because I don't have time. My third plane is a Great Planes Spirit 2 meter Glider. This one will get flying sooner because I bought it RTF.

I got into this hobby to fly, not to build. Someday maybe. I got the ARF because so many people were telling me you need to build, but I just don't have the time. My flying time woudl have to be sacraficed for build time and I just don't want to do that right now.

So, an Aerobird - Flying
An Electrajet- ARF - still in Pieces
A GP Spirit Glider - RTF - should get it in the air in a week or so.

With the quality of ARF's being what they are, there's really no reason to kit build anymore, unless you want to put one together just for the enjoyment of it.

For roughly $125 more you could get the SIG Senior Kadet ARF. This is a plane that you would keep around for a long while and one that you'll find yourself returning to time and again for some fun, relaxing flying. It is a big beautiful plane unlike some of the smaller toy trainers and flies much better. It's a man sized plane so you'll need a man sized vehicle to haul it in. A Yugo size sissymobile won't do here.

david, you sound like me. ARF's all the way!

If you are still looking for a second plane the I recomend the big stik 40. I got this for my second plane and I love it. I put a tower hobbies .61 on it. It's a bit heavy but flys with a ton of power. I also fly a tiger stik with an old light case super tigre 60. It flys with alot of power and speed. The tower 61 is faster and more powerfull but alot heavier. Both set ups fly great. If you dont want a 60 on it a 46 flys it just fine and fast.

Out of personal experiance, I would reccomend the great planes easy sport .40. It glides like a trainer during a deadstick, put is fairly light. Light enough that i could torque roll it with a .50 size engine. While at the same time, It has taken more abuse than i would reccomend dishing it out. It is two years old, has been broken in half, had everything from sunglasses to mufflers go through that wing, and has withstood landings that have trashed many nosegears. It's trim has not changed through that all, And has never needed an overhaul. It is quite capable when you want it to be. It flys very well upside down. Well enough that i used to do 3 foot high inverted passes over the runway. That was my second plane. It has no bad habbits, stalls strait forward, and takes in wind well. I would reccomend that plane and guard itwith my life.

I would not reccomend this contraption for a 2nd plane, But it would make a nice 4th and attract a lot of attention.
http://www.flyingthingz.com/flying_t...cutter_kit.htm

Fastfly,
I wouldn't recommend the Lancair as a second plane. It's truly gorgeous and I WILL be getting one, but they're fast and agile, not what I'd suggest as a second.

Rick,
Do youself a favor and start out with a 40 size trainer. (Forget the 25). Smaller is twitchier, smaller doesn't handle wind as well, and if you stick with this hobby, you'll be looking for something larger almost immediately.

While I'm rolling.... Kadets are traditional planes that have been around for years, and they are extremely docile. I'd get something else as a second plane though. Kadets are slower and more gentle than your trainer and don't have ailerons (unless you add them). I think you'd be disappointed in its performance.

Sticks perform very well, but personally, I don't like the way they look.

Which brings me to that lawnmower Spaceclam. I wouldn't be caught dead flying that kind of thing. Witches, stop signs, Snoopy's dog house.... As far as I'm concerned they're embarrassing and add to the public's image of us as big kids flying toys. If we're ever going to be taken seriously we need to present a better image.

Okay, give me just a moment to pull on my flame suit.
Dennis-

Hey Dennys which was your second plane.

HAHA space that was awsome.......i know a guy who would fly that for his main plane!

I would highly recommend one of the 4*s. I never thought I would enjoy the 4* after I flew the Hanger 9 Aresti (my 2nd plane), but the 4* is a great plane and I am actually considering buying one for a 3rd. It flies anyway you want from smoothe to crazy (not 3d however). It lands almost as slow as a trainer and is just a great all around plane. And, I hear the kit is really easy to build and cheap as anything out there.

m_b

I saw three of them fly yesterday. They are probably one of the stupidest looking things i have seen in my life.

What have you decided on?

Second the 4* in a 60 size with (TT 91 FS powerplant).

The sky cutter looks just plain WRONG.

I really want one of those

The sky cutter looks wrong because there is no bag. Throws off the CG without the bag.

i still want one

Obligatory plug for Venture 60 from Bruce Tharpe. I haven't received mine yet, but I've seen this plane recommended quite a bit here at RCU.

Kerry

P.S. Bruce said he would be done cutting a batch of these kits in 1 to 2 weeks.

I just bought my second plane last week.UCANDO 3D. Plane is ready to fly but im kinda scared.Is it probable that i will crash?Is this a bad second plane?I heard they land really slow.I have the os91fx on it.What do you guys think?Should i try it?

the 91 fx is a little too big an engine on that i think. fly it and see. Have an experianced pilot put you on the buddy box for the first flight.

crank down the throws!

good choice good engine .........DO NOT FLY AT FULL THROTTLE!!!!!!!!...........only in a climb keep the throws way down and go tell the guys on the
UCD thread!

I jumped right from a trainer to the 4*60.This is truly an awesome flying plane, that is extremely user friendly, and also very aerobatic that will make any begginer look like an expert.

Here is a picture of my Four Star with the canopy trimmed, the turtledeck sheated new wheel pants and a Saito 100 in the nose.

When completed, it was two ounces tail heavy , so I put a two ounce flywheel in back of the prop nut, so now not only is it balanced just right, I also get a awesome idle,the engine can go down to almost 1600 rpm without it loading or quitting, truly sounds like a well tuned Harley.

i will have to disagree with this statement. i have landed my duraplane dead stick 3 times and it flew just fine, actually easier that landing with power.