For me the beginning was comet & berkeley stck kits. I tried 1/2A controline but never could get it in the air. Then one day i saw some kids flying controline and the airplanes were much bigger. My Uncle had given me an old Mc Coy .29 Sportsman (rings & all). I bought the infamous Ringmaster built it and I was ready. My pal and I went down to the School yard. We were ready to give it a try. I know the engine worked becuse I had tested it but I really didn't think it would start. Three flips and it was running. I ran to the control handle picked it up and signaled my pal to release. Well, being on grass, and a novice, I did not know the lines would snag on the grass. The snag caused the rRingmaster to turn around on the ground and it did a complete 360 degree circle. My pal was trying to run away, fell down only to see the Ringmaster straighten out and head into the air. I can still hear his word "It's up". I had no idea what i ws doing. It held steady for about ten laps and then over my head and into the ground. Yes, it broke but was fixable. I was hooked! Next time the flights actually lasted until the engine stopped. Of course that was a new experience for me. How do I land this thing? Around, it climbed into the wind, over my head and into the ground. But it was fixable and I kept trying until I finnally got it. I was only around 15 years old and been building and flying since except for College, cars, wife, kids, work. But I returned into R/C ten years ago.
I think all that building helped, becasue I can fix the broken airplanes, and ARFs where many today don't know how and just buy another fuselage or wing..

Gerry