I've read almost all the posts about the best second airplane to build and fly. I have narrowed my choices to 3 and I would like an opinion from all on which one would be best. My first airplane is a Sig LT-40. I thought the kit was really good and the instructions very easy to follow. I will have flown it for about a year by the time I get the second kit built. I need to make a decision so my wife can order it for my birthday. The three planes I'm considering are the Sig Something Extra, Goldberg Tiger 2, and the GP Ultra Sport 40+. I want an airplane that can do all basic manuevers well and is fairly easy to land. What do you all think?
Thanks

The Ultra Sport is a very smooth flying plane. It is easy to land and will do normal aerobatics better than a Something Extra. I would recommend it. This is not a 3D type plane however.

The SE is more of a fun fly and will do lots of extreme and 3D maneuvers. It can be lots of fun. It flies very slow making it easy to land also.

The Tiger 2 is kind of inbetween these two. It is a baby step up from your trainer.

Can you talk you wife into buying you TWO kits?

Tom

I'm not really sure what is meant by 3D plane. I'm not interested in pattern flying, just want to go out and have fun. I don't really want a baby step as far as a second plane either. I wish my wife would buy me two, but I'll be lucky just to get one.

Steve,
I noticed you are from ST Louis also. You should come to Buder park tomorrow. I'm sure you'll see examples of these planes. I know you'll see some 3D flying.

Tom

I've never been there, but recently moved to that area. Need to check it out. Is it really busy on the weekend?

Get a Four Star. Semi Acrobatic but still lands nice for your first low winger.





Neo

Out of your choices, I would pick the Tiger 2......it might be a baby step...but it can also grow with you. Max out the throws and you'd be impressed with the way it can fly.

Mike

I've never been there, but recently moved to that area. Need to check it out. Is it really busy on the weekend?

Since you have been flying your LT40 for a while, I dont think you will be really happy with the Tiger. It is a good plane, but I think you will tire of it rather quickly. Personally, I would go with the Somethin Extra, or maybe a SIG 4 star .60 like was mentioned above. Either one of these will do just about any maneuver you throw at it, but will still be docile enough to fly and land slowly. You can do a few basic mods on either of these and be as mild or wild as you want!

And I have to suggest that you look at the Super Sportster. Looks a LOT better than any of the others mentioned (my opinion of course), and flys beautifully. Slows well for landing too.
Dennis-

Check out this link for some good suggestions
http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/second_plane.htm

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll get a something extra

I wouldn't recommend a sig something extra...... way too hot for a second plane unless you feel you are truely ready. Personally....I would say be ready to make lots of reapirs if you go with this plane.

That my opion though.......




Neo

I disagree. It all depends on how you set the Somethin' Extra up. If it is reasonably powered and you set up shorter throws and use low rates to start with, it can fly just about as docile as a trainer. Then, when your skills have progressed, increase the throws (believe me, there is plenty of control surface to work with) and put in high rates, maybe go with a bigger engine, and you have a great aerobatic plane. To me, it is the perfect second plane (as long as you have plenty of stick time on the first one) because it can be very versatile, and grow with the pilot as his or her skill level increases.

If you decide on the Somethin Extra, be careful. A lot of guys seem to forget that, even though it can be as docile as a trainer....it will liven up quickly.

I personally have never owned one, but have 3 sets of wings (in various levels of damage) I obtained from guys who thought they were ready for this plane. Most of the time they will fly it fine....but every once in a while they will get behind it and never recover (oh no.....not another wing.....guess I'll have to build a fuse one day ).

Keep the throws to a minimum and the SIG is a Kitten. Go with maximum throws and it is a tiger!

this is an age old questino that will not be solved here, because everybody will have a different answer. everybody asks this question until his or her flying skills have been well establiushed. even then, sometimes, they ask because they can't make up their mind. i would reccomend starting a poll. if you are looking for a more advanced plane, a good second one would be a mid wing (low will work too though), not have a hihg wing loading, and something cheap. you can pretty much tell how a plane will fly just by looking at it. for instance, by looking at a cesna, you can tell that it is not going to be nearly as difficult to fly as let's say, and f-16. you can tell that a citabria will be easier to fly than a cap 232. basically, any plane you see show up in the toc is not a second plane, so that rules that out.