Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Well i can do pretty much anything my Current tower Trainer .40 will let me do, Gone through more than 3 gallons of gas through it, Im looking to move on to a Tail Dragger, not sure what plane i want or what plane i can handle, i Love Super Decathlons but i dont know how hard they are to fly, im a very able pilot so please give me your recomendations, I like my planes to resemble real planes.. ie: not a fan of the sticks or narrow body things =D

K thanks guys!

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Take a look at the Sig 4* series. They are great flying planes and some of the guys have bashed the kits giving some really nice looking planes. Even a stock kit is a nice looking plane, if you cut down the canopy a bit. It doesn't matter when you are flying though.

Don

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Well,

Mr. 'Very Able Pilot" who is not a fan of sticks, I recommend a QQ 86" Yak. It's a taildragger, it's relatively inexpensive, and it is an advanced aerobatic model.

If you want to actually be able to fly one, get A STICK, and fly it till the wings fall off...THEN move on to something like a Showtime...and THEN to aerobatic gassers.

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Not a fan of the Stiks?

When it comes to just cutting holes in air nothing is better.

How about a Super Sportster? (second image)

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Hey, take it easy, guys. He has burnt 3 gallons of fuel so he is an expert. I agree, he should move up to a QQ Yak or an Ultimate or an Extra or an Edge. After all, 3 gallons of fuel under their belt makes anyone an expert.:eek:

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

I second the Four Star. I built a Four Star 40 kit during the winter, before I started flying, and I started flying it about 6 weeks after I soloed on my trainer this August. I was far from an expert on my trainer, but I was good enough at takeoffs and landings that I felt confident in breaking out the 4*. It only took a few flights to get comfortable with it, and then it just became a blast to fly compared to the trainer.

I still practice takeoffs and landings with my trainer almost every time I go to the field, but I spend most of my flying time with my Four Star. There are other planes that are as good or better, but I have had a great time building and flying this thing. Mine is pretty stock, but there are easy mods you can do to make it look more like a "real plane".

I wouldn't knock "sticks" either. There is much to be said for a simple, easy to repair plane that is very aerobatic. I'm sure I will find one in my hangar before too long.

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

i would look at a pulse you can take every thing form the trainer right to take and the pulse also is a bit cheaper. dont send alot of money on your 2nd plane becuse it going to get boring quick get good with any low wing plane then steep up to some big planes. the bigger they are the easyer to fly

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Techna , A Sig 4* , CG Tiger or Hanger 9 Pulse would make you a good next plane. And if your looking for something cool , the PTS P51 ARF is a great plane and with the training gear off , it can easily be set up to fly 95 mph plus. But it is not as aerobatic as the other 3 I mentioned .
The 4* would be my first choice , easy to maintain and it is very tuff . It`s just fun to fly . But the others are good planes also.

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Sig Astro-Hog. Oh, forgot, that requires building (like a winters worth of time) :D.....but he didn't say it has to be an ARF. I think anybody with 3 gallons on their trainer can actually handle one of these and it can be built as a taildragger too!

Hogflyer

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

World Models SkyRaider Mach II

They changed the color schemes now so they aren't ugly anymore. They are solid colors, white, yellow, red and orange. They are a tail dragger, and fly awesome for 80 bucks. I have one I'm flying and 1 in a box. They fly so good I will probably always have one.

Check it out at www.airborne-models.com

The pictures show the old ugly covering

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Well, he does have the engine broken in at least. ;)

Remember, a good pilot has to be careful but a great pilot has to be a little full of himself. Some little piss and vinegar shows he has passion for flying. Dad used to call it being "oskey siskey".

Hobby shops LOVE guys with a passion for flying. :D

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Tower Hobbies carries the Phoenix Models Dolphin .40 ARF, which is an hommage (in other words, a copy of) to the Four Star. It sells for about $50 less than the Four Star .40 ARF, however.

The aforementioned World Models Sky Raider Mach II is a terrific choice as well. So is the World Models LA Racer ARF. Again, both models are available through http://www.airborne-models.com if your local hobby store doesn't carry them.

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Unless you are really pressed for cash, I would not recommend stripping your trainer to put together your second plane. There will be "incidents" where you will need to repair your plane, and if you keep your trainer together, you can keep on flying during the repair. You will also have times when you just feel like you have lost your confidence and want to go back to the trainer for a refresher. Trainers are also great for competing in fun-fly activities, flying on floats, aerial photography, etc.

I know that in the original post, it sounded like the trainer is just not fun anymore, but I am pretty sure I will always keep mine around.

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Take a look at the Sig 4* or the Hanger 9 Pulse. I have the Pulse and it really has taken me far. Its easy to fly yet can be very aerobatic for sport flying. Someone had mentioned the GP Super Sportster. I tried it as my 2nd plane and it didnt last very long. It can be VERY fast using an OS 46AX. If you were to ask me...I would advise against it. The landing gear blocks are also weak and cant handle a hard landing here and there. Alot of fliers modify the landing gear and move it to the fuse just in front of the wing. You can use the GP Extra 300's landing gear.

Again take a look at the H9 Pulse. Take the time to reinforce the landing gear area with 30 minute epoxy to be on the safe side. I have had hard landings with it when i first got it and never tore the gear out. Its a great plane and easy to assemble. Good quality.

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Hey I agree with A6Ordie; The Skyracer and/or the Racer are fine sport machines. Not only will you have a lot of good sport flying, but if you use a .40, then you are right in there to RACE in the Club 40 Pylon thing that is coming on big.

See the Pylon section herein and read the General racing sub-forum. great info. and so is Don Stegal with his RCPro news.

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Now how is your pilot supposed to concentrate on his flying?

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Thank you for all of your input on the people that helped, those who flamed whatever me saying i am an able pilot in a trainer isnt saying MUCH, Trainers are easy to fly, i never said i was a ****ing expert thats why i came for advise so thanks for being a jerk,

Those who helped thank you much i will be looking at all the planes you mentioned.

[:o]

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

I have this as my 2nd plane, it fly's great!!

http://thewingsmaker.com/airplane_de...php?code=GA014

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

When you get your second plane in the air, whichever one you choose, you will soon realize that trainers are not necessarily "easier to fly". They are more stable, and forgiving of mistakes, but a Four Star, for example, takes off and lands as easily as a trainer. The big difference is that, when you give it a hard right aileron input, it will roll and roll without "flopping" around like a trainer, and if you stop rolling at 3/4 of a roll, it will keep flying at that angle. You need to "fly" it back to level flight, it won't go back by itself. It's not harder to fly, it's just different (and lots more fun).

Good luck

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Techna;

First step up to a 60 size plane. If you have mastered the 40 size trainer, go to something bigger. The Sig 4* comes in a 60 size and is a quality plane and enjoyable to fly. Another plane that you would like is the Sig Astro Hog. It can be made into a trike or tail dragger, is a 60 size, and has grat aerobatic characteristcs yet is easy to fly. It has an excellent reputaion as the second plane to build for someone new to the hobby. If you like it, then, you can step up to the Astro Hog biplane which is a great third plane.

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

A6Ordie,

Does your screen name refer to a former job description?

I was an AO in the Navy back in the '80's with most of my time spent with A-6 squadrons.

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

What a great following for the Sig Four Stars?

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

Techna,
I apologize for the smart *ss post. My experience has been that arrogance promotes an unwillingness to listen. However, the SIG 4 star series of airplanes is an excellent 2nd plane as well as being an excellent beginning tail dragger. I personally prefer the 60 size, but either will do just fine. It is easy to fly but will do basic aerobatics with ease. As mentioned, it can also be modified later on to give it more zip and drastically change the appearance to suit.
Once again, sorry 'bout that, must have caught me at a bad moment. :eek:

Regards,
doubledee

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

pkevinb

I.Y.O.Y.A.S

I was an AO, still am at heart. Best Rate in the Navy IMO :D A6's were ugly and slow, but if you wanted something gone it would get rid of it and with style. Love that plane. I'm gonna have to pull out Flight of the Intruder for some nostalga.

Sorry for going off thread there.

Techna

If you want another option for a 60 sized tail dragger. I don't have personal experience with it, but have read everything posted here on it is the Modeltech Dragonlady. It's a darn nice looking bird. A bit over a buck and a half from HobbyPeople. So not terribly expensive either. Here's a link [link=http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/123761.asp]DragonLady[/link] Someday I plan on getting one of these. When I can get more than 20 or so flights out of a plane before I plant it :D

Good Luck,

RE: Second Plane Tail Dragger recomendations
 

I think the A6 is one great plane, an ugly plane would be the Beechcraft 1900.....it's just plain ugly! It's got antenna's and stabilizing cra# all over it.

This might be out of the question but how about that H9 Mustang trainer? There was a guy flying his at the field the other day and it sure is neat! I'm sure it's touching but with some radio adjustments it would be fine. It sure has the power!