Looking for a second plane?
 

Many times here people post a thread asking about a second plane. With all the very sexy ARFs on the market and aspiring kit builders out there the options are endless... almost. The grim reality is that most people will utterly destroy their second plane. The reason behind this I believe is not that they were not ready for it but that they have been turned loose and they are trying new manouvers that their trainer was not capable of or not as capable of. RCKen has set up a list of good second planes at the top of this forum and first of all I would recomend that when you do get your second plane you go back to your instructor and have him check it out and even buddy box you for the first flight or two. What I feel is missing from RCKen's list of second planes is the venerable SPAD (Simple Plastic Airplane Design). These planes can and do fly well but many have all of the bad habbits of tip stall, high landing speed and over weight/under powered that will make you a superior pilot. Best of all a SPAD can be built easily for about $20 in materials plus engine and radio equipment so when you do have a mishap, you are not out $150 and repairs are cheep and easy. Also you don't go home having to explain to your significant other why you need a new plane... they just don't understand the requirement. I am speeking from my own experience. My second plane was a Seagull Models Decathlon... may it rest in peices. Though it's life was short and flights few, I am still out the 150 bucks. My third plane was a SPAD Deamon. I have crashed it 5 times and still have it in my hanger of 12 planes. That SPAD tought me more about stick control than any trainer ever did. Now I do not have any affiliation with the following website and it is free for anyone to use. Plans and instructions for the construction of SPAD aircraft can be found at www.spadtothebone.com

Good luck, have fun, don't quit.

RE: Looking for a second plane?
 

I have my instructor take up EVERY new plane I build.

RE: Looking for a second plane?
 

Good point stang, I often say that your "second" plane is the one that is most likely to get demolished for exactly the reasons you state.

RE: Looking for a second plane?
 

I second that, I progressed down the path of distruction and occassionally still do!!!!
There is a lot of wisdom in Stangs observations. There is no shame in proceeding at a logical pace, slower than we want to be, but learning from each plane.

RE: Looking for a second plane?
 

I know what you mean, Stang. I started on a Smog Hog, went to a Kadet Mk I, MkII Swizzle Stick and Q-Tee Since they where all 3-channel flat bottom basic trainers I just lump them together as a first trainer - and I didn't crash any of them, just the occasional bump that was a simple fix. I jumped into a Bridi Sun Fli 4-20 with an OS .30 and 10X6 prop before I was ready. Scared the heck out of me on both flights. The plane was way a head of me. Some how I got it down in one piece and didn't fly it again until I was ready for it, then it was with a K&B .40 over powering it. While the Sun Fli sat, I took a step backwards to a Sig Kavalier that was demolished - it was caught in a sudden gust of wind on take-off that put it vertical at low altitude. Due to a lack of experience in flying right next to 100' pine trees in a pasture I didn't have the knowledge at the time on how to fly in the turbulent winds created by the trees. Other than that the plane was a perfect second plane.

I've got a.60 sized pattern style plane that scared it's pilot so bad he stopped flying. He jumped up from a flat bottom trainer and had no clue he was dealing with a 100 mph fire breathing monster (ok, a loud meowing kitten in need of a tuned pipe :D to reach it's true potential).

In the old days, you flew a 3-ch basic trainer, then and aileron trainer - usually with a semi-symmetrical airfoil, then went to a low wing trainer. The Sig method was the Kadet Mk I (replaced by the Mk II), then the Kavalier followed by the Kougar. Todays mindset is you learn on a trainer with ailerons and over powered, then move to a just about anything low wing. They don't know how to fly a plane on the wing, just on the prop. If people would move to a symmetrical airfoiled shoulder wing I think their second plane would probably last a bit longer. Also getting rid of the hang the biggest engine that could possible fit the nose mindset would help also. 5 lb. airplanes fly just fine with an OS 40 LA - they don't need to have a .46 AX stuffed in the nose. Part of todays instant gratification society.

Hogflyer

RE: Looking for a second plane?
 

I think I'm gonna build and electric SPAD, how well does that work?

RE: Looking for a second plane?
 

Other than "electric" and "SPAD" it sounds great! :D

Just kidding, whatever makes you crave extra stick time out at the field is OK by me.

RE: Looking for a second plane?
 

The beauty of a SPAD is you are only limited by your imagination... and well physics of course:D What I am saying is that these are so cheep, just go try it. As you are designing/building just keep it modular for future refinements.

RE: Looking for a second plane?
 

HMMMM, MY first plane was and still is a Global Right Flyer 60 w a Magnum 61 in it, I had just gotten rid of a 64 Ford Falcon w a 715 Hp. 502 cu. in. big block in it, do you see where this is going, the RF60 now has a OS 91 2 stroke in it , second plane is a Global KWIK FLY II w a Magnum 91 in it , there is no sub for cubic inches BUT there is throttle control.

RE: Looking for a second plane?
 

I look at the coroplast and we bond. I slowly put up a thumb and close one eye and cut the plastic oh so deliberately. Before I know it I have a plane to be proud of. I have gotten away from using plans and using intuition but I don't suggest that until you learn the mechanics of how a plane should be built. If it doesn't work well try try again it's cheap quick and fun. I need to build a speed demon next. My delta wasn't fast enough:)