The Balsa USA Stick 40 Plus is a radio-controlled (RC) model airplane kit designed for novice builders and pilots, known for its simplicity, durability, and ease of flight. Here’s a detailed overview based on available information:

Overview

• Manufacturer: Balsa USA, a company with nearly 70 years of experience in producing high-quality balsa wood model airplane kits.
• Type: Sport RC airplane kit, suitable for beginners and intermediate pilots.
• Purpose: Designed as a trainer aircraft, ideal for learning to fly RC planes due to its forgiving flight characteristics and repairable structure.
• Construction: Traditional balsa wood and plywood with laser-cut parts for precision and ease of assembly.
• Specifications
• Wing Span: 58 inches 
• Wing Area: 580 square inches.
• Fuselage Length: 43 inches.
• Flying Weight: 5 to 5 3/4 pounds.
• Engine Options:
  • Glow: .30 to .40 2-stroke or .40 to .50 4-stroke engines.
  • Electric: Can be converted to electric power with modifications by skilled hobbyists.
    
    
• Key Features
• Beginner-Friendly Design: The Stick 40 Plus is tailored for novices, with a low wing loading that makes it easy to fly and stable in the air. It can be built as either a taildragger or with tricycle landing gear, with parts for both included.
• Durability: The design is “totally and completely repairable,” allowing beginners to fix crash damage easily.
• Laser-Cut Parts: Modern kits include laser-cut balsa and plywood parts for precise assembly, improving build quality and ease.

Building and Flying Experience

• Building: The kit requires assembly, appealing to hobbyists who enjoy constructing their models. The process is straightforward, with laser-cut parts and detailed instructions reducing complexity. Builders report learning valuable skills from the process, with one user noting it was their first RC plane built in high school (1987).
• Flying: The Stick 40 Plus is praised for its forgiving flight characteristics. Its low wing loading ensures stable, predictable handling, making it ideal for beginners. Users report soloing after about 10 flights. It’s described as “ugly as sin but a great little plane.”
• Nostalgia: Many hobbyists express fondness for the Stick 40, citing it as their first RC plane. Its simplicity and reliability evoke strong nostalgic feelings, with stories of multiple builds leading to successful flights.

User Feedback

• Users praise its ease of building, forgiving flight characteristics, and durability. One user rated it 5 stars, citing nostalgia and the intense satisfaction of flying it after multiple crashes.
• Challenges: Some modern hobbyists prefer ready-to-fly (ARF) foam planes, finding kit-building time-consuming. However, builders value the learning experience.
  
  
  

Historical Context

• The Stick 40 Plus has been a staple since at least the 1980s, with users recalling building it as their first RC plane. Its design reflects an era when balsa kits were the norm, before foam and electric ARFs became popular.                                
• Balsa USA’s longevity (nearly 70 years) underscores the kit’s enduring appeal, supported by a loyal customer base.                                                                     
• Skill Level: Ideal for beginners or those wanting a relaxing build. Intermediate pilots can add ailerons for more control.
• Engine Choice: Select a .30–.40 2-stroke or .40–.60 4-stroke for glow/gas, or research electric conversion kits for modern power systems.
• Check Completeness: For vintage kits, verify contents, as opened boxes may lack parts.
• Resources: Balsa USA offers Digital Manuals, Catalogs and Paper Plans and Manuals also