I need advice giving me some hints on what to expect, going from a flat bottom trainer wing to flying a low wing plane with a fully symetrical wing. It is a VMar Arrow 40 ARF, 60" wing, 620 sq. in., with strip ailerons (no taper to wing shape), weight about 6 lbs., set up as a tail dragger. It will have an OS .46 FX on it. I picked this up very cheap to fill in a "plane inventory shortage". :rolleyes: After my first trainer, (which lasted 140 flights),I had a "short stint" of 5 flights flying a high wing SEMI-SYMETRICAL Cessna 40. The mostly white plane gave me "orientation problems" and it got WAAAYYYYYY out. With my lack of experience I couldn't control it and it became a Lawn Dart in the soft, barren, corn field :eek: Anyway.... I am as always, open for suggestions. Maybe selling all my stuff??? :D ...thanks....lownslo

PS. I did have some tail dragger experience because I converted my old trainer to a tail dragger for about it's last 40 flights.

You will find it more frisky than your Cessna. It will take off faster followed by a faster climb rate. It will also be very good in the wind. It will penetrate well and not be bounced around by the wind. You will instantly learn the meaning of "Goes wher you point it!" It will probably also fly faster than your other planes. Don't let it scare you because with the wing on the Arrow it will also control well at slower trainer like speeds. Low wings like this have to flown. If you put the plane into a turn, you have to bring it out. If you put the plane at an angle it tends to just stay at that angle. You won't see any self leveling on a plane like this. Once you get used to this concept, it is actually easier to control than a trainer because it will do exactly what you tell it to and not get bounced around by the wind.
Landings are also nicer than a trainer because you can get a predictable glide slope. The plane won't suddenly jump up in the air like a trainer if a breeze hits the plane. It may waver a bit if its a sidewind but generally, it just keeps on coming down at a steady rate which makes landings very predictable. Thats why experienced pilots say that their low wing plane lands easier than their trainer. If the ailerons list high and low rates for the ailerons I would use low rates to start. High rates on the rudder and elevator are fine. Do expect very quick, precise turns with the Arrow. For safety I would gain lots of altitude with the Arrow before trying a turn so that you are not turning really hard close to the ground. The turn rate may be about the same as your Cessna but I'm sure. Hope this helps, Fast! :D