Wings,

I am just a beginner. I had 2 flights with an instructor recently. I fought against the advice to get an instructor, but I found out that flying with one is very enjoyable. If the instructor you get is like the one I have he'll leave control of the plane alone as long as you're doing well and take control only after you see beyond a shadow of a doubt that you need help, if you ever do need it. Either way it happens for you, it's a great confidence builder

You're getting very good recommendations from the old timers here.

I tried flying a foam Mini Piper enough times to get accustomed to using the rudder and elevator. If you're like me it won't take but a few minutes to make the transition to aleron controls. I can almost promise you that you'll like aleron control much better than rudder/elevator control. The biggest difference is that the plane will respond quicker than with the r/e controls.

Sometimes saving a few dollars just doesn't really make good cents. --- elad

Only one other comment. The question you asked about wives and girlfriends getting miffed about your hobby time. Keep just a few things in mind. First, a wife or a girlfriend is a woman. They are just made that way in the head. In the long run, if you find one that doesn't think that way, you'll probably find out eventually that you really didn't want her anyway. They can't help being that way any more than you can help wondering why the heck they are that way. The best you can do is, while you're with her let her know that she is your "main thang" and that everything else is just a hobby. I just wish I had learned to do that sooner.

elad

Keep your planes areobatic, not acrobatic. ---------- elad