Great Planes Big Stik 40 ARF
 My pick for my 2nd plane, after learning to fly my trainer.  I think I got lucky and made the perfect choice.  The Stik is fairly fast, very maneuverable, and handles all basic aerobatics.  Again, another classic design.
 

 

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 Year Built:

2001- This is the non-Monokote ARF version.
Weight:

TBD
CG:

Per manual
Engine:

OS 46 FX, then OS 61 FX
Prop:

APC 10x6, then 12x6
Muffler:

Stock OS
Fuel:

Powermaster 15/20
Radio:

Futaba TX6AS
Futaba R127D FM
Servos:

Futaba S3003
Battery:

Batteries America 1100 mAh NiCds
Color Scheme:

Traditional red with white strips, black Maltese cross
Initial Impressions:

*I would rate the quality of this ARF as Average, largely due to the covering.  It is some sort of polyester stick-on stuff.  It gets nasty in the sun and Windex and Simple Green take the color out of it.  Still, it is way better than the ARFs I remember from 20 years ago.
*Fit of the various pieces is good, no major mods necessary.  Typical of the Stik design, it goes together easily.
*I opted for the tail-dragger version, and swapped the wire gear for aluminum.
*With the .46, I needed 2 ounces of lead on the tail to balance.  I should have checked CG before installing engine, I probably could have avoided the lead by sliding the engine back a bit.
*Switched to the .61 just for fun, I had it on the shelf and needed the .46 for the Fun Tiger.  Took another 4 ounces of lead to balance even with the engine against the firewall.  I only put about 10 flights on with the .61 before I decided to build a "SuperStik"  See details below...
Flying Impressions:

*First "real" plane after my Kadet.  In my opinion, this is an ideal 2nd plane.  It is very stable, and after a trainer it felt like it was on rails, it would really go where you pointed it.
*Plenty of power with the .46, can do all basic aerobatics, nice square loops, easy to fly inverted, knife edge requires roll and pitch coupling but can be mastered without a mix if you practice a bit.  Stalls straight forward, no tipping.
*Lots of fun with spoilerons, they make a nice airbrake for those "swoop in and stop" landings.


 

*I never did take any pics of my Stik, here's the GP stock photo.  I build mine as a tail-dragger.


 		 *Here is the wing with the dual aileron servos.  I just cut out a stock tray and made room for two.  Seems to work fine.


 

*After seeing an UltraStick fly, I decided to convert mine to a "SuperStik".  I'm enlarging the tail surfaces and moving the servos to the tail to try to get rid of some lead...
 

Too many airplanes, not enough space.  I sold this project to Larry from Scottsdale Model Flyers.  I will be interested to see what approach he takes with it.