Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

I have been flying a trainer for about 6 months and most of the people I fly with are concerned I am about to fly the wings off of it - literally. (Hobbistar .60 w/ Irvine .72 engine).

I am looking for what would be the next best plane for minor aerobatics and high speed loops etc, yet not too much for me to handle. The other consideration is the building of it. This would also be my first full build KIT.

There are 4 planes that everyone I fly with argues about but most have recommended the 4 Star or the Stinger.


[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXX398&P=7]Stinger .60 [/link]


[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLP44&P=K]Giles 202 .46[/link]


[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJ580&P=K]Extra 300s .60[/link]


[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFG16&P=K]SIG Four Star .60[/link]

Any and all opinions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

Glad to hear you're ready for a low wing plane! I'm surprised the Goldberg Tiger 60 II isn't on the list. By all reports it's a good build and versatile flyer. Build with trike gear or taildragger.

Good luck,
Dave Olson

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

I would go with the Four Star personally. The fly like a dream. But I would stay away from things like Extras and the Giles for a second plane. They are not as forgiving as the Four Star and you said something about doing high speed loops and such, which Extras and Giles do not do as well, since they are for more scale aerobatic flying and 3D. Just my opinion. Happy Flying!

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

You might consider the Venture 60 also. www.btemodels.com

Bruce designed the Sig 4* and went off on his own a while back. The Venture 60 is much like the 4*60 but includes some of the changes he was hoping to put in to the next version of the 4*.. Check out his web site and the various posts/threads on the Venture 60 around here. Everyone says it is an awesome kit and great flier.. The Venture 60 is going to be my winter project as my second plane. I think I am a lot like you - flying the wings off an Avistar. Got it knifedging the other day - without a mixing radio!!

-Greg

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

Personally I'd go with the 4*. It also comes as a .40 if you don't want give up your trainer engine as it is in use now.

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

rik756,

Look around for models that are advertised as intermediate or aerobatic trainers.

The can be low wing shoulder wing even high wing. Pick one you like and have fun
As you can tell evetyone here has an opinion but when you boil it down the only opinion that matters is your own.. If you are as good with the trainer aas you say then you should be able to handle any in the category I mention.

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

First analyze your inner preferences, are you into the hobby because you love real airplanes and would like to fly them all (scale builder inside), or the challenge of being able to fly anything with or without wings and being able to do challenging piruetes (aerobatic pilot at heart), or is it the thrill of speed, engines and power that attracted you to the hobby (speed can be very addictive), which one is it ?

If the first one is your true calling, I'd pick a tail dragger, low wing, sport scale model like a Chipmunk, Extra, Laser or similar.

If the second choice is what you like, any of the mildly aerobatic models like Sportstar would do the trick first and then jump right into the new 3 D stunters.

If speed is your thing, then go for those jet look alike models that still use .60 size engines and a prop.

It is much easier to start simple and become good at it, and then proceed on to more challenging projects as opposed to going over your head from the beginning and never being able to become a full fledged model pilot, or even worse, make it so hard for yourself ($$$$$$) that eventually the only solution is to quit the hobby.

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

This questions seems to pop up quite regularly in this forum. My recommendations are for the four star 60 because it is easy to fly and very easy to build. I have no experience as to how the BTE venture builds, but this is basicaly a slightly modified four star. Other good candidates are the Goldberg tiger 2. I also have a great planes super sportster 60 which is a fantastic plane. However, compared to the four star, it is much faster both in terms of airspeed and in control response. Also, the SS is a much more difficult build when compared to the four star.

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

I read another post and just like this one, it seems to go to the 4*. My Hobbistar has been crashed a couple times due to a radio problem so it has become a tail dragging epoxy bomb! It's already fairly squirley and never was very self righting.

After reading a few posts on anoter site I think I have decided to put a servo on each aileron, cut out the dihedral and increase the throws a little to see what happens. If I it doesnt work, then I have a great excuse to go buy that 4* :-D
Thanks All
Rick

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

2nd plane? the 4 star..
!st build? Definitely teh 4 statr!! one of teh easiest building planes out there.

Stick with Sig or Great palnes for your first few kits. They take all teh guess work out of teh building process!!

On a side note:

Most recomend the BTE Venture star, as it was designed by Bruce, who apparently used to work at Sig, and the Venture star is what the 4 Star 60 was supposed to be.

Only problem is that they seem to be afraid to cross boarders, and advertising is rather weak. No offence to Bruce, and his new company, but I hear/see very little about him and his planes this side of eth boarder. No bashing intended, just making an observation...

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

I just built the Venture and it basically snapped together. No die or laser cut - sanded to perfection! I'm sure he would even ship it to Canada.

Peace

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

Four Star 60.

End of story.

RE: Best Second Plane / First Build KIT
 

I took a closer look at the BTE site [link=http://www.btemodels.com]BTE Models[/link] (Venture .60) and since it is really a cleaned up Four Star, I am seriously considering going with that one. All the parts a pre-sanded into shape and it comes with all the hardware excpet wheels and fuel tank. The more I read the more I think I liked it. All hand picked woods, all Dubro & SIG parts. I think gnyberg had the right idea... The plane looks and sounds really nice.

Anyone have any actual experience with his planes or that company ?