RE: High wing planes
 

It's starting to make a lot of sense to have two planes, and fly them each like they are meant to be flown. Dolphin for learning sport flying, and a nice high wing plane for practicing slow, precise flight. When I need thrills, fly the Dolphin, then when it shows me that I still have more to learn, take out the Sig and work on perfection.

So I've been looking at the Rascal, and then the Kadet Senior. Both look great I think; is there much of a difference in the way they fly? I would definitely make the Kadet a tail dragger - I'm hooked! (not that it affects the way it flies, I know that).

RE: High wing planes
 

I spent my entire first year flying my trainer. That winter, I built my .46 size p51D, and maidened it with the help of my instructor in late may that spring. For a few weeks, I'd go out with both, warm up on the trainer, then fly the 'stang a time or 2.

Finally began to get comfy with the stang, and began leaving the trainer home. Flew the mustang exclusively for about 3 weeks. Then, in anticipation of a club hosted Fun Fly (GAFF), I brought out the trainer again. Good plane for balloon chase I figured.

I banded on the wing and fired up the brave little LA25. Out to the flight line, and up she went. I couldn't stop grinning. What fun! It was like an old friend back from away. I finally saw the fun in it.

It took my second plane to make me appreciate my first. Rarely after that was the trainer left home. This year, it's still my most flown plane. Recently been exploring the finer points of vertical snap rolls evolving to spins. Nice and violent!

I love the looks of the rascal. The elliptical wing just does it for me. Can't compare their flight, but I'd expect the rascal to be a bit more versatile. Old school looks beg for a 4 stroke.... Damn, gotta go, wallet's getting scared....

J

RE: High wing planes
 

Yeah I've been thinking about that (2 vs 4 stroke). There's a 110 Rascal at my field with a four stroke, and it really fits. Unfortunately I think I would end up getting an OS55AX (don't know how unfortunate that really is though!) and putting either that or the 46AX in the Rascal, and the other in my Dolphin.

I'm really hooked on OS engines, and for some reason don't want to get the Magnum .70 that a bunch of people at my field have. Of course I see them having a tough time starting and adjusting needles, and the OS AX series is the most forgiving thing I've met since God.

OS 55AX with a 12 or 13" prop would be nice, on any plane...

RE: High wing planes
 

Absolutely. No question about it. I have two OS 75 AX's and three OS 1.20 AX's and they all run the same way. They start, usually on the first flip with the chicken stick, require minimal tuning, and just plain fly fly fly. Great engines. And I have them on a variety of planes: Protege, Skylark 70, Excelleron 90, Venus II, & a Tiger 120. They seem to do it all, and do it well.

CGr

RE: High wing planes
 

And to add that the 55AX is on Easy Pay at Tower - 3 payments of under $50. How the heck can you say no to that??? I can't!

I love OS!

RE: High wing planes
 

The Rascal is a gorgeous plane in person. One of these days I am going to get one, hopefully the giant scale. The .46-AX is all you need for the 40 size. In fact, I wouldn't go with anything else due to limited space in the engine area.

Another good option is the World Models Sky Raider Mach-1. No, it isn't the prettiest thing in the world but fly it once and you won't care what it looks like. They are super smooth flyers that can be gentle & forgiving or do some nice aerobatics. Mine would knife edge the length of the field better than a lot of other supposed aerobatic planes I own. The best part is touching on the mains, rolling out and dragging the tail skid then taking off again without the nose wheel ever hitting the pavement.

I also agree with RCKen that there really are no boring planes. I've learned to do all sorts of maneuvers from loops, snap rolls, stall turns, and harriers to hovering, walls, etc. You know what excites me more than any of them? A perfectly greased landing because that is one of the more difficult things for most pilots to pull off. Listen to what he is telling you and you'll save a ton of money and stress in this hobby.

Sticking with the OS engines is a good move. Nothing wrong with the Magnums of course. I've owned 3 Magnums myself. They can run excellent but might need just a little more effort. Nothing beats an OS for the combination of power, reliability and ease of use. If you ever want to try a 4-stroke, the OS's are just as nice as their 2-strokes.

RE: High wing planes
 

Just because an airplane is a high wing model doesn't make it a trainer!

There are several high wing airplanes that are really great performing sport fliers capable of doing most any maneuver well with the right thumbs attached to the control box!

Take a Stik and build the wing with several degrees of anhedrial. Its then a low winger flying inverted "right side up". ;) Rolls faster and flies very well inverted :D

Point is it all depends upon the airfoil and the airplanes design configuration. High wing/ Low Wing doesn't always mean alot sometimes!

RE: High wing planes
 

Got the new Tower Flyer today and a lot of stuff, including engines, is going up in price soon. Now might be the time to make a planned purchase while the prices are lower. With my vacation coming up in a couple weeks, cash is a little tight but I'm probably going to place a pretty good order this weekend.

RE: High wing planes
 

Bummer. No $$$ 'til next month at least[&o]

If I can score some used radio gear I might be in good shape, will start asking around.