TimBle, good to see you will start now. I hope you really enjoy it! You might get hooked!

If you will get to F3A you will fly a lot. Pattern flying is safe. Incidents do happen but if you look at some friends that enjoy helicopters or 3D planes, you will see them consume many planes while you are still flying that one F3A plane and getting better all the time.

Also, don't buy that expensive plane too early. Buy it when you are ready for it. Until then slowly build up your expertise by flying a lot and learning to trim your airplane. It is burning nitro (or electrons nowadays) that will get you there, not an expensive plane.

If for a next plane you would buy a Sebart 110 with a HongKong setup (see threads for info) you would be surprised how far you can get. I am pretty sure if you would give that plane to your current national champion, he would also win the contests.

Volkert