For me, this is a childhood aspiration that finally happened. I never knew anyone who flew RC, but I always loved things that flew. My dad taught me how to make paper airplanes which I did often, and I used to get up at 5 am to watch the space shuttle launches. The first RC planes I ever saw were in the Sears catalog, but my parents wisely said "No" every year when I asked for them. Model rockets scratched the itch well enough through grade school and then competitive shooting became my hobby. I was 30 when I remembered the interest and went searching online for information, and read all I could about it. I was in my last year of my Master's degree and so as a reward my wife got me started in the hobby for Christmas. That plane didn't last long due to a radio problem, but I've slowly enjoyed the hobby for nearly 5 years now, keeping costs down by buying mostly used things and doing lots of repairing. I love to work with my hands and the hobby gives me a break from the books and people tasks of my job in ministry. My little girl (2 1/2) loves airplanes and helicopters now, so I'm excited to see how she will fit in to the hobby, if at all, when she's older.