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 Your Second Plane by Cliff Griffin 12/12/00   Staying with the little .40 sized planes, the Somethin' Extra is a quick building kit, and should be a great place to start. Just keep the control throws to a minimum when you start with it. It's not totally constant cord, but close enough. I would avoid tapered wings, like those
on more aerobatic planes, like Cap's and scale Extra's, until you get more flight experience.
 Also, low wing planes are typically more difficult to fly, but more docile ones like the Sig 4 Star series are popular 2nd planes. Sig's laser cut planes build very easily, because of the precise cuts and little sanding required. They help ensure successful, straight builds and
boost confidence. If you are planning on buying a new engine for the plane, I'd strongly consider stepping up in size for the extra stability and visibility. My 79" Spacewalker ARF flew much better--more stable and more predictable--than my trainer. It was also more aerobatic, an added bonus.
 The Spacewalker has a constant cord low wing. With the TT1.20 on it, I could putt around at 1-2 clicks above idle. I would much rather put my Chickie on it as her first engine powered plane than with a little trainer, after she gets ready to move up from her Wingo. One of the nice things
about the 1.20 sized planes is that they aren't THAT much more expensive than the .40 sized planes. You can get a good new engine in the $170-180 range, the well loved TT1.20 or powerful ST2300, or get a used one for even less. Not too bad when you consider the inflated price of a new OS .46FX. The typical 1.20 sized plane can run on standard servos if you don't fly too fast with it, they just require a pair of servos in the wing rather than a single one. Some planes can be deceiving though--a
Four Star 120 is a great 1.20 sized plane, and can probably fly with a wide engine range, from probably smaller than .75 to much larger than 1.20, depending on your performance requirement.
 The Stinger 1.20, on the other hand, is going to be almost underpowered with a 1.20, since it's a pretty heavy plane if you build it stock. Basically a stick with a turtledeck added, it's got more aerobatic potential due to the minimal dihedral, and commonly built with up to 45cc (2.7ci) gas
engines or more. Just make sure to check into the particular 1.20 sized plane before jumping.
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