Auger,

I am located in Simpsonville, SC. Just Southeast of Greenville SC. I am a junior instructor with our club, and would love to invite you to come and fly with us. I dont' know where you are, but if you are close enought to upstate SC, I have several planes I train on and a DX7s buddy box preset for the tranier planes in the trailer ready to go. I know you said you don't want a foam plane, but I'd suggest a Parkzone T-28 Trojan to get your wings with. Many of our new pilots have learned to fly with them. They are very durable, can be fixed with hot glue and packing tape at the field, and parts are low cost and readily available if you really crash one to pieces. Many of our new pilots end up keeping them flying, adding lights to fly at night, or larger motors and power systems, flaps, retracts, etc. as they gain experience. I have one battle scarred in the trailer for fun and training, because when the crash happens, it's back in the air in 10 minutes or less.

If you are close enough, PM or email me. I'd be glad to help you get comfortable with the basics, and able to enjoy relaxed flying..... You are welcome to try my foam Radian too. Also a great first plane tha't easy to fix and fly. You might be surprised.

Byron